How do you redeem yourself from cultural crimes of the past?
Today, I picked up some roofing material at home depot. As I was loading it, there were two Native American women parked next to me arguing about how to tie some sheets of material down in the bed of their truck.
As an experienced patriarchist and ableist, I know how to bring civility to a situation, load and secure a trailer according to DOT regs, and make women feel safe.
It was clear that they didn't know how to do it, and they were starting to lose their tempers at each other.
As I am an expert in cultural empathy and knots, I asked if I could take a look. They were reticent.
This was when I had to remember that I am White. And it is White liberals who have voted for policies that have filled Native reservations with Mexican drug cartels for decades. Blood, violence, and kidnappings have been the consequences. Am I responsible for those crimes?
How could I show these ladies that I am one of the good white people?
Then it hit me: just act normal and not like an insufferable social justice warrior.
So I said, "Sounds pretty tense, like it's cloudy with a chance of drama here in the parking lot." The older one thought I was funny. MILFs love a white boy unchained.
I knew what rez they were going to (they looked like Crow), so we talked about the winds they'd probably hit.
I showed them where the anchor points were welded at the bottom of the truck bed, criss-cross-apple- sauced the ropes,showed them how to tie a trucker's hitch and how to untie it when they get home, then sent them their way. They were in good spirits.
See, anon, to be a good person, you just have to jump on and do stuff. That's what being an ableist is all about. Just be able and help.
No need to demand everyone feels guilty, or that they hate women, or whatever foolishness passes for social credit these days.
You are able, anon.