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Trump’s Response On Las Vegas Vs Puerto Rico
I just finished watched Trump’s (#NotMyPresident) remarks on the the Las Vegas shooting. While I do not mean to diminish the depth of this tragedy in any way, I could help but compare his response to it to his response to the ongoing suffering in Puerto Rico. Trump was immediately on-cue and is visiting Las Vegas Wednesday, only two days after the shooting occurred. He has YET to visit Puerto Rico, though he is supposed to do so Tuesday. (We’ll see if this actually takes place.) Maria struck the island NINE days ago. Part of me cynically wonders if this has to do with the fact that the shooting in Las Vegas struck more at people who might be Trump’s people: it was a country music concert, so chances are the concert-goers were more than likely white. I haven’t seen anything about this, mind you. Whereas Puerto Rico is filled with….you know, nonwhite people. The type of people Trump likes to call names and ban from the country. Just one step up from “rapists and drug lords.” Probably bad hombres.
Mass shootings are getting deadlier. The shooters have access to weapons that will cause more harm. (Thank you, NRA!) Usually, when the gunman is white, he is said to be a “lone wolf” and often found to have mental problems. But let the gunman be Muslim or African American, and -viola- you have a terrorist attack! Interesting, that double standard there.
I don’t really have a firm end point here. Just something to think about.
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Why I Resist
Recently I’ve been asked why I fight the battles I do-against hatred, bigotry, separation of church and state, and Trump (#NotMyPrez) &Co. Friends worry about my safety. I’ve been pondering this. Here is my reply:
A little of my history. I was a child during the 60s. I saw first-hand that people CAN make a difference, should they choose to do so. I heard the stirring words of Martin Luther King and saw the dismantling of the Jim Crow South (to some effect). I watched the anti-war protests, met some who protested, and saw the U.S. end its participation in the Vietnam War. My father was involved in local politics (Democratic Party) and I often attended rallies and other events at his side. I witnessed the Klan holding a march in full regalia. I heard stories from relatives about the horrors of Nazi Germany AND the pogroms in Russia, and studied this in-depth as an undergrad. Over and over again I heard the stirring words, “Silence=Death”, “Never Again”, and the words of Edmund Burke,” The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” And the words of Hillel from which the name of this blog is taken: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, who am I? And if not now, when?”
So, the recent debacle of a presidential election and the ensuing presidency of Trump made me become even more committed to action. It was MY generation that brought the country to this point and MY generation that elected this man. I feel a deep sense of shame and responsibilty. Though I did not vote for him, nonetheless he was elected. Thankfully, millennials now outnumber boomers. But I firmly believe that that those of us who are older need to strive to all that we can to help those who will inherit the chaotic disarranged morass that this country has become.
On a personal, individual, and local level, another quote keeps coming to mind. It is one from Gandhi: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” I do not believe that I can change the world, nor do I have the hubris to wish to do such a vast undertaking. What I CAN do, however, is by my example and actions try to make the community in which I dwell a better place. My openness about who I am and what I espouse has been a carefully calculated campaign to let people here see someone is not of their tribe, who is all the things they hear demonized on Fox and other places, who yet is also a kind and compassionate person. I want them to think when they hear heinous words about atheists, Jews, LGBTQ folk, or progressives, “They’re talking about Kel,” a person who helps people with their groceries, pays their transit fare, inquires about them and their familes and not some anonymous stranger. I hope that by giving them a face to put on all of these things it will make it harder for them to give accedence to hate.
In addition, I have the capability and will to fight against the wrongs I encounter. I can and will go after the creep of religion that is discriminatory against anyone who is not a (conservative) Christian here and that violates the 1st Amendment. I will make regular frequent calls to my Congress Representative and Senators on behalf of heathcare, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, the influence of big money in politics. I will sign petitions and disseminate pertinent information on social media. I will continue to push back against actual “fake news” and push for evidence-based journalism, science and policies. And most importantly I will show up as a citizen and witness-participant at local organizations and events that foster these same things. I VOTE!
These things may indeed make it more difficult for me as an individual. Certainly in the short term during the reign of 45 and perhaps even long-term. I’ve encountered opprobrium and invective, more so after the election. But despite that, I hope that my actions will make it easier for others in the future. I fight so that my community will be better. I fight b/c I have faith in the ability of humans to change. I fight b/c it is the right thing to do.
Thanks to all who read this. I close with a song that I’ve been listening to more and more often.
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Finding No Comfort At A Christian Candlelight Vigil
This week has left me saddened and dispairing over my encounters with the Christian community in my small town. Here is what I’ve encountered here in the Bible Belt:
First earlier in the week after the Charlottesville protest, I was speaking to a friend on transit. This person is somewhat elderly and has a devopmental disability. She was frightened and concerned that the violence she had witnessed might come to our small town. I was reassuring her that she was safe and that I believed she need not fear. She patted my hand and thanked me, saying “God bless you.” The transit driver then interjected into the conversation to inform her that I did not believe in god and that I was laughing at her words. All I had said in response to her was a simple “Thank you.” I would never hurt her by ridiculing her beliefs, nor would I try to distress her. She was alarmed already and his words just added to her fear. I attempted to assuage her concern and not inflame the situation. All I said to the driver was to remind him that the First Amendment also applies to atheists, after she had departed from the bus. He then said that it only applies to people who believed in god and that I should be deported (because I’m atheist). This was said in all seriousness.
The more I thought about this encounter, the more disturbing I found it. First, that he should use another person’s distress to target me seemed extremely callous. This passenger should not have been subject to more reason for confusion. She was already anxious and upset. She did not need to be brought into his dislike of my atheism. That is extremely uncalled for and beyond the pale. Second, he showed me that I have misread his character. He is a self-proclaimed “good Christian” and conservative Trump supporter. We have engaged in what I thought was good-natured banter in the past. But, while I am known to be a progressive activist, I have never crossed the line into attacking someone personally for his/her/xir beliefs. I firmly believe that the rights of everyone to have their own political and religious beliefs should be respected and that diversity is something to be valued.I don’t expect everyone to agree with me on politics, religion, sexuality, or any other subject. Indeed, I TRY to seek out and engage others with opposing views, not to change their minds by debate but to find out how others think and feel. I don’t want to live in my own little bubble. At the same time, though, I do let them know who I am and what I espouse. But I also accompany this by kind actions and compassion.
So, feeling shaken already by yet another disconcerting brush with Christianity here in the South, I attended a candlelight vigil last night. It had been advertised on FB and was held at a local church. I had not realised that this was to be religious (Christian) service, as the church where it was held had been the site for other nonreligious activites I had previously attended and it was not mentioned in the advert. But I resolved to stay, enjoy the beautiful hymns, and find some peace and comfort with others. I also wanted to hear that local Christians were other than my recent experiences would allow and not represented by those who would attack and exclude others.
This is what I heard. I say this with the hope that despite my attempt to be there as a fellow human being and seeker of peace that I misconstrued the message. There were four pastors officiating, each representing a different church and leading a different segment of the service. The first gave a rather standard talk on peace, using the familiar word of Francis of Assisi. The second, an African preacher, was much more inspiring, using fire and eloquence. I felt hopeful. THEN came the third pastor on the topic of love. He spoke of how Christians are supposed to love EACH OTHER and not criticize other Christians. I waited to hear his expansion of this into how Christians were to treat ALL people. But that message never arrived. Instead, he reiterated several more times that Christians were one body and were to love their CHRISTIAN neighbors and treat them well. He was conspicuous (to me, at least, as the non-Christian there) by his deafening silence on how Christians are to treat those of other faiths or of no faith at all. Then came the fourth pastor who talked about justice. After a rather vague account of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, which seemed to have little connection with his theme of justice (perhaps I’m just obtuse), he went on to say that Jesus-and his father also by extension-loves CHRISTIANS and made it abundantly clear that he loves them above we lesser beings who don’t believe. As per the previous pastor, he said this three times, using different passages from the Christian New Testament. And again, no mention at all that presumably god also loves those who are other then Christian.
I left the service feeling alone , beleaguered, and saddened. I had hoped to hear a message of comfort and hope for all humans. Instead I came away with the understanding that the attacks I had experienced at the hand of “good” Christians were part and parcel of the culture of this region. I really don’t like to believe this but am slowly coming to think that those whom I DO know to embody the best teachings of Christianity in their words and deeds, who are compassionate, kind, and loving towards ALL, are anomalous. To freely aid a stranger, comfort the lonely, and help anyone in need…well, here at least, these words only seem to apply to other Christians.
I don’t think I’ll be converting.
