You can’t scream “It’s a free country!” at the top of your lungs and then turn around and throw a tantrum because people live, speak, dress, or exist in ways you wouldn’t choose.
Pick a side, bro. Pick a side.
I saw a TikTok that stuck with me. A girl, nearly in tears, sharing how she was harassed at work – just for having a pin under her name tag, I think it was, that said she speaks Spanish.
That’s it.
She was helping a man (in English, mind you), and somehow just the presence of another language was enough to make him lose it. He and his ex started going off about “build the wall” and “this is America” – as if her ability to speak two languages was the threat and not their need to humiliate someone who was literally being kind.
And the saddest part?
You could tell it broke her a little.
Not because she’s weak – but because it’s always people with the softest hearts and strongest work ethic who get blindsided by that kind of ignorance.
When you’re just trying to be a decent human and someone hits you with that much hate for nothing, it makes you question everything.
It’s not just an awkward moment – it’s a full-body, soul-shaking “what is wrong with people?” kind of moment.
It’s the same exhausting pattern with LGBTQ+ rights. Trans rights. Immigrants.
If you’re not gay – cool.
If you’re not trans – also cool.
If you only speak one language – fine.
But the second other people want to be themselves or live their truth or help more people, suddenly that’s unacceptable?
Suddenly people want to scream “freedom” while also policing everyone else’s lives?
***
Here’s a thought: if you don’t like gay marriage, don’t get gay married.
If you don’t like masks, don’t wear one.
If you don’t like speaking Spanish – don’t learn it.
But don’t ruin someone else’s day because you’re allergic to people being different.
And please… take a deep breath. Because if you keep carrying that much hate and anger around, you’re gonna give yourself an ulcer.
But hey — maybe that’s better for the rest of us. (Just kidding… kind of.)
***
If you’re truly proud to live in a “free country,” act like it and let other people be free, too.
✌🏻