“Hi all. Happy Easter to everyone! Looking forward to seeing you all at 1. Quick heads up that any political and current affairs topics will be strictly prohibited. Please don’t make me ask you to leave. Thank you all for your understanding during these troubling times!”
That copied text word for word was sent in a group text to 26 people. I have about half in my contacts so assumably the rest are her family and their friends.
It’s been 15 minutes and already our cousin and her husband just responded, “We’re going to pass altogether. Thank you for the invite. Happy Easter everyone.”
Followed by an unknown number responding “I’m out too. Talk to you guys later this week.”
Easter drama was just turned up to a 10!
Comments
Interesting. Are the people bowing out of a particular political persuasion?
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Sounds like she weeded out the troublemakers
What a weird thing for those responders to do. “We MUST discuss politics at Easter and if not, we aren’t coming”
How strange/not cool
Im specifically wearing my pride shirt this easter around my conservative relatives to see if theyll blow a gasket. Need them to reaffrim if those bridges should just be burned. I hate to do it and I wish they would be better people, but if they dont want to grow that sucks for them
I think its werid to talk poltics at a dinner and she weeded them off.
I think this is awesome. I am currently worried about a family get together in a couple of months. I completely understand why she sent the text.
Good on your SIL, best way to avoid arguments during what should be a lovely family meal is to weed out the trolls & fanatics before they appear!!
Honestly it sounds like she was posting about very ‘beat a dead horse with a stick topics’, anyone who cancelled may have thought that meant that certain types of language ‘would’ be accepted (that’s how it goes where I come from, the person saying no politics usually lets their politics slide).
But that’s my personal family, if that doesn’t relate to you, consider this reply anecdotal.
I can say for sure that in my house, this would be fine, but in other friends homes they would be one side or the other and box anyone else out using a similar rule, “We only talk ‘our’ politics here.”
Your SIL is being a good hostess. Her guests didn’t intend to be good guests. Sounds like her Easter gathering came out of this the better.
“but I wanna praise Trump and make racist comments! Waaaahhh.”
Good on your SIL for laying down the ground rules. Looks like the trash took itself out.
I cant get anyone to join my cult?! Im out
my cousins are sending targeted hardcore christian texts to people in my family before we all meet at 1:30. it usually ends in everyone being angry and screaming. fun times!
It’s a good policy. Good on her.
I dont blame her for saying something! Why would others bow out?
If she’s hosting, her rules. 🤷♂️
I love that she did that! I’d be getting there early and bringing her an extra bottle of wine as a thank you!
Yeah, I don’t understand why people absolutely have to talk about politics at any family gathering they go to.
I feel like on some level, I can kinda get where they may be coming from, feeling that placing a direct restriction on talking topics is a freedom of speech violation, maybe? (Just guessing).
But at the end of the day, it’s her house. She can ask anyone to leave that she wants. Oh well. If people don’t want to come, they don’t have to. Family should be more important than politics, but apparently that’s not the case.
How fucking petty are the people bowing out? Its not an unreasonable request.
She definitely understood her audience
Sounds like everyone who does attend is going to have a nice, peaceful Easter dinner.
I think this is very smart. Trying to cut down on the drama for a day that is not about politics at all. Pretty sad that people can’t even go a few hours not talking about politics.
We just recently had a birthday party for my cousin, my aunt put me in charge of shutting down any potential political conversations. (My uncle can be a bit of a nutjob lol)
I don’t see this as an unreasonable request, it sounds like those that are bowing out were looking to brawl lol
Christianity is a cult & Easter is a stolen pagan holiday full of fertility symbols. Most Christian’s holidays are appropriated, sort of like how Nazi’s can’t come up with any symbolism of thier own either.
Cults be culting.
Good for her. Poor girl, she’s probably been worried about how grown people are going to act in her home – when she is hosting – and this is not about them or politics…it is a holiday and about getting the family together. Pretty sad that she had to even send this text. Hope it’s a good Easter!
How odd that family would rather not hang out if it means not talking about politics for a couple hours. If Trump is that far ingrained into your entire personality…maybe reevaluate things
Man. Conservatives are so soft.
I have to send a similar text to my entire family before ANY gathering taking place at my house. I haven’t seen several of them at my place since Covid because they simply cannot help themselves. My husband’s family is all left leaning and my family is 95% Trump supporters, with the other 5% being normal conservatives. My family love to make themselves the victims about literally anything so of course I’m the demon that split the family.
Oh well, we enjoy our gatherings immensely with the ones who can respect my rules!
She weeded out the people who will likely cause future tensions and issues on a holiday.
There is a time and place to discuss politics. She should let them be big mad since she’s establishing a boundary, especially with her being the host.
Good on her!
Edit: some people will find discussing politics as an add-on to stress. It isn’t that hard to refrain from it for a couple of hours while someone is being polite about not bringing stuff like that up
It’s a religious holiday, not just a family gathering. Politics can wait.
I think this is reasonable, there’s a lot of mixed views in my family and we do make it a ‘rule’ to not discuss politics at events. It’s worked wonderfully for us!
If anything, no talking politics would make me want to go even more!
I’ve banned both religion and politics at my house. Luckily my family understands and we have happy fun events.
I have the upmost respect for both topics, but some of my family is definitely on the polar opposite sides.
There is nothing wrong with disagreeing, but nobody is changing their minds at this point. So my house is just relaxed and calm.
Omg finally someone put into polite words what I need to include with my wedding invites for later this year.
Personally I see nothing wrong with this, but I also would have zero interest in spending my day with a bunch of bigoted Trump supporters. If someone asked me and everyone else not to discuss politics at a wedding or event, though, I would keep my mouth shut if at the request of the host.
I think it’s great. She is my hero.
I actually agree with this txt, I think certain occasions don’t need to be a space to discuss politics etc certainly not Easter if kids are going to be about because watching adults disagree, get frustrated or argue isn’t it.
If people have bowed out because they feel they need to share their political views at events then it’s no loss really.
I had a family party last night, we chatted about memories, our adventures and happy upcoming moments 🤷♀️
To be fair, it’s her house and her rules. She set a boundary and some people spat their dummies out because they didn’t like it.
Ohhhhh dang !!! I WISH I’d have thought of this yesterday, right before our entire family met up to take all the kids out for go karting and pizza for Eater. I organized a “fun night out” so we could all go have some fun …. It was the only time we could all be together for 4 hours straight.
My youngest brother showed up and immediately started in with a political comment ….. I mad e snappy response (which annoyed him) and he said “ok well then EXPLAIN this and blah blah “
I said “how about we skip the political debates / the kids are here and I’d rather kick your ass at skee ball instead !!”
He said something else again and I told him “hey man, not the time or place… c’mon … let’s go have some fun”
(I tried to keep it lighthearted)
He got up and left. 🙄 like the 6’6” man child he is.
And we’re in 🇨🇦
My unpopular opinion is that I respect both perspectives.
I understand if you want to have a peaceful Easter meal.
I also understand if you consider these extraordinary times requiring an all out effort.
The hostess of the event set her boundary. When you set boundaries people are also allowed to decide if they are reasonable and if they want to associate with you. And that’s okay too. Sometimes we aren’t in the same place in life.
There’s nothing wrong with bowing out if you don’t agree or don’t think you can live with these types of rules. And it’s a lot better than being passive aggressive or resentful.
To be honest I’m a lefty in the later camp. These are extraordinary times. I don’t celebrate Easter. But I choose to spend the holidays with those who share my values and activism.
If you can’t get together without voicing your politics, you’re an a-hole and I don’t want you there anyway. 100% agree with your SIL!
Gotta love it when the trash takes itself out before the party ever begins!! 🎉 🙌
Good for you SIL. Well done!
Sad days indeed when you have to lay down the law ahead of adults gathering to stop fights breaking out.
I can’t argue about politics so count me out! What a family.
It sounds like your SIL made a great decision in stopping a problem before it started.
What a blessing to have so many to gather 😊 I hope she gets her wish and the day is drama-free. Happy Easter!
Good for her.
Ugh my ex’s family was like this. As long as you shared their views, it was fine to talk politics. But apparently I was “out of line” for requesting they not throw around the N-slur (with the hard “R” at the end) in front of me. 🥴
Good for SIL.
I genuinely don’t understand.
It’s one day. No… It’s one meal! The people bowing out can’t go just a few hours without talking politics!?
If you’re this sort of person, then you’re obviously trash and don’t actually have a personality, so everyone else is better off without them there.
The trash took itself out!
Sounds like the trash is taking itself out.
We’ll need an update!
That really sucks for your SIL. I hope that the people who do show up are willing to try and have a good time. At least the ones who bowed out will most likely be the ones who were dreaded in the first place.
I feel like it is a reasonable request and if someone doesn’t want to come – then that is reasonable too.
That is just bizarre that the family responded like that. That was a perfectly reasonable request. Politics is so polarizing right now that it can turn contentious quickly.
Love that for her tbh
Good for her. She dodged a bullet in every person who refused to come and now maybe she’ll have a pleasant dinner.
Honestly werk. Let the trash take itself out.
Of course there is a tweet today and one of my friends posted it also.
His wife’s response was:
‘Please come and sit on the porch with me? You’re just making yourself angry on this beautiful morning, babe. It’s our Easter morning, too. Not that keeping aware and awake isn’t important, but let’s enjoy this day together. He is not invited.’
That last line hit me hard: He is not invited.
He is flinging poison darts trying to get engagement.
He is not invited.
Not today.
He is not welcome at my table.
Today is about redemption and grace, both are freely given when asked.
Today is hope. Today, the tomb is empty.
Even for him.
However, today he is not invited to my table
Americans have no class
…..yet she didn’t take religion off the table, cue:
Atheist grand-nephew vs. hardcore Catholic grand-uncle
Hushed whispers around the house of how they can’t believe the family’s favorite kid “brought one of those Islam scarf girls with him! (….AND she won’t eat pork, ffs!)
Asshole teenage cousin telling all the little kids the gory details about actual crucifixion, scarring them for life, making them all cry, but just insisting they were” teaching them about Easter”
OP, we need a “best of” post update, please?
Honestly good for her!!! I would say the same thing.
Definitely going to need a follow up. Any other declines since you posted?
And all of that food!
“……honey, how much of the Constitution is this text violating?”
The trash took itself out
So nice of the trash to take itself out instead of bringing the fight.
The trash took itself out this Easter !
Sounds like they’re making mature decisions for themselves.
😂😂😂. I applaud her for making it clear that we want a civil discussion, and I applaud those who will not attend because they wish not to! Way to go everyone!!!
That seems like a perfectly reasonable text, regardless of political leanings. Maybe I’m missing something….
Can I interest you in an Easter egg in these troubled times?
Your SIL is smart.
Quite frankly the people that opted out of going are the ones you didn’t want there. They’re the ones that wanted to talk politics. They did you a favor.
I think it’s brilliant. I love when horrible people self-identify and remove themselves. Should be a pleasant Easter.
Byeeeeee.
I appreciate the no politics rule
I’m certain someone she actually wanted to attend was threatening not to attend due to said cousins, and this was the attempt to uninvite them without being rude last minute. It’s a reasonable request, you get to decide who and what goes on in your own home. You also get to ask anyone to leave at any time for any reason and don’t have to put up with people disrespecting you in your own home.
If you need to send a boundary text to your family, it’s extremely likely boundary crossing has happened many times. I bet in the past these boundary crossers won’t leave and would rather make everyone uncomfortable than shut up about talking points and “politics” aka only their point of view.
Nicing up the text like some commenters suggest is just weakening the point of the boundary. You need to be direct, clear, and firm with people who repeatedly do these things.
He’s right and he’s better off without these people that decided not to come. Easter family gatherings are suppose to be for fun and enjoyment. Not to discuss political issues and possible (but certainly) getting conflicts.
Hope you, your SIL and the family who’s there will still have fun!
I think this is totally fair, they want to spare themselves the political BS in their home. Boundaries are important.
“there’s a time and a place to discuss treating your neighbor as you would yourself, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and Easter ain’t it!” is fucking wild.
Your SIL planned this poorly. She should have sent her text a couple of days in advance. Now she’s going to have too much food. If she’s a good cook, bring Tupperware to cash in on the extras.
Good! The miserable assholes won’t be there. That’s insane though.
My whole family pretty much are hard-line conservative, republican, evangelical trump supporters. When we do get together, it’s an unwritten rule that politics and religion is not to be discussed. This allows us to accept each other as family and not the opposition.
No religion arguments, no politics at all – my family’s rule all the way back to the 1950’s. I never witnessed an unpleasant holiday get together in my younger years. Is it really that difficult to handle?
There must have been something to cause this text to go out. You are just an onlooker, thank goodness.
I would reply back, “GREAT!!! See you at (time)”
I have a family with mixed views and we don’t discuss at the table because we all know someone will get upset, and our love for each other is greater than that.
I dare you to go and bring up the forbidden topic.
The problem is not enough people are talking politics! I live in an over 55 community, and many are completely unaware of how dire the situation is. If you only watch FOX, you’re duped with false or no information.
Very straightforward message, if people know they can’t behave themselves they are right to bow out.
I would have replied “Thank FUCK. See you soon.”
Well done SIL, well done.
You know it honestly kind of sad that we’re so broken as a country that people can’t put aside politics for a few hours and just enjoy being with family.
She probably just didn’t want the day to be ruined by fighting
Good for her. She set a boundary, and the people who can’t help themselves voluntarily left. Drama is tiring, and people are looking to spark it up wherever they go. Now, she doesn’t have to defuse conversation grenades
who wants to talk politics that badly that they’d disinvite themselves, good riddance honestly.
that text is a very “something already happened” text. like something tells me she’s not just sending it to be cautious or stir the pot, the last family event was probably a disaster for this very reason and she is tryin to stop another issue before it happens.
I say this EVERY SINGLE HOLIDAY to my family & in laws. Politics should just off limits on holidays – especially if you know that there is different beliefs amongst the guest. Why make anyone feel uncomfortable?
I just had a funny thought. Had your SIL been a trump supporter and sent a let’s-not-talk-politics text, non-trump supporters would have been relieved. Yet, your SIL, a non-trump supporter, sent the let’s-not-talk-politics text, and the trump supporters got butthurt. I don’t know what that says but I will have to give that more thought.
So your sil in trying to avoid drama and make sure everyone has a nice time and their response is ” well fuck this, im out”? Sounds like you’re better off without them there
Hasn’t it previously been considered rude to talk politics at functions that aren’t intended for that purpose? I don’t think this is out of pocket to ask people to be respectful. Do people not have a life outside of politics anymore? Aren’t there other things people can talk about? What happened to being present and having normal conversations?
When I’m at a family function when a family member starts talking politics I just walk away. I’m not there for a news recap.
I don’t think anyone understood it here, OP. I’m sorry ☹️
Political topics are PROHIBITED
Really makes me amazed how people are willing to change the course of their lives over people who don’t even know they exist or care. We can disagree on politics and views all day long, but I’d be a lethargic fool if I went to sleep thinking the leaders of whatever I think is right, even cared or knew about my existence lol. We all just wanna smile and be happy, I can be happy with your company just knowing you wanna be happy too.
I have no issue with this. If you can’t put politics aside for one day, then maybe you don’t need to come to my house.
SIL fired her warning shots and scared off the folks who were 100% intending to start shit at Easter dinner, good for her.
I don’t think the request not to argue over politics at Easter is unreasonable. I would go and let all the angry people stay home. She is perfectly entitled to set boundries in her own home and it seems like this might be based on previous discussions getting out of hand and she just wants to have a good time. I would reply “No problem. See you there.”
So people wouldn’t go because they can’t force their views on people. It’s sad times.
Good on your SIL. We don’t allow it either. Don’t care which way you lean.
The art of gathering, if you are hosting you can absolutely set the tone for your events.
Sounds like she predicted their shenanigans.
I can get along with Trump-humpers just fine and never bring up politics. But if they want to bring it up I’m ready to rip them a brand new double-wide 3-bedroom 2-bath asshole. Especially the ones who try and blame their support for Trump on God. Vote for whoever you want, but don’t get all high and mighty and act like God made you do it.
so silly. doesn’t matter which side of the isle someone is, i’d rather not talk politics with anyone if i don’t have to, esp. on holidays. that should be rule #1!
Yeah I’m of the assumption I know which side of politics the folks that are out fall in. God forbid she wants it to be civil and fun, that’s wayyyy to socialist
I commend her 1000% for that! When I go home to visit my family in Louisiana I usually had to make this sort of “announcement” to my family because it was the same thing. I made it clear if it started, I was getting my shit together and me, my husband, and son were just leaving. My brother would ALWAYS start his political rants and piss someone off. Having a kid I made sure to not let the political shit talking start because usually racist remarks were made and I’m not having my kid around if and I just didn’t want to hear it. I genuinely just wanted to spend time with my family while I could in the limited time I had while visiting.
Good for your SIL!
We do the same shit. I’m conservative as they get and my sister is progressive AF. Me and her are the biggest proponents of “shut the fuck up” at family gatherings when someone brings up politics.
Good for you SIL, as you can see the trash took themselves out