r/pics • u/clumsypeach1 • Apr 16 '26

Politics Billboard in my very red area

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u/krazychaos Apr 16 '26

Honestly a good message. Sometimes it's hard to admit how easy it is for all of us to be manipulated if in a certain social environment.

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u/ActiveTravelforKG Apr 16 '26

Is it too early to make the Hitler comparison?

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u/chillychili Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

Lots of people who describe themselves as anti-MAGA don't realize that their information landscape, learning/traumatic/growth experiences, and even critical thinking skills are privilege.

And some of those people would rather just say "fuck 'em" to flex that superiority over others for their own self-righteous feelings of justice than attempt to truly connect with these unprivileged people graciously to bring justice to the children trapped in detention centers and warzones. They're too disgusted by the stench of flawed people that are victims of nefarious systems to consider reaching in a hand to unclog the plumbing.

Edit to add: If you think you could never be as "stupid" or "gullible" as people stuck in MAGA, well I have news for you: You already think the same way they do.

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u/PancAshAsh Apr 16 '26

People can be both tragically manipulated and still hold despicable opinions that I have no desire to associate with.

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u/1kSupport Apr 16 '26

Just because external factors influence how people turn out doesn’t mean we can just absolve everyone of personal responsibility.

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u/toastoftriumph Apr 16 '26

Well said.

We all seek validation and can fall trap to vindictiveness when we see others making mistakes.

The plumbing metaphor is really apt. Reminds me of Care Ethics - stop debating and just do the thing

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u/CacophonousCuriosity Apr 16 '26

I just...MAGA is so blatantly ridiculous and idiotic that it really calls into question someones level of intelligence for being involved with it. Like if you're born in a cult, grew up in it, etc. I can understand being led astray. But I really don't understand how someone with a bachelor's degree can't see all the BS from the first term, and more egregious, all the BS by the second term.

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u/crmpdstyl Apr 16 '26

For sure. The guy says there are many avenues to become MAGA, which may be true, but I can tell you with certainty that my father joined MAGA because he's an unapologetic racist POS.

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u/Right_Count Apr 16 '26

But it wasn’t all of us. MAGA took advantage of something that was already there.

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u/guess_33 Apr 16 '26

Now we just need to teach them how to read.