Get ready - this one is going to hurt some feelings.
As a Christian, Constitution-loving, libertarian, my least favorite people to be surrounded by are those who claim to be outdoor enthusiasts. The judgment, the condescending tones, the straight-up rudeness exhibited towards me and my beliefs have all been heartbreaking to watch over the last several years as political views have created deeper and deeper divides between the citizens of this country.
I understand there are crossovers, especially when considering the environment. I just don't understand why the greater majority of the outdoor community has chosen to shun and ostracize those who view things differently than them. They claim to be full of love. They claim to be beacons of inclusivity and equality. They demand spaces for ALL people....UNLESS your political views don't align. Then, you're out of the club.
I get it- things have gotten shaky. Over the last 8-10 years, things have become so polarized. You can't really be in the middle anymore. You have to be one or the other, and you're supposed to hate the other side.
Personally, I think the outdoor community should be able to look past this. We have so much more in common than the things that divide us. We need to all just take a beat- before social media and manipulated algorithms, most of us were all able to get along just fine...no matter how we voted. As outdoorspeople, let's take the lead on this. Let's take our heads out of our phones, look up from the screens, and look out at the sweeping vistas, and those we meet when seeking them out. Let's agree to disagree. The mountains will still stand. The sun will still rise. The tide will still come in.
From someone who likely disagrees with you - let's be better than those tricking us into hating each other.