Happy? July 4th

I’ve always been ambivalent at best about Independence Day here in the U.S. I’m fortunate to have been born here, and I suppose it’s better than being born in North Korea or Soviet Russia. I’ve been told all my life that the U.S. is the best country in the world, however, I never understood how you could figure that one out; what are you using to judge “the best?” I think Native and Black Americans would have a different opinion on this matter.

Beyond this though, I always had a problem with the performative patriotism bullshit that people displayed especially on this day. Stars and stripes this, ‘Murica that. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve gotten older or if it’s how our culture has evolved, but all of this patriot drag just seems more of a front for white supremacy, a step away from the sig heil salute.

I talked to a friend the other week whom I haven’t spoken to since around Christmas, I think. Admittedly, I’m a horrible communicator. I hole myself up in my apartment with my two cats and completely isolate myself from the world. With all of the socializing I do at work, I just want to be in a cocoon once I get home.

A couple of weeks ago, I realized we haven’t talked in a while, so I sent a text. We ended up talking on the phone, and the stuff coming from her mouth had me shocked speechless. The only thing I could respond with was, “mmmhmmm” and other wordless nonsense because my mind couldn’t comprehend. Here is a nice sampling of what was said:

• White people are becoming extinct
• It’s scientifically proven that Africans have the lowest IQs and Europeans and Asians have the highest.
• All of the Muslims that have migrated to Western Europe are establishing Sharia law.
• None of the tallest or impressive buildings are in Africa.
• The bulk of violent crime in the US is committed by black Americans.

See? I mean there have been nothing in all of the years I have known her that any inkling of this nonsense has ever arisen. In fact, we used to make fun of people who believed in this bullshit. So WHAT IN THE FUCKING FUCK?

I thought I was in an alternate universe, that someone was pranking me, that because I’m such a shit communicator and friend that this is what happens. My friends fall into this white supremacist brainwashing bullshit because I was not there to prevent it. I’m still reeling to be honest.

She asked me what I thought, and I tried to be as tactful and delicate as possible. “That is the biggest load of fucking bullshit I have ever fucking heard,” I told her. Then I started spewing. Maybe if I hadn’t been so shocked I could have organized my thoughts a little, but I just started going on. “This white replacement theory bullshit has been disproven, and you know this.” “Before the Eiffel Tower was built, the tallest building was the fucking pyramid in Giza.” “You cannot judge intelligence of a peoples based on a white European standard. That’s the same fucking justification for colonialism.” “Sharia law is not being established in Western Europe. I was there last year. Don’t be fucking stupid.” “Who cares if white people become a minority? Things evolve. Grow the fuck up.” “When you look at the institutional racism inherent in this country, you wonder why black people feel they only have violence to resort to?” “Violent crime is actually at its lowest point. Don’t buy into this fearmongering. They’re just trying to get us to keep buying stuff to keep the rich rich and to divide us all.”

I’m all for being an independent thinker and questioning everything. I hate mob think no matter what side it comes from. BUT DUDE!!!! WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?

I think I ended my rebuttal with something like, “You know this white supremacist bullshit is bullshit. You fucking know better.”

Combine this with ICE still in my fucking region picking up anyone who is not white regardless of citizenship and half of the country overjoyed at cutting services to people who need them in favor of tax breaks to billionaires, you can see why I’m not all that enthused about this country. And while I do love fireworks, my poor cats will spend a good chunk of the night under my bed while the entire Southland will be covered in a smokey haze for a day or two.