When I was a lot younger I had someone in my life who I would say was pretty extremist. He wanted to live in a bunker and thought he was from the future. Looking back on it I see how silly that all was allowing someone like that to shape my views. I argued everything, I even argued that Obama care was evil. I did it thinking I was right, because I was told I was right. I know I wasn't but when someone tears you down and only rewards you for confirming to their ideals you quickly lose autonomy. It took years of finding myself again and support from friends for me to outgrow that person's influince. I look back with regret for my lost years idolizing a person who devalued others and for all the things I said that put the open minds around me out. It is for this reason that I chose not the be fire and brimstone when someone around me is wrong, I know what it's like to think you are doing the right thing and be backed into a corner. It took compassion and patience from those around me for me to grow. I am still accountable for things I have done and I will never say otherwise, likewise for those who do the same. But change only comes when fear is at its lowest, when faults can be admitted without judgement and instead we embrace that person as another being who is trying to navigate a messy world where the best you can do is try. Protect yourself, value your beliefs and fight for them but learning the difference between the ignorant fear of someone trying to make it through life and someone who is trying to harm others might be a valuable tool in your box.

I digress, as always, take what I say with a grain of salt. I'm just another voice in millions, your voice is the one that matters in your journey.