Preserving old things is good

Preserving old things is good. Throwing away something because it is old,
replacing it with something new, is bad.

It is right to recycle the plastic bottle; it is wrong to throw it in the trash.
Dressing practically – comfortable shoes, warm coat and hat is good.

Valuing fashion over comfort is bad.
Reading is good; illiteracy is bad.
Spirituality is good; religious dogma is bad.
Art museums are good and strip malls are bad.
Planned Parenthood is good; teenage pregnancy is bad.
Food pantries are good and fancy restaurants are bad.
Community centers are good and country clubs are bad.
Gardening is good; firearms are bad.
Non-violence is good; war is bad.

I am uncomfortable walking down blocks in my town where my white skin
stands out. I tire of being asked for cigarettes and bus fare. I cringe when cars
booming loud music pass me as I walk down the street. And I certainly have no
interest in living on one of those blocks. Often I am the only person speaking
English at the corner grocery store.

I am not walking around projecting my values on the world. I am not judging
others. I tolerate people and situations that make me uncomfortable. I keep my
opinions to myself. But I keep feeling as if I don’t belong in my own city, my own
country. They stare at me. Their eyes tell me to mind my own business. They say, “I
am here. What are you going to do about it?” And the truth is I will do nothing
about it. But I feel their lack of concern for me and my well-being, and it chills my
heart.

There is a great divide.

— Anonymous