I have never considered myself an offensive person. Certainly not offensive enough to cause people to scream obscenities at me.
But apparently appearing on a public right of way holding a political sign, despite my God-given American right to do so, renders me fair game in the eyes of many of my fellow citizens in Kittitas County who disagree with my politics.
Anyone who has stood on a corner waving a political sign is familiar with routine responses: Horn honking, thumbs up and the occasional hand gesture. But I was astounded at people’s reactions when I had the temerity to hold up a Trump sign.
People shouted “***k you.”, “***k Trump.”, “Can’t wait ’til you are all dead!”, and “Get ****ed, bit..” They screamed and shouted at a handful of us as they drove, rode, or walked by. Young women with small children in their car said vile things I hope my granddaughters never hear.
This hate was directed at a group of mostly older women, some Latinos and a few men all because the screamers didn’t agree with the political signs in our hands. We, average everyday folks who in our non-political lives are kind, considerate, and tolerant, kidded back, teased a bit, blew kisses and waved. The vitriol and hate was so bad we had one African American man go around the block very slowly to surreptitiously show his “TRUMP” bumper sticker so we could see it. Clearly, he was afraid of being more open about his support of Donald Trump.
I have lived in Kittitas County since January 2000 and I have never seen any organized activities designed to intimidate a select group of people. I have never met any Nazis, skin heads, or Klu Klux Klan types. Not one. Not here, not ever. In this county I have met good ol’ boys who cry when the national anthem is played, cowboys who are tough enough to wear pink, and women who deliver you meals and make your bed when you are ill. I have met flag-waving college students, many of whom are Latino, who are forced to run a gauntlet of academic scholars who are willing enough to tolerate everyone, except a conservative, despite their race, color, ethnicity, or sexual identity.
I didn’t feel the need to scream at people who campaigned or voted for Obama. I didn’t riot, throw things, behave in a vulgar fashion, or burn the flag. I didn’t smash windows on cars or destroy local businesses. My grandchildren weren’t allowed to walk out of school without consequences to march in protest. I didn’t fly to DC to block people getting in to see the Obama inauguration. I didn’t block the cars of people driving to work in protest of the roundup of illegal aliens that Obama ordered. I didn’t threaten the elected officials on the left who supported Obama’s policies.
I didn’t even get particularly angry when Obama won. I was just frightened, and in that I think I share or at least understand the emotions of the people who threw insults at me. I didn’t support the policies that Obama was determined to put in place and I certainly hoped and prayed America could survive the 8 years of his presidency. I was happy and sad for our black community who had such hope in him.
I was happy because I felt his election was a mental barrier now busted down. I was sad because I knew the “change” they hoped for wouldn’t be forth coming. It never is – the dream of the utopia promised by the socialist left has never materialized. It isn’t for lack of trying to implement the failed ideas and policies that the progressive left believes, promotes, and institutes when it can.
The people who the Democratic Party purports to care about have little to show for all the government focus and dollars that have been shoved in their direction. I am beginning to think all the anger is narcissistic deflection.
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