Politics these days have become so divided and divisive that it’s become the norm to view the other side of the aisle as “the enemy”. People are being told to “pick a side” and that there’s no room for middle ground. We here at Phetasy believe that there are a lot more people in the middle than politicians and the media would have us believe.
We’re collecting stories from the ever growing number of people who are finding themselves Politically Homeless and posting them here on Substack. If you have moved from conservative to liberal, or liberal to conservative, if you feel you’ve stayed in the same place and your party has swerved drastically away from you, if you had a moment that awakened you to the insanity and hypocrisy on both sides, if you keep your mouth shut anytime a political topic comes up because you’re afraid your opinion will cause you to lose friends or your job, you’re not as alone as you might think.
Our goal is to shine a light on people’s earnest, individual experiences and show them they’re not alone.
Some letters have been edited for clarity and brevity. If you’re politically homeless and would like to share your story, please email us at iampoliticallyhomeless@gmail.com. All submissions will remain anonymous.
Letter 68:
October 21, 2022
Ten years ago, "politically active" or even "politically informed" would not be how I would describe myself. I was a 20-something high school teacher who would probably describe himself as pretty middle-of-the-road on the political spectrum. I never had a particular interest in politics; I found the whole subject to be little more than an annoyance, so I tuned out or walked away whenever politics were brought up. Because of this lack of interest, I rarely spent time thinking critically about political or social issues. I simply accepted that mainstream talking points were true. I simply accepted that institutional racism is always the primary reason behind all racial disparities, that women are paid less than men just for being women, that the government has the best interests of citizens at heart.
To my 20-something year-old mind, having a different opinion on topics like these seemed silly, conspiratorial, or even bigoted. There was really only one way to think about these topics, wasn't there?
I began thinking more critically about political and social issues during the 2016 election cycle. The entirety of the United States seemed to be erupting, with figures on every side of the aisle baring their teeth and shouting their beliefs at the top of their lungs. The constant vitriolic confusion of that time made me question my prior assumptions about most of my political and social opinions, including the ones I mentioned earlier. However, it seemed like I was the only one asking these questions, and that I may be wrong to be asking them. Then, as now, I rarely questioned commonly held views out loud. It was the first time that I realized the danger of voicing an opinion which differed from the “acceptable” view. After all, wasn’t it racist to suggest that racial disparities were caused by anything but racism? Wasn’t it sexist to suggest that issues like the gender wage gap could have any other cause but sexism? Wasn’t it a conspiracy theory to question the government’s motives?
In trying to grapple with these questions, I sought out a variety sources in the hope of gaining some clarity. My search for answers eventually led me to insightful psychologists such as Jordan Peterson and Jonathan Haidt, which then led me to brilliant thinkers such as Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying, which then led me to the open-minded Joe Rogan, which then led me to the safe haven of sanity that is Dumpster Fire with Bridget Phetasy. These figures, and others, have become invaluable voices in my search for potential answers to today’s pressing issues. From the madness of COVID policy to the insanity of the current discourse on gender and every topic in-between, these figures offer nuanced and logical viewpoints. They thoughtfully demonstrate the importance of having dialogue and showing grace to those with differing opinions. They demonstrate that the “acceptable” view is not always the correct view. Perhaps most importantly, they have assured me that I am far from alone.
I may be as politically homeless in my 30s as I was in my 20s, but as I struggle to wade through a world that seems more and more willing to accept and promote absurdities, I am grateful to have some help along the way.
Sincerely,
Politically Homeless
Some letters have been edited for clarity and brevity. If you'd like to share your story, email us at iampoliticallyhomeless@gmail.com. All submissions will remain anonymous.
I Am Far From Alone - Politically Homeless