Consider the following hypothetical: I am at a party. My friends approach me and speak in glowing terms about their new friend, Jim —specifically how progressive he is, despite the conservative nature of the organization he leads. When Jim arrives, my friends steer the conversation toward politics and policy. Jim joins in the conversation by explaining how men and women are not, in fact, equal and that it is only right that there are positions and opportunities available in his company to men that are forbidden to women. While on the subject of equality, he also explains that homosexuality is an abomination and to afford LGBTQIA individuals the same rights as heterosexuals is a threat to civilization. Among the things he also counts as threats to civilization are a woman’s right to use birth control or have an abortion.
I tell Jim I disagree vehemently with him on these points and excuse myself. My friends hurry after me and urge me to wait — listen to Jim’s calls for action on climate change, his advocacy for Syrian refugees, his rhetoric in support of economic justice, the nights he’s spent feeding those living in poverty.