Forget The Swifties, What Fuels MAGAmania?
When I read this story, I wasn’t sure if I should post it as a Newsflash, though it is newsworthy, or as useful knowledge we can all use. It offers us both, but since it answers a troubling question no one had yet been able to answer to my satisfaction, I chose to post it into my U of You as something…well…enlightening?
The question I’ve struggled with is, how does any American, especially a patriot, fall passionately in love with a narcissistic, foul-mouthed bully who hates everyone except those who fawn over him, has a man crush on all known ruthless dictators, past and present, and is enamored with everything that’s clearly un-American?
Now, the truth is revealed thanks to Jen Golbeck, a journalist and researcher who shared my curiosity and fully embedded herself in MAGAland to discover what makes such fandom tick.
It’s not about politics. It’s likely more about the innate thrill factor that’s triggered when someone big and important comes along and sides with you by snubbing all the rules and hoity-toity people who make others feel small.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-rallies-mainstream-media_n_6...
Slipstream
This article made me very uncomfortable. Providing a welcoming atmosphere for hate and degradation is frightening. I never thought we'd see that in America.
Evangel
It's a mixed bag of people, but they all share one thing in common: they feel shunned and disrespected for their opinions and views. But Trump keeps giving them enough love and applause, validating who they are, and has convinced them it's time to overthrow the government—and he's the guy to do it. They are ready to oblige. They believe they are doing the right thing because they are true believers, unknowingly trapped in his snare of falsehoods and promises...much like children happily taking candy from the guy who's about to abduct them.
Well Street
I can't imagine how challenging this assignment must have been, seeing firsthand what she describes as a unified movement committed to ending our democracy.
Do we have it within us to do what she suggests—listen with open minds and genuine curiosity to learn about these people's worries, troubles, needs, and wants so they can feel heard by someone outside of MAGA Land? It makes sense that listening to and working toward understanding the other side is required for any hope of national unity, but it will have to be a two-way street.
Thank you for posting.
Evangel
A two-way street is essential. Both will have to listen to the other, but as you say it may not be easy. Yesterday, I heard about a podcast entitled "We live here now" created by two women who discovered that Ashli Babbit's mother had just moved in next door to them after coming to Washington, DC to get justice for her daughter. The podcast tells the story of their evolving relationship with their new neighbor. If you are interested in listening, here is a link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-we-live-here-now/id176...