08.25.98
Venomous
Yesterday, the world lost a bit of color.
I recieved a venoumous piece of hate mail.
I’ve heard that e-mail is like a pipe, straight from the Internet, into your head. If that’s the case then someone just sent a digital harpoon to me.
The e-mail was from a ‘white-power’ fanatic. He took offense a Nick Cave’s music and decided that I should receive a screen full of anti-semitism, anti-diversity, anti-people ranting and raving.
And it hurt.
I almost feel like it’s wrong for me to hurt by it. After all, I’m probably the ‘correct’ genetic material that this guy wants to rule over all others. His hate is directed towards other people, other races first; and then towards Nick Cave’s person and work second; and then only incedently towards myself.
But it did hurt me.
I thought ‘how do I deal with this?’ Do I confront him aggressively? (No, no one wins in a war.) Do I try to open a dialog and share my views with him? (Ineffectual, somewhat like trying to teach a pig to sing.) I’m at a loss.
Talking it over with Amy has put it in better perspective for me. On an individual basis, I can read holocaust literature, delve into the world ugliest, terrifying moment in history and educate myself.
During our trip to Prague, we will visit a former Nazi death camp. Auswitz. I will learn, so I can remember. I will remember so that others will know.
I’m not part of the Holocaust. My father was not involoved in WWII. My family is not Jewish. I have only a thin slice of German blood.
I am one who needs to remember.
This is the test of the human race. I’m the second generation after the terror. I’ve no experience with the plight of the those sentenced to certain death. But I must remember what happened to the Jewish people.
At this point, I almost feel like thanking the man who doled out his hate to me. It reminded me of my pity for him (not hate) and my personal role in this play.
But I don’t thank him.
/^=^\