It’s no secret that Brimmer resides in a liberal state. 

Massachusetts is represented in Washington D.C. by two Democratic senators and nine Democratic representatives, and the state hasn’t voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988. Even Bay State Republicans are liberal by most standards. 

Most importantly, the Commonwealth has been at the forefront of progressive issues for decades: it has been a strong supporter of sanctuary cities, and in 2004 it became the first state to legalize gay marriage.

However—and this may surprise some—there are rightwing conservatives in Massachusetts.

Shocker, right?

According to official counts, more than 400,000 voters in Massachusetts were registered as Republicans. In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump won about a third of votes in the state.

Unfortunately, the state’s liberal bubble allows many to ignore conservative opinions and treat conservatives with a lack of respect.

“Conservatives in Massachusetts always face a tougher environment than their liberal counterparts, but too often it seems that selectively enforced, constantly shifting regulations and coordinated media smear campaigns are used as a bludgeon against any right-leaning Bay Staters who attempt to speak up for themselves,” according to a recent Boston Herald editorial

In the run-up to the 2020 elections, the School community should think about how people with different opinions are treated.

Of course, bigoted opinions (such as those that are racist, sexist, xenophobic, etc.), and ideas that promote harm to others, are unacceptable and entirely unwelcome. 

However, if someone disagrees with the liberal view on taxes and believes in trickle-down economics, they should feel safe to voice their opinions. If someone believes in a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, as opposed to a two-state solution, or disagrees that all student loans should be cancelled, here as well, such voices have a right to be heard. 

As November inches closer, we should remember to remain civil. We shouldn’t take cues from Congress and politicians, who refuse to listen to anything outside personal political lines.