bridges

As long as I'm taking a stand and burning some bridges, here is something that has been in my Drafts folder for ages. I kept hoping I wouldn't be pushed to post it, but after yesterday, and after months of seeing those who I thought were good people not giving a shit about their fellow humans being hurt, being mistreated, getting sick, and dying, I guess it's (past) time.

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I'm done. To hell with anyone reading this who still stands behind this bullshit, who refuses to condemn the fear, hatred, and violence that are openly being embraced and celebrated. Friend, family, acquaintance, I can't care any more...I'm done telling myself that it's not who you truly are and that you are a good person at your core, especially when I'm being told directly and indirectly that I'm dumb and a sucker for caring about other people, for wanting everyone to be able to live their best lives.

I will always err on the side of compassion and caring. If people are getting killed because of the color of their skin, I care. If children are being imprisoned in camps or shot in their schools, I care. If wearing a mask means someone else might not get sick, I wear the mask. If I have to pay more in taxes for better schooling for kids that aren't mine, I pay the taxes (and frequently vote to increase those taxes). If someone else has the chance to marry the person they love, the same way I do, I fight for them. I try to live my life with empathy, respect, and an awareness of my place in the greater whole. I will go to my deathbed knowing that I did my damnedest to treat everyone well, regardless of where they live, who they love, what race they are, how much money they have, what gods they do or don't believe in. But it's a two-way street, and I refuse to blindly give compassion to those who have none to spare.

So if you are reading this and are feeling attacked or insulted, then you aren't the person I thought you were. And you obviously don't know me well if you think I am okay with any of this. I'm guessing we are better off without each other, because this is something that can't be compromised on. 

I only hope you never need the compassion that you are so willing to withhold from others. And I truly hope you understand how much it took to get me to this point, because my entire life has been spent mediating, counseling, sucking it up, and not making waves.

But I'm done.