Why do Trump supporters refer to those who question the pres-elect or hold him accountable for his actions, as ‘snowflakes’? I had begun a Facebook conversation about Meryl Streep’s Golden Globe speech that called him into account for his unacceptable behavior unbefitting a respectable human being, let alone a world leader. A few commentators on my page used that descriptive as an insult. When neither of them would respond to my query, and instead continued to berate those who applauded Ms. Streep, I blocked them and then did some research.
After posting the aforementioned question on Facebook a few days ago, I decided to look up the origin of the erstwhile appealing word. The Urban Dictionary references it in this unflattering way: “ An overly sensitive person, incapable of dealing with any opinions that differ from their own. These people can often be seen congregating in “safe zones” on college campuses. Those social justice warriors are just a bunch of snowflakes.”
The other connection relates to the idea that some are part of what is known as Generation Snowflake, or Snowflake Generation, which refers to young people who can’t handle distress and differences of opinion. They got that way, according to the story because their parents saw them as unique and special, just like the collection of white fluffy stuff and treated them as such so that they are not able to rise to face what confronts them.
What if the truth is that we are all special and unique and rather than seeing snowflakes as a pejorative term, we viewed that paradigm as something to be proud of?
At 58, I am not in that demographic and haven’t spent much time on a college campus since I finished grad school in 1985. I am not overly sensitive to differences in opinion. I am a hardy soul who can stand up to those with attitudes, values and behaviors that fly in the face of my peace loving sensibilities. Sometimes I hear people out because I truly do want to learn what makes them tick. Sometimes it is because I want to have enough information to attempt to change their perspective, especially if I perceive that what they are doing will negatively effect others. My mama bear protective anger kicks in as I demand to know what gives anyone the right to choose to harm another unless it is in self defense. Nothing wimpy or ineffectual about this snowflake. I can be a tough cookie.
Back to meteorIogical meanderings.... I actually think snowflakes are pretty damn amazing. No two of them look alike, they are beautiful to behold and they are graceful when they dance. When they come together, they are a force to be reckoned with. You can make all kinds of lovely sculptures from them. People get the day off from work or school when lots of them gather. You can make snow angels and built snow forts with them. You can have a snowball fight where nobody gets hurt. You can go sledding and skiing down hills covered by them. They bring out the kid in us. They are adaptable, as they melt into water or freeze into crystalline form. They stop traffic and create drifts. They coat the landscape with sound proof magnificence. I kinda like thinking of myself as a snowflake. How about you?