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1. Ardainian Hebrew Israelite (ardainianright@detroitriotcity.com)'s status on Friday, 19-Jul-2024 04:24:57 JST Ardainian Hebrew Israelite

   in reply to

   • ADHDean
   @adhdeanasl
   • ADHDean (adhdeanasl@beige.party)'s status on Friday, 19-Jul-2024 04:24:58 JST ADHDean

     I’m a cis white male American Sign Language interpreter. I go into a lot of places and am nearly always welcomed and treated well. Mostly, I think it’s because of my work, but I’m aware my race and gender play a part too. That said, there are few places I feel my privilege more keenly than in courthouses. More than half the time, I’m waved past the metal detectors. I can walk past the bar in courtrooms without being stopped by bailiffs. When court staff learn who I am, I’m often greeted with friendliness, even deference sometimes, as there aren’t many people who do what I do.

     When I see how others who don’t look or dress like me are treated while in the same spaces, I’m forcefully reminded that there are still two Americas. There is still so much work to do in the US, and I’m committed to that work.

     In terms of equality and personal freedoms, this November is going to be the most critical and consequential election I’ve ever witnessed in my (not so short) lifetime. Please, please, please vote for democracy and against totalitarianism - because that’s what this vote will be. I’m more convinced of that than ever.