Note: I first published this article in August of 2018, but given President Trump’s recent racist statements toward four female freshmen members of Congress, it seems appropriate to re-post it. — AL, July 21, 2019
——————
Anyone on the western slope who has pointed out hatred, bigotry, unequal treatment or violations of people’s constitutional or civil rights in our area has heard the phrase over and over: “If you don’t like what’s going on here, you can just leave.”
That’s what many western slope residents say to people who live here who aren’t just like them, who may have moved here from somewhere else, or who disagree with them or assert their constitutional rights.
Here is the “If you don’t like it, you can just get out” sentiment expressed by one Grand Junction resident to another on social media, along with a personal insult (“idiots like you”) for good measure, a technique that helps the writer dehumanize her target:
So what’s so bad about saying “If you don’t like it, then leave”?
Bobbye Horton-Huddleston’s sentiment (above) is based on a fundamentally immoral principle: It tells people who are actively being oppressed or persecuted by others that it’s their duty to leave, not the persecutor’s duty to recognize or take action to stop the hurtful behavior.
The “you can leave” statement doesn’t refute any of the arguments being made. Rather, it allows the speaker to dodge the real arguments and is also a tacit admission of guilt. The “if you don’t like it, leave” sentiment also serves several additional rhetorical functions for the speaker: 1) It shuts down the discussion so the person who says it doesn’t have to admit they are being immoral and hurting others; 2) It is a form of victim-blaming because it keeps the speaker from having to acknowledge the perpetrators’ actions or the victims’ pain; 3) Telling someone to “get out” because they don’t agree with you also indicates a clear failure to recognize the problem at the heart of the discussion: Where people live isn’t the problem. The problem is the people who live here who seek to violate others’ rights.
Immorality on parade
This particular display of immorality has become so pervasive in our area that it is accepted as normal behavior, even among people who to represent themselves to the community as religious role models. Here is the “If you don’t like it, leave!” sentiment expressed by none other than “Reverend” Robert Babcox, senior pastor of the Orchard Mesa Baptist Church:
Saying “if you don’t like it, you can get out” is the equivalent of telling the other person “Everything you told me is factually correct, but instead of acknowledging it, I’m going to distract from the real issue by shifting the burden of fixing the problem onto YOUR shoulders instead of mine.”
In using the phrase, the speaker admits cruelty and injustices are being done, but feels it’s acceptable and disavows any responsibility for correcting the shameful behavior. It’s a last-ditch thing someone says when they realize they are losing a debate.
Saying “if you don’t like it, get out” in a discussion does more to point out the immorality and willful ignorance of the speaker than it does to move our area towards a more robust understanding of civil rights, and what the American ideal is really about.
In addition, nothing will change the fact that we ALL live here, and we should probably all learn to get along.
I’m deeply fundamental. A religious far-right. These religious types aren’t going away. But they are just words. hurtful, yes, but still, just words. Be immovable. Stick to your guns. They don’t have to respect you. You don’t have to respect them. Democracy has its risks. Stop looking for a consensus when we live in a majority rule democracy. Make your own community. Make your own town. And do it better. Because it’s time for the people to rule again. And that doesn’t mean vote for more Democrats. It means to break up the status quo. And you can’t do that with career politicians.
[…] Kraig Andrews is no political moderate. He is the recent former chair of the Mesa County Republican Party, and an outspoken supporter of President Donald J. Trump, who recently made headlines with a series of overtly racist statements aimed at four female congresswomen of color, horrifying fair-minded Americans on the left and right, and generating harsh criticism of American leadership around the world. Trump has has a reputation for working to divide Americans along lines of race and gender through policies and public statements that insult and scapegoat immigrants, refugees, people of color, and women. Judging by the increasing number of reports of incidents of racism locally, Trump’s efforts have been effective in Grand Junction. […]
Please announce
26 Sunday, McCain memorial and vigil, 10 am – 8:30 pm, Wells Fargo Bank on Main in GJ
Candlelight vigil, 7:30 pm
Flowers notes candles
It occurs to me that those who respond with the don’t-like-it-leave message are terrified of change. They live in a black-white (no reference intended) world where there are never any nuances or mitigating circumstances. Gray is not an option for them. They need to be right and the alternative is wrong. It speaks to their view of themselves. If they are wrong, they are worthless. And they don’t have to think at all.
I have a friend on that side of the aisle who spouts occasionally. Sometimes I ask her “why?” You know that stops her in her tracks. She has to justify her position. One time she admitted that I make her think.
So, maybe the optimal response to the leave message is why? Any other ideas? I really want to develop some tactics to respond to the other side that are not defensive or belittling. A pissing match is a waste of time and energy. Help me out here, folks! Thanks.
Linda, on par with your “Why?” question, I think asking them for a sincere answer to the questions of why they didn’t leave when Obama was president might be an interesting tactic to deal with it.
It’s just the death throes of a mindset that is no longer useful and will be stamped out. But those Bubbas sure do whine a lot on the way to the exit.
In the words of PeeWee Herman: Ï know you are but what am I ?”. It makes about as much sense as “If you don’t like it, leave”. It has been my experience that people who say the get out thing can only comprehend the simplest solution to any problem. Explaining that trying to change for the better is a concept that is commonly not recognized by many conservative minds.
You got to the heart of the problem. They are cutting off any further conversation.
Now, I wonder what an effective response might be? Certainly not becoming defensive or victimized. I would love to hear what others say! Thanks in advance.