A series of essays....
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| THE SUMMER COLORS OF SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN |
....as seen through my eyes!
By: Jacqueline E Hughes
“Are you coming in?” he asked. “No, thank you,” Dan replied. “I was just checking out the business hours of the bookstore.”
The gentleman gave us a charming smile. “Yes, he just closed up his shop. You’ll have to come back again tomorrow because his bookstore is really amazing. He’s collected some great books throughout the years.”
“I’m so sad to have missed it,” I chimed in, having just looked through the shop windows at all of the store’s offerings with eyes as large as Tiny Tim’s on Christmas Eve!
“Well, come back again, soon. He’s open every day of the week.” The man’s bushy, salt-n-pepper eyebrows moved in unison with each generous expression on his rugged, sun-drenched face. “I really like the man, you know, with the possible exception of his bloomin’ politics, that is...!!!” spoken as he stared straight at me for some obscure reason.
By now, the three of us were walking down the sidewalk together with our new acquaintance barely a step ahead. “And what political persuasion might that be?” I, boldly, asked. I could tell he was being slightly coy with us yet he had an attitude of just having held a semi-heated conversation with someone else and this was his way of letting off steam. I was being accommodating but my curiosity was genuinely piqued. The gentleman, after all, did bring up the subject first.
I could feel Dan’s eyes glaring at me as if to ask, “Are you sure you want to go there?” But this gentle looking, giant of a man walking with us seemed a bit troubled and confused and, before answering my question, he kept switching-off from looking ahead to pivoting his neck to look over at me.
“Well, are you sure you really want to know?” he asked. Staring at his profile moving along beside us, I could see fine details that led me to believe this gentleman was conflicted by internal struggles of his own making. He wanted to talk; he wasn’t sure if he should talk. Something was confusing him. Quietly I responded, “Yes, if you don’t mind, I really would like to know.”
By this time, the three of us had reached the intersection where Dan and I would continue on a straight path, our companion was veering off to the right and most likely turning towards home. We all slowed down and came to a complete stop at the corner. Looking at one another, I said, “I apologize. You don’t have to tell me a thing unless you feel like it. I’m just curious because you seem to have something on your mind.”
Making direct contact with me, once again, his piercing brown eyes softened a bit and his body language was that of a person turning-in on himself with head slightly bowed and hands gently clasping in front of his long torso. Silence prevailed for a few seconds when he slowly turned around the corner and walked away from us. I’ll admit that I was a little disappointed at first by his quiet departure.
A few steps later, his body at a right angle from us, we suddenly hear, “Well, let’s just say that right now I am a very frustrated and disillusioned Republican.”
We stood on that corner for awhile letting his words sink in. By the time we crossed the street continuing our half-mile journey back to our car, Dan and I had plenty to talk about!
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| DEERLICK CREEK PARK |
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| SOUTH BEACH |
This true story took place shortly after five o’clock in the evening on a sun-dappled street in South Haven, Michigan, this past Sunday, August 4, 2019. Our nation had just learned of yet another mass shooting and murder of innocent people in El Paso, Texas the day before. But, this was Sunday, the day after the El Paso shootings, and news broke of another mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio. Democratic presidential candidate, Beto O’Rourke, was abruptly heading home to El Paso and cutting his fund-raising trip short to be with his family when he was asked by someone whether Trump’s racist, anti-immigrant rhetoric had anything to do with the El Paso tragedy. O’Rourke’s response was the most succinct, hardcore, and personal one I had yet to hear:
“What do you think? You know the shit he’s been saying. He’s been calling Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals. I don’t know, like, members of the press, what the fuck? Hold on a second. You know, I — it’s these questions that you know the answers to. I mean, connect the dots about what he’s doing in this country. He’s not tolerating racism; he’s promoting racism. He’s not tolerating violence; he’s inciting racism and violence in this country. So, you know, I just — I don’t know what kind of question that is.”
I’ve always believed that the usage of the f-word, spoken or written by someone at a precise and committed moment in time, is so effective because of how it demands our attention. It’s usage can be the result of total frustration over obvious questions asked of us or the simple truth and honesty coming from the gut and depths of our souls. It can be the most appropriate response to our failed and weak gun laws that have led us to the carnage of mass murders on our streets and in our schools, unjustified killings of dark-skinned people, and the so-called justification of the ‘pushing-back’ of the people on our southern borders seeking asylum and a better life for themselves and their family.
Beto’s hard hitting response enforced the strong emotions he was feeling at the time and, for me, was a more believable response compared to other, albeit just as genuine, responses filled with “I have no words to express my feelings,” and “We cannot accept this violence any longer.” After all of the shootings we have had to endure, these responses are much too weak. The citizens of Dayton, Ohio were absolutely right when they chanted to their governor, “Do something, do something, do something!!!”
I believe our temporary walking companion had reached his “What the f*ck?” level....!
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| DICK AND PAM HAFERMAN ARE THE OWNERS OF BLACK RIVER BOOKS |
Perhaps he had just been speaking with his friend, Dick, co-owner of Black River Books located on Kalamazoo Street, before we met him at a side entrance as Dan was perusing the store hours. Had these two friends/neighbors been caught-up in a heated situation after having recently discussed the incredulous events over the past weekend? Maybe Dick’s liberal views, ideals, and morals of a country solidified by kindness and compassion were, actually, similar ideologies of our tall, tanned walking companion and he was beginning to realize, with great frustration, that his own conservative views were being punched in the gut by the hateful and racist rhetoric of this corrupt administration.
Let’s say that my gut is telling me I am right and my scenario holds more truth than fallacies, how many others are now rethinking just what is required to take our country back and out of the swampy mess that Trump has placed us in?
How many more of us must be shaken to the core responding with an appropriate “What the f*ck?” answer before learning the right steps needed to reclaim civility and reignite the positive imagination of the people who think this country is worth fighting for? Be frustrated and disillusioned for now, my unknown friend, but figure out what is best for you and the country and please, please tell all of your conservative friends the truth about what has been eating you up inside.
Hopefully, one day we will know exactly why so many innocent people have had to sacrifice so greatly for the sake of the rest of us.
Don't allow history to continue to repeat itself. Vote!
Don't allow history to continue to repeat itself. Vote!
Copyright © 2019 by Jacqueline E Hughes
All rights reserved
