Tensions are high lately. Everyone is so worried about insulting or not insulting everyone else. Well I'm here to say I do feel real fear when I see a person of color. I feel real fear when I see a Hispanic. I tense up when I see a middle eastern person.
I genuinely feel terror if I'm walking alone at night down a street and a man of color is walking on the same street in the dark. I feel terror because I wonder if tonight's the night he's going to get stopped for J walking and his life is going to end. I get nervous when I'm in a grocery store and a middle eastern person is in the same isle as me. I feel nervous because I'm anticipating that being the day I have to step up and shut someone down for shouting racial slurs at them. I'm scared when I see coworkers and friends who I know have family members who are in my country, working jobs illegally. I'm scared because I'm hoping today isn't the day my friend or coworker has to lose their family to deportation.
People who aren't white scare me everyday. I'm living in fear. Not because of them though, but for them. I live in a place that spouts of FREEDOM but has the longest and smallest fine print at the bottom. FREEDOM if you're white. FREEDOM if you're Christian. FREEDOM if you were born in the country of immigrants.
I want every person of color, every immigrant, every person of every faith to know I am scared for you, but I will do everything I can to eliminate that fear. Not just for myself but for you. I will never shy away from confrontation if it means giving one person peace of mind in that moment. I am here for you. I will always be here for you.
