For those of us who have spent years fighting against the worst of their policies, it’s easy to feel nothing but schadenfreude. But here’s a thought: What if, instead of just watching it burn, we also built a better path for those bailing out?
From Righteous Anger to Strategic Action
Make no mistake—anger is justified. The last decade has been brutal, with attacks on marginalized communities, escalating political violence, and an ongoing assault on democracy itself. But anger alone won’t build the world we want. The real power comes from channeling that frustration into something more effective than just shouting into the void.
People are fleeing the GOP. Some are just waking up to the damage done, while others are looking for a landing place that isn’t full-blown fascism. That doesn’t mean everyone jumping ship is a perfect ally—but it does mean that, strategically, this is an opportunity. If we want to build long-term change, we need to be better at welcoming people who are starting to question their beliefs rather than meeting them with pure hostility.
How to Reach People Without Compromising
Let’s be clear—this isn’t about excusing bigotry or “both-sidesing” oppression. It’s about recognizing when people are in the early stages of unlearning toxic ideology and offering them a path forward rather than leaving them to be radicalized further. Some practical ways to do that:
- Engage when there’s real curiosity. If someone is asking questions in good faith, meet them where they are. Give them something to think about instead of shutting them down.
- Recognize that not everyone de-radicalizes overnight. The process of leaving behind deep-seated beliefs takes time. Some people will stumble. Some will backslide. But those who make it out often become the most passionate voices for justice.
- Encourage people to take action. Sometimes the best way to get someone to shift politically isn’t through debate—it’s through action. Volunteering, protesting, or engaging in community work can break the cycle of right-wing fear-mongering.
A Time for Transformation
Psychologist James Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Right now, we’re watching people face the consequences of their political allegiances. Some will double down, but others—many others—are starting to look for a way out. We should be ready to offer one.
After all, the goal isn’t just to watch something collapse. The goal is to build something better.
Tuesdays Suck Bonus Article:
The Peanuts Gang as Jungian Archetypes: A Psychoanalytic Snoopy-sis
What if Charles Schulz wasn’t just drawing a comic strip about kids, but instead crafting a grand psychoanalytic drama? Peanuts isn’t just about a bald kid with a football problem—it’s a deep exploration of the human psyche. So, in the spirit of overanalyzing everything for fun, here’s our breakdown of the Peanuts characters as Jungian archetypes!
Charlie Brown – The Everyman / The Wounded Hero
Charlie Brown is the classic Everyman, embodying existential struggle, perseverance, and the eternal battle against a universe that keeps moving the football. His constant failures and hopeful persistence make him the Wounded Hero—he suffers, but in his suffering, we see our own.
Lucy Van Pelt – The Shadow / The Tyrant
Lucy represents the Shadow archetype—our inner critic, the part of us that lashes out in frustration and craves control. She’s also the Tyrant, ruling her world (and Charlie Brown’s life) with an iron fist and a five-cent psychiatric booth.
Linus Van Pelt – The Sage / The Innocent
Clutching his security blanket like a philosopher’s staff, Linus is the Sage—offering wisdom beyond his years. Yet, his unshaken belief in the Great Pumpkin makes him the Innocent, a dreamer who sees beyond what others accept as reality.
Snoopy – The Trickster / The Self
Snoopy is everything—daring adventurer, literary genius, WWI flying ace. He embodies the Trickster, constantly upending expectations with his wild imagination, while also reflecting the Self—he exists beyond constraints, fully realized in his own world.
Schroeder – The Artist / The Devotee
With Beethoven as his muse and a piano as his altar, Schroeder is the Artist archetype, devoted to his craft with near-religious intensity. His singular focus makes him a true Devotee, indifferent to Lucy’s affections, lost in the pursuit of something greater.
Marcie – The Caregiver / The Intellectual
Marcie is both the loyal Caregiver, devoted to Peppermint Patty, and the Intellectual, often making observant, deadpan remarks about the absurdity around her. She’s thoughtful, perceptive, and unbothered by social conventions.
Peppermint Patty – The Rebel / The Free Spirit
Patty is the Rebel, breaking societal norms with her laid-back attitude, calling her best friend “Sir,” and refusing to wear shoes in class. She’s also the Free Spirit, caring more about the game (or nap) at hand than rules and expectations.
Pigpen – The Outsider / The Unapologetic Self
Pigpen exists beyond judgment—he is the Outsider, both rejected and accepted, carrying his cloud of dust like an aura of defiance. Unlike Charlie Brown, he isn’t burdened by self-doubt—he embraces himself fully, dirt and all.
So there you have it—a Jungian dive into the Peanuts gang, because why not? Now, if only we could figure out what the Little Red-Haired Girl represents… perhaps the ever-elusive concept of Self-Actualization?
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