Today, I was comforted by a close friend and a conservative Trump supporter. She grieved with me and I with her as she grieved over relationships damaged by rhetoric and politics.
I assured her that I loved her regardless of the button she pushed in the voting booth.
As I’m sure you’ve all gathered, I’m incredibly passionate about politics and am firm in my beliefs. But, I’m even more passionate about those I love and I am fiercely loyal. I would lay down my life for a handful of family and friends and she is among that short list. Her Trump vote could never change that.
You see I truly believe that love trumps hate and I fiercely believe that not everyone that voted for him aligns with his actions or words. Some, like my friend, chose to cast her vote for the candidate whose policies matched hers. Just as I did. I may not understand the choice made, but I understand the reasons why. And I respect her and her right to vote and have a different opinion.
She is not the Trump supporter I am scared of. She doesn’t mock me or call me a libtard. She’s never once tried to change my mind. She hasn’t ever made me feel unsafe or unwelcome. I’d like to believe this is true for a majority of his supporters. Unfortunately, the loudest ones are and they are the reason we are scared. They are also the reason my friend is a quiet supporter.
The past few days I’ve wanted to reach out to assure her I still love and care about her and always will – politics will never divide us. But, I couldn’t find the words. It was breaking my heart as I wondered if anything I said hurt her.
Then she reached out. “We’re okay right?” A little piece of me broke at the thought that she even had to ask, but I know why she did. I replied immediately and assured her we were.
Will I ever agree with her politics? No. Do I despise Trump and the rhetoric he campaigned on? Yes. Does he represent my friend? Not even close.
We are divided. But, we have love and respect. That’s what makes us great. That is what used to make America great.
Trump is still a xenophobic, misogynistic, racist bigot, but she is not. Not even close. She is my friend and I am proud to have her on my team.
We have to come together. We cannot let this damage relationships. You cannot teach through hate. We fight hate with love.