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I was walking outside to get in my car and was met by some bright car lights from across the street. It was hard not to notice them because they were aimed right at me and my car.
I walked down the driveway a bit and the car, actually a black SUV vehicle slowly drove up to my house and stopped in front of my driveway. I stood there to see if perhaps I knew the person(s) and the windows were tinted so I couldn't see the driver or passengers.
They proceeded to sit in front of my house for what seemed a minute or so as I stood there and then the SUV drove into my neighbor's driveway, turned around, stopped where their lights were aimed at me and my car and then drove up to my drive way and stopped again.
In short, it was weird.
I got in my car and sat and watched from my rearview as the SUV drove a little way down the block and stopped. I followed it to where I could get its license plate and it pulled over, I drove around it and then drove on.
Don't know what to make of it, other than it felt intimidating and similar to a couple of other incidents which have happened.
I don't know if other activists have had similar experiences, but I thought I would share. I also wrote something not long ago that I haven't posted here, but thought it might help those who have been or felt intimidated and/or have experienced harassment in some form or fashion.
When Families Divide
Looking back at the last six years, I know we all can wonder in shock as to how our country and we have gotten to this place.
So much has happened so fast.
I think most of us who are conscious of what is going on around us have probably experienced a kind of low level fatigue and/or shock.
What has been the most difficult part of the past six years for me has been an isolation and division which has resulted between me and members of my family.
My two oldest brothers (half-brothers actually) have been very involved in Republican/Washington politics for quite some time - almost as long as I can remember.
Growing up in a conservative area of Texas (actually what part of Texas isn't conservative these days?), I always considered myself a Republican, until I graduated from college and gradually broadened my perspective about life in general.
In time, I found myself one of the two token Democrats of the family, which for years was fine with everyone, primarily because I wasn't making waves and/or that actively involved. When I was active in pro-choice groups or workng on a Democratic campaign, I never discussed it much.
It wasn't until I moved to California that I became much more active in politics and activism.
Specifically, it was not until Al Gore won the election of 2000, that I knew something was seriously wrong.
It was at that specific moment I knew I had to become more involved in the political process and learn more how things really worked.
And, it was the appointment of George Bush to the presidency that effectively began the gradual divide between my family and myself.
Since that time, things have gradually gone from bad to worse. We don't speak really.
There have been stances I have taken that have not been popular with some in my family. Although it has been very painful at times, I have come to the conclusion I cannot continue to do what those in my family want me to do in order to stay in good graces, especially when there is so much at stake.
As a result of my choices, it seems I've been essentially isolated from most of the family herd. I know there have been others who have experienced this as well. It's not an easy choice.
It seems there are some in the family who find it more convenient to blame/scapegoat me, than to observe what is happening to our country and our world at large.
In addition, because of my familial connections, I have known the Bushes in the past.
I liked them. I spent time with them.
I guess it is due to my speaking out against the Administrations policies and becoming politically active on many levels which has garnered me some unwarranted surveillance I have received by individuals apparently wanting to intimidate me.
Over the past few years, I have had my trash replaced and/or stolen, interesting gentlemen parked outside my house for hours for no apparent reason to be there other than to seemingly make their presence known, security cameras I've had installed stop working inexplicably, pots and things moved in my backyard. What has been the most concerning has been things that seemed to have been missing/rearranged/moved inside my house.
I have come home to my computer unplugged a few times and recently the memory on my security cameras was erased for no explicable reason.
In short, it has been difficult and painful to not be in communication with my family. I understand for some of them it is difficult what I am choosing to do. Some in my family view it as a betrayal, although they won't verbally admit that to me, only to other family members.
I don't see what I'm doing as a choice anymore.
I think many if not most of us speaking out don't see it as a choice, but a responsibility to simply do what is right.
My fear of what is happening to this country and planet supercedes any fear I have of some members of my family and/or the Bush Administration.
As most of us are, I am deeply worried what is happening to our world.
I cannot choose to ignore what this Administration is doing and not be vocal about it.
There is simply too much at stake.
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