Where Am I?

Let’s play a little game. I go to a conference and the person who greets me at registration is trans. I go to a workshop with some 50 participants and 45 or so are black. I eat at a restaurant with folks who fill out the color wheel— Latinx, black, Indian, Chinese, Korean, Anglo and more. Some are gay, some straight, some young, some old. I never pass a single person carrying a gun. Everyone I meet has a smile, a warm greeting, an effortless friendliness and respect. 
I go to workshops on anti-racism and women's rights and walking to the park, pass a giant mural celebrating Women's Suffrage.

I have dinner with two former students from Colombia and hear how they were warmly welcomed by the local Orff chapter and the school communities where they began subbing before being offered jobs. One described a heartwarming story about his elementary students welcoming Afghani refuge kids— playing with them, teaching them English words, helping them find out how things worked in their new home. This Friday at the same school is Ukraine Day and other refugees will be teaching the American kids how to decorate Easter eggs. 

 

This is not the place the TV news shows and would have me believe. I do believe that the stories they tell are real and the distressing news they share indeed happened. But it's not the whole story. Why don't they show what I'm seeing here?

And why do so many fear this happy confluence of human beings? Why do some (too many!) seem hell-bent on restricting, kicking-out, hurting, hating anyone who threatens their sense of white supremacy? What stops them from understanding how much better it feels to welcome people rather than turn them away, how much easier it is to smile and talk with them than to sneer and curse at them, how much happier we can be if we just accept that we’re all together in the Great Human Project. Our goal is not only to survive— and with the challenges that face us, we will need all hands on deck—but to thrive. People who are nice to each other and feel people being nice to them are simply happier people. What’s the pay-off in making everyone miserable by not making the effort to meet and greet instead of beat and defeat? 

 

I often feel that if only everyone had the experience of actually living in a diverse culture like the one I’m describing, they could finally let go of all the ways they’ve been taught to fear, distrust and hate. They could see first-hand what a joy it is to dwell together in mutual kindness and refreshing diversity.

 

So back to the game. Where am I?

 

(Pause)

 

And the answer?

 

(Pause)

 

If you buy into the media portrayals (as I have even when I know better), you might be surprised.

 

(Pause)

 

Answer in small font below.

 

Texas.