The new etiquette in Deplorable thoughts

I have to remember to keep my mouth shut.
I have to remember that my thoughts,
however rational and obvious and in need of release through discussion they may be,
my views are not welcome here.

A teacher mentioned the terrible events in London.
She was appalled by the murders
and also by the twitter rantings of the president.

I shook my head in dismay. “The new rules of etiquette,”
I said, “baffle and amaze me.
The way my mother raised me,
when tragedy befell your neighbor,
you were supposed to send condolences and bring casseroles.
Now, apparently, there’s a new protocol.
When your neighbor is victim of a violent surprise ambush
and stands bleeding before you,
you’re supposed to join in the attack.”

Another teacher jumped into the conversation. “Are y’all talking about the mayor of London thing?”

I looked up at the burly young math teacher and answered cautiously, “Yes, we were.”

“That’s what they get for electing a…”
he hesitated for a fraction of a second,
searching for a non-inflammatory word so that his bigoted statement
would sound less bigoted,
“…foreigner.”

I knew it was a mistake,
I knew the conversation had soured beyond salvage,
but I said it anyway. “They didn’t elect a foreigner.
The mayor of London is a native-born British citizen.”

“Yeah, well, he’s an asshole.
Too bad the terrorists didn’t take him out too.”

There was no rebuttal possible.
I suddenly remembered I had urgent copying to accomplish.

I am in the minority here
and the local majority does not need reason or compassion
behind their vehement opinions.
They also believe very strongly
in their god-given right to bear arms.

I really do need to remember to keep my mouth shut.

Last updated June 06, 2017