American Impasse, Part III

Continued from Part II...

I feel I'm stating the obvious with this, but...nobody is trying to make children queer. That’s not how being queer works. It’s not contagious and it isn’t a learned behavior. It’s a human trait present at birth. It’s beyond church, government, or parental interference and there is absolutely nothing wrong, or corrupt, or sinful about it – it’s just one of the many ways in which we differ from one another. There is nothing noble or novel about attacking American citizens because they were born one way instead of another. Perhaps God made us all uniquely different, perfectly imperfect in our own ways, as a way to sort out those who unfairly pass judgment onto others. I’m not saying that this is what I believe – it’s just another theory and it’s as valid as any other – and if it’s true – we should be treating each other better. What would be lost by treating others just a little kinder? Being kind is not a sign of weakness, nor does it indicate acceptance – it’s just pro-social behavior. I don’t know if I believe in heaven or an afterlife, but I have read the Bible a couple of times. If heaven exists, I would imagine that it’s reserved for those who are able to evolve as humans in this world – bettering themselves for the benefit of those around them- people who can accept the differences present in humanity without playing God and attempting to change them people into someone that they were never meant to be.

Drag queens aren’t manipulating children through story books - they are simply sharing the joy of reading and storytelling with children while being dressed in a way that is not only acceptable, but American. They are role models that have overcome unnecessary adversity and were able to grow from it - to find joy and confidence in being who they were meant to be. This beautiful country allows for that freedom of expression. America isn't a power-hungry nation that dictates how its citizens are to live and dress. We are a part of an elite group of countries - the G7. We earned that status by advancing together as a society. By granting freedom and autonomy to our citizens - by allowing citizens the ability to contribute in their individual ways to economic growth and progress- we became a powerful nation. People were clamoring to immigrate here to realize ‘the American Dream” and our metaphorical arms were wide open, ready to receive them. It was these ‘Melting Pot’ ideals that helped to make this country such a desirable place to be. Now our own citizens fear for their safety, as gun violence claims more and more lives every hour of every day. We are a nation at war with itself. We can’t even cooperate with one another so that we can keep our government functioning properly – we have become the subject of international ribbing and the butt of jokes - we’re acting like fools before our peer countries. Watching Senate and House votes take place is painful. An unabashed display of insolence and inarticulate fury resulting in a stubborn inability to get anything done as both sides fumble because they are unable to communicate and refrain from petty discourse. It does nothing to instill national pride as we watch grown adults behave selfishly while trying to make vitally important decisions that affect the lives of all Americans.

We are a diverse, unique and welcoming country – with citizens that are capable of making their own choices and decisions. We need to figure out how to move forward without entangling ourselves in the affairs of others. Why waste all that time and energy on someone else’s business? If I had to guess, I would say it’s out of trepidation – a fear of what shifting that gaze inward could reveal. Is the predilection with the business of others all a coverup to avoid confronting one's own chips and cracks? Everyone has them – and there’s no shame in it. Cracks come along with living a robust life – full of ups, downs and unexpected consequences. The important thing is to learn from those mistakes and tend to the cracks before they become chasms – giant rifts that can separate us from community, family, and even ourselves. It’s a tough thing to do though – being honest with ourselves and calling out our own shortcomings – but it’s the only way to grow and evolve as a human.

Each person in this world is on their own journey. Those simple words are the TL;DR; of this essay. Our task in this life is to live; being the best version of ourselves that we can be, contributing to societal growth and success however we can, then we leave. That’s it. Our focus should not overtake anyone else’s journey because that’s invasive and obtrusive, and how others live their lives is none of our business. It seems anti-religious to hijack someone else’s journey by judging them unfairly and without mercy – it’s simply not our place to determine what’s right for someone else and we cannot create legislation that casts unfair judgement upon human beings. A simple lesson the Bible offers is to love your neighbor. There aren’t any conditions on the phrase, it’s not love thy neighbor - unless your neighbor is a different race, or votes differently, or loves differently – rather, it is all-inclusive and simple. We don’t have to condone the lifestyles or personal choices of our neighbors– we are entitled to our own individual preference – but we do have to let them travel their own path without interference. The Bible suggests that all judgments are to be reserved for one individual. It’s not you, or your preacher, pastor, or priest, and it’s not your president, politicians, or your parents. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be misled by people who have hate and envy in their hearts – it would be devastating to reach the end of this life only to realize that we were an unwitting puppet in someone else’s poorly conceived notions regarding humanity There will be no recourse – it will be too late to correct course and right the wrongs resulting from atrocities committed while bearing the weight of someone else’s ignorance. It would be a shame to allow your precious final moments in this life to be beleaguered by regrets that were never meant to belong to you in the first place.

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