What my son asked me this morning broke my heart into a million tiny jagged pieces: “Appa, are we legal?” Then, “Is someone going to try to shoot us, too?” I assured him he’s 200% American, & don’t let anyone tell him differently. Fuck this hateful, fearful new normal.
I’ve done my damnedest to shield my kids from overt racism, but he’s a curious 10 year old & his friends talk. I had hoped against hope that his relative ignorance of current events would continue until 45 leaves office, but alas. Almost feel like I’ve failed him.
I’d always thought, this can’t touch us, we live in a racially mixed part of a multiethnic borough in New York. But that fear is palpable, especially among my Latino immigrant friends & employees - & now it’s reached my child. My prince, who deserves far better.
Spent some time hanging out with my dishwashers as we closed up tonight. One of them put it best & simply: “No te preocupes.” Solid advice. Gonna head home while blaring Metallica, time now.
