Everyone gets the benefit of the doubt the first time. If they prove they don’t deserve it, then I will never give them that benefit again.
Chump Trump has proven his intentions are malicious. I know you don’t like to focus on politics all the time, but he’s inflicting untold damage upon us every day.
I live in a small French village which votes for RN (far-right party). When I ask some of the old guys why they vote for Marine Le Pen, they tell me because there are too many immigrants. I then let my gaze drift around the village from the café I'm sitting in. No immigrants. Except me. I'm an immigrant from England. But hey they say, I'm OK, because I'm white. I say, what if I was black. They shrug and say, but you're not. So what do I do? I do nothing because I live and work here. I have to get along. It's a tricky one to change perceptions, even when you're sitting next to someone.
I am committing my year to finding forgiveness - for myself and all the things I might berate myself about, all the ways I am not perfect - for my neighbor, co-workers, relatives - and maybe...Trump?
I don't know what that even means exactly yet. Or how. Or what that looks like. But while my primary focus on forgiveness was inspired by the forgiveness granted to the killer of a school shooting victim by the family of that victim - 14 year old Ruby Vegera of Madison, Wisconsin - the other part of this quest for me is knowing that Trump is going to absorb all of the oxygen for the next four years. And I can't be filled with rage and loathing and hatred toward him and his followers. I have to release them, forgive them. Still, as I write this, I am sickened by what he has done in just these few days. I am filled with anxiety and fear, sadness for others who will feel the immediate impact of his word vomit, his broad erasures of the humanity of immigrants, his hateful sweeping executive orders, the chaos - and danger - he will again plunge this country into. Sigh.
I commend you, Walter, for continuing to seek the peaceful path, from trying to engage with rather than argue with those who believe every word Trump says and align themselves with hateful rhetoric and ideologies. I am seeking that, too. But I still haven't spoken to my cousins about it yet - not really since 2016, other than a passing hello and hug at a few family gatherings - they who vow allegiance to him and think he is the greatest, and have revealed themselves to be racist to the core.
I think buying that little boy's shirt was a great thing to do. He obviously had no idea what that symbol was, and you're right: it probably came from donated shirts from the US.
Offering to buy that American boy's shirt in the restaurant would have ended badly, I'm certain. He probably got it for Christmas, the holiest day of the year. Maybe he also got a handgun.
Walter, There was a cult deprogramer that was a professor at the University of Montana about 20 years ago! Hope he’s still around. I would love to hear his thoughts about this. Your insight is very appreciated. Thanks for your time and writing!
I frequently read various posts from substance to my husband, and he pointed out that the swastika was originally not a hate symbol and in some parts of the world it's still considered good luck. (The following is C&P from Wikipedia, just for informational purposes in case anyone didn't know)
The word swastika comes from Sanskrit: स्वस्तिक, romanized: svastika, meaning 'conducive to well-being'.[1][12] In Hinduism, the right-facing symbol (clockwise) (卐) is called swastika, symbolizing surya ('sun'), prosperity and good luck, while the left-facing symbol (counter-clockwise) (卍) is called sauvastika, symbolising night or tantric aspects of Kali.[1] In Jain symbolism, it is the part of Jain flag.[13] It represents Suparshvanatha – the seventh of 24 Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers and saviours), while in Buddhist symbolism it represents the auspicious footprints of the Buddha.[1][14][15] In the different Indo-European traditions, the swastika symbolises fire, lightning bolts, and the sun.[16] The symbol is found in the archaeological remains of the Indus Valley civilisation[17] and Samarra, as well as in early Byzantine and Christian artwork.[18][19]
In the western world, yes. Since you didn't mention where your story took place, and didn't mention that in some parts of the world it is still considered good luck (at least according to the internet, and I'll post from Wikipedia below), I thought I'd comment about it for educational purposes. I haven't been to the countries mentioned, so I'm just going from what I've heard from others personal experiences and read online.
From Wikipedia:
As a result of World War II and the Holocaust, in the West it continues to be strongly associated with Nazism, antisemitism,[23][24] white supremacism,[25][26] or simply evil.[27][28] As a consequence, its use in some countries, including Germany, is prohibited by law.[B] However, the swastika remains a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain countries such as Nepal, India, Thailand, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, China and Japan, and carries various other meanings for peoples around the world, such as the Akan, Hopi, Navajo, and Tlingit peoples. It is also commonly used in Hindu marriage ceremonies and Dipavali celebrations.
Everyone gets the benefit of the doubt the first time. If they prove they don’t deserve it, then I will never give them that benefit again.
Chump Trump has proven his intentions are malicious. I know you don’t like to focus on politics all the time, but he’s inflicting untold damage upon us every day.
Yes, he represents a case of deliberate malice. I'm trying to focus on some conversions. I wish I knew how to be more effective.
I live in a small French village which votes for RN (far-right party). When I ask some of the old guys why they vote for Marine Le Pen, they tell me because there are too many immigrants. I then let my gaze drift around the village from the café I'm sitting in. No immigrants. Except me. I'm an immigrant from England. But hey they say, I'm OK, because I'm white. I say, what if I was black. They shrug and say, but you're not. So what do I do? I do nothing because I live and work here. I have to get along. It's a tricky one to change perceptions, even when you're sitting next to someone.
Walter Rhein I always look forward to your posts and perspective on everything. Your a well versed individual.
Wow, that's interesting 🤔
I am committing my year to finding forgiveness - for myself and all the things I might berate myself about, all the ways I am not perfect - for my neighbor, co-workers, relatives - and maybe...Trump?
I don't know what that even means exactly yet. Or how. Or what that looks like. But while my primary focus on forgiveness was inspired by the forgiveness granted to the killer of a school shooting victim by the family of that victim - 14 year old Ruby Vegera of Madison, Wisconsin - the other part of this quest for me is knowing that Trump is going to absorb all of the oxygen for the next four years. And I can't be filled with rage and loathing and hatred toward him and his followers. I have to release them, forgive them. Still, as I write this, I am sickened by what he has done in just these few days. I am filled with anxiety and fear, sadness for others who will feel the immediate impact of his word vomit, his broad erasures of the humanity of immigrants, his hateful sweeping executive orders, the chaos - and danger - he will again plunge this country into. Sigh.
I commend you, Walter, for continuing to seek the peaceful path, from trying to engage with rather than argue with those who believe every word Trump says and align themselves with hateful rhetoric and ideologies. I am seeking that, too. But I still haven't spoken to my cousins about it yet - not really since 2016, other than a passing hello and hug at a few family gatherings - they who vow allegiance to him and think he is the greatest, and have revealed themselves to be racist to the core.
I think buying that little boy's shirt was a great thing to do. He obviously had no idea what that symbol was, and you're right: it probably came from donated shirts from the US.
Offering to buy that American boy's shirt in the restaurant would have ended badly, I'm certain. He probably got it for Christmas, the holiest day of the year. Maybe he also got a handgun.
Can you please try your tactic on Trump and his Maga followers? I doubt it will work although I love your perspective.
I think you're right. There is no universal tactic.
Walter, There was a cult deprogramer that was a professor at the University of Montana about 20 years ago! Hope he’s still around. I would love to hear his thoughts about this. Your insight is very appreciated. Thanks for your time and writing!
We are dealing with a cult here. I think different tactics are needed, but I am no deprogramer. I wish I knew!
Yes. You'd need to use different tactics with a child vs an adult. Let's share our wins.
I frequently read various posts from substance to my husband, and he pointed out that the swastika was originally not a hate symbol and in some parts of the world it's still considered good luck. (The following is C&P from Wikipedia, just for informational purposes in case anyone didn't know)
The word swastika comes from Sanskrit: स्वस्तिक, romanized: svastika, meaning 'conducive to well-being'.[1][12] In Hinduism, the right-facing symbol (clockwise) (卐) is called swastika, symbolizing surya ('sun'), prosperity and good luck, while the left-facing symbol (counter-clockwise) (卍) is called sauvastika, symbolising night or tantric aspects of Kali.[1] In Jain symbolism, it is the part of Jain flag.[13] It represents Suparshvanatha – the seventh of 24 Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers and saviours), while in Buddhist symbolism it represents the auspicious footprints of the Buddha.[1][14][15] In the different Indo-European traditions, the swastika symbolises fire, lightning bolts, and the sun.[16] The symbol is found in the archaeological remains of the Indus Valley civilisation[17] and Samarra, as well as in early Byzantine and Christian artwork.[18][19]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika
It's a hate symbol now
In the western world, yes. Since you didn't mention where your story took place, and didn't mention that in some parts of the world it is still considered good luck (at least according to the internet, and I'll post from Wikipedia below), I thought I'd comment about it for educational purposes. I haven't been to the countries mentioned, so I'm just going from what I've heard from others personal experiences and read online.
From Wikipedia:
As a result of World War II and the Holocaust, in the West it continues to be strongly associated with Nazism, antisemitism,[23][24] white supremacism,[25][26] or simply evil.[27][28] As a consequence, its use in some countries, including Germany, is prohibited by law.[B] However, the swastika remains a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain countries such as Nepal, India, Thailand, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, China and Japan, and carries various other meanings for peoples around the world, such as the Akan, Hopi, Navajo, and Tlingit peoples. It is also commonly used in Hindu marriage ceremonies and Dipavali celebrations.