I show up because I see you as a part of me
Valarie Kaur defines deep solidarity as showing up and seeing no Stranger. People in State Legislatures across the United States see almost everyone that does not look like them as strangers who perform awful actions.
Transgender people are called groomers and pedophiles. Librarians are seen as people who want to fill children’s minds with porn and make them question their own sexual identity. Be Careful, Your Neighbor May be a Devil. You know, that person who quietly checked out books, worked in the cubicle next to you, and lived in your neighborhood is really evil incarnate.
How could a person wearing a turban or a scarf or a yarmulke be like me? After all, I wear a baseball cap with a Dallas Cowboys Star or a cowboy hat, or a John Deere hat. I don’t look anything like you. You changed your gender, you want to be called they. I will not stand up for you, you are not part of me.
You are not part of me until my house is on fire.
You are not part of me until I take my sick child to the hospital.
You are not part of me until something you do brings value to my life. Then you are important, or necessary for that moment. But you do not support me, so I will scream at the school board, then tell one Montana State Legislator that she is out of decorum when she wants the people who aren't like you (in your mind) to try to be heard. You are not like me as I get out my gun and shoot you down when you ring my doorbell or drive up your driveway. In other words, the only time you are like me is when I need you.
For others who see no stranger, who see a brother or sister in need as a sister or brother you are part of a larger crowd. You are part of a group that has a dream, who cries out for justice, and reminds all of us that we all have blood on our hands.
True prophets like Valarie Kaur and Zooey Zepher see people as they really are, a part of us.
