I fantasize about leaving the United States on a not-so-infrequent basis. I think about what it would be like to move to Japan, to be among my people. Or even to just move up to Canada.
But then I ground myself back in reality. I ground myself in the history of struggle that my parents endured to raise me and my sister here in an increasingly inhospitable place. I imagine the decades of misunderstood conversations; the outright racist remarks; the blood, sweat and tears of running a business.
I am a child of this country. I was born here, raised here, have cried, laughed, yelled, fought here.
So when I see narrow-minded, hate-filled people who actively seek to destroy the most marginalized people in our community calling themselves “patriots,” it pisses me off.
About a day ago, I was tagged in a Facebook post about a local business called Patriot Candle Co. that sells candles and other custom-made gear in the area. The issue wasn’t the name of the business, it was the fact that they sold reprehensible products on their website and they had a stand at the state-owned Piedmont Triad Farmers Market.
I won’t describe the stuff they sell because it’s outright offensive, but it targeted immigrants and the trans community to name just two. According to the manager of the market, Daniel Johnson, the vendor is no longer allowed to sell at the market after multiple complaints were filed.
“Their privilege to be a vendor here has been permanently revoked,” Johnson said on Tuesday.
The vendor and others who align with their hateful views will call this move by the market “silencing” and part of the “woke agenda.”
But I’m here to tell them that we are the patriots of this country and that we belong here.
Some of us are here because we were born here after our parents came seeking a better life for us. Others are here because they were forcefully removed from their homes and brought here. Still others have always been here and continue to fight for reclamation of their home. We don’t have to fly flags to be patriots.
Because as flawed as America is, has been and will continue to be, it is ours, not just yours.
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I thought trans were a vietnamese surname, not japanese? I dont understand what the problem is. A lot of vietnamese ppl have made successful lives here, and youre complaining about them being targeted? I think maybe youre jealous of their success, and shouldnt go looking for victims to try and protect. If you apply yourself i am sure you can get a real job that doesnt involve learning to code in the near future.
Thanks for directing me to the company. Based candles.
Your parents came here to give you a better life. Imagine that. 🤡 leaching off of White men.
As far as Nazis go.. the Japanese were their top allies.
But anyway.. thanks for telling me about the company. The was/were candle is my absolute favorite. I’ll think of your pronouns every time I burn it.