As I was thinking of this post, and of acts of hate, I realized that based on the title I could have an entire list of acts of hate just from the past week.
It seems that hate is embedded in our culture.
It's so easy to be kind to others. Yet some find that difficult, foreign and even unnecessary.
One night this week a friend was on her way home after a celebration. She stopped to get some groceries and was attacked, assaulted and spit on by a man who did not like trans women. I found out soon after the attack and have not been able to stop thinking of her since.
This happened in Glendale, CA, about 20 minutes from where we live.
I have been where she is. I can hide. I can make the decision, for safety reasons, to stop holding Mike's hand.
Imagine having to be afraid to go the store. Imagine having to live in a world where at any second some hate-filled creature could come out of nowhere and attack you.
In this country, nineteen trans women of color have been murdered this year. I am grateful my friend wasn't number 20.
For those of us who are filled with love and kindness, for those of us who work for liberation for all people and for animals, for those of us who work tirelessly to make this world a better and safer place for all living beings, we must speak out against hate and violence.
We must make acts of hate so unacceptable that the cowards who perpetuate violence are stopped.
We have the power.
Thanks for reading.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a horrifying experience! And in Glendale of all places. I hope she is doing and feeling much better.
ReplyDeleteLast month alone my husband and I got assaulted with a handgun right in Downtown L.A by a racist man that was trying to start trouble with us; clearly ignoring him didn't do a thing and we ran as far from him as possible. I hope you two never go through anything like this; stay safe and sending your friend much love.
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Hi Adi! I am so sorry to hear about your attack. Sending you both love. Thanks for reading the post!
DeleteOh Dan... This sort of thing is so unimaginable to me, and yet its true. It does happen. And you're right, we must make it so unacceptable that the perpetrating cowards are stopped.
ReplyDeleteJulie! Thanks for reading and for the comment. I love you!
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your friend. It saddens and sickens me to hear about hateful acts such as this. I hope she heals quickly and recovers soon. My thoughts are with her.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your friend. It saddens and sickens me to hear about hateful acts such as this. I hope she heals quickly and recovers soon. My thoughts are with her.
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