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Had to get outside today. Found myself at a park, where I felt compelled to defend an immigrant family’s right to be there.

I must admit, it took me a few minutes to speak up. I was initially reluctant to do so—I am not young. I am not in good health. I am not of large frame. And the young men were not nice.

So, I gathered my thoughts & my courage & then, said what I said. Something disarming & then, something more pointed. I ended up babbling something about the gift of this beautiful sun shiny day & was relieved when they turned & walked away.

The father shared his appreciation for my “kind manner.” Said his wife had wanted to leave but when he heard me, he said to her, “See. See, there are still kind people here.” We continued to talk for a bit and they were so lovely. I am happy to have met them & their beautiful children. I am happy I found the courage to say *something.*

Still, I cried all the way home.

We have to stand up for each other now.

@wren A friend of mine was confronted today while getting gas. A random guy cornered her, saying that he couldn't wait for Trump to deport her ass and told her to go back to her country.

She's Oglala Lakota.

Their ignorance and hatred are terrifying.

@geekgyrl @wren A frightening example. That’s also how it must have started in the 30s, first nasty looks, then abuse like the one your Oglala Lakota friend had to endure, and then… And unfortunately not only in the US, this hatred becomes more and more common in parts of Europe, too

𝙶𝚎𝚎𝚔𝙶𝚢𝚛𝚕

@temperedtea @wren Throughout U.S. history, various ethnic groups have faced discrimination and injustice. Indigenous peoples, Black Americans, the Irish, Italians, Hispanics, Asians, and others have all been singled out and marginalized at different times.

Unfortunately, asshole is the default mode for humanity as a whole. It takes work to do better and be better. And most people are lazy. It is much easier to hate than it is to love.