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Story time: One day I was talking to my conservative father about politics (first mistake). My dad is what you’d consider a moderate conservative. He’s not a MAGA freak, but he will politely make excuses for certain policy decisions like, “Well but immigration...” or “stocks!” 1/
We somehow got on the specific issue of illegal immigration and the policy to detain and separate families with no plans for reunification (WHICH IS STILL HAPPENING) and he politely - as he does - says well, it’s a deterrent. It’s working, isn’t it? 2/
I politely (I know, right?) said dad... that’s not the point. Do me a favor & just picture that you live in a place w/ me & Kelly (sis) that you are desperate to remove us from. A place so dangerous, you‘d literally die trying to get us outta there so we could have a future... 3/
You’ve spent all the money you have on this. You’ve trekked across hundreds maybe thousands of miles with us to reach your destination. You finally make it. You claim asylum. You’re taken into custody by the people you thought would keep us safe. You feel relieved... 4/
We’re now in a cement room. No access to phones, internet, lawyers. It’s been hours of silence. All of a sudden, men in black tactical gear come into the room and say that they’re taking Kelly and I to be bathed and fed & we leave... and that’s the last time you ever see us. 5/
I literally saw the light leave my father’s eyes. There was a noticeable silence between us as he processed this. My dad absolutely WOULD die for us. But it was as if he’d never imagined how it would feel if this happened to us. Because it *couldnt* ever happen to us. 6/
That is the ugly part of white privilege. A lack of empathy for things that can’t or wouldn’t ever affect you. We NEED that empathy. I call it the American History X effect. 7/
But since we all can’t rely on a movie script that forces us as characters to confront harsh truths and unwillingly expose us to different life experiences that change our perspective, it’s vital to actively get involved with other communities around us. 8/
Volunteer. Donate your time AND money to communities in need & organizations that work to aid those communities. Attend neighborhood events OUTSIDE your neighborhood. Go sit and watch arraignment hearings one day. Go to a CPS court docket. See a same-sex adoption get granted. 9/
Be good to not just those neighbors you can see, but also the ones you can’t. It astounds me that devoutly religious people believe in the concept of faith, but wanna act like “it’s not that bad” for folks who’re screaming for help all because they’ve never even *seen* it 10/
Since that day, my dad’s politicking talks with me have been different. He is less defensive. More accepting. PRO CHOICE (!!!) and is less accusatory toward the downtrodden. For that, even the oh so slow, tiny little changes, I will always love him. 11/
I say all of that to say next time when you’re quick to judge someone - and believe me I am super guilty of this - just stop & ask yourself how you‘d feel if you were that person. Hard conversations are meant to be uncomfortable even when had with yourself. Be better. 
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