Reminder: Ride or Die is Not Mutually Exclusive

Merriam Webster defines Ride or Die as follows:

As a noun, ride or die refers to someone you would do anything for.

As a verb, it means “to do anything for” or “to be loyal or dedicated to.”

As an adjective, it means “completely loyal and true.”

 

In 2026, it is the modus operandi of way too many people who treat the current socio-historical moment as a team sport. The things I’ve seen rationalized, excused, justified, and worst of all, applauded in the last year or so is disturbing to say the least.

 

A lot of people choose to not engage, step aside, or avoid confrontation. A lot of people are afraid. A significant amount of people think that things are going the way they should and see no fault in overstep, abuse of power, and general recklessness. If you use the slightest amount of objectivity, saying that the last 15 months have been normal is impossible. Then again, the people who think things are going the way they should have no problem with people like me having to carry a passport in case I get pulled over for going over the speed limit, running a red light, or dare we say it, speaking Spanish in public.

 

Some people might call this hyperbole, and I’ve been told as much. That’s their opinion although the odds are heavily in favor that people who think this way speak from a position that includes equal parts ignorance and privilege. No doubt, bigotry factors into the equation, but careful saying that to anyone's face, especially those who are. Truth has a way of inspiring the most vicious reactions from certain people and all in the name of the supposed land of the free.

 

In the midst of this, there are those who say: “This isn’t what I voted for”, “I didn’t think this would happen”, and one of the most infuriating sentiments, “I didn’t think it would happen to me”. Let’s unpack that. People recognize that some of the things that are happening are atrocious and they were fine with it, until it happened to them or someone they knew. How very christian (lowercase not a typo). 

 

All of this is the result of Ride or Die mentalities, the collapse of discourse and dialogue, and the justification of anything by people who have every intent of redefining rock bottom on a daily basis. Every day, the rhetoric is more blatant, more racist, and more xenophobic. Every day it is more targeted. Every day there are actions that want to erase contributions from people of color as if it’s the most normal thing in the world. Every day there’s a new level of cruelty achieved…and some people have been brainwashed into thinking any of this is a win.

 

Because it’s their team.

 

Because it’s their guy.

 

Because it’s their nationality.

 

Because it’s their race.

 

People continue to estrange themselves from others and when someone says enough, that’s when they pull out some classics like: “I can’t believe you’d let politics divide us like this.”

 

The curious thing is that you could say the exact same thing and use the exact same argument, because their decisions, concessions, justifications, and comments are the very reason why people cut ties. Yet somehow, you’d be in the wrong. They’ve gotten really good at that, I’ll say.

 

But that doesn’t change the fact that there is absolutely nothing normal about the current moment in time.

 

There is also not a shred of a moral fiber to be found in countless places.

 

This applies to the economy, education, healthcare, the tech sector, the military, and foreign affairs. Everything. Everything is unhinged and some people are waking up to it while others continue to call out people’s labels, genders, ethnicity, race, or religion as if that’s the only reason why people are protesting. 

“If you weren’t [Choose your preferred category], 

you wouldn’t be saying this or doing that.”

People fail to see that this isn’t about Team Blue versus Team Red, but that’s how a lot of people continue to phrase it because that’s how they see it and in part because it’s convenient. It’s convenient to deny facts and favor alternative facts because a part of them is so broken, that they can’t see it any other way. It’s easier to think it’s an ideological matter rather than a moral matter because if that were the case, they’d have to respond for the things they’ve not only enabled, but justified and rooted for. They demand reasoning, dialogue, empathy, and a fair shake, but give no one any of what they demand. They stoke fires, burn bridges, self-immolate, and then say whatever repercussions they face aren’t fair.

 

That I’m writing a piece this long basically guarantees most people won’t read it unless they agree with me or want to quote out of context. Another favorite pastime. And if they do disagree and read it in full, it’s to identify where they can get a jab in or where they can change the subject to something where they can talk circles around the topic, wear you down, gaslight, and finish with a “See? I was right, but I forgive you.”

How generous.

 

Except there’s no way to cut the current situation without revealing a festered core. To make matters worse, millions continue to think they’re Christian even though every single action shows that every day they walk farther away from the teachings of Christ. 

 

What good is quoting scripture, if your actions go against what the Bible teaches and what you actually preach?

 

What good is saying you’re a Christian, if you are selective in which neighbor you love?

 

What truth is there to your faith if you turn a blind eye and justify, excuse, normalize, and rationalize the most deplorable behavior?

  

Ride or die baby. That’s what so many wanted, right?

 

So, ride or die. Beds have been made, now it’s time to lie in them.

 

Or maybe, just maybe, it’s time to collectively accept that what is happening is not right, hold leaders to a moral standard that aligns with religions, demand accountability, and maybe remember to love ourselves as we love our neighbors regardless of color, race, age, ethnicity, gender, or creed.