On Jan. 6, 2021, an angry mob of Donald Trump supporters swarmed a CBC News crew working near Capitol Hill. Nearly four years later, reporter Katie Nicholson tracked down one of the people who surrounded her that day to find out what she’s thinking heading into another volatile U.S. presidential election.
Was worth the watch for the emotional contortions the supporter twists herself into when confronted by one of the people she threatened, her Democrat-voting husband dealing with it all, and that messed up Trump paraphernalia store.
It is important that we understand these people, who are our family and neighbours. This isn’t a person who is seeking a “platform”. Labeling them “jerkoff whackjobs” is emotionally gratifying, but it doesn’t give you useful insight. Indeed, it’s a way of turning off your brain and not thinking deeply about it. It’s a defense mechanism against things that are disturbing and difficult to understand and process.
I “understand” that they are opting out of almost ALL of the clauses in our shared social contract.
Do they understand the effects of this opt out? How the paradox of tolerance resolves for people who’ve literally had enough and see the opt out for what it is?
Because, for lots of us, once you’re out like that, you’re really out.