There’s a basic concept, seemingly a part of the human condition, that says if you’re not like me, there is something wrong with you.
And if I’m in the more dominant position socially or politically or powerfully, I can make sure you suffer for the fact you are different.
As Blacks are different.
As immigrants are different.
As Asians are different.
As Native Americans are different.
As members of the LGBTQ community are different.
As the poor are different.
As the homeless are different.
As those with varied religious views are different.
I can even develop a strong hatred for you.
Now I know a lot of this hatred is based on my insecurities and fears you are better than I am. Which only makes me more and more determined to bring you to your knees.
I wasn’t born this way. But my parents helped me learn, as well as the environment in which I have lived my entire life.
I’ve watched over the years how our country has attempted to overcome these prejudices. I’ve observed passage of the Voting Rights Act. I’ve watched gay marriage permitted. I’ve seen the replaement of “Indian” by “Native American.” I’ve followed all the attempts to coddle the poor with food stamps, housing help, and welfare checks.
I have been sickened to see how my country has advanced the conditions of all those people who are different from me. In fact, I have felt it necessary to hide my views because the country seemed to have become more receptive of this approach and it became impossible to demonstrate my prejudices. I felt all was lost.
But then a miracle happened.
By some wonderful quirk of fate, Donald Trump was elected president of the United States.
Suddenly I no longer felt alone. I learned there were millions like me. Their prejudices were only hidden, as mine were. I learned it was now acceptable to hate and take hateful actions. President Trump even said there were “good folks” like me. This was fairly near the beginning of his presidency. I know if he had been further along in his term his true feelings would have emerged and he would have said there were good folks all of whom feel like me.
I was devastated when he lost reelection.
But then another miracle happened.
My state elected Ron DeSantis as its governor. He has been wonderful.
He has not condemned far right groups blaring a hateful message.
He has instituted voting reforms that are sticking it to the Blacks.
He is attacking public education from pre-K to graduate school and intends to wipe out any liberal thoughts among the students. Teachers will be fired if they dare to discuss certain topics. Unless they leave on their own which I understand is a real threat.
He is going after the LGBTQ community with a vengeance, and some of his lackeys have said all gays were “groomers,” that is, seducers of children.
Yes, the hatred I and so many others have harbored so long and have kept secret is now accepted, even encouraged in my state.
It’s wonderful to live in Florida.
Unless those different people take charge and pay me back.
That can’t happen.
Can it?
And if I’m in the more dominant position socially or politically or powerfully, I can make sure you suffer for the fact you are different.
As Blacks are different.
As immigrants are different.
As Asians are different.
As Native Americans are different.
As members of the LGBTQ community are different.
As the poor are different.
As the homeless are different.
As those with varied religious views are different.
I can even develop a strong hatred for you.
Now I know a lot of this hatred is based on my insecurities and fears you are better than I am. Which only makes me more and more determined to bring you to your knees.
I wasn’t born this way. But my parents helped me learn, as well as the environment in which I have lived my entire life.
I’ve watched over the years how our country has attempted to overcome these prejudices. I’ve observed passage of the Voting Rights Act. I’ve watched gay marriage permitted. I’ve seen the replaement of “Indian” by “Native American.” I’ve followed all the attempts to coddle the poor with food stamps, housing help, and welfare checks.
I have been sickened to see how my country has advanced the conditions of all those people who are different from me. In fact, I have felt it necessary to hide my views because the country seemed to have become more receptive of this approach and it became impossible to demonstrate my prejudices. I felt all was lost.
But then a miracle happened.
By some wonderful quirk of fate, Donald Trump was elected president of the United States.
Suddenly I no longer felt alone. I learned there were millions like me. Their prejudices were only hidden, as mine were. I learned it was now acceptable to hate and take hateful actions. President Trump even said there were “good folks” like me. This was fairly near the beginning of his presidency. I know if he had been further along in his term his true feelings would have emerged and he would have said there were good folks all of whom feel like me.
I was devastated when he lost reelection.
But then another miracle happened.
My state elected Ron DeSantis as its governor. He has been wonderful.
He has not condemned far right groups blaring a hateful message.
He has instituted voting reforms that are sticking it to the Blacks.
He is attacking public education from pre-K to graduate school and intends to wipe out any liberal thoughts among the students. Teachers will be fired if they dare to discuss certain topics. Unless they leave on their own which I understand is a real threat.
He is going after the LGBTQ community with a vengeance, and some of his lackeys have said all gays were “groomers,” that is, seducers of children.
Yes, the hatred I and so many others have harbored so long and have kept secret is now accepted, even encouraged in my state.
It’s wonderful to live in Florida.
Unless those different people take charge and pay me back.
That can’t happen.
Can it?
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