So far this week, some social media friends have called me a libtard, bleeding heart liberal, and even enemy of America. They posted or liked articles or memes that said if I believe there are some good Muslims, if I support President Obama, or if I welcome refugees, I am one of the above derogatory names. Or worse. Don't worry, "friends". I have been called worse.
I have been called worse by white U.S. citizens while I was trying to provide them with good customer service. One called me a thievin' motherfucking cocksucker because he wasn't eligible for assistance. Because HE stole from taxpayers. Another white male threatened physical violence when he wasn't eligible for benefits because he didn't want to work. He was a veteran. And I realize that is controversial to say in these days of, "Let's help our veterans in this country before we help all of those refugee foreigners" from some of the same people who were complaining before if their taxes were raised even a penny to help a veteran. Because all I heard before the prospect of Syrian refugees was, "If they want to eat, let them get off their asses and get a job." And I do appreciate our veterans, but they're not all angels. Nobody is.
Let me tell you something else from my years of public service experience: Our white citizens are the pickiest when it comes to taking a job. They'd turn down work in one breath, and accuse me of starving their families in the next. I have worked in an office that served customers from other countries--some refugees. Very few were eligible for benefits because they had not lived in the U.S. long enough to accumulate wage credits. And by the way, ALL customers have to prove they are legally authorized to work in the U.S. to receive unemployment benefits in my state.
The Mexican customers I have served over the years NEVER threatened me or swore at me in English or Spanish. My experience was that they only applied for services as a last resort. And they were grateful for any job they could get, unlike some of my fellow citizens who turned their noses up at hard labor.
Full disclosure: My son's dad is Mexican. He came here legally, as do many other people who immigrate to the U.S. His family members sometimes worked two or three jobs at a time. Or they'd fight forest fires when there was no more field or factory work. While "my people" rushed to the benefit queue. And when my marriage didn't work out, people weren't too shy to assure me that our cultural differences caused it. We're both educated. He's a few years younger and a modern thinker. He probably knew and loved more about my own country's rock music culture than I did. Without getting into the personal and complex reasons why it didn't work out, I assure you it wasn't because he's from Mexico (and a U.S. citizen) and I'm American. I still love his family. My son's family. You might accuse me of bias against my own kind, but I am telling you that from my own extensive experience, I have been treated respectfully by people from Mexico and other countries.
The reality is that there is good and evil all over the world, not excluding America.
And one more observation: I don't think I've ever seen so much disrespect toward a U.S. President. I have actually read multiple comments stating Obama should be maimed, murdered, hung for treason, tarred, feathered, and the list goes on. Meanwhile, America's true enemies are probably patting themselves on the back for all of the nastiness they've facilitated by shining the spotlight on the bigotry, cowardice, and conflict we've demonstrated in response to the refugee debate. I've always considered myself moderate and have voted for Democrats and Republicans. But I will NEVER vote for a candidate whose followers sound like a bunch of hopped up KKK Meth heads. And I mean it when I say that I am way more afraid of them right now than I am of Syrian refugees.
So who are America's enemies, really? And mine?
