Lets play a game

Graylight · 51-55, F

Here's another game. Put your imagination hat on: Now imagine that the three rifle-toting men in front of the government building were actually black. Now imagine the men holding the torches are all Latinos.

Do you think either evening might have ended up with different results? Whites are being given free reign to act as the very thing they decry - thugs.

kentex35 · 100+, M

@Graylight I grew up in the 60s during the civil Rights days and voter protection and for a small town like Louisville Kentucky we sure had our fair share of demonstrations and riots. Hey I was just a heckler. Kidding. They weren't the magnitude of Watts or Detroit but cop cars got turned over and tear gas was used and there were hecklers. I of course did not completely understand the depth of what was going on in other words being white I don't know how it feels to be black. 4 or 5 years later I join the Marines and they had their fair share of racial unrest which is an understatement. But I was a project kid and being in a multicultural environment was nothing unusual. Well except Latinos. The fact was there were no Latinos in Kentucky at that time and I always got that amazed look on my face to hear people speaking Spanish and English so easily switching back and forth like it was one language.Being that I was told my money could be better spent somewhere else I was asked to leave. Got the bit for some transgression I won't go into. It was an all boy Catholic high school, so I only got to April in my Spanish class. Como esta usted was about the only three words I could put together.
Anyway , and especially overseas it was tense and everyone walked around with their fist in the air. It was prejudice if a black was put on mess duty (the army calls it kp). It was reverse discrimination if I got out on it. You know. It was harsher over seas what with a police action going on and everyone getting shot at or killed. Tempers flared. By the time your tour was over you were a little crazy and that issue was no longer an issue with the older ones. I found out we all bleed red. I trusted everyone to cover my ass when I needed it. And I knew no matter what my ass was going home. Maybe in a box but I knew everyone would make sure I wasn't left behind I would do the same for them. I've had my life saved like Forrest Gump only opposite like Forrest was carried back wounded instead. Honorable people can put issues aside when it counts. We need to think back. Take a step back and look it over instead of a flying leap forward. Only love can conquer hate., Marvin Gaye.

Graylight · 51-55, F

@kentex35 I love what you wrote. It's impossible to hate up close - when we get past the fear of differences, we can find the commonalities. Like you, though for very different reasons, I learned that the monster in the room isn't visible via skin color, words, gender or attitude. It's much more about intention.

I welcome anyone on the right who wants to engage in a thoughtful, fact-based discussion. It's not necessary that we agree in order to act with respect and grace. I've made the most unlikely allies and friends because we were thrown together. People who, on the street, I might've not even considered. Familiarity breeds not contempt but understanding. It's those who would stand in the way of those principles who should be watched.

And without sounding trite, thanks for your service. Glad you made it back alive.