To the conservative mind, shame itself is the great oppressor.

The shame you feel when the kids start talking back,

The shame you feel when they go as far as to take a loan out to go to college despite your objections,

The shame you feel when they come back from college open eyed and argumentative,

The shame you feel when they stop coming back for holidays,

The shame you feel when they officially cut you off,

The shame you feel when you find out about their future milestones second hand, if they even let you have a second hand link,

The shame you feel when all your neighbors have a similar story to tell in this dying spiteful dusty little town you spent your whole life in,

The shame you feel when feeling safe getting to say the N-word again when you blame the PC “junk” for turning the kids against you overrides all principles you may have once had like a junkie hanging on for dear life for that next hit of reassurance that the world can be punished for leaving you behind.