The Conservative response to Taylor Swift’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce reminds us what grievance culture does to those who find their home in it: they eventually become violently allergic to joy.
From the first broadcast cutaway to the superstar singer sitting in a luxury box at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the MAGA cult have been in the fevered histrionics befitting a pair of wanted serial killers, not two of the most successful professionals in their respective fields who’ve had the audacity to fall in love. (Yeah, love certainly does trigger some folks, it seems, doesn’t it?)
In the middle of the swirling storm of their complaining and breaking her albums and burning his jerseys and regurgitating nonsensical conspiracy theories, it can be tricky figuring out exactly what these people are actually objecting to:
Are they concerned that a pop star is somehow sullying the sanctity of an NFL they claim they to have already canceled after players took a knee six years ago?
Are they anxious Fantasy Football owners worried that Kelce will be distracted by his girlfriend’s presence at his games and tank their seasons?
Do they believe the invisible Leftist Svengalis are orchestrating a sprawling and coordinated campaign to pollute the Super Bowl with “wokeness” (whatever the hell that is)?
Actually, it’s much simpler than that: in order to embrace the MAGA movement you cannot allow anyone to enjoy being alive.
That is simply a deal breaker.
Affection, intimacy, belonging. These cannot not be tolerated.
There’s no other reason to explain millions of people watching a group of strangers jubilantly “swag surfacing” in a football stadium and thinking: I need to be offended by this.
This is how Trumpism has so infected its disciples: filling them with contempt for everyone who they don’t immediately identify or find affinity with. If the color of their skin or their nation of origin or their gender identity don’t fall within a very precise and rigid definition, they must be met with animosity. We have to object to them. This is why we’ve ended up with a proven sexual predator and several-times indicted mobster once again as the GOP frontrunner.
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free
The identifying of adversaries and threats is the entire engine of MAGA Conservative politics and religion and it now defines those who comprise its rank-and-file voters and its perennial pew-sitters. It’s sad and infuriating and it also defies any measurable logic.
Taylor Swift is a once-in-a-generation industry artist and mogul who has obliterated touring and recording sales records while inspiring a generation of young women. But she opposes Trump, so this invalidates her.
Travis Kelce is an All-Pro, Super Bowl-winning tight end who just broke a playoff reception record. He’s pro-vaccine though, so off with his head!
And if these two adults find companionship in one another and want to publicly express that connection? That’s tantamount to inciting a wild-eyed mob to violent storm our Capitol in order to overturn a free and fair election, kidnap members of Congress and install yourself as a lifetime dictator. (Actually, it’s apparently much worse than all that.)
Ultimately, what we’re seeing as the Right complains, boycotts, and works themselves into inconsolable hysterics watching two people they’ve never met experiencing joy and love, and doing nothing but spectacularly succeeding in the capitalist world they so claim to adore—is what happens when misery finds its company.
This is why the MAGA culture needs to be defeated at the ballot box and as an ethos.
We cannot allow our nation to be steered and defined and lead by people who cannot see and respect and celebrate others experiencing the simple joys of this life and who want to prevent them from it: whether they are singers or athletes
or migrant families or transgender teenagers or young black men.
If you’re passionately insulted by someone else being in love or supporting their partner or succeeding in their work or reveling in the moment, take a look in the mirror and repeat after me:
It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem, it’s me…
—
Previously Published on johnpavlovitz.com
makaiyla willis on Flickr under CC License
AROUND THE WEB
Unlock the Legal Thrill with Cruise Chews
Cheech & Chong
Finally Legal in Michigan, You Gotta Try Cruise Chews
Cheech & Chong
Diabetes is Not from Sweets! Meet the Main Enemy of Diabetes
Health-Review24
Neuropathy (Nerve Pain)? Do This Immediately (Watch)
Health Insight Journal
Neuropathy Breakthrough: Experts Speechless
Health Insight Journal
Put a Red Cup Under The Toilet Seat at Night if Alone, Here's Why
Sogoodly
1 Simple Trick to Cut Your Electric Bill by 90% (Try Tonight)
Gadget Vanguard
Filed Under: Ethics & Values, Featured Content
Tagged With: #MAGA, dating, happiness, Kansas City Chiefs, life lessons, politics, psychology, relationships, Super Bowl, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, wokeness
About John Pavlovitz
John is a father of two, (Noah and Selah), and husband of one (Jennifer); a 17-year ministry veteran, specializing in rabble-rousing, engineering mayhem, and generally trying to live-out the red letters of Jesus.
He enjoys songwriting, exercising, cooking, hiking, and eating emotionally.
Notify me of followup comments via e-mail
Subscribe
Login
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
0 COMMENTS
Primary Sidebar
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free
TRENDING POSTS
Caring Has Evolved Masculinity Into More Than Money
Marriage & Commitment
The New Midlife Male: Welcome to the Most Passionate, Powerful, Productive, and Purposeful Time of Your Life
Gender & Sexuality
Sure, It’s Going to Cost Money to Transition to a Greener Economy, but the Truth Is That We Can’t Put a Price on Our Survival
Environment
The Inclusive Leader’s Playbook Modeling Inclusion for Success
Social Justice
Does Anyone Think Thomas Jefferson Was Stupid?
Ethics & Values
6 Ways to Let Go of Resentment Toward Your Ex-Spouse
Marriage & Commitment
What Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Is, and Why It Isn’t Evil
Social Justice
You Can’t Make Them Love You if They Don’t
Sex & Relationships
11 Challenges Modern Dads Face and How to Overcome Them
Families
People Who Experience Mental Illness Do Not Need Our Help to Die -- They Need Our Support to Live
Health & Wellness
There Isn’t Always an Answer
Good For The Soul
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free
FEATURED CONTENT
COP28: What Happened at Recent Climate Talks?Dear EarthTalk: What resolutions if any did negotiators agree on at the recent COP28 climate talks in Abu Dhabi? Are environmental advocates happy with the results?
16 minutes ago
Newly Discovered Virus Kills ‘Sleeping’ BacteriaResearchers have found a virus that can kill dormant bacteria.
46 minutes ago
It Was My Fault My Ex Was Spying on MeA life lesson to guard your free will.
1 hour ago
We Urgently Need Data for Equitable Personalized MedicineOPINION: A massive bias in medical studies toward men of European origin means that genetic variants in understudied populations don’t get the focus they deserve
1 hour ago
10 New Protest Albums to Kick off 2024Do you think there's no good protest music these days?
2 hours ago
What Taoism Teaches About the Body and Being Healthy
Let’s Give the Wary Wolverine Some Space
More Featured Content
SUBMIT A POST!
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free
SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL
Join The Good Men Project conversation and get updates by email.
Subscribe to our mailing list:
First Name Last Name
BECOME A PREMIUM MEMBER
RESOURCES
Hirenest.com Hirenest.com
--
Gotranscript audio to text converter Gotranscript audio to text converter
--
Sex, Drugs, & Rock ‘n’ Roll: visit AmoMama to find out the latest gossip about your favorite celebs --
China Sourcing Agent: Source any high quality products from China through our partners Fulfillbot ! --
Finding a lawyer should be simple. Find Accident Attorneys near me. --
Get info on Truck Accident Attorneys Find attorneys near me. --
Find attorneys near me. Lawyers and local law firms. --
Try online therapy and get 15% off from our partner, BetterHelp --
ALL TIME POPULAR
6 Kinds of Compliments Men Would Love to Hear More Often
Sex & Relationships
Escape the 'Act Like a Man' Box
MegaSAHD
3 Lies You Were Told as a Boy That Are Now Crushing You as a Man
Social Justice
50 Sufferers Describe Depression for People Who’ve Never Been Depressed
Editors' Picks
I Won't Tell My 4-Year-Old Son to 'Man Up.' Not Now. Not Ever.
Raising Boys
Guys: Emotions Matter, Are Normal, and You're Not Weak for Having Them
Sex & Relationships
The First Myth of Patriarchy: The Acorn on the Pillow
Editors' Picks
7 Things That Make a Man Feel Loved
For The Love Of Men
To the Other Dad on the Playground the Day My Son Wore a Pink Dress
Families
What We Talk About When We Talk About Men: The Top 12 Issues Men Face Today
Editors' Picks
Americans’ Mental Health Is Collapsing at an Astonishing Rate
Ethics & Values
***
CONNECT WITH US
THE GOOD MEN PROJECT VIDEO CHANNEL
SEARCH GOOGLE
THE SITE
ABOUT US
PREMIUM
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION PROGRAMS
SUBMIT
ADVERTISE WITH US
CONTACT
TERMS OF SERVICE
PRIVACY POLICY
BUY THE BOOK
KEEP IN TOUCH
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
PINTEREST
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
SOUNDCLOUD
Copyright © 2024 GoodMenProject.com · Powered by WordPress & · Privacy Policy · Log in · Do Not Sell My Personal Information
No comments:
Post a Comment