JW from PA

I used to think I was pretty much just a regular person, but I was born white, into a two-parent household which now, whether I like it or not, makes me privileged, a racist, and responsible for slavery.

I am a fiscal and moral conservative, which by today's standards, makes me a fascist because I plan, I budget, and support myself.

I went to Grammar School and have always held a job. But I now find out that I am not here because I earned it, but because I was "advantaged". I am heterosexual, which according to gay folks, now makes me a homophobe. I am not a Muslim, which now labels me as an infidel.

I am older than 70, making me a useless dinosaur who doesn't understand Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat.

I think, and I reason, and I doubt most of what the 'mainstream' media tells me, which makes me a Right-wing conspiracy nut.

I am proud of my heritage and our inclusive culture, making me a xenophobe.

I believe in hard work, fair play, and fair reward according to each individual's merits, which today makes me an anti-socialist.

I believe our system guarantees freedom of effort - not freedom of outcome or subsidies which must make me a borderline sociopath.

I believe in the defense and protection of my nation for and by all citizens, now making me a militant.

I am proud of our flag, what it stands for, and the many who died to let it fly, so I stand during our National Anthem - so I must be a radical.

Please help me come to terms with the new me because I'm just not sure who I am anymore.

Funny - it all took place over the last decade!

As if all this nonsense wasn't enough to deal with, now I don't even know which toilet to use... and these days I gotta go more frequently!

Jim70 Loc: Delaware

I'd love to have you for a neighbor😁

anotherview Loc: California

Good morning. Thanks for the light-hearted approach to the changes you note.

Take note: "The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right name." Confucius.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

LOVE IT!!!
(Considering stealing it.)

Same boat.

Welcome to the NWO.
(You will conform......)

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Sad but so true.

mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

Unfortunately these comments are far from lighthearted. They reflect how far our country has fallen in such a brief period of time. I only hope we can recover
If we do it won’t be as a result of the people currently in charge.
Just one man’s opinion

Vaun's photography Loc: Bonney Lake, WA

That's quite an essay! Thanks for sharing.

It's really sad that some people put new labels on old values!

I could have written something similar.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I resemble those remarks, and am proud of it!

sprucemesa Loc: Dallas, Texas

You nailed it!!

tairving Loc: Magnolia, Texas USA

Bottom line to all this is:

You are NORMAL!

So am I.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

I am also over 70 and until i retired I have worked since when I started mowing yards at about 13. I believe in God, am white and male. I have been married to the same woman since 1973, we never strayed, are fiscally conservative.
That said I am having more and more conversations with people 55 and older about the lack of work ethic found in the young, how they don't look you in the eye when they talk, think conversations involves texting. The world has changed for the worse.
Today at the gym I talked to a 23 year old christian man whose fathered immigrated from Iran 23 years ago who told him the USA was the greatest country in the world with much opportunity when he arrived, but now the USA has change to much worse.

Daryls Loc: Waco, TX

Many of us are as you describe JW. We should all embrace the new labels (with their new definitions) and be proud of them because we are NORMAL, WHITE, CONSERVATIVE, MALES who love America. Then turn it around and place those labels on everyone else pointing out that they are the "$#%)$@@" because they are only saying that about us because we are NORMAL, WHITE, CONSERVATIVE, MALES who love America and they are not. Bigoted each and every one of them who oppose us because of who and what we are! And they are supposed to be embracing DEI as a strength???? Nothing but ignorant liars.

Daryl
A NORMAL, WHITE, CONSERVATIVE, MALE who loves America
Retired military too!