Holly, I agree with what you're written here, and support your work and self-reflection! You've been courageous with this piece, saying what too many people are too intimidated to actually utter aloud.

But let's be honest about those toxic people who'd seek to criticize you for your participation in the discourse: it's really about THEM -- as in, their own narcissism. By shaming and silencing you, they are attempting to control the entire narrative...and to frame any and all arguments based on an ideology and dogma that they forcibly want to intimidate everyone else into blindly following.

It's incumbent upon all rational-minded people NOT to allow them to get away with it.