“We stand united, and together we are stronger than hate, louder for love.” These fifteen words, sent to my Twitter followers alongside a photo of my partner Alex and our newly adopted daughter Mia on a joyful day, quickly turned into a whirlwind of engagement. Within hours, the post had garnered over 5,000 interactions and continued to soar, reaching 90,000 impressions by the afternoon.
However, in the midst of this supposed celebration, I found myself in a restroom stall at work, feeling an overwhelming weight in my chest. I had mistakenly believed that the strides we’ve made in acceptance and equality had eliminated all hatred, but reality struck hard. My timeline, once filled with positive messages, transformed into a battleground of anger, threats, and vitriol. I had become a target for the alt-right.
What follows is a glimpse into the toxic responses that can arise from simply expressing political support online. I categorize these reactions to illustrate the rampant hatred that permeates social media, presenting them as they were originally posted—despite my desire to correct spelling and grammar.
Anti-Political Responses
These comprised the bulk of the negativity. Individuals expressing their opinions, often with glaring incoherence:
- “Seriously? You think she’s not corrupt?”
- “Another president funded by foreign interests? #boughtoff”
- “She never takes responsibility. What reality are you in?”
Xenophobic Remarks
Our family, which is pretty typical, nonetheless provoked the ire of those with anti-immigrant sentiments:
- “Don’t show that photo to the incoming immigrants; they won’t approve.”
- “Most of her funding comes from countries that execute LGBTQ+ individuals.”
- “Sure, let’s just welcome in those anti-LGBT refugees! LOL!”
Benghazi Accusations
Our joyous family moment took a turn as individuals brought up Benghazi, regardless of its relevance:
- “Remember when she got those Americans killed? She should be in prison.”
- “Be careful if you’re near Muslims; they’re dangerous!”
- “What about the soldiers at Benghazi?”
Attacks on Family
These responses hurt the most, as they targeted our family directly:
- “You should feel ashamed for your lifestyle.”
- “This isn’t a family; it’s a social experiment. Watch out!”
- “Someone needs to call child services; that kid is in danger.”
- “Disgusting. Those people will mess up that child’s life.”
I welcome civil discourse and healthy debates; I miss the days when I could engage with those who had differing views. Conversations with my friend Julia, a strong advocate for another political figure, have always enriched my understanding. But the exchanges I encountered were not discussions. They were a stark reminder of the absence of leaders who once worked to diffuse hate and ignorance.
This is our reality. Sharing a family photo now invites an avalanche of bigotry, misogyny, and xenophobia. Despite my unwavering support for political leaders after careful consideration of policies, the hate I encountered transcends party lines.
We stand at a critical juncture where the victories of acceptance should not blind us to the ongoing hatred that persists. We must use these moments to empower ourselves and fight back against the negativity. There’s no sideline for my family; it’s all about living fully in a world that can be harsh.
As I contemplate the impact of upcoming elections on our family’s future, I feel the weight of responsibility. The thought that voter turnout could define our rights is daunting. Yet, through it all, we remain steadfast in our support.
So yes, we love you, Hillary, and we’re still here for you, but days like this weigh heavily on the heart. Please continue to fight for us.
Dr. Samuel Carter
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Summary:
In a world where expressing support for a political figure can trigger an avalanche of hate, Dr. Samuel Carter reflects on the impact of social media vitriol. He shares the array of negative responses targeting his family, emphasizing the necessity for civil discourse and the ongoing fight against bigotry. As they navigate these challenges, the call for unity and support remains paramount.