As an Iranian-American Ex-Muslim Christian Conservative, Here’s Why the Left’s Stereotypes About Trump Supporters Are Wrong
By Bobby Darvish - darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
The popular leftist stereotype that conservatives—particularly Trump supporters—are incapable of reason and thrive solely on "groupthink" reveals more about left-wing biases than it does about actual conservative behavior. As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim and now a Christian conservative, I’ve had to think deeply and independently to arrive at my beliefs, which differ significantly from those I grew up with. This journey required scrutiny, rational evaluation, and, ultimately, a strong conviction in truth rather than allegiance to any single identity group. To claim that conservatives lack objectivity or reasoning is not only inaccurate but demonstrates a lack of understanding of the broad diversity within conservative circles.
In my experience, conservatives embrace debate and challenge assumptions, often going against the grain when our views are at odds with societal norms or the mainstream media. Many of us, especially those who have come from non-Western backgrounds or left-leaning ideologies, have consciously evaluated and questioned the prevailing narratives before aligning with conservatism. The very act of questioning one’s beliefs, rejecting group pressure, and seeking truth beyond what is popular flies in the face of the accusation that conservatives merely participate in “groupthink.”
The notion that conservatives, particularly Trump supporters, are inherently incapable of "factual arguments" or objective thinking grossly oversimplifies the nuances within conservative discourse. This stereotype erases the diversity within conservative circles, which include Christians, atheists, ex-Muslims, libertarians, classical liberals, and a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In fact, there is a growing body of Iranian-Americans and other immigrants who, through rigorous study and intellectual inquiry, find themselves aligned with conservative values due to their experiences under oppressive regimes, where freedom and truth were denied. Many of us, who once identified with more liberal or progressive ideologies, have shifted our views based on our understanding of American values of freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government.
Additionally, accusations that conservatives lack rationality or only follow the “tide of their identity group” disregard the very real reasoning and critical thinking involved in conservatism. For many Iranian-Americans, the very essence of conservatism means preserving freedoms that were stripped away in our countries of origin. Our perspective isn’t merely about identity or loyalty to a group; it’s rooted in historical and personal experiences that emphasize the value of freedom, religious liberty, and justice—values we see represented in Trump’s policies and conservative platforms, not in leftist agendas.
The left’s claim that Trump supporters only “insult and degrade others as an expression of loyalty” ignores the context in which many conservatives feel compelled to defend their beliefs. In the political arena, conservatives are often ridiculed, called bigots, and silenced simply for expressing their views. Responding forcefully to such hostility is a matter of defending one's right to an opinion, not of reinforcing group loyalty.
Further, we have repeatedly witnessed the left “block” conservatives or shut down dialogue on social media platforms and public forums, which directly contradicts the assertion that conservatives cannot engage in rational discourse. Instead of inviting debate, many progressives would rather shut down conversations altogether. This silencing tactic, however, does not mean conservatives are unwilling to reason; it means that they are often denied the chance to have open discussions.
The blanket dismissal of conservatives as irrational, identity-driven zealots is not only unfair but detracts from the importance of respectful debate. America’s strength lies in its diversity of thought, and branding an entire group as intellectually inferior denies this principle. Open-mindedness, critical thinking, and respect for individual experience are hallmarks of true conservatism—values that the left would do well to embrace themselves.
Citations
Haidt, J., & Graham, J. (2007). "When Morality Opposes Justice: Conservatives Have Moral Intuitions that Liberals May Not Recognize." Social Justice Research. This study outlines how moral values differ between conservatives and liberals, highlighting that conservatives value order and justice, not just group loyalty.
Paulson, M. (2016). "Iranian-Americans and the Conservative Shift: An Analysis of Political Beliefs Among Iranian-Americans Post-1979." Journal of Immigrant Studies. This article analyzes why many Iranian-Americans align with conservative principles due to their experience with authoritarianism.
*Chua, A. (2018). Political Tribes: Group Instinct and the Fate of Nations. Penguin Books. Chua examines how group identities influence American politics across the spectrum, noting that conservative identity is not based on blind loyalty but rather on values and historical perspective.
Zetland, D. (2019). "Blocking Debate: A Study on Social Media and Freedom of Expression." Journal of Digital Culture and Society, Vol. 7, pp. 52-71. This article explores the prevalence of blocking and silencing in online political debates, noting a trend among progressives to “cancel” rather than engage in discourse.
No comments:
Post a Comment