First off, I am thankful for feeling better. I caught a summer cold last weekend and was decommissioned from Sunday until yesterday, though I am still not 100%. I will be resting this weekend – I want to thank everyone who sent me well wishes and my parents for providing some care.
Last Saturday I sort of got into a scuffle – I was sick, it was hot, and bigots anger me. This is what I posted on Writing.com:
“Sad event yesterday. The Christian Taliban were protesting a Muslim festival at the skating rink. I fought with them – Jesus would be ashamed of them because Jesus taught love and acceptance. This is why I became a spiritual and decided to leave Islam and organized religion. I quoted the Bible and Jesus’s teachings of love and acceptance, especially the part, “he without sin should cast the first stone.” I was told by the “preacher” that I was ugly, a lesbian, and that is why I’m not submitting to any man – because I’m too repulsive for one. His wife also said, “we don’t have stones, you ugly harlot.” Seems like I struck a chord, I was right and they didn’t want to be told they are wrong and resorted to insults.
Anyway, after I was trying to hug these Christian Taliban members to show them that all people are the same, I had my skates on and rolled into them. Started a big ruckus and I skated back because once people learn to hate, it’s hard to break it.
Last night I did some digging and apparently, this “pastor” was jailed for ponzi schemes and other investment schemes. He attacked people he was protesting against and disrupted Buddhist Temple gatherings, so he is currently under different lawsuits, as well as being investigated for hate crimes. These people sound like losers, losers that hate themselves and want to bring others down with them. I have seen them before, they were at the LGBT parade last week and I’ve seen them around for several years. I was going to preach love to counter them, but if I see them again, I’m just going to start calling them losers, bring up the different FBI files I found, read the articles about them, tell them they are the ones that are going to burn AND they will always be losers, losers, losers. I think that would do the trick more than love since they don’t respond to that. It would also make me feel better calling them big losers.”
On Monday, I was chatting with Kathleen and like some friends on Writing.com, she was concerned for my safety when reading that. Kathleen and Patrece thought I had every right to stand up to hate, but they advised to just ignore them next time because those bigots will never change and they don’t want me to get hurt. As Patrece wrote (which is what Kathleen said): “It is sad, and unjust what you experienced at this gathering, Jessica. But please do use caution in your actions/reactions. Those who thrive on hate are capable of things beyond your imagination.
While I fully believe in standing up for oneself and what is right for them, it is wise to look long and hard at the enemy. You may be faced with much more than cocky insults should you take the approach you shard above. I don’t argue against your rights or the rights of those you were with and support. I just fear for your safety. If those others were so bold, who knows what other ammunition they possess, aside from the words they used to attack this last time. Sometimes it is best to just be the bigger person and spare yourself the possible danger that may lie ahead.”
I am thankful for them both. (Note: I hope no one thinks that I hate Christians and think all Christians are Christian Taliban members. I don’t hate anyone, but I don’t tolerate hate groups or people who spread hate to disrupt others. I will call anyone out on that, even ISIS. I wish no one was ever raised to hate or resorted to hate in economically challenging times.)
I also received a thank you card from Maddie today thanking me for the birthday card and for inducting her into the Sousalarm Club. She can’t wait to receive the certificate. That made me happy and grateful.
What are you thankful for today?
The Happiness Box Project 
Hi, Jessica Marie!
I am thankful for someone like you who shares my values. Sometimes they seem to be getting scarce as hen’s teeth. First, I am happy to know that you are getting over your late spring/early summer cold. I hope you continue to feel better. I am sorry to learn of your close encounter of the hateful kind. To me, hate groups are nothing but domestic terrorists. They twist religion and the constitution to suit their preferences and get right up in your grill if you disagree. While I applaud you for standing up for yourself, I agree with your friends that you must know when it is time to walk away and stop fanning the flames. You won’t change their minds and hearts by standing there arguing. There is no shame in retreat and living to fight another day. The scene you described reminds me of a scene from Easy Rider (1969):
George Hanson: …don’t ever tell anybody that they’re not free, ’cause then they’re gonna get real busy killin’ and maimin’ to prove to you that they are. Oh, yeah, they’re gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it’s gonna scare ’em.
Billy: Well, it don’t make ’em runnin’ scared.
George Hanson: No, it makes ’em dangerous.
I wish you a happy Friday and a safe and happy weekend, dear friend JM!
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That’s true and the group videotapes all of their protests. They don’t allow any members into their fold, so who knows what they do with those videos. I rather not find out and I rather not have those bigots ruin my future. It’s just sad.
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