Thanks, Donny T.

Schools that I attended many years ago were effectively segregated, as were neighborhoods, businesses, and the like. Yet, all the people of color I encountered as a child were caring, even loving, and it seemed to me, indispensable to our daily lives. I was left one morning with our Black “cleaning lady.” I played with her daughters, and later, I petitioned to return to play again, as we had had fun. I was told mildly, “No, you don’t play with them.” This came from the same voice that had left me in the care of Thelma and her daughters, while he undertook some other activity. I asked why, but was stonewalled with, “Well, you don’t.”

That’s when I learned — at 6 or 7 — that there was a rule of discrimination, which like most rules and laws were given me no reason. I was restrained by command and ignorance. It wasn’t a conscious turning point in my world view, but it did pull back the curtain to reveal the dark wizardry of the world. Kept ignorant and constrained, I would be compliant. What my father overlooked in his young son was that I was not of a compliant character. I was independent and frankly irreverent. And I am thankful for that. I was never the poor creature trapped in authority and blinded by ignorance.

In the years since, I have made a point of seeking out places and people who are different from me. I discovered that cultural differences are fascinating and enlightening. Every difference is another color of life, making a rich and vibrant world. Yet in my retirement years, I seem to have relaxed my efforts to encounter differences and have somewhat lost the joy of learning. I know this makes my life more bland, and not learning is not living. However, Donald Trump and his gang of culture thugs have come to my rescue.

By going after Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Trump Gang has reawakened my interest and energies for these very things. The voice of the authoritarian commanding ignorance has once more pulled back the curtain. Knowing that Donald Trump is just wrong, reassures me in my belief that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential, not just in the institutions, workplaces and marketplaces. These values are the pathways for all of us to a rich and thriving country, and ultimately, to such a world.

A daunting prospect, I agree, but dreams of reaching beyond our grasp are essential to extending that grasp to richer ends. Thanks, Donny T. You seem to have backed your ass into the fan again.