I have been a victim of crime when a passerby found my car unlocked and stole my guitar and tape player. Cassette deck. It's been a while since I haven't locked my car.
I also was the victim of speed trap in which the speed limit on a US Highway was reduced to 30 mph and the local constable gave me a ticket. A real Mayberry moment.
In both cases, I felt like my world had been invaded and tarnished. Losing the guitar was like a personal invasion and the speed trap was like a bullying incident.
Now we find the Race Wars beginning to start and I find that the current events have invaded my life again. Following the events of the recent days, my world is changed on a personal level. I don't like it.
It's hard to define a feeling. I "feel" like there is a separation suddenly erected between me and others. Little things. Postures, averted looks, pretended interest in the cell phone for no reason and all seemingly rising from the presence of different races.
On an elevator yesterday, a Black gentleman in a suit entered the elevator to join myself and another White guy. The other White guy was about my age with long-ish grey hair. Both of us, refugees from the Viet Nam era. The Black Guy seemed to be about 40 years old and seemed uneasy after the elevator doors closed. Any or all of us could have been seated at the same table in a conference room. There were about 20 floors to reach the lobby. He reached for his Apple phone like he suddenly had something to do. He stared at the screen, but did nothing. It seemed to me that there was tension in the air.
I've been on that same elevator many time with many skin colors and many nationalities and never had that feeling before. It was eerie and uncomfortable. I blame the hate mongers and divisionists in our society.
All of this went on in the time it takes to on-board an express elevator and for the doors to shut. 3 or 4 seconds? Seemed like a long 3 or 4 seconds. Everyone on the elevator was tense. Not a big deal, but it was. Why do I have to feel oppressed by the ginned up hatred of the politicians trying to sell their brand of hate? Why are there people dredging up bias and prejudice that is outdated and way past its sell-by date? Why?
I chuckled and offered that the world changed when "we all" got smart phones. The black guy looked at me to find a friendly, albeit, White face and laughed, too. The tension was abated and his posture and facial expression both softened. We agreed that our kids know more about smart phones than we do and that the Pacers are not going to be champs next year or any year to come as Durant is now with the Warriors. Turns out he and I both bought shares of Ford after the recent drop in Stocks.
Point is, if we had gone to the same high school or worked in the same office or went to the same church and knew each other, we probably would have been friends because we share various areas of commonality. However, because of the state of affairs put forth by current events and shaped by the A-holes who shape these things, there was tension between us. No reason. Just because.
This hate crap has intruded into my life and I don't like it.
Now we find the Race Wars beginning to start
Now we find the Race Wars beginning to start
That's one sick dream you have there.
Not a dream. More like a nightmare.
I have been a victim of crime when a passerby found my car unlocked and stole my guitar and tape player. Cassette deck. It's been a while since I haven't locked my car.
I also was the victim of speed trap in which the speed limit on a US Highway was reduced to 30 mph and the local constable gave me a ticket. A real Mayberry moment.
In both cases, I felt like my world had been invaded and tarnished. Losing the guitar was like a personal invasion and the speed trap was like a bullying incident.
Now we find the Race Wars beginning to start and I find that the current events have invaded my life again. Following the events of the recent days, my world is changed on a personal level. I don't like it.
It's hard to define a feeling. I "feel" like there is a separation suddenly erected between me and others. Little things. Postures, averted looks, pretended interest in the cell phone for no reason and all seemingly rising from the presence of different races.
On an elevator yesterday, a Black gentleman in a suit entered the elevator to join myself and another White guy. The other White guy was about my age with long-ish grey hair. Both of us, refugees from the Viet Nam era. The Black Guy seemed to be about 40 years old and seemed uneasy after the elevator doors closed. Any or all of us could have been seated at the same table in a conference room. There were about 20 floors to reach the lobby. He reached for his Apple phone like he suddenly had something to do. He stared at the screen, but did nothing. It seemed to me that there was tension in the air.
I've been on that same elevator many time with many skin colors and many nationalities and never had that feeling before. It was eerie and uncomfortable. I blame the hate mongers and divisionists in our society.
All of this went on in the time it takes to on-board an express elevator and for the doors to shut. 3 or 4 seconds? Seemed like a long 3 or 4 seconds. Everyone on the elevator was tense. Not a big deal, but it was. Why do I have to feel oppressed by the ginned up hatred of the politicians trying to sell their brand of hate? Why are there people dredging up bias and prejudice that is outdated and way past its sell-by date? Why?
I chuckled and offered that the world changed when "we all" got smart phones. The black guy looked at me to find a friendly, albeit, White face and laughed, too. The tension was abated and his posture and facial expression both softened. We agreed that our kids know more about smart phones than we do and that the Pacers are not going to be champs next year or any year to come as Durant is now with the Warriors. Turns out he and I both bought shares of Ford after the recent drop in Stocks.
Point is, if we had gone to the same high school or worked in the same office or went to the same church and knew each other, we probably would have been friends because we share various areas of commonality. However, because of the state of affairs put forth by current events and shaped by the A-holes who shape these things, there was tension between us. No reason. Just because.
This hate crap has intruded into my life and I don't like it.
stopped reading there. sorry about your guitar, though. that sucks.
That was a long time ago. About 33 years. Led to buying a much better guitar, so, there's that.
Freedom of speech includes my right to express thought. That freedom includes no compulsion to have anyone read them.
You feel that there is no political reason to gin up tensions based on the race baiting continuously used by both political parties?
I have been a victim of crime...
"race war" nonsense is stormfronter fantasy ****. i can't take the OP seriously after that line, so there's really no point.
All of this went on in the time it takes to on-board an express elevator and for the doors to shut. 3 or 4 seconds? Seemed like a long 3 or 4 seconds. Everyone on the elevator was tense. Not a big deal, but it was. Why do I have to feel oppressed by the ginned up hatred of the politicians trying to sell their brand of hate? Why are there people dredging up bias and prejudice that is outdated and way past its sell-by date? Why?
I chuckled and offered that the world changed when "we all" got smart phones. The black guy looked at me to find a friendly, albeit, White face and laughed, too. The tension was abated and his posture and facial expression both softened. We agreed that our kids know more about smart phones than we do and that the Pacers are not going to be champs next year or any year to come as Durant is now with the Warriors. Turns out he and I both bought shares of Ford after the recent drop in Stocks.
Point is, if we had gone to the same high school or worked in the same office or went to the same church and knew each other, we probably would have been friends because we share various areas of commonality. However, because of the state of affairs put forth by current events and shaped by the A-holes who shape these things, there was tension between us. No reason. Just because.
This hate crap has intruded into my life and I don't like it.
I've noticed something similar; just the other day I sat down on the train and couldn't help thinking something along the lines of "I'm sitting next to a Black Man. I wonder what he thinks of the White Man beside him?"
I've often thought that if a bad thing is to be avoided or reduced, it must first be recognized. This thing is happening and organizations are using people like tools to advance the petty political goals of the major political parties. Again.
Not a dream. More like a nightmare.
This hate crap has intruded into my life and I don't like it.
except for lefties ... you carry hate in your heart for them and that's a good thing no?I don't allow myself to be a victim. I make mistakes, I fix them, live with them and move on.
My world is wonderful, meaning I have my God, family, health, and I have many great things I have been blessed with. And I am grateful. I'll leave all the hate for someone else to deal with.
"race war" nonsense is stormfronter fantasy ****. i can't take the OP seriously after that line, so there's really no point.
Excellent piece. I suggest you put this in letter form and send it to your nearest newspaper's Letters to the Editor department. There's mich to be learned from it. And much to think about.
Not a dream. More like a nightmare.
stopped reading there. sorry about your guitar, though. that sucks.
That's one sick dream you have there.
yes, there is irony hereWow...I'm astounding at the inability for people to actually read and understand what the OP is saying.
And only in your head. No offense, but you are being paranoid.
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