Been reading a lot about increasing bigotry against Muslims and Arabs.
Been reading a lot of bigoted comments, too.
I should stop, really.
Take a short break.
But in a twisted sort of way, it's addictive.
I feel like I need a break from all that negativity,
and I'm so thankful to be able to actually do that.
To switch off the computer,
or go to other sites that focus on more uplifting things.
Refugees don't get that option.
The thing I've noticed with bigots over and over again,
is that they always try to draw a line that separates them and those horrible 'others'.
And where that line is placed is entirely up to them.
In their narrow, twisted minds,
they've managed to place themselves in a higher position,
as opposed to those 'others'.
In their minds, they've managed to give themselves the authority
to judge how others should act,
what they should be allowed to say and do.
One of these 'others' is immigrants.
Point out to any nationalistic bigot how his parents or their parents were immigrants too,
and you'll get a slew of excuses why that doesn't count.
Nope!
That's different, you see... because of reasons.
Another one of the 'others' is refugees.
Point out how in the past,
people just like him and his family had also moved away from war-torn areas,
seeking a safer, better life.
Again, you'll get a long list of excuses why it's just not the same.
They'll grasp at anything they can think of...
usually something to do with culture.
They're different! They are more prone to criminality, you see.
More violent!
And if you bring up statistics that refute any of their claims,
they'll either dismiss them, or attempt to deflect.
If you decide to persevere and continue to engage them,
you'll reach a point where all their arguments fall apart.
Will that be end of it? Will they change their minds?
Nope!
The argument starts all over again.
Round and round it goes.
Most of them can't accept the truth.
They can't accept that brown or black people are just like them.
They can't accept that the groups they've been backing have been the real fanatics all along.
All this talk about religious extremism,
and I rarely see any talk about a religious-like extremism: The pursuit of wealth and power at all costs.
From monarchies to elected governments to massive corporations.
The players change, but the goals remain the same. Dominion over others, and the accumulation of wealth. Never enough, never enough.
It's extremely depressing.
And so, I need to take a break.
Thankfully, I am able to. And I will.
Well enough of that.
