“Exceptions to the rule” were so ingrained in every one when I lived in the south that it was impossible to have a decent conversation about anything.
My gay cousin is fine, but gay people…
My best friend from high school, who is black, is fine, but black people are…
My abortion was necessary but abortion at large is wrong…
My trans child needs gender affirming care but…
My Latino workers are upstanding people but Latinos are…
My EBT/Snap benefits are deserved but people on welfare…
My drug use is fine and doesn’t harm anyone but…
I mean, I know this is a general human trait, but it felt almost institutionalized to a point where people could say incredibly horrible shit about people and then deftly sidestep the contradiction when called out. It really did feel like being in a fever dream (and not from the crippling humidity and heat).