We continue to be killed by myriad emotions of some white men.
Let’s be clear about this phenomenon of domestic terrorism, rationalized in the name of white supremacy and frustration for one’s own situation.
Anger, and using it to be violent towards others, smacks of an easy way out.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be coddled, praised, admired, validated, loved for every single thing we said, felt and tried?
For our egos to be stroked — even when we’re wrong?
For us regular people, that just doesn’t happen.
Struggle, challenges, new ideas and developments confront us all our lives.
Being used by the fear-mongering, murderous agenda of neo-Nazis, religious fanatics, cynical wealthy, calculating politicians, nativists, fascistic alt-right arrogance, some men strike out rather than analyze and solve the disappointments in their own lives.
Then, they angrily seek “the other” to blame and hurt, whether a person of color, a woman, a child, a person who disagrees with them.
They twist their own pain to match an injurious ideology, receive online encouragement from parties with malevolent, manipulative goals and kill.
There are courageous ways to work through one’s pain, to be free from fear, to become un-befuddled, to calm oneself, become strong and confident, and gain a broader, understanding perspective; to be content and spread hope.
To deal with life.
Gayle Brauner,
Port Angeles