There’s a certain type of think piece clogging my Facebook feed these days. It’s light. It’s super snarky. It’s extremely judgmental about whether Bernie supporters will support Hillary when they have to. And it’s really, really annoying.

All these article agree, the best way to tell Bernie supporters that we need to support Hillary is to do so from a very, very high horse. “Get your shit together,” “live in the real world,” this idea that as a Bernie supporter it’s assumed I won’t eventually support Hillary…why all the passive aggressive articles? If I wanted to live with guilt I’d move back home (jk mom I love you!)

As the democratic nomination is coming to a close, finally my vote in California is an active part of that process. I know the numbers are for Hillary, and there’s literally no way for Bernie to pull through in elected delegates. But every other state got to have their say and I’m gonna vote for the candidate I actually believe in. The far leftist who reminds me of the type of politics I learned about in my time in Canada (Bernie would thrive in the NDP I think…) And that’s my right as a card carrying* member of the democratic party. The primary process is not over, don’t start shouting at me for picking the wrong side.

You know what’s a terrible way to woo someone over to your side? Treat them like they don’t know what they’re doing. Like they’re dumb. Like they need to be told what to do. Bernie is still alive in the race so my vote for him stands, and I’ll feel good about that. That vote lets me make the Dem-card vote that I will be making in November because yea there’s no viable third-party alternative. I understand that.

The smugness? The “I know better than you do because I understand the value of pragmatism” attitude? That I don’t understand. That’s not going to unite anyone. And we definitely need some unity. I’m looking at my fellow Berners on that one as well. Because we know that Hillary isn’t LITERALLY Hitler, even if we still sting from some of her past or present policies, we know she’s not the devil incarnate. And yes, there are some people who will never, ever vote Hillary. But you won’t get them by bullying and acting in a snide manner.

Not every Bernie supporter started as a democrat like me. I’m the low hanging fruit and still you’re batting me around. Please don’t spoil your low hanging fruit. Stop talking to me like I’m a child. Because condescending isn’t the energy I want to get behind in November.

* technically the democrats consider me a card-carrying member because I paid for a card. They have yet to send me this card and there’s no way to complain to the party. It’s been over 6 months since I paid for it! Anyone with insight in how to actually get a card when you’ve paid for one, let me know!