As a trans lesbian Jewish elder, I cannot ignore the ugliness that is today’s political reality. One of the two major parties has declared war on people like me, and so many others as well, all in the name of some imagined white Christian nationalism. Their tactics hearken back to a better name for their philosophy, that name being fascism. They are beholding to one supreme leader who despite his many crimes (91 indictments so far) can do no wrong. They demonize minorities because, well, that’s what fascists do. The Christo fascists among them call for putting us away in camps or alternately shooting us in the back of our heads. Wow, recollections of the SS Einsatzgruppen in WWII. Laws are being passed in several states criminalizing our existence in their war on woke. Attacks on our communities, enflamed by their rhetoric is at an all-time high.
But not just as a minority, they seek to cut critical portions of my income, specifically social security, and Medicare. Not to mention RSDI, SSI, food assistance, the list goes on. Just so a few billionaires can become even wealthier.
So attacks on our communities are nothing new, though not so widely publicized and encouraged by people who presume to be leaders. Once upon a time for instance, homosexual conduct was a felony. Goodness, once while wandering my Houston neighborhood years ago early in my transition, I found myself surrounded by thugs fully intent on beating the crap out of me. I’m not sure where it came from, but I began a full drag queen act, and they began to laugh. In that moment, I broke free and ran faster than I ever have the block and a half to a local police substation. No one was caught, but I lived to see another day. But we were NOT targeted by leaders, rather mostly the target of those who were afraid of us or had been taught we were somehow evil. We did not have Congressmen or Senators pointing the finger at us, and aside from certain fundamentalist preachers, we got little attention from them as well. But goodness, hate can be found at every turn these days. We are the target to distract the poorly educated who feel left out from the real source of their hard times, much as politicians have always done. For whom? The rich and entitled of course. It was said that Hitler once remarked that if there were not a Jewish people, he would have to made up one. Absolute power ascends often by creating a common enemy. Today, people like me are that enemy.
I’m so thankful to live in a progressive state that celebrates my existence. Oh, there are still haters here, but are not supported by the political leaders or the law. I could never return to the state I grew up in, because every trans person there walks around with a target on their backs. Texas has made it illegal for instance for me to use the bathroom. But... the haters want to bring this hate and division to our federal government as well.
So it is that I view the coming future with a certain apprehension. In my younger years, I could be out there working within movements to counter this rise of authoritarianism. If needed I could disappear for a time or run from danger if needs be. But today, I’m a 76-year-old disabled woman in a wheelchair, no longer able to drive, and with insufficient resources to pack up and move away. I view the coming future with hope, but growing trepidation that hope may not suffice. Will we as a people head off this growing fascist trend? If they do take control, what will the people do?
Now I know there are those who would seek to assure me. No this would never happen. You are blowing this up out of proportion. But see, I’m a student of history. Societies rise and fall. Germany in the early twenties was the most liberal nation in Europe and a gay mecca for many. Rome began as a Republic. MAGA is allied with and supported by Putin. We simply do not know how this will all play out.
So yes, I do have trepidations. And as one of many elders, there is a lot on the line. No, I won’t lie awake at night worrying, but it does bear mentioning, for the concerns are very real. Underpinning these times are a rise in racism, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, and distrust/fear of immigrants. Our nation and our democratic way of doing things is under attack. We are each called in our own way to ensure this does not happen!
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