If the matter is not of importance, then why adamant to downvote and do so, so persistently.
For your case, it doesn't as there's no monetary incentive to take out from your posts but for others that belong under the category of spam/plagiarized content and sometimes content I just don't like being rewarded, there's an incentive for me to chip off a few cents off it.
Whilst mentioning freedom of speech, then why try and silence someone from posting what they wish to say or share. You mention "if you reblog and make her posts visible, I'll see them still if I follow you on my feed".. Why should my post be rebloged by anyone other than me for it to be visible. After all, it's my content, I should be visible without being muted.
I wouldn't see your content unless I go actively look for it or someone handed it to me by reblogging on their feed. Whether you have a high rep or negative rep, it's visible.
A very unwelcoming approach by hive and through group downvoting circle rings the group are trying to do just that.
I don't represent anyone, just my take. If Hive is just causing me headaches, I see no point in engaging with it. You can have a group of people downvoting but there are individual reasons, don't lump mine with anyone else.
Sounds like alot of time in hand to me and could be put to use in truly reading the content, especially when it was as sensitive as appreciating ones deceased Grandmother. Blindly 'trusting' the downvoter because you don't have time isn't showcasing correct choices nor displaying true ethical choices.
That's your opinion on how I use my stake AND my time. Assuming I blindly trust the downvoter is another flaw here, Galenk messages me or I check what's with the drama whenever my name gets mentioned/tagged or dm'ed. It goes the same for people I set to follow their downvotes. If I don't agree with the call, I just remove the downvote and move on or remove them from my trail. I Indulge in a conversation like this when there's a discussion or avoid it when someone already says what's on my mind.
Why should I or anyone go to a point of "stepping away from hive". It's a platform for everyone and if anything needs to 'step away' it is this discouragement and very toxic behaviour.
I don't know, did my time and also other people stepped out of the platform some time whenever Hive's toxicity or crypto space toxicity disrupted their fun. If this is the kind of thing people want to be in, so be it.