Spoiler alert! The title does not exactly reflect the content of this post. xoxo
Upon my arrival back in the U.S. last weekend, I was greeted with many questions regarding my life overseas. I happily answer questions about life as an expat because I understand people are genuinely curious. One question in particular really struck me. "Was it ever hard or scary for you? Were you generally safe? Because it's not safe to be an American abroad right now."
Hmmm. I understand that people really, sincerely care for my safety and well-being, and I know these concerns come from only the best place in their hearts. I was not offended at all. I was grateful for their concern, and I answered truthfully. "Honestly, no one ever suspected that I was American anyway. Most people assumed I was German. And yes, I always felt safe in Spain and when I traveled beyond."
Most importantly, this question posed some reflective thinking on my part. Is it unsafe to be an American abroad right now?
Conclusion 1: No.
Conclusion 2: It's kind of unsafe to be anyone anywhere right now.
It's unsafe to be a Black person in America right now, when so many Black lives are lost to racially disproportionate police brutality on a daily basis.
It's unsafe to be a police officer in America right now, when genuinely good officers are targeted as backlash of the aforementioned police brutality continues.
It's unsafe to attend school, church, movie theaters, and nightclubs in America right now, as mass shootings become a common occurence.
It's unsafe to be politically active in America right now, as Democrats and Republicans are so pitted against one another, that our election system is single-handedly destroying itself and ruining any hope of common ground between the parties and their supporters.
It's unsafe to be an underprivileged woman in need of health care in America right now, as aforementioned government officials continuously try to take away basic human rights to healthcare. Hell, it's unsafe to be an underprivileged person in need of health care.
It's unsafe to be a member of the LGBTQ community in America right now, as members are routinely targeted in heinous hate crimes and government officials fail to pass laws for their safety; as ridiculous gender-appropriate bathroom laws are voted into effect, when actual (hetero-cis) rapists stand trial with medical evidence and live witnesses, and are only sentenced 6 months.
It's unsafe to be a Muslim (anywhere) right now, as all Muslim people are judged based on the acts of terrorists, and their religion is used like a monkey in the circus of white politics.
It's unsafe to be a refugee right now, so hated and feared despite the fact that these displaced citizens, who were forced to flee from war-hungry capitalists, try to carry on their lives as the teachers, attorneys, students, nurses, and oncologists that they are.
It's unsafe to be a person on public transportation, where women face sexual harassment daily from strangers who suffer no consequences; where terrorists bring assault weapons and axes to perform unthinkable acts to keep the rest of the world living in fear.
This list could go on and on, sadly.
It's kind of hard to be a person anywhere these days. Everyone is an extremist. Everyone has radical opinions, and if you don't agree, you're the worst person in the world, never talk to me again. Sometimes it seems that we all fear each other so much that civilization is going backwards. It's terrifying and disheartening to see humanity crumbling, one senseless act of violence at a time. I have become accustomed to the terrible ache, the icy pit I get in my stomach when I read another tragic headline. I am building a tolerance. These evils are now expected. "Sad" doesn't even scratch the surface.
Since it's kinda hard to be a person anywhere, we should definitely start being kinder to one another. Like the awesome Black Lives Matter protesters who have chill bar-b-ques with cool police officers, we need to hang out and understand the "other" side. Now more than ever, I really really try to understand my opponent, my oppressor, my attacker. Why? Why do these people think the way they do? What can I do to change their minds? What can I do to change myself?
I wish I had a solution to the ravages of our world. But for now, I'll start with understanding and compassion.
