One of the most hotly debated and discussed issues of right now is so-called political correctness. People believe that their freedom of speech is limited by outrage and disagreement now so rampant in society thanks to social media. For example, actor Steve Carell recently stated that he believes the show "The Office," would have never survived in the current social climate because it's jokes would be deemed way too offensive.
The term snowflakes as a politically charged insult is plastered all over social media, particularly referencing liberals as popularized by conservative commentators like Tomi Lahren. As it was conceived, the idea of a snowflake is a person who is easily offended, so-called "social justice warriors," who aim to fight and combat every offensive comment or joke, no matter how minor. They are delicate, easily breakable and believe themselves and their cause to be as special and individual as a snowflake. I have no problem with this notion, and I agree that there are some people who are taking offense to jokes or media that were never meant to be taken seriously. However, I do have an issue with the term being used specifically by conservatives to describe liberals. I believe the popularity of the term and the ideas it perpetuates overlooks the fact that conservatives have taken deep offense to trivial matters, and generally, people from all sides are taking things way too personally.
Respecting the office of the President of the United States is something that seems to come and go as different people of different political parties are voted into office. There are people who burned effigies of President Obama while he was in office, spread vicious rumors regarding his deceased mother, and aimed to find any means possible to mock his wife and children. Now, these people and those who turned a blind eye to this abhorrent behavior, are some of the most vicious defenders of President Trump, fighting against every joke or attack on his family with the idea that conservatives never did the same to the Obamas.
I can't blame one side more than the other, however. It is clear that both sides have their issues when it comes to addressing disgusting behavior for the sake of their cause. Liberals have created hateful images and acts that they would condemn if they were to come from the side of conservative, like Kathy Griffin's photoshoot depicting her holding Trump's decapitated head. Disagreeing with the President is one thing. Believing that they aren't fit for office or that their policies hurt America are general parts of political thought. But to turn a blind eye to your sides past with fear mongering is a part of the problem, and it only serves to further the divide that is growing in this country.
The whole idea of the term "snowflake" is that they are easily offended, so delicate that they go on tirades or rampages regarding small issues or throwaway comments. To me, I can tie this definition to plenty of conservatives and liberals. The truth is the conservative side has taken issue with some extremely trivial matters that I am sure they would mock with glee if liberals were up in arms regarding the same thing. The example I always go to for this is the uproar over President Obama's tan Easter suit a few years ago. There were conservative politicians and figureheads condemning the choice to wear the suit and stating it disrespected the country and the office of the President. All that over a suit's color is a little far-fetched for any side. Liberals aren't all in the clear, however, as the fact that our current First Lady, Melania Trump, wore a pair of high heels to plant a tree, a publicity event, actually made headlines.
I have no issue with conservatives saying some liberals are too sensitive because that is true. What I do have an issue with is that some conservatives are constantly pointing the finger at liberals taking trivial matters too seriously when the evidence of them doing the exact same thing is so easily accessible in this day and age. Hypocrisy only serves to make your views and arguments more ignorant when you ignore the true aspects of both sides in order to try and better serve your side.
Politics are an important aspect of American culture, there's no doubt about it. All of us are affected by who is in power and who isn't, regardless of how little we say we don't care. But in this day and age, we have all become so invested without really being informed. Politics are a matter of fact-based opinion, and people seem to be forgetting the factual aspect of that. So liberal "snowflakes," learn to take conservative opinions without getting so offended. And to conservatives so quick to pull the snowflake card, next time you see a liberal post on social media of any kind and it gets you all fired up, you should ask yourself "Who is the real snowflake?" If you're still offended enough to post that long-winded response about the post in question, the answer is pretty plain.
So stop being a snowflake, liberal or conservative, and take politics the way they were meant to be taken. Inform yourselves properly and vote for who you think is the right side for the job, and stop fighting on Facebook about who is the most special snowflake of them all.