As I sit listening to Tucker Carlson on the Fox News Channel, I realize that using the word conservative to describe a person’s perspective is almost dangerous. Isn’t it ironic that the term coined slow-to-change, or cautious, could be so misconstrued in reference to politics today? Merriam-Wesbster defines a conservative as “a person who believes in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society.” The English Oxford Dictionary also states that something conservative will be “purposely low for the sake of caution.” In today’s political climate, the word conservative has strayed so far from the original definition it has acquired a negative connotation that is crucial to be reviewed.
During the Reagan era, to be called …show more content…
When I interviewed friends and family, I realized how defensive they became when trying to explain their belief system and why it is important that they could represent themselves accurately in today’s social and political climate. An example that stood out most was when one family member explained it like this; “When I am asked if I am pro-marriage and I answer yes, they turn around and say Jay hates gay people. In fact that is not what I was asked or what I answered, but to the person on the proverbial fence of whether being a conservative is good or bad, that twist in wording will make me look like someone they don’t want to become. I don’t hate gay people, I love all people, but I am pro-marriage and that is how I want to be portrayed”. In fact, almost everyone I talked with about this topic would explain their definition of conservative with the word “but”. I am conservative, but I love all people, I am for all life, I believe all people are to be respected, and so on. Therefore the definition of a conservative should now be defined as a person who is traditional in values and thoughts but also in considering the value of another person’s
During the Reagan era, to be called …show more content…
When I interviewed friends and family, I realized how defensive they became when trying to explain their belief system and why it is important that they could represent themselves accurately in today’s social and political climate. An example that stood out most was when one family member explained it like this; “When I am asked if I am pro-marriage and I answer yes, they turn around and say Jay hates gay people. In fact that is not what I was asked or what I answered, but to the person on the proverbial fence of whether being a conservative is good or bad, that twist in wording will make me look like someone they don’t want to become. I don’t hate gay people, I love all people, but I am pro-marriage and that is how I want to be portrayed”. In fact, almost everyone I talked with about this topic would explain their definition of conservative with the word “but”. I am conservative, but I love all people, I am for all life, I believe all people are to be respected, and so on. Therefore the definition of a conservative should now be defined as a person who is traditional in values and thoughts but also in considering the value of another person’s