Hate Filled Conversation

We are a divided nation. A solid third of our country supports one side. A solid third support the exact opposite. And the third left acts like they really don't care what happens as it doesn't impact them.

Imagine my surprise when I bumped into someone I've known for years at an historical event. Too many of my friends know who it is, and probably still have a favorable impression of him, so I don't want to give clues to who shook me to my core during our conversation.

Me: Hi, I didn't expect to see you here. (I think I was smiling when I said it.)

Him: Why not?

Me: This is your busy season.

Him: I had a gig this morning. Can't you see how I'm dressed? (If I described his attire on that March day I would completely give away who it was.)

Me: Um...

Him: You post hateful things on FB.

Me: Um...

Him: I'm a Centrist. I'll tell you why my Orthodox friends would not vote for Kamala Harris. She is not intelligent. She speaks in word salads. She only got the job of VP because Joe said he would hire a Black woman. Goes on to say how Trump is pro-Israel (implying that is the only thing that matters).

Me: Umm... Many of my friends would say HE (T) speaks in word salads. 

Him: Clearly we don't listen to the same news sources.

Me: Um... (Wildly thinking how to diffuse this as he keeps shouting at me.)

Me: Well, these are my beliefs, you can protest whatever you want.

Him: I'm a Centrist. I'm not going to protest.

Me: (Well, that didn't diffuse anything.)

Him: My grandparents came here legally. All immigrants should be sent away.

Me: (Were we talking about immigrants?) Well, I believe we should have accepted more Jews during WWII.

Him: We didn't so these people should go back.

Me: I'm upset my friends with USAID are out of work. (Trying to find common ground.)

Him: All immigrants should leave. MY grandparents came here legally. 

Me: (Many immigrants came here legally, perhaps overstayed visas, perhaps are here as refugees. He is not in a frame of mind to listen to logic or a nuanced conversation.) I wasn't talking about immigrants, I was talking about USAID, my friends live overseas and are trying to help people.

Him: (Raising his voice even higher) My son is afraid to walk on the campus at Columbia University wearing his yarmulke because he is afraid he will be killed.

Me: That's wrong. (Meaning, no one should live in fear they would be killed for being openly Jewish (or Muslim or Black or a woman or trans or gay)).

Him: You are anti-semite! You are an unkind person! I have to unfriend you!

Storms out.

By this point I am shaking so I turn to someone I know to be calm.

Him2: I am an independent. 

Proceeds to tell me a theory he woke up today to that would involve JD Vance rising to the presidency because Putin takes out Trump, then Putin being taken out of power similar to others who have been mysteriously killed over the years.

By this point I know I am wading deep in an alternate universe with an independent not claiming their role in today's mess. (Meanwhile the stock market dropped 5.5% today.)

I shift to a woman who I think of as a sane calming force.

She: The bible talks about the end times. I think we are there now. Have you read Revelations? This is what they've predicted.

Me: People have thought over the years the end times were near, I wouldn't count on it.

Her: My pastor growing up had me convinced the end times would come before I turned 16. (Which I guess was at least 40 years ago.)

Me: They didn't happen then, they might not now.

Her: (Smiling) They might. 

Meanwhile, no one who heard the interaction between us stepped in. Not one person walked up to him and told him to calm down. Not one person came up to me and asked if I was okay.

This, dear friends, is why we have such a large problem in the United States.

The Centrist insists his friends are the ones with those wild beliefs, implying he does not believe that, but is passionate about my standing up for democracy to tell me I am wrong.

The Independent believes it is not his fault, he can see the problems with both sides, and the solution is for someone else to take out those at the head.

The Religious person believes the end times are near, so no reason to worry about politics. 

No one felt it was their place to get involved and make sure people are okay.

I see why people just want to live by putting their heads in the sand. It reminded me of some lines in Here there are Blueberries. The doctor said it wasn't his fault because someone rounded up people in the towns and brought them to Auschwitz. Not his fault he put them in two lines (one to work, one to die). The man flipping the switch for the gas chambers said it wasn't his fault since someone else sent them to the room. 

No one took responsibility. It was all someone else's fault.

If we keep living that way, we may be happier in the short term, but many needless deaths will take place. If we've been saying "Never Again," then why do we accept this happening again?

I failed to mention this all took place inside a sanctuary surrounded by stained glass windows of Witherspoon, Knox, and other classic Presbyterian figures.