One year has passed since the debacle at Charlottesville. One year has passed since my own encounters with various forms of hateful acts, but two especially occurred in respect to Charlottesville. (See my blog post entitled Finding No Comfort At A CandleLight Vigil.) While I had reported the drivers who made the remarks that I referenced in this entry, I had never addressed the drivers personally. I decided the time had come to do so. I wrote letters to both men, as they are still driving transit. Here is one letter:
The anniversary of Charlottesville is at hand. I don’t know if you recall telling me I should be deported, but I assure you I most assuredly do do. I’ve never spoken to you regarding this, but it made a profound impact on me. I’ve pondered it over and over during the past year.
B/c I realize you might indeed not remember, here is what transpired. Juanita was riding transit and was visibly upset about the possibility of violence coming to Abingdon. I attempted to comfort her and assure her that she was safe. She patted my hand and told me. “god bless you.” I replied to her, “Thank you.” And THEN you, transit driver, interjected unasked into the conversation THIS: “Oh, she’s (meaning me) laughing at you…she doesn’t believe in god!” This further upset Juanita, who now thinks her friend who is going to hell! She got off of transit even more troubled. I am saddened and aghast that you used one of transit’s most vulnerable passengers to target your anger over my beliefs/politics/orientation. And all I said to you afterwards was, “You know, the 1st Amendment applies to me also.” And your reply was as follows: “No, it doesn’t. You don’t believe in a Christian god. You’re one of them atheists. You should be deported!” (I’m curious-what country did you have mind for me?)
So. Thank you for making me much less safe on public transit. Thank you for making me feel much less welcome in my own country. Thank you for setting an example for “good Christians” everywhere. Thank you for showing me who you are. And finally, thank you for giving much to think about over the past year. I know that I have the reputation of being “the militant” on public transit. But I’ve always endeavored to treat my fellow passengers and the drivers with kindness and respect. I shall continue to do so, though I have no deity instructing me do so. I hope that you do likewise.
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