Just My Story

I stopped talking to my parents last year. It was not an easy choice. We used to be close when I was younger. They raised me and helped pay for college. They always said they loved me. But their strong support for Trump made a normal relationship impossible over time. It started after the 2016 election. They put a Trump flag in the yard. At first I thought it was just politics. We disagreed before and still got along. Then every family dinner turned into a fight. They said the media was lying. They shared posts saying Trump was the best president. When I pointed out things he said that bothered me, they said I was brainwashed. The pandemic made it worse. My parents refused the vaccine. They said it was dangerous and people overreacted. I have friends who got sick. They said I was living in fear. They went to big gatherings with no masks and wanted to visit. I said no visits until they got tested or vaccinated. They called me selfish. They said Trump never forced anyone. We argued for months. I stopped inviting them. They still believe the 2020 election was stolen. They talk about it all the time. They say the country is going to hell under Biden. When I show facts or court cases, they say the courts are corrupt. It feels like we live in different worlds. They send videos I do not trust. I stopped opening them. Holidays were hard. Last Thanksgiving my dad wore a MAGA hat. My mom said she was tired of people calling Trump supporters racists. Some things they say worry me. They talk about immigrants like they are all criminals. They say America needs to come first. I have immigrant friends. It hurts. I tried to keep peace. I said no politics. They agreed but still brought it up. "Did you see what Trump said?" Or "Democrats want your guns." I got tired of staying quiet or fighting. I felt anxious before every call. My partner said I was stressed after talking to them. The last straw was a Facebook post. My mom wrote that anyone who voted against Trump was un-American. She tagged me. People commented. It felt like an attack. I asked her to take it down. She said she was telling the truth. I sent a message that I needed space and would not talk for a while. They called it disrespectful. They said family comes before politics. For me the politics had taken over the family. Their beliefs changed how they treated me. It has been over a year. I miss them sometimes. I miss talking about normal things. But I do not miss the fights. I feel calmer. Some people say never cut off family. For me this stopped the harm. I hope we can talk again if they respect my views. Until then I choose peace. I know it is a hard choice for anyone in this situation. My parents still try to reach out sometimes through other family members. I have asked them not to do that. It is better this way for now. The constant stress is finally gone. That is what matters most to me today.

-Peaceful At Last