An Honest Question

There’s a question that echoes in my head when I’m trying to fall asleep. I can’t ask anyone, because we’ve all made this tacit agreement not to talk about it. You know what I mean. We’re walking on eggshells, trying to keep the peace, trying to avoid the elephant in the room.

But here’s what I really want to know: Are you happy now?

It’s not meant sarcastically. I’m genuinely curious, and confused. Those of us on the woke side of things are horrified, terrified, near-suicidal, so somebody must be delighted. Is that you?

When you watch the news and see American citizens being yanked from their cars, do you get a secret thrill? Does the idea of honor students and school lunch ladies and veterans being deported make you smile?

I get that somebody promised to remove the “worst of the worst” from our streets—and who didn’t want that?—but so far, only 5% of those booked by ICE had violent convictions. Nearly three-quarters had no criminal record at all.

That didn’t stop masked men from grabbing them from their beds, in front of their kids, and hauling them away. Most are decent, hard-working people whose only crime was wanting a better life for their families. Some are being disappeared to foreign prisons—something that only used to happen in South American juntas—with no due process, no court proceedings at all. High-school bullies are being hired to accost anyone who doesn’t look “American.” ICE is literally using neo-Nazi slogans in its recruitment ads.

You’re not the least bit worried? Do you carry your papers with you, in case you’re stopped and questioned, or do you assume you’re safe?

Here’s a video of a 71-year-old grandmother, a U.S. citizen, who volunteered to observe immigration court proceedings in San Diego. ICE agents handcuffed and held her for eight hours, claiming she attacked them. Courthouse officials admitted that they believed the claim was made up.

In this country of ours, we can now be beaten and held for no reason. Worse, we can be sentenced to death within 30 seconds, by any government agent who feels vaguely threatened. Later, we’ll be branded a terrorist who deserved to be shot. Case closed.

These are the thoughts that keep me up at night. How are you sleeping? Pretty well? What’s that like? Have you noticed that any friends or loved ones have drifted out of your life? Do you miss them at all? Or are you happy with your choices, and the relationships you’ve lost?

I recently bought a pair of swim goggles. They’re supposed to provide some protection against tear gas. Between that and a COVID mask, I might be okay if a peaceful protest goes south. It scares me, thinking about it, but I wouldn’t be able to look myself in the mirror if I didn’t speak up. While we still can.