Okay so here's the thing.
We are living in a political climate that is unbelievably, heartbreakingly polarizing, in ways that are unprecedented in North America. The fallout from this polarization lands on the marginalized.
Recently, after listening to a certain inauguration speech, I posted an opinion, on my Facebook status. Some people agreed, some people disagreed. That's fine. Disagree with my opinion. I can handle it.
HOWEVER.
While I am open to respectful debate or discussion, that's not going to happen on a Facebook post. And when people I care about are made to feel defensive and dismissed on a post that is solely meant to communicate MY PERSONAL OPINION, that's not okay with me. I would have turned comments off, but I couldn't figure out how, so I deleted the entire post. I've since figured out how to turn comments off, so I'll do that in the future.
If you want to invite me to a respectful discussion about our apparent differences of opinion, message me. I retain my right to choose to accept or deny that invitation, but let's keep the debate where it belongs - offline, not in public, where I can take the time to be as detailed and nuanced as I need to be in order to be clear, and where you can say all the things you need to say without adding to the hurt that many of my dear friends are feeling.
