José

Republicans want to decide what books you can read, what history your kids can learn, which medicines you’re allowed to take, what surgeries you can have, what gender you’re permitted to be, what sports you can play, which bathroom you can use, who you can love, and who you can marry. They want to tell you how many dolls and pencils your kids can have and how much food they can eat. They want to own your library, your classroom, your hospital bed, your bedroom, your remote control, your kitchen table and your front door. They want the right to break into your home, disappear your neighbor, take your children, beat you, execute you in the street, and then tell you—despite the evidence of your own eyes and ears—that what you saw is not what you have seen. They want you afraid: afraid to record, to document, to criticize, to stand up, to speak out, to organize, to protest, to protect, to utter words they don’t like. They want to own the page, the pill, the joke, the chant, the kiss, the very pronoun in your mouth and the weapon on your waist. They want to decide where you can go, what you can say, and which of your rights they can take away. They want the power to take your life and then lie about it. They want to play judge, jury, and executioner and they want you to shut up about it or you’ll be next. This is tyranny failing miserably to masquerade as order. But sure—tell me how it’s the liberals who are “coming for your freedoms”, won’t you.