Nicole L Martin

One more time today I’ll say…I am grateful

@nicolelmartin.bsky.social

I think I smelled the unrestrained narcissism early on and could never appreciate it.

Just a reminder that not speaking at all, acting indifferent, and not raising your voice all have nothing in the world to do with peacemaking.

Being aloof is not a fruit of the Spirit. Being above the fray is not Christlikeness.

“Towering genius” makes me want to divorce you 😂

Also, the world’s leading experts on authoritarianism are now referring to the Trump administration as the “Trump regime.” When the most informed people in a field of study are sounding the alarm, we should probably pay attention.

I have yet to meet a Trump supporter who has read a single book on the history of fascism, which is why I believe knowledge and education really are the best defenses we have against totalitarianism.

“Fascism is cured by reading.” -Miguel de Unamuno

the fact that you’ve just “always voted Republican,” your love affair with guns, or even your theocratic imaginations of a “Christian nation” taken by force, lets you off the hook.

Whatever your “reasons,” your vote makes you complicit in all of it, and neither your potential tax breaks, your fear of a browner and more pluralistic society, your desire to “own the libs,” your fear of trans people..

If you are a Trump supporter attempting to justify your vote by clarifying that you don’t condone his racism, misogyny, criminality, narcissism, bullish nature, or sexual abuse, please understand that the fact that none of these things were dealbreakers for you, reveals who you really are.

The authoritarian playbook … capitalize on social grievance and unrest, direct blame onto people/groups not remotely responsible, convince the populous they are rooting out corruption, draining the swamp and taking down the “elites,” all while becoming/owning the corrupt, elitist swamp.

And the clown cart gains another one.

This posture isn’t some holy or high-minded flex, but the revelation of a life full of privilege, cowardice, and devoid of empathy.

Those who are disconnected from the weight of this election, who are telling other people to “calm down” or that there is “nothing to be afraid of,” aren’t in close proximity with vulnerable people who have legitimate reasons to be afraid.

The future of democracy may very well depend on our ability to become media literate and to protect ourselves from disinformation and propaganda. These are my most often recommended books for anyone ready for a deep dive.

#propaganda #disinformation #medialiteracy #conspiracytheories