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I grew up in a military, conservative, Republican household. My dad was very conservative. I am grateful for my parents, who, by all accounts, raised me well. There are some things, however, they cannot teach. This is a thread of my journey to liberalism. 1/
My formative years were primarily the 80s. The AIDS epidemic and the misinformation led to even more discrimination against the gay community. Racial inequality and prejudice was still rampant. I moved to Virginia in 85. Desegregation finally happened statewide in 71. 2/
Gay, racist, and sexist jokes were rampant in my schools. I am mortified, embarrassed, and ashamed to admit that I told some of those jokes. I didn't understand the history behind them, the hurt they caused, but I knew enough not to repeat them to my parents. 3/
My middle and high school years were spent in a large military-dependent area with a great deal of diversity: white, black, Asian, African, Middle East, etc. And suddenly my world started to open up. I was getting input from other sources. 4/
Then I found out I knew people who were gay and I was conflicted. I like them, but I had been told gay people could be dangerous. Remember, there wasn't an internet or Google I could us to fact check. The grape vine was a news source at the time. 5/
Having played high school football with mostly black kids, I quickly learned about the N-word. I learned how black people had taken control of the word and how much hurt and pain it inflicted when a white person used it. Again, not easy at the time to research history. 6/
I was bullied. I bullied. I resent the kids who bullied me for my red cheeks, being chubby, and just being an awkward kid. I resent myself for bullying others to make myself feel better. It was all wrong. 7/
I became a "peer helper" in high school. Staff identified students they felt could help fellow students. We had retreats where we learned to listen. We heard stories from people from all walks of life. We learned how cruelty and bullying at our age affected people long-term. 8/
In college, my world opened up even more. I met more people from different nationalities. I met openly gay and lesbian students and professors. My university wasn't the poster child of diversity, but it was more than I was used to. I was slowly changing. 9/
Into the workforce I went, as a lowly bureau chief (fancy title for low-paid reporter). My work in television was the real turning point. As a videographer (cameraman), I was constantly covering shootings, murders, protests, etc. Death and despair was ever present. 10/
At age 30, my first son was born. A game changer. Suddenly I was acutely aware of the world in which he would grow up. And suddenly I realized that he would be fine. Because he was white. He is about to turn 15 and I have told him, ad nauseam, how luck he is. How luck I was. 11/
We were both born white and into families of modest means. We don't have to worry about driving at night, jogging in our neighborhoods, or protesting. Now, as a nurse, every time I work, I see poverty. I see people dying bc they can't afford medications or health insurance. 12/
I learned about other countries and their national health care systems. I see them shake their heads in dismay and disgust at our country. I can easily fact check all the things I couldn't before. I know how corrupt our political system is. 13/
I learned how little GOP care for human life after it leaves the womb. I learned how much Republicans love big business and funding the military at the expense of education and "essential" services. I have watched this county elect an incompetent and mentally unstable man 14/
who doesn't even hide his disdain for human life. Who literally makes things up every day and lies to the very people who elected him. I see them clapping and cheering him on either completely ignorant to the facts, or so happy to openly hate again, they don't care. 15/
So how did I go from a Republican, military, men don't cry upbringing to become a liberal? I matured. I educated myself. I looked myself in the mirror and realized my path was wrong. I met people who were different. I learned I could coexist and be friends with people who 16/
were different than me. I learned that those differences could enrich my life and the lives of my family. I understood I had privileges gifted me at birth simply by the color of my skin. I learned to advocate and speak up for those not afforded those privileges. 17/
To put in terms the "Christian" right should understand, I learned to live a life more closely aligned with the teachings of Jesus. Love thy neighbor. Feed the hungry. Help the poor. It's not that hard. 18/
I still support the military and those who volunteer to serve. I still support law-abiding and honorable law enforcement. As a nurse and EMT, when we call, they come. And when they call, we come. 19/
In closing you are not what you grew up in. You can change. Strive to be better. Strive to learn. Who you were does not define who you can become. There are some people that will never change. But if I can, then so can anyone. Thank you for coming to my @TEDTalks. 20/20
