Open Letter to Friends and Family Who Support Trump

Hello.  I know we haven’t spoken as much lately, and too many of our conversations have ended in frustration or disappointment.  We both have passionate beliefs- something I really love about you.  When we disagree, I’m sorry if you feel disrespected in any way.  You are my parents.  My grandparents.  Aunts, Cousins, Uncles.  Friends for my school, work, my kids school.  People I’ve cared about- and still do.  People who I’ve helped, and people who’ve helped me.  My connection with you is meaningful.  It matters to me.  And it’s a little frayed.

Let’s try harder to see each other’s perspective

You are entitled to your beliefs just as I am to mine.  Our differences don’t make us Good or Bad.  Right or Wrong. Smart or Dumb.  Our differences just mean that we’ve had different experiences in life, gained different insights about issues big and small.

I do not support Donald Trump.  You do.  So you know what that makes us?

The same two people we’ve always been- just trying to navigate a disagreement that’s gotten WAY to personal.  You’re the exact same person that I respect and care about.  Your support of Trump hasn’t diminished that one bit.

I do have fear- actual fear- that good people will suffer actual harm because of Trump’s presidency.  And real fear that our democracy- the very foundation of this wonderful country that I love and believe in just like you- is being attacked.  That’s what drives my passion.

I’d like to get past this fear with you.  To work to better understand your perspective.  Here’s what I’d like to do.  For the next month, I will watch at least one episode of conservative commentary a week.  From what I’ve seen of Chris Wallace and Shepard Smith, they are real journalists.  People concerned with truth because news must be separate from the executive branch to protect Democracy.

So will you do the same for me?  Will you watch one episode of liberal commentary a week- something from MSNBC?

I know you don’t like most of the hosts.  Fair enough.  But you have to admit that there are hosts on these networks that have integrity.  You may not agree with what they say, but you do know they’re saying it because they believe it’s the truth.  They are real journalists, also committed to protecting democracy by keeping the influence of the executive branch away from the news.

I’ll study upcoming shows for Chris and Shep and pick one to watch.  I’ll blog about my thoughts.  And I promise to watch with a fair mind.  I may not agree with what I hear, but it will hit my ears as information from a journalist stating what that journalist perceives as fact.

Could you do the same?

We have to get past this.  You’re too important to me.