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. @NicolleDWallace I have a story for you. I hope you read this.
When I was 14yrs, my mother decided to get me out of the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, rent out the house, and buy a home in Algiers. This neighborhood was truly suburbia. Neat lawns, quiet, and /1
When I was 14yrs, my mother decided to get me out of the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, rent out the house, and buy a home in Algiers. This neighborhood was truly suburbia. Neat lawns, quiet, and /1
there were a diverse group of families. My friends used to joke about coming to my house, to "escape reality." (My mother was also a kick ass cook and fed them). Across the street there was this white family, let's call them the Perkins. There was Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Perkins, /2
a housewife, a son who were either in college or military. I didn't see him often. And a sweet little girl, Molly, who was about 11 years old. Molly liked to ride her bike and play outside. She was very sweet and friendly. Mrs. Perkins was a little more standoffish. Mr. /3
Perkins never spoke to us and came across as an asshole. Anyway, one day Mrs. Perkins and my mom struck up a conversation that became friendly. It got to the point that every morning, after Mr. Perkins go to work, Mrs. Perkins would come to our house and have coffee with my /4
mom. It is obvious that my mom was her only friend. My mom started a little catering business and Mrs. Perkins would help her and make a little extra money. They were good together. Then one day, and I will never forget this for the rest of my life, Mrs. Perkins and /5
my mom was inside the house cooking for an upcoming wedding. I was outside reading and keeping an eye on Molly, who was riding her bike in circles. I was about 16 at the time. Anyway, Mr. Perkins came home early and when he saw Molly in our driveway playing, he was /6
FURIOUS! He grabbed the little girl off the bike and called out for his wife. Mrs. Perkins came rushing out, screaming and scared. He told her to get her sorry ass into the house. I can hear him beating her and Molly screaming from across the street. He yelled that he didn't /7
EVER want them to go near us (my mom and I) "filthy N-words" again. I stood shocked. That was the first time I was called the N-word. My mother stood there silent. She heard ALL of this before. I started to cry because I felt sorry for that sweet little girl. My mother turned /8
to me and said, "cry it all out now. You will hear it again". But, I saw how sad she was. Mrs. Perkins was her friend. The next day, my mother got up and fixed coffee like she did every morning. She sat Mrs. Perkins cup on the counter. She didn't show. My mom knew this. But /9
was hopeful. That Saturday, as we were about to go to Schwagman's to make groceries, the Perkins family was pulling up in their driveway. When they got out of the car, Molly and Mrs Perkins ran inside the house. Mr. Perkins, was still outside. My mom, in a bit of badassery, /10
said, "Hey Dan, how you doing today?" He turned around and gave her the coldest look I have ever seen. I thought he was about to come across the street and try to beat my mom, too. But my mom stood there, all 5 feet of her. Defiant strong black woman. She did not blink. She /11
showed no fear. He spat on the ground and went inside his house. I asked my mom why she spoke to him. She turned to me and said, " Because hate is fear. Fear is hate. When your heart is full of hate, you will remain fearful and miserable for the rest of your life. Hateful /12
cowards can be defeated. Sometimes just by saying hello." That week, I learned a lot. I learned that you are not born with hate. Hate is taught. I also learned that those who hate are next door, co-workers, or even teachers. The point of my story is that hate has always been /13
here and as long as we remain different, it's not going anywhere soon. HOWEVER, we can defeat hate. First we have to recognize hate exists. Then we have to stop being shocked by it. Haters are cowards. Cover them as that. Treat them not as powerful players or firebrands. Call /14
out there hate. DO NOT BE AFRAID of them. A great example is when after "Hell Yes," Beto had a rally in Plano. A guy was there with his AR. But it was too damn hot for ammosexual foolishness and we offered him water and talked to him. We did not show any fear. It ended up /15
being a peaceful rally. So to my white friends and followers who are shocked and afraid, don't be. We all will survive this, and if you doubt me on this, then you never met a black person.
