Last week, my liberal friend seemed to have forgotten just how radical he was perceived to be by millions of everyday Americans. It’s puzzling. So, here’s what went down, folks.
I’m not referring to the usual online crowd. I mean regular people—those who scroll through Facebook or watch Instagram videos while waiting in line at their favorite drive-through. These “normies” discuss their lives, celebrating sports wins or concert memories instead of diving into deep political debates online.
More and more of these apolitical citizens are waking up. They’re realizing that even if politics doesn’t see them, it still impacts them.
And it’s vast—tens of millions of them. They’re engaging, perhaps miffed, and I have to admit, they’re placing blame. They think the left is responsible for the issues they’re facing. How justified this blame is—well, that’s open for debate, but it’s how they feel, and they’re reacting accordingly.
I might come off a bit dull, but I can almost hear some of you gearing up to start critiquing me: “Just listen,” I say. If you don’t develop some self-awareness, you risk your movements losing their relevance. A hint of humility might go a long way.
Now, let’s break down the events:
- Numerous Americans were shaken after witnessing a tragic event involving a young woman, just 23, whose life was cut short—stabbed by a repeat offender who had been released from prison multiple times.
- Then, a couple of days later, they saw a video of Charlie Kirk being attacked. While some knew who he was, many didn’t. Yet they felt a collective heartache watching someone experience such a cruel injustice.
- Right after witnessing this, these same everyday folks turned to their social media, though it’s important to remember—these are not the same people constantly scrolling on Twitter. Their support isn’t merely passive; it’s deep and concerning.
These realities exist whether you like them or not. We can debate their meanings, but they are undeniably true.
For Democrats observing this shift: Those not heavily entrenched in politics are starting to mobilize. After witnessing violence that touches the core of community safety—their families are at stake—they are stepping into more right-leaning ideologies.
They are becoming aware that the discourse surrounding crime, mental health, and social justice might be more about politics than their safety. When they see footage of people committing violence, they connect the dots back to political narratives that they’ve been told over the years.
And this leads to frustration. They pick up on what’s being said, and they generally are not fond of it. It’s like they can smell the hypocrisy from a mile away.
They hold the left accountable, thinking that even moderate Democrats are complicit in a system that, in their eyes, threatens their very existence. When they see violence, they don’t just lament; they question their own safety, wondering if they, too, could be targets.
Tension is high. They perceive a lack of action on the left to condemn vocal extremists calling for harm. It makes them uneasy, to say the least.
When they see sentiments supporting the violence against people like Charlie Kirk, it confirms their fears. Regular folks, even if they occasionally support opinions from across the aisle, are dismayed at the idea that others could celebrate such a horrific act.
So how do you respond? With empty stats about crime rates, for instance? The on-the-ground reality contradicts those narratives. People know what they’re seeing and feeling in real life.
What about “Whataboutism”? Sure, they’ve seen those arguments, but they feel worn out and irrelevant when placed beside the tragedies unfolding in front of them.
All of these claims—they smell off to them. And they want to voice their discomfort, perhaps more strongly than before.
What’s come of all this is a surge of new voices, ones that are now angry and ready to demand change. If anything, there’s an obligation to ensure such violence is addressed decisively moving forward.
It’s time for reflection, for some to clean house, and perhaps, to stand up for what many now consider their fundamental rights.
