Thoughts on the Atlanta shootings

It took me a few days to arrange and coherently articulate my thoughts about this. I find it decidedly unsettling and a reminder that racism and misogyny (in this case, enabled by the availability of guns) are very much alive in our country. 

When attacks on Asian Americans in Oakland made the news earlier this year, I thought to myself that those kinds of things wouldn't happen here because I see myself as living in a diverse and tolerant community. But it's not like Oakland isn't diverse; in fact the demographics are actually rather similar to Montgomery County and I suppose diversity does not necessarily/inherently = tolerance. While I would say that diversity is conducive to tolerance, it does not necessarily equal tolerance in and of itself. Regardless, I am glad that I live here instead of somewhere that's, say, 90% white, because I figure racism would be more prevalent in places like that.  

While I (thankfully) haven't personally faced anything I'd consider egregiously and/or violently racist,* it is unsettling to be reminded that there are people who may see me as a target and not knowing whether or when I might happen to encounter those people. The racist could be one of my neighbors. 

I wouldn't consider myself paranoid or highly fearful that I'll be attacked (even in the past, I've never really worried much about being sexually harassed or assaulted -- for whatever reason, people generally just don't mess with me and I'm as baffled about the reasons behind that as you are), but I am at least a little worried now (whereas previously this was something I felt more insulated from needing to worry about), knowing that the possibility is there. 

*Of the infrequent racist comments I have received over the years, I personally would consider the things to have been annoying although not anything that immensely affected me in a negative way. 

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