Thread by @JeffRybak

I've watched with growing disgust as the intolerant right-wing, and increasingly the militant left, seize on any cause and identity to attack Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party. It isn't the criticism that offends me, it's the coopting of identity and issues. #cdnpoli 1/9

Whether it's blackface, Indigenous rights, women's issues, or anything really, Twitter trolls and even ordinary activists seem to discover deep wells of concern for identities they don't share, and issues they've never cared about, whenever some opportunity presents. #cdnpoli 2/9

Like I said, it's disgusting. Beyond disgusting, really. Whatever the issue may be, it isn't improved by being flung gleefully around by idiots who are milking someone else's pain, someone else's identity, and talking over someone else's voice in a public debate. #cdnpoli 3/9

I've restrained myself, with difficulty, for a long time. Because I don't share these identities either. Yes, I'm cis, white, male, and majoritarian in most ways. The fact that concern trolls are counting on my silence doesn't change that my silence is called for. #cdnpoli 4/9

Here's the thing. My family died in the Holocaust. My direct relations. That's my identity. And I am sick and fucking tired of seeing people milk Chrystia Freeland's grandfather's history, whatever it may be, to throw the word "Nazi" around like it's nothing. #cdnpoli 5/9

Actual God damn Nazis killed my family. Rounded them up, put them in concentration camps, then in gas chambers. This isn't a jab to throw for political gain. It's real history. And it's mine, not yours. If you can't understand that, what the hell is wrong with you? #cdnpoli 6/9

I don't believe Freeland, or anyone, is responsible for what their grandparents did. We need to confront the past honestly, to move towards healing and reconciliation. We can learn a lot from First Nations on how to approach this. This crap on twitter isn't that. #cdnpoli 7/9

This is my identity, finally. And I feel exactly how I've always assumed everyone else must feel. It's more offensive to have my identity turned into a punchline than anything else. If I don't have a problem with Freeland, who are you to have a problem on my behalf? #cdnpoli 8/9

If you're trying to an ally, be an ally and let the people you're trying to support do the talking. It isn't easy, I know. If you just want the political debate, restrain yourself, please. And if you really don't care at all - I suspect most don't - just go to hell. #cdnpoli 9/9