Rejecting Hate

I am an immigrant. I am a U.S. citizen. I am grateful and proud to call myself an American because I believe in the hopes and dreams this nation embodies. 

I reject hate.

I reject bigotry.

I reject racism. 

I reject white nationalism.

I grew up in El Paso, Texas, and as a little girl lived in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. But I didn't just grow up in the El Paso/Juarez area. The culture and beauty of El Paso is so empowering that the strength of the city continues to live in my heart and soul. Today my heart is wounded. It aches for the victims of the senseless mass shooting that occurred there on Saturday, August 3. The city of El Paso is forever marked with this horror, but the community is like no other. I have no doubt it will heal and continue to thrive. 

Make no mistake, this mass shooting is not only a gun violence issue. It is extreme racism and terrorism at its worst form. 

My husband and I were with our children in El Paso on August 3 attending a family event, a wedding - the happiest type of occasion to celebrate love and unity as a family. We were staying in a hotel within walking distance of the Walmart where the shooting occurred. We had shopped at that location the day before the shooting. The thought of having shopped there the day before is chilling. 

That morning I received a call informing me of the shooting that was occurring as it was happening a few streets from where we were. My husband  and I gathered our children and quickly evacuated. 

As we headed to the wedding ceremony we saw every single form of law enforcement driving in the opposite direction to the scene of the mass shooting. I knew then this would be a terrible atrocity. 

I searched for the most updated information I could find to stay current on the situation and at the same time I knew we had to be present not just physically but emotionally and spiritually at the ceremony. As strong families often do, we banded together to not allow the horrific incident stain the love and happiness the bride and groom were about to solidify in holy matrimony. 

Being with family it was not hard to find the strength to ensure the couple would be sheltered and showered with love, beauty and peace on their wedding day. 

Still I didn't sugarcoat what was happening as my son asked why would anyone do something like this. He pointed out that he had just been at the shopping center where the shooting occurred. No amount of experience and knowledge helped me brace myself for what he would say next: It could have been me, Mom.

Chills ran down my spine and tears filled my eyes. At that moment, all the effort I have put into my work and career and in my personal life to stand up against injustice had never felt so futile. 

You cannot be a white supremacist and be a rational and good person. Lives were lost because hate for immigrants and people of color is allowed and justified to manifest. 

I leave the city of El Paso with a heavy heart. Returning home to Atlanta I have only these thoughts:

If you stand against racism and white nationalism you have a responsibility to:

Reject hate.  

Reject bigotry.

Reject racism. 

Reject white nationalism.

And all the rhetoric that comes with it.