I biffed my answer to a question posed to me by a high school sophomore. I had just finished giving a speech at Turning Point USA’s recent conference and was taking questions from the audience. The last question of the day came from Avery, a high school sophomore who asked a prescient question.
Avery wanted to know what advice I would give that would make it easier to speak out for conservative values against the onslaught of hostility from her liberal high school teachers and indoctrinated classmates.
I told her that it was important to know the facts and to be able to explain them in a non-defensive manner. I told her that she should be courageous and to speak out.
What I should have pointed out is that no matter how many facts she has and how clearly she explains those facts, and no matter how kindly she speaks to her adversaries, it will never be easy.
I repeat, it will never be easy.
She will need courage. She will need knowledge. She will need to explain her position clearly. But, even with all of that, it will never be easy because those to whom she is making her case will most assuredly be uninterested in her facts and the truth.
I applaud Avery and hope that she will press her case and bring notoriety to the liberal attack on her conservative beliefs even though it won’t be easy.
She will undoubtedly have to endure the disapprobation of adults who lack her maturity. I encourage her to take the stand in the court of public opinion with confidence and tenacity.
When answering her question, I alluded to the reality that as we conservatives tackle the dangerous policies of the Left those on the Left are grossly intolerant. While we offer data and facts and what we believe are rational conclusions from that information, it is not unusual for Lefties to be unable to refute the truth and our rational conclusions.
Bereft of logical response the Leftie will immediately turn to ad hominem attacks. Invariably a debate on such mundane topics as the protection of the snail darter or regulation of the wicker content of hot air balloon baskets will soon devolve into such sobriquets of “racist,” “domestic terrorist,” or “white nationalist” from the otherwise ill-informed Leftist.
Being called vile names by the ignorant isn’t particularly pleasant, nor is it the worst thing in life. The Left and their allies in big-tech and the media will, however, attempt to make Avery’s willingness to publicly expose the Left a very difficult proposition.
In the world of cancel culture, adults who should be tolerant of diverse opinions will try to suppress her participation in social media. They will use vile tactics to try and ostracize Avery as if we lived in a medieval world instead of a free society.
I was correct to encourage Avery to speak out with preparation and courage. We need her brave, strong voice to help correct the path to captivity that our nation is moving along. We need her to speak out and inform her friends, peers, and community.
But, even if she follows that advice, the hateful opponents of America and freedom will never make it easy. I should have warned Avery that it won’t be easy, but that it is necessary for the preservation of her liberty. God bless you, Avery. Let’s fight on, together.