What it's Like Being the Only Democrat in the Family

Being the only Democrat in the family can be quite a unique and sometimes challenging experience. This story provides a window into the struggles and insights of someone who stands alone politically while trying to navigate familial relationships and social dynamics.

Personal Struggles

The narrative begins with a stark realization: 'It really really sucks! Especially when those who raised me under the golden rule have completely thrown out the golden rule!' This statement encapsulates the dissonance that can arise when one's personal values and political beliefs differ significantly from the family upbringing and current family members' viewpoints.

'There are so many Trump worshipers in my family It's very easy to see that I was adopted!!!' This observation highlights the stark political divide, indicating that being a Democrat in a predominantly Republican family can be quite evident. The use of multiple exclamation marks emphasizes the emotional weight of this realization.

Family Backgrounds

Despite these differences, the narrative also touches on positive family backgrounds. For example, 'My parents were both Republicans until Obama and my brother was apolitical so I was the only one who voted Democrat for a period of time. My parents were center-right though and they understand me very well so it wasn’t much of an issue. We didn’t really talk politics.' This illustrates that it's possible to maintain good familial relationships even with significant political differences.

In another scenario, 'My mother is the only Democrat in my family. Family was a staunch Republican and he raised us kids well.' This further emphasizes the prevalence of Republican viewpoints in the family, contrasting it with the personal story of being the sole Democrat.

Challenges

Between explaining simple social norms to longer discussions about political and social issues, being the only Democrat in the family can be quite a challenge. Examples include explaining why it's okay to eat after someone of a different ethnic group or the etiquette of peeling a banana before eating it. These instances highlight the need for constant education and clarification.

'They love their guns and are staunch supporters of the 2nd amendment the right to keep and bear arms. I have found some of them loading their rifles while holding it between their legs and looking down the bore to see if the trigger works.' This highlights a deeper cultural and ideological gap, as the author notes the potential for mishandling firearms, which could be a serious safety concern.

The article speculates on future societal changes, such as the possibility of demanding chemical and nuclear weapons under the same logic used to support the right to keep arms. This illustrates the potential for more extreme political and social shifts if current trends continue.

Understanding and Empathy

The author also addresses the importance of empathy and understanding. 'There are good people on both sides of the isle. Republicans don’t want people to suffer and die for lack of healthcare. They just see the responsibilities differently.'

This statement proposes a nuanced view of political differences, suggesting that the core desires may be similar but the means of achieving them differ widely. The author provides specific examples of Republican beliefs, such as the idea that helping the poor is the responsibility of the churches rather than the government, to illustrate these differing viewpoints.

'If these same people came across a traffic accident with hurt and bleeding people scattered about I believe they would stop and try to help. Maybe not because of the threat of lawsuits if they get involved but i’m sure they would make a call as they drive away. My point is that they are not heartless most anyway they just prioritise differently than I.' This argument emphasizes the common humanity and shared values that underlie different political stances.

The author concludes with a strong statement of personal responsibility and empathy: 'I know that if I don’t stand against Trump grabbing a neighbor’s wife he may grab mine! I know that if we dont pay our police officers a decent wage we won’t have decent police officers. I know that I am my brother’s keeper. Once the poorest of us are gone my turn is next. I’m smart enough to read the history and try to stop it repeating.' This articulates a commitment to personal and collective responsibility, highlighting the need for proactive and empathetic engagement in political issues.

Being the only Democrat in the family can indeed be a challenging experience, but it also provides an opportunity to bridge divides and foster understanding. This article emphasizes the importance of empathy, education, and understanding in navigating these complex relationships.