The darndest conversations sometimes come up

20) Why/When the interjection of politics isn't always exactly welcome or necessary

Happy 4th of July, everyone!

 I recently posted a neat little story on a few somewhat unique FB communities I’m in. The neat communities being of former and current US Peace Corps Volunteers - RPCVs and PCVs (for those that get/like the lingo/acronyms). I was sharing how one of the most valuable and unexpected experiences of my time in the Peace Corps (while in Zambia 2008-2010) was the number of books I got a hold of and got to read.

Yes, believe it or not, in many parts of the world, without running water or electricity, one of the great pleasures in life is reading a book in the middle of the dark, before bed, under a head-lamp. 

Some countries in the Peace Corps have certain Peace Corps houses that have amazing libraries of books. And, many Peace Corps Volunteers travel abroad with an amazing array of books.  You can’t tell me that “travel” and “reading” don’t go hand in hand. Of course it does! Curious people love to travel and they also love to read.

So, I was sharing about my experience with how amazing some books I read were in Zambia. What I also did was, I shared a link of the 5 or 6 books I have given the most.

<Part II> "5 books I have gifted the most" (5 years later)

I enjoy sharing experiences, and if I am able to share something relatable to that experience, I will. I figure from this, it might generate interesting conversations, other neat book recommendations, and some link clicks. Maybe, I will even generate a few new subscribers along the way.

On one Peace Corps community conversation thread, someone had a crying emoji reaction to my post. This person proceeded to comment about one of the book covers on the link I shared showing a picture of an MSNBC talking head next to a FOX News talking head, titled Hate Inc..  The person appeared rather offended by this cover as they found it an insult to Rachel Maddow that she would even be mentioned in the same space as Sean Hannity. I don’t know if the person is familiar with Matt Taibbi’s work, or read my review, or even noticed the other books in the picture, but this person sure picked their target, and I took notice.

Now, FB algorithms tend to really stink nowadays, (wouldn’t you agree?). Unless it’s a baby picture, or a birthday, or wedding or funeral, or something else that the algorithm likes, I see posts get lost in the ether of the innerwebs. So, I’m not sure they will ever catch this.  But, I did share with this person, how I appreciated their feedback even if I didn’t exactly think their comment was in line with the spirit of the post. I also asked if they were familiar with Taibbi’s work. 

 Now, I clearly don’t have my blinders on. The Peace Corps community lends itself to more liberal minded people. And the liberal community in America has taken its fair share of L’s. In the very few political FB groups I still pay attention to, I see people wanting to bite each other’s heads off. And, since it's the liberal community taking the L’s, naturally their ire is the loudest.

I’m not sure what changed in my brain, or I got older/busier. But, when I hear people say “those that complain the most on twitter, have the least control of their lives” I took it to heart, and realized my anger at politics is a misplaced use of my energy. Hence, why I am happy I have found a certain outlet/release valve in writing.  

I’m not exactly asking people to be more civil, or to stop using profanity on their FB. I mean, it’s your platform, do what you want with it. I just know that politics is innately a power dynamic. One in which I think few people are actually that good at. Moscow Mitch probably is one of the masters in the dark art of power-struggles. That isn’t exactly meant to praise him, but it is to show that (clearly from how much Dems have been taking the L’s) certain influencers in politics can shift the tides in profound and dramatic ways.

If you haven’t read this piece yet (For Social Movements to be considered "A movement" they actually have to work) I invite you to do so. It goes into power dynamics quite a bit, and how Republicans are just plain better at it, then Democrats are.

For Social Movements to be considered "A movement" they actually have to work

 As for my *conservative friends who are actually “pro-choice”*, they have taught me that even in their frustration at republican/judicial overreach, they don’t give a crap about the moral high-ground. If anything, many pro-choice conservatives are more pleased at trolling a liberal like me than they are displeased at actually knowing a woman (in many parts of the country) can no longer choose to do what they want to do with their own bodies. I’m not saying this to offend them or troll them back. It’s just my observation, and I would tell it straight to their face.  

<*Conservative & Pro Choice is actually pretty common in the North-East. It’s also common in Jewish Communities. For myself, I know plenty of conservative Jewish people who all are “pro-choice”, can’t say I know too many “pro-life”, Jewish people*>. 

BTW - The person did respond, and they didn’t seem to follow my line of questioning. At that point, I realized that the conversation was going to be more contentious than I wanted and that it was best if I untangled myself from it. So, I wished this person well, and a Happy 4th, and I thanked them for their service to America while in the Peace Corps.  

Also, if this person ever comes across this story right here! They totally should click on the hyper-link on Moscow Mitch as it’s linked to a story of how Rachel Maddow explains Mitch McConnell earned his infamous nickname. I think the person might actually appreciate the irony of it all. I know I do! 

Peace & Love

JPJ