We Will Not go Gently In to the Goodnight!
Racism in Scottsdale.
We will not go silently into the good night.
Last week, I went to a local restaurant here in far North Scottsdale after four years of living in this community, I thought I’d give it a shot.
Nice atmosphere, friendly bartender and I met a medical professional who is a regular. Nice, joking comments, where are you from etc. About 8 more people, male and female, came in, all regulars at the place and a cohesive group.
Small talk, serious talk, background etc.
It took a little less than an hour to talk about current events, the most obvious being the FBI warrant. My attempt to keep it civil , though disagreeing on points, seemed to work for about 10 minutes. I love civil discourse. People of character can be decent. Or so I thought.
Since we had shared where we were from, our careers, and some of our views, it was not long before it started to change.
The medical degreed guy asked why ‘YOU people’ support people (Muslims) who want to create another Holocaust against Jews. He did believe the Holocaust happened but why do ‘my people’ vote for people who want a Second Holocaust?
I said I did not support BDS and a few radical politicians. They asked, ‘then why do YOU keep electing these people?’
I said: ‘do not broad stroke me.’ VERY emphatically. I asked about supremacists, like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. They ‘claimed’ they did not know about them but asked: ‘Did they ever attack ME for being Jewish? Was I ever attacked by a black person?” And they said, if not, how could I condemn these patriotic groups?
They said: ‘don’t get us wrong. We love the Jews. We have Jewish friends.’ These people are the worst.
I was so unhinged and in my pr way said: ‘When we stop talking and disagreeing, we’re screwed.’
I got my check and left.
These are people living in the richest enclaves of Scottsdale and are the most dangerous out there.
There is a saying: NIMBY-not in my backyard-when we talk about how we want equality or development, but not where I live.
Needless to say, I will never go back there.It takes a hell of a lot to rattle me.
Their hatred and bias came out. This Open America. I don’t say ‘NEW.’
it has been around for centuries, but people now feel emboldened to be who they are.
They are a hateful disgusting group and if there is a totally secret way to spread the word, I will think of it. I actually found it.
We used to expect this in certain parts of the country but in an upscale place like this?
Americans were against JFK, believing a Catholic had a direct line to the Pope. One of the bar mates said: ‘history repeats itself.’
Here are links about America. They are right on!
https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/542499/marshall-curry-nazi-rally-madison-square-garden-1939/
We must be vigilant. Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, LGBTQ, atheists. The far right, NOT Republicans, is our adversary.
We will not go gently into the goodnight.
These are scary times. Our country is deeply divided on too many serious issues.
Abraham Lincoln spoke of a “house divided,”paraphrasing from the Bible, Matthew 12:25. He said, “And Jesus knew their [the Pharisees'] thoughts, and said unto them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.’ "
Makes you wonder just how much trouble we’re in.
It is quite scary, sad and depressing these days when it comes to the state of our nation. I hope that rational thought will prevail, including verbal discourse. I too will not go quietly into the goodnight. There are lots of us out here that won't and remember that there are lots of people out there, whether they are urban, suburban or rural that don't hate and are essentially good. You are not alone Barry!