Current events and uncomfortable topics.
This post will be a little different. It will contain some politics and world events. If that makes you uncomfortable, I'd suggest skipping this entry. This might make you uncomfortable. It should. This shit's real.
This week, our country got real scary, real fast. Not only the fact that there are people who want to literally abolish all races and religions that they don't identify with, but that so many people seem to be blaming those people who were trying to DEFEND others from harm. Sure, people can 'have their own opinion' but when it involves being a Nazi, I draw the line.
At the moment, I am both thankful and ashamed for being a white American. Thankful that people aren't protesting for my right to live, but ashamed that biologically I am the same race as those people. I find myself looking into the eyes of people of different colors in restaurants and wishing I could take their hands in mine and apologize for the fact that they are being threatened for the color of their skin or religion. I also always want to say that I am standing with them. But would that be weird? Is it inappropriate? Why am I suddenly hyperaware of race? I don't want to be. I hate looking at a white mother and her two darker-skinned kids at the grocery store and automatically thinking "oh, the father must be black". I obviously didn't mean it as a bad thing; just a passing observation. But I did notice it. I want to live in a world where I am not programmed to think of race before personality. I want to get to the point where race doesn't have preconceived notions and where basic human decency isn't a concept we praise. I want to live in a world where the president of my country gets ruined for, oh, I don't know, not doing anything about white supremacy rallies, or grabbing women by the pussy, or saying Mexicans are "bad hombres" or making fun of a disabled reporter. He still got elected. He is still leading our country. That's the scariest thing of all. What will it take for people to realize he's not a good person? I still see Trump flags on my way to work hanging from nice Colonial houses. Why do they think he's so great? Is it the misogynistic comments? The fact that he "speaks his mind" even though everything he seems to think is offensive? I genuinely don't understand. But, oh man, I know. THE E-MAILS. -___-
I am afraid that people I know and love are closet white supremacists. I know we disagree on politics, but could people I know truly be that cold-hearted? I know many Republicans. Some voted for Trump, some didn't. But can they really stand for what he has made clear he does? I don't know. Most of the people I know have been quiet about it, so I honestly don't know where they stand. I hope they are the people I thought I knew. I know politics don't make or break a person and I don't fault someone for not agreeing with me, but those people who are fine with Nazis walking the streets scare me. Sure, the 'other side' fought back after literally getting mowed down by a car. That doesn't mean they deserve to HAVE to fight back. The irony is that the white supremacists are saying they are proud Christians and Americans, but what they are doing and what they believe is right is the complete opposite of both ideals. America was formed under the foundation and belief of Liberty and Equality. Christianity is all about giving unto others and helping those who need it. I have been listening and watching Hamilton a lot within the past few days. It puts into perspective just how long this country has been dealing with the hate that we are currently seeing. But it also helps me remember how powerful the history of this country is and if those men can win the revolution for our freedom, maybe there is hope.
Actually, I am also afraid of those who simply aren't outraged by what is happening. Being indifferent about this is just as scary as the fact that there are people out there with tiki torches (snort) protesting the existence of groups of people. Is it because they are in their comfortable bubble? Talking from experience, it is easy to ignore what is going on around us. But what is going on is fucking scary. Our neighbors are being threatened because of how much melanin is in their skin and what god they worship. Didn't we already fight this war?
This goes so much deeper than politics though. This isn't about our Government or taxes. This is about basic human compassion and decency. Maybe it's because I was raised with parents and sisters who have taught me to love thy neighbor and lend a hand to anyone who needs it. The beauty of culture is the fact that there are so many different varieties of it. People all around the world speak different languages, look different, have different values, eat different foods, worship different gods. Who the hell are we to say one race and religion is superior? Who can be that arrogant and closed-minded?
Tomorrow, I go to New York to meet up with a friend. This is the same day as the White Supremacist protest in the city. I am nervous, but I cannot live my life in a bubble. I am trying to find out where the rally is and avoid it. I have an extra poster and am thinking of writing "All hearts beat red. I am standing with you. They are the minority. -A silent warrior" and leaving it in Times Square. If I have time, I might. But I will go to the NYPD station near there to ask permission. The last thing I want to do is to stir up trouble.
We may disagree on who the president should be, or politics in general. But really, folks. Love thy neighbor. We are all the same.
"People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."-Nelson Mandela
This week, our country got real scary, real fast. Not only the fact that there are people who want to literally abolish all races and religions that they don't identify with, but that so many people seem to be blaming those people who were trying to DEFEND others from harm. Sure, people can 'have their own opinion' but when it involves being a Nazi, I draw the line.
At the moment, I am both thankful and ashamed for being a white American. Thankful that people aren't protesting for my right to live, but ashamed that biologically I am the same race as those people. I find myself looking into the eyes of people of different colors in restaurants and wishing I could take their hands in mine and apologize for the fact that they are being threatened for the color of their skin or religion. I also always want to say that I am standing with them. But would that be weird? Is it inappropriate? Why am I suddenly hyperaware of race? I don't want to be. I hate looking at a white mother and her two darker-skinned kids at the grocery store and automatically thinking "oh, the father must be black". I obviously didn't mean it as a bad thing; just a passing observation. But I did notice it. I want to live in a world where I am not programmed to think of race before personality. I want to get to the point where race doesn't have preconceived notions and where basic human decency isn't a concept we praise. I want to live in a world where the president of my country gets ruined for, oh, I don't know, not doing anything about white supremacy rallies, or grabbing women by the pussy, or saying Mexicans are "bad hombres" or making fun of a disabled reporter. He still got elected. He is still leading our country. That's the scariest thing of all. What will it take for people to realize he's not a good person? I still see Trump flags on my way to work hanging from nice Colonial houses. Why do they think he's so great? Is it the misogynistic comments? The fact that he "speaks his mind" even though everything he seems to think is offensive? I genuinely don't understand. But, oh man, I know. THE E-MAILS. -___-
I am afraid that people I know and love are closet white supremacists. I know we disagree on politics, but could people I know truly be that cold-hearted? I know many Republicans. Some voted for Trump, some didn't. But can they really stand for what he has made clear he does? I don't know. Most of the people I know have been quiet about it, so I honestly don't know where they stand. I hope they are the people I thought I knew. I know politics don't make or break a person and I don't fault someone for not agreeing with me, but those people who are fine with Nazis walking the streets scare me. Sure, the 'other side' fought back after literally getting mowed down by a car. That doesn't mean they deserve to HAVE to fight back. The irony is that the white supremacists are saying they are proud Christians and Americans, but what they are doing and what they believe is right is the complete opposite of both ideals. America was formed under the foundation and belief of Liberty and Equality. Christianity is all about giving unto others and helping those who need it. I have been listening and watching Hamilton a lot within the past few days. It puts into perspective just how long this country has been dealing with the hate that we are currently seeing. But it also helps me remember how powerful the history of this country is and if those men can win the revolution for our freedom, maybe there is hope.
Actually, I am also afraid of those who simply aren't outraged by what is happening. Being indifferent about this is just as scary as the fact that there are people out there with tiki torches (snort) protesting the existence of groups of people. Is it because they are in their comfortable bubble? Talking from experience, it is easy to ignore what is going on around us. But what is going on is fucking scary. Our neighbors are being threatened because of how much melanin is in their skin and what god they worship. Didn't we already fight this war?
This goes so much deeper than politics though. This isn't about our Government or taxes. This is about basic human compassion and decency. Maybe it's because I was raised with parents and sisters who have taught me to love thy neighbor and lend a hand to anyone who needs it. The beauty of culture is the fact that there are so many different varieties of it. People all around the world speak different languages, look different, have different values, eat different foods, worship different gods. Who the hell are we to say one race and religion is superior? Who can be that arrogant and closed-minded?
Tomorrow, I go to New York to meet up with a friend. This is the same day as the White Supremacist protest in the city. I am nervous, but I cannot live my life in a bubble. I am trying to find out where the rally is and avoid it. I have an extra poster and am thinking of writing "All hearts beat red. I am standing with you. They are the minority. -A silent warrior" and leaving it in Times Square. If I have time, I might. But I will go to the NYPD station near there to ask permission. The last thing I want to do is to stir up trouble.
We may disagree on who the president should be, or politics in general. But really, folks. Love thy neighbor. We are all the same.
"People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."-Nelson Mandela
Comments
Post a Comment