Saturday, as I rolled through the mountains of WV with my Harley friends I was reflecting on how blessed we are. Set aside the awesomeness of those particular moments that matter, most of us live absurdly abundant lives. Running water, food in the cupboard, and the freedom to use our free time as we please, where we please. We have amazing technology at our fingertips, we can worship or not where we choose, and we have the ability to have our voices heard at the ballot box. For now anyway.
These thoughts were in direct contrast to several hours I spent at work Thursday. I was gathered with my new hires outdoors because we had been evacuated from our building because of a bomb threat. Sitting at a picnic table with three incredibly brilliant and gracious young black ladies, I listened as they talked about the added insecurity the moment had caused. They talked of Uvalde, Buffalo and the 13 year old unarmed boy short in the back by police in Chicago the previous week. “What is going on in the world?” “Why are people so angry?” They asked these questions and maybe not rhetorically. They were good questions.
I hated that these young ladies had to confront such questions when their only thoughts should have been joy in that they were kicking off a new and fulfilling career. It reminded me of my privilege. While I abhor the racial divide in our country I never need contemplate that such hatred is aimed at me simply because of the skin I walk in. I wonder those who support division ever contemplate the question, “What if I were they?” How would they react if the shoe were on the other foot? The idea that the demographics of our country are changing likely fuels such angst. Perhaps they are worried if they lose control the new majority will treat them as they treated others. They should think about that. Deeply.
The thing bullies don’t understand is that their victims only want it to stop. People who have suffered know what it is like to live in fear and wouldn’t want anyone to suffer that pain. Hating others simply because they look different is the epitome of lethargy and fearfulness. It ignores the rich contributions offered from diverse cultures and histories often times while embracing those contributions with ignorance to their origins.
It’s pretty apparent that many of our neighbors are driven by the fear that the days of white male majority are over. Their reaction is like that of a cornered animal about to be devoured by a predator. They will do and believe anything so long as they escape to survive. The thing is, there is no predator. There is only a mirror of themselves reflecting the sins of their past. The sooner they realize that the sooner we can address the issues that are an actual threat to all of us.
Red Hog Diary 