Political Memes

Here's two real world examples that show you how accepting Evil Lite^tm^ is still accepting something evil, and is a foolish trap in which to get caught.

During the Vietnam war, many Buddhist monasteries declared neutrality and just wanted to be left alone to engage in a non-violent spiritual practice. The Americans, naturally, assumed the monks were part of the Vietcong. The Vietcong, naturally, assumed they were passing intel to the Americans. Both of those warring sides were 100% wrong.

When the Americans bombed some of those Buddhist monasteries, they simply got around to attacking the monks first. What you're saying is that those monks who declared their own morals to center on non-violence should have given up their morals and dignity to take up a side and actively engage with that side. You would prefer they debase themselves before dying, rather than stand up for themselves before the same eventual end.

There is a saying associated with the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide: I yo uza kwimenya nanje ukamenya ntuba waranyishe. It translates to "If you knew me, and knew yourself, you would not have killed me." It's a phrase of forgiveness, which highlights the fact of the genocide that many people killed friends, neighbors, even relatives and spouses, because of the fervor of non-thinking and being swept up in the brutality. Not because it's something they felt like doing for years.

It seems like you think you're better than other people because you've been lured to stand on lies and BS that others have piled up for you. And from which they will let you fall and be replaced by someone else when you're no longer useful. Like how Trump views his base. If you really knew who you are, you would see how easily these groups want to manipulate you into fighting your friends, neighbors, and relatives for their benefit. You would see how being forced, and pressuring people to change who they are to choose a side, is not the moral equivalency of "yeah, but they're [label], tho." The MAGA folks have their labels for you and me, too - baby killers and whatever for supporting womens' rights. They genuinely think we are trying to institutionalize infanticide. Look at how deep the wedge goes.

I'm talking to you and only you right now onewomancareteam@sh.itjust.works - this isn't some "who wins the internet" argument. Downvote this, I don't care. I'm taking time and asking you to consider what you're giving up, how much stress you absorb, how many relationships you've seen fizzle, because someone else is telling you you can only be one thing or another. Be something else. Be whatever you want. Be you. Fight fascists all day long without care for their labels, follow their actions without labels. FWIW, when push comes to shove, I'm this kind of out there weirdo politically, which makes me a shitty Buddhist. But I know who I am, and when people try and take that away from me, it riles me up.

Have a good day, and sorry my earlier comment was probably extra spicy. I was probably being a dick.