I've read many diaries and comments on some recent diaries on Bernie Sanders and Black Lives Matter in Seattle. I've probably made some comments I shouldn't have and I'm sorry.
I'm also willing to admit that as a straight white male I probably enjoy more privilege than I deserve. In fact, I'll even go the extra mile and say I wouldn't last a day as a black person in America.
I agree completely that police reform is long overdue, as is putting an end to private prisons and mass incarceration. Our criminal justice system does more to hurt the country than it does to help. And even after most people serve their time and get out, they have virtually nothing to look forward to thanks to the way employers in this country treat convicts. It's a vicious cycle that needs to end sooner rather than later. And if I can help, I will. But I can not and will not accept being called tone deaf or a 'white supremacist liberal'. I am neither of those things and never will be.
With that out of the way, I will also say that I belong to another silent, often overlooked minority: I am disabled, more specifically, I'm Aspergers along with a few physical issues caused by birth injury.
To the untrained eye, I look like the average straight, white male, but believe me, I've faced struggles of my own and in all honesty, I'm pretty damned lucky to be where I am today. I went from being damn near homeless to educated and married in a decade and I'm damned grateful to all those who helped me get there. Without their help, I'd likely be warehoused or dead.
Unfortunately, many others who are in similar positions to mine are far more likely to be warehoused than be given the chance to participate in society at large. Those who live on their own often live in the poorest of neighborhoods and are often one step away from eviction. Some end up in jail or prison because they have no access to the proper care they need nor the opportunities to help them out of poverty.
Disability is an inter-sectional issue that affects people from all walks of life, and the ability to deal with disabilities varies depending on access to services. Some areas have a lot and some, like where I live are, frankly, a joke. That's why starting this next week I'll be volunteering with my county office again. I liked what I was doing there and perhaps it'll help me maintain some measure of sanity because simply 'looking' for employment isn't helping.
All of this is why I try to show empathy to the struggles of others. I know there are people out there who are fighting harder battles than I ever will even though I've fought some tough battles myself. That's why I resent remarks like being called 'Tone Deaf' or 'White Supremacist Liberal'. There are plenty of us who are willing to stand for causes that don't directly benefit us.
What we need today more than ever is a united front. Otherwise, we will all lose and the actual racists, homophobes, ableists and other assholes a bigger foothold in our national conversation. And that is exactly what none of us needs. We may not get every single thing we want, but whether we like it or not, we all need one another here.
See you around,
Homer