Letter to the Editor: Re: A Republican’s Perspective on the 2024 Election

Political evolution can be admirable, and compassion should always have a place in politics; however, we must be honest about the distinct vitriol and callousness that characterizes certain political groups. Since 2016, many Make America Great Again (MAGA) Republicans and conservatives have consistently maintained and perpetuated vitriolic rhetoric and violence against women, people of color, immigrants, queer people, and any other group deemed inferior and/or illegitimate by their bigoted and regressive ways of thinking. This is not my personal opinion or experience, but the reality of hate and fear that still plagues the lives of innocent people simply existing and striving for a better future for themselves, their families, and their loved ones.

To act as if many MAGA Republicans and conservatives are merely good-willed individuals led astray by disinformation and lacking discernment is not only deeply untrue, it’s incredibly insensitive to the populations who have been affected and are still enduring the impact of their ignorant beliefs and actions. While it’s true that not all Republicans and conservatives are malicious and violent individuals, their rhetoric and policies are often exclusionary. This conversation warrants no grounds for dispute when many prominent news publications, news networks, and even scholarly journals have thoroughly documented their exclusionary language and displays.

Although I identify as politically independent, I can acknowledge that the critique of the left as intolerant and unsympathetic, especially towards Republicans and conservatives, is a tired and disingenuous dog whistle. Republicans and conservatives frequently feign ignorance regarding basic progressive values that the left has been discussing and promoting for decades. Be it a person’s right to exercise bodily autonomy, dismantling systemic racism, police reform, immigration reform, pro-LGBTQ bills, gun control, and much more, the right has tirelessly curbed pivotal legislation and reversed decades of progress, impeding the lives and livelihoods of millions. Take the current abortion bans, for instance, which disproportionately impact women of color, especially low-income black women, denying their safety and bodily autonomy. These policies are pivotal to the left, particularly minorities who vote liberal, because it secures their lives and the quality of their livelihoods.

To someone who leans left, extending compassion to people who don’t recognize your humanity and/or care enough to protect it is futile and loathsome to oneself. Due to the right’s unwillingness to prioritize and enact equitable policies, Democrats and liberals are rightfully cautious of people who seem to be aligned with their regressive beliefs and values. Although our politics needs to be more compassionate, we must remember that it is not the duty of oppressed people to feel sympathy toward those who are actively increasing their suffering. Nor should they be expected or demanded to sympathize with those who have contributed to enacting policies that limit their freedoms.

In political discourse, it’s essential that we outline our concepts. Thus, let me clarify the fine line between sympathy and empathy because some mistakenly conflate the two. Sympathy is feeling genuine concern for others; whereas empathy “consists in feeling what another is feeling” and taking on others’ perspectives. These simple definitions make it painfully obvious what aisle of the political spectrum has a severe deficit in both concepts. Time after time, the left has had no choice but to empathize with Republicans and conservatives because it is the only way to negotiate for their basic human rights and quality of life. For those who are privileged, it’s easy to stand on a soapbox and lecture oppressed people about bridging our shared humanity when they are unable to empathize with our apprehension and sympathize with our dehumanization.

Minorities who lean left are justifiably wary of people who sympathize with Republican and/or conservative values because the policies they support have prejudiced consequences. Personal ethics can be favorable toward anyone; however, it does not change the fact that one’s supposed/stated personal values may not align with the policies one supports. To sincerely and fully evolve from Trumpism, it’s pertinent that Republicans stop using his favorite tactic: deflection. While the Republican party may not eagerly endorse white supremacy as Trumpism does, their policies still disproportionately impact communities of color in deeply harmful ways. To genuinely reflect on one’s character and beliefs, it’s important to take full accountability for ignorance instead of blaming the left for not being friendly enough. After all, the foundation of constructive dialogue is decency and sincerity.