Leopards Ate My Face

It comes from their families. Families that highlight in-group vs out-group. Parents that openly make racist jokes, and if you were to call them out, they'd argue Fox News talking points with absolute confidence to make you seem/feel stupid in comparison. It's vicious and self-reinforcing. Most youngin's who go on to explore the world themselves can have their minds open, but when they live at home with people full of hate and vitriol, they're inundated with it. Their brains are full of propaganda, and if their household follows so-called "republican values," chances are that any questioning is swiftly squashed - can't question the leader, after all.

When republicans complain about outside ideas destroying family values, what they really mean is, "New ideas might break our mind-control over our kids." It makes sense they're scared of it. Unfortunately, the drive to break this will have to come from outside their families - which is an uphill battle when the kids are taught that their family beliefs are the rule.

The best things we can do are encourage skepticism and support those who've broken free. Planting seeds of doubt, and fostering their growth, is key to relinquishing the hold of childhood propaganda. It's not easy, it's a slow process, and we won't immediately see returns, but it's the most surefire way to get these young people to see the light. What's their reasoning? Make them reflect on it. Get them to truly consider what they value and why. Over time they may realize that they don't actually believe what they were taught to believe, and that's when they have a chance to break free.