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MillennialExistential's avatar

I think you're spot on. A lot of these people are scared of the social change they see and are desperately trying to force it all back into the box.

When my conservative parents have been the most honest with me about their feelings on politics this has always been the message. They're afraid of being branded racist/bigotted for their beliefs, they're scared that young people are changing the country in ways they don't like, etc.

But they never seem to do the introspection and ask why their beliefs may be offensive. They never consider that some of us want social change because the old order was cruel and damaging to so many people.

I sometimes wonder if conservatives understand, deep down, the pain and terror they've inflicted on certain groups, and they subconsciously fear that if those groups ever gain power, they'll seek retribution.

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knowltok's avatar

Of course they fear it. And not subconsciously.

Keep in mind, part of the conservative mindset is a healthy distrust of human nature. With that as your baseline, why wouldn't you assume that others will use power to benefit themselves and hurt others, just as your group has?

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