If you've ever volunteered for a political candidate, you've called people you've never met, knocked on doors in your neighborhood, and chatted with strangers. Have you been greeted with kindness and curiosity? Did you meet with dismissive disdain?
Yes and yes. It just goes with the territory.
I've helped out on Presidential campaigns since the early '90s. Just this spring, I was making phone calls for Hillary for Washington. People on my call list were supposed to be Democrats and previous Hillary supporters. Almost all of them said they couldn't take the time to caucus for several hours on a Saturday, but hell yes they would vote for her if she were the nominee come November. Mind you, this was back in March when the primary was far from over and Trump hadn't yet hit his stride insulting war heroes, minorities, and babies.
Back then, as it is now, the political rhetoric was heated. I learned firsthand what it is to feel the rage of an old man. It went like this...
ME: Good evening, I'm a volunteer for Hillary for Washington...
HIM: Who?!
ME: Hillary for Washington. I was just calling to let you know about the Democratic caucus...
HIM: That southern hick?!
ME: Well sir, you and I might have different...
HIM: You've been brainwashed, haven't you? Do you really believe her lies?
ME: Well sir I've done quite a bit of research... I was just calling to let you know about the Democratic caucus on Saturday...
HIM: That hick's not gonna do a damn thing for this country. And that guy, that guy with the ears, he's ruined everything!
ME: Guy with the ears... oh, you mean President Obama?
HIM: Yeah, that guy! He's ruined America.
ME: Well you and I might have different views on things, so I will let you...
HIM: Trump, now he's going to fix everything.
ME: Well sir, I'm not a fan of Trump. I find what he says about women, minorities, and others deeply disturbing...
HIM: Well, well, she's a southern hick!
ME: With respect, I think many of us in Washington disagree with you, and I don't expect you to caucus this weekend.
HIM: Yeah, in Seattle, they probably do like her...
ME: Well, sir, I'll let you go now. Good evening.
HIM: Goodbye.
Call complete. Phew!
Here's the thing: even though this was a stressful little exchange, I'm glad it happened.
This is what democracy looks like.
I don't mean a cantankerous old dude mocking a candidate and sitting president, but a conversation between citizen to citizen, neighbor to neighbor.
Most of the other calls I made were markedly different. One elderly woman didn't have a way to get to her caucus location, but I explained that she could fill in an absentee ballot. "Hallelujah!" she exclaimed. Another woman told me she would caucus for Bernie to make Hillary a better candidate. She then proceeded to tell me about her views on the issues.
Regardless of the conversation, I genuinely believe that all informed voters have earned the right to their opinions. And while I didn't agree with Obama ear-hater -- and actually have a fondness for said feature -- I'll take this direct honesty over the anonymous trolling and vitriol any old day.
It's the trolls who are soiling civil discourse, the ones who hide behind anonymity and cast aspersions from their little caves, cloaked in obvious discontent. The ones who go out of our way to concoct nasty names and memes and seem pleased by winning the "nastiest of all" award. Damn the discussion, they must think, it's the sharpness of their zingers and accusations that wins them points -- even if they're not winning any spelling bees.
Here's a line I spotted in no time: "Hillary is a shapeshiffting reptilian." There are also the best hits from the troll set: Shillary, Killary, Hitlery, Hildabeast (also spelled Hil de Beast), Hellary, Hillary criminalton, Billary, and Obummer.
I gotta say, for what these terms lack in kindness, they certainly provide interesting word play.
So who are these trolls? Do they actually live under bridges? Do they feed on sewer rats and tin cans? Methinks they might be lonely. Maybe they're out of work and stressed. Or maybe they didn't have parents who taught them the basics of decency.
There's no way of knowing. So I will choose to picture them as mischievous but ever-so-cute creatures with unkempt hair and outstretched arms. They have rosy cheeks and permanent smiles, and really just want to be loved. I know you're not supposed to feed the trolls, but certainly you want to put those arms to use and give 'em a hug!
Now, I haven't been a model of calm in my political discussions on social media, but when you're talking to someone in person or on the phone then you sort of click back into civility. This is where that volunteering thing comes in again. This is where the real work of democracy happens, and where citizenship kicks in. Oh sure, it's a slog calling name after name, but then you get through to someone, that one voter who actually appreciates that you're reminding them about a deadline or their polling place, and all is right in the world.
Democracy is a team sport, after all. And all of us, even the trolls, need each other from time to time.
Rebecca Kraus is a content strategist and creative consultant. After working in entertainment journalism and games design in Los Angeles, she moved to Seattle seeking new adventures. For a whole host of businesses, she writes branded copy, provides digital strategies, and helps develop products. She also blogs about parenting, politics, food, and frivolity. You can often find her playing in her backyard garden of eatin' and hitting the trails with her family. Please enjoy her website.