My Facebook feed, like most of yours’ I’m sure, has been filled with reactions to what happened in Charlottesville over the weekend. Memes, linked articles and personal posts decrying the hatred and bigotry outnumber the birthday and vacation pics almost 2 to 1.
For the most part, I just added my ‘like’ or ‘wow’ or ‘cool angry face’ to the conversation, and moved on. But one friend’s post got a response from me. Something that I thought I’d share with you.
You see, she posted that she hates where her country is now.
And so I replied.
I love where my country is now. I’m seeing post after post condemning the racists. I’m hearing about hundreds of marches and peaceful protests across this nation standing up for peace and equality. I’m reading tweets from local, state and national elected figures denouncing the hatred that was exposed in Virginia.
The white supremacists who “only wanted to protest the removal of a statue” that should never have been erected in the first place did not march with slogans of “save the statue” or “keep Lee”. They were very loud and very angry about Jews, blacks and any other group they felt threatening to their existence.
But...they are a minority. Right now, a very loud minority- but still a small group in this vast population of people from all walks of life. Like roaches, they have come out of the woodwork to scurry along the countertop- putting fear of infestation into the hearts of so many.
Well, just like that commercial, America has its own can of Raid. And, if we cannot eradicate them all, at least we can put then back into hiding. They are not welcomed in my home. I will not cower in fear, immobilized because they showed their presence. I am not resigned to ‘this is what my country has become’.