Monster

Come close and listen.
I’ll tell the tale of a monster.
One that not only walks the streets at night.
But lives among us in our communities.

This monster looks human.
But its soul is demonic.
It speaks and smiles and shakes its neighbors hands.
But deep down it is plotting, seeding hatred and distrust.

It is a creature that speaks of good times gone past.
It tries to claim that the problems today are all the fault of the newcomers and immigrants.
How things used to be great.
And how things like empathy, diversity, and inclusion have ruined what we had.

The monster claims to wave the same flags and pray the same as us.
But the monster is willing to take up any mantle as long as it gains power over us.
It steals from the neighborhood but points fingers at strangers.
It sows distrust and hate while preying on the lonely.

This monster claims to be stronger than us.
But the monster is wrong about so many things.
It wins by dividing us and making us hate one another.
But if we band together and shine light on the monster, we ultimately can win.

We have to stay vigilant.
We have to fight back.
We have to stand up for our neighbors and fight back this monster.
We cannot let it take our voice away.

The monster is big.
It’s scary and violent.
But the power it wields is fleeting.
And the monster knows it cannot win.

The people are stronger.
They fight harder and smarter.
We learn from each other and lift each other up.
We are marching and protesting and fighting the monster.

So if you are worried as the monster grows near.
Do not give up and let hopelessness win.
Get informed. Join up with your neighbors. Take to the streets.
It might not be an easy battle but in the end we will vanquish the monster.

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Header Photo Credit to Pexels.com
https://www.pexels.com/photo/monochrome-photo-of-resist-signage-3141240/