overcoming hate – Rivers Renewed

I’d Rather Have a Cup of Coffee

I’d rather have a cup of coffee with a transgender woman…. than with any extremist on the right, most likely she won’t even own a gun let alone an AR15….. she hates violence of any type,

and since she studies history, we could talk about the constitution…. “assault rifles are not in there…” she continues, “do you realize how long it takes to reload a musket?”

She’s getting her PhD next year, but she tears up, reaches for a tissue from her purse because children aren’t being taught about the pain of racism, “slavery really did happen…. we need to acknowledge our pain, so we can heal”…. I shake my head yes,

when I mention the radical left, she laughs saying, “I’m more of a John McCain myself…..you see how people assume?” …. She mentions the only radicals she knows are in a musty old basement on the east side of Brooklyn, university students writing their manifesto….. “by the way, they have no guns,” she quickly adds,

“I think people just want Grandma to have her electricity on, to have heat in the winter, and some decent food to eat…. instead of dog food out of a can…. is that so terrible?” No not at all, not even one bit, “that’s not radical…. that’s being human,” I add. “Exactly!” she says.

Yes, I’m sure I could have an amazing conversation with a transgender woman….. but not with an extremist, from the right.

What time does Starbucks close?

A Trans Woman and Her Friends

Nathan was still pulling on his shirt when his phone buzzed on his nightstand. Ally’s text said, “Can you meet me at the park at 10:00? We need to talk…”

“Sure.”

“Felicia will be joining us later…”

“Cool!”

When he got there Ally was pacing back and forth in front of the fountain, agitated. “What’s up?” He was concerned that he had done something wrong. “So many guys are hitting on me, and quite a few of them are freaks! I hate freaks!” Nathan jumped in, “I get it, do you still have your Instagram and TikTok accounts….?” She cut him off.

“That’s not what we need to talk about…..Nathan, are we dating?” He hesitated. “Well….to be honest at first I just wanted to talk, and then I wanted to be friends. God knows I could use a friend….”

“Ok, good.” She actually looked relieved. She continued with, “Honey I don’t think I can handle a relationship right now, with everything I’m going through.” Nathan shook his head with sympathy saying, “I understand.”

“But if you ever change your mind honey, let me know. You know I trust you. To be honest as I go through the transition….I’m going to change, and well….you know….you might actually like what you see!” She blushed and smiled at the same time. “What??” He was a bit dumbfounded.

“Hey guys!” Felicia walked up, neither of them had seen her coming. She said, “Guess who got promoted to Assistant Manager?” “No!” Both Ally and Nathan said it at the same time.

“Not only were Rick and his girlfriend fired….” Nathan jumped in with, “Wait the nitwit waitress was his girlfriend?” Felicia nodded yes. “Anyway, Mrs. Matthews closed the restaurant temporarily and held a press conference apologizing to the community. Before you two came in that day, Rick’s girlfriend refused to serve an African American couple!

“What?!! Unbelievable!” Both Ally and Nathan said the same thing at the same time. This time they looked at each other. What’s going on here?

With a knowing look on her face Felicia asked Ally if she could talk to Nathan privately. Ally walked a short distance away and sat on a park bench. Felicia leaned in with Nathan and said, “You may want to be just friends now, but one day as she goes through this process, you’re going to fall for her….. big time. Big….time!

Nathan’s eyes grew wide, and he thought…..Oh no!! Felicia continued, “Didn’t you just hear her? She trusts you and she’s waiting…..waiting for you!”

“Oh no!!” This time he said it out loud.

Note: If we see these friends again the title will be, Ally and Friends

Thank you for reading! Peace.

With a Trans Woman at the Vegan Place

She rushed in front of him to pull the door handle when they walked up to the restaurant. She opened the door saying, “This way sir!”. When she laughed her head went back, and he noticed she really did look like a woman when she did that. All he could think of to say was, “Funny lady…” They both smiled.

Once they were inside though the staring began. He had been going there for 2 years and had never seen anything like it. When they found a table, a young blondish woman walked over setting 2 menus on the table. She said nothing and walked away. And she was not smiling. The two of them looked at each other.

They were on a first name basis now, so she said, “Nathan what do you want from me?” He looked at her bewildered, saying nothing. “Nobody is nice to a Trans woman unless they want something…..so what do you want….? Her raised eyebrow told him more than her words.

“Oh God!” was all he could think of to say. “You think that??” He was stunned and hurt by her words. “I don’t want anything!” Ok that came out too loud. A couple of people turned to look at him. “Ally why would you think something like that?” She was quiet but her eyebrow lowered.

The same blond waitress came out to take their order a short time later, but she said nothing. She simply stood there silently, with a disgusted look on her face, holding her notepad and pencil. They did place their order and he was about to say something else when the waitress walked away silently.

Ok now he was hot. Ally could see it coming, and cautioned him, “Nathan don’t!” Too late. He pushed his chair back, stood up and declaring loudly said, “Hey wait a minute! Who do you think you are??” “Nathan please! Sit down!” Ally was beginning to panic while the whole restaurant was quietly watching them….” Yet he continued, “You can’t treat people that way!”

To be continued later today.

Memorial Day 2021

My father-in-law fought in World War II, and was there for the invasion of Normandy. Specifically he was on Omaha Beach and lived to tell about it. Later he fought in the Korean War.

My Dad was in the military too but due to his age he was in between the wars. They are both long since passed away.

It’s difficult to know sometimes what to write on days like today. It’s a solemn day, remembering all those who gave their lives fighting…..for our democracy.

For me personally, I thank God for them. I’m also grateful to come from a long line of fighting Nazis, and right wing extremism.

Wishing you peace today. Let’s remember….. to remember.

In Diversity There is Strength

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In this age of racism and strife, I wanted to make a statement that all people are welcome here!

Regardless of your race, or where you are from, or your language, or religion, or if you have no religion,

you are welcome here. Unless you’re a bully! No bullies are allowed on this site.

Diversity is a strength. We each have something important to contribute to our world.

I so appreciate all my readers!

Thank you so much!

Writer’s Wings

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Even when I’m folding my wings I’m very aware

of the wordflow waiting…

phrases seeking

another river,

another poem

from within my heart.

I’m grieving like many of you over the deadly racism in the United States.

Do we have a right to criticize other nations? It’s a sin really from our very beginning.

And I also grieve for how the far-right is ripping us apart. Caring more for their assault rifles than they do for people.

Closer to home my wife needs further treatments for cancer. The last round was not enough.

There will be more aggressive, more invasive treatments and that means more horrible side effects.

And we had a cousin die recently…..from cancer. This was the cousin that had the big family gatherings every year…

for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We’ve eaten at their home many times. He was in his forties, married with children.

I’ve shared these things because I’ve had the wind knocked out of me like I wrote in yesterday’s poem.

No, I don’t feel a need to stop blogging. I still have plenty of wordflow…….somewhere, but I’m grieving.

I just need some restoration, with my wings folded.

Wings of Encouragement

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Help me today God to put on the spirit of an eagle,

not a vulture picking away

at the deadness of this world, instead

choosing to rise above the hate

on wings of encouragement

respecting all

regardless of creed.

Remembering

the power of one.

Amen.

The Festival of Lights

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Too often around the world, including in our country, Jewish people are attacked and sometimes killed due to hate.

Spins on the dark web reinforce hate filled minds and are manifested in physical attacks.

What can we do? Well speaking out about hate is one beginning. And proclaiming our support for those attacked….will draw us closer together I think.

So I will also share a little of a beautiful holiday just recently celebrated for 8 days by many Jewish people.

Chanakah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a beautiful holiday commemorating the cleansing of the Temple. The Temple had been desecrated.

But once it was retaken there was a miracle! Oil for the candles lasted 8 nights, after re-dedication, when there was only enough oil for 1 night.

So each year 8 candles are lit with the 9th candle of a Chanakiah (a menorah for Chanukah).

Celebrate light this season!

All are welcome here, regardless of your religion, or if you have no religion.

This is not a political post, just a declaration that I stand against hate.

Peace to each one.

Note: This has been on my heart.

What Would He Say?

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If God himself came down to bring judgment on our nation what would He say to the rich attempting to remove healthcare from the poor?

Many with pre-existing conditions?

What would He say to leaders still putting brown children in cages?

What would He say to White Nationalists, some in government or even in media, continuing to spread hatred, inciting violence?

What would He say to leaders refusing to acknowledge the devastation of our climate changing, putting us all in danger and in harm’s way?

What would He say to a leader that lies about paying off women to keep quiet, about having sex with them?

And most of all what would he say to the people calling faith their home, as they bow down to their vulgar conservative idol, doing all they can to protect him, simply because he is called conservative?

What in heaven’s name would God say?

Great Leadership Defined

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A great leader is courageous yet filled with compassion, strong yet willing to yield, driven by wisdom and committed to the greater good. A person of the people, willing to sacrifice for others.

Thank you God, for the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Each year I post as a way of remembering Dr. King. Now more than ever, may we seek leaders with values like his. May we remember, and continue the work.

Category: overcoming hate