When the choice involves burning books, I'd be hesitant to shrug it off as well, gee, just other people with different opinions. Because folks of that mindset invariably decide that their "choice" is so righteous that they ultimately take a swing at controlling yours.
I actually loved the piece because it’s like normal, normal, cool… what the ever loving fuck?? Like the baby yelling that he liked seeing people blooded. Or the woman who casually mentions she likes burning books. There are some real moments.
Yep, interesting author's premise no doubt. BTW I was really happy to see the rural woman who commented here and described the difference between her genuine pioneer-ish lifestyle and the hoary old right-wing con about The Way Things Used To Be™ ("better". Supposedly the pioneers burned books LOL)
Me too. That’s at the crux of all of this, right? The right to determine your future. She personifies that freedom by exercising a choice versus the people in the article who would impose an (outwardly similar) lifestyle where you lose agency.
The Mennonites I know also made a specific choice to leave the community. Their values are indicative of the very best of Mennonite culture but it was no longer hospitable.
Gotta admit I know nothing about the Mennonites. (Wow! Something *I* know nothing about?? Mygod even I am getting sick of being Misstra Know-It-ALL!🤣😎)