I can tell you stories horrendous that would make the most hardened criminal ponder their internal value systems. When people do bad things the worst thing others can do is line up to support that hate. When we engaged in intentional destructiveness we do so because of our social networks. It may also be an indication that some of the supporters harbor deeper feelings of racism and bigotry. We are defined by our choices and actions and no one can take that away from them (I doubt they have the insight to know the root of their behavior.)
This large group of hate supporters can't say me or my children have done anything to them, were rude to them, or have harmed them in any way. What they can say is that after extremely aggressive behaviors toward myself and my children and the discovery of potentially fraudulent behaviors certain boundaries were created. That group felt they were better than the targets and jumped in to try harm my family (Some see themselves as supporters of their local sports culture and the targets as less than human. It looks more like an aggressive cult/clan than a mediocre group of ex sports play friends.).
That didn't mean that the perpetrators respected those boundaries just because I set them. I believe very much that they knew they have done some inappropriate things and the first idea they could think of was spreading rumors to protect their outward image (Likely they were protecting their own internal image from conscious awareness....but that is psychobabble.). It appears they have a history of doing this to people they don't like and when the stakes are this high chances are they had no limits.
The second thing they thought of doing was using their close law enforcement friends to begin following, threatening and intimidating the targets. I cannot tell you under what distorted circumstances these things have become acceptable in our society. Likely, they made quick heuristic judgements based on their close associates and the perceived "evilness" of Muslims and Blacks and went after it with the perception they were doing something "good" (It just one possible explanation and there are likely others. I don't mean religious good or bad but moral good and bad; although they are associated).
It wasn't just bad behaviors....it moved beyond that into highly coordinated activities. They were/are so sure they won't be held to account that they laughed and smirked about it while they were doing it. Something you would see sociopaths do in movies. They were bragging to their friends who were all too willing to contribute with their own hate rhetoric (Remember I don't know most of them and my interactions have been positive prior to these hate events. How quickly people turn when its popular. Even people who know you and had positive experiences with you. Shame!)
Furthermore, I believe they were telling people that if anyone stayed in contact with "those" people they would be rejected (Perhaps even a target themselves.). Of course like the flying monkeys many in our human species have become, they complied without even thinking about what they were doing (As a side note, I find it surprising that people go to church and talk about their values but when push comes to shove they have few. Its just useless self soothing talk!)
That is where weaker people who hold their own racists and bigoted values fell into line to support the hate mob. That included not only rejection as a candidate for an adjunct position I was more than qualified for but also other opportunities as an aspect of circumventing laws. Retracting job opportunities, not providing legal support, willful misconduct, all the creepy stuff no group should do. You get the picture and if true you cannot get more coordinated in criminality then that (Since when is being unsophisticated, under developed, and a racist the "cool" thing to do? Seriously, check your values. It opens the question as to how many other people has this group gone after? Maybe my family is the only one but I doubt it. Perhaps my perceived religion and kids race help rally the hate much more than in other cases but the pre-existing behaviors and values of group coordination were already learned at a different time and place. Just saying.).
I suspect if you are a minority you get what I'm saying and you have experienced this on a lower level one time or another. I have read about people acting so boldly and without personal checks and balances only in a few instances (Tulsa Massacre comes to mind.). If you are a bigot you likely reject what I have to say completely (Without even knowing anything). That is the great divide in our society. Our failure to truly listen to each other has created gaps in our conscious (Truth and falsehood become distorted.).
This is where investigations and objective law enforcement come into play (Those corrupted officers should have no right to be involved or even be in law enforcement. They lost their legitimacy when they wanted to "help" their friends even though the facts didn't line up.). Free passes are not free and they begin to split our nation in half (I have more rights to protect myself and family than they do to be perpetrators. At least in a healthy society!). Take a look at the hyper politics and growing extremism on both sides and you can see how quickly people judge (There are obvious legitimacies and shared experiences on the other half of society. Doesn't matter which half you live in.)
People might ask "Why stay when there is a large group of bigots that hate you?" I think it is more than just avoiding future harm. There are deeply held American values, traditions and principles at stake. If a group of bigots and their supporters can mob attack people in a way that creates "cleansing" like situations we have seen in third world nations we have big problems. It isn't about me, its about our possible futures as a single people.
That doesn't neglect the fact that my genetic background predates most of the people in the area and that I have lots of awesome friends as well. While someone is likely to cross those boundaries, and I believe that has a fairly high chance of happening at some point, I have no plans of leaving permanently (I have other places to go but that is my home regardless of whether the mob of bigots says so or not.). It becomes a here I am, you have failed to silence me, threaten me, intimidate, or anything else. You have done the opposite (maybe). At this moment I don't feel I should back down to bullies and bigots no matter how many people line up to hate. You will see me around and I will be polite and smile at you. You can say hi, offer an apology, or do something else. Its your choice. What is your next step?
What I can logically ask for is that 1.) the perpetrators obtain mental health help (They do deserve jail time but I'm not advocating for that. That will need to be someone else's decision. I do not want regrets in my life but if they own it and its warranted, those were their choices. They had plenty of chances to change course.); 2.), an audit of all monies past and present (to highlight some of the behavior incentives. Maybe something or maybe nothing...it makes no difference); 3.) Investigations into officers connected closely to that group (ensuring they don't have a history of these behaviors. There are some unsubstantiated complaints out there.); 4.), those local institutions such as the college that retracted their offer once they found out I was the "dirty Muslim" their friends hated need to be held to account (They shouldn't be allowed to use tax payer money for their social group or their racial/religious misperceptions. They should be hiring the most qualified candidates.)
Do I expect that level of justice to happen? Nope! I once believed it was possible but have learned over the years that much of what we do is subjective. There is still hope that moral conscious and law will become fused together but it sometimes is highly subjective based on what we know, what we can discover, and the resources available. To be honest, I do believe our justice system tries (except in some cases on local levels where social networks take precedence) and that there are very good people who do the best they can with the tools they have. Sometimes it does well and sometimes it comes up short (i.e. always a need for improvement, innovation and development.).
People may ask, "Are you not afraid to talk so bluntly about it knowing that the "mob" and their supporters are out there?" I say, "I'm afraid we someday stop talking and accept the unacceptable." I live by a motto and have pulled it out more than once in my life.... "its better to die for something than live for nothing." Before you read too much into it, it just means we all have purpose in this life and there will be those who strive for a better society and there are othere consumed by what they are having for lunch....and that is all they care about.
What's next? I'm not sure. For the most part its not up to me. I plan on being engaging, honest, open to rectification, and won't sugar coat what happened. Whether the bell of justice and liberty rings for all of us or just some of us isn't completely in my hands. It is a national decision to choose where we as a people will go and what we plan on leaving to the next generation. Right now I have concerns about that as well......we will let time flip a page to the next chapter in life and our future as a nation........
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