Can we accept each other versus tearing each other down?

by Michele Boy | May 28, 2020

I read an article in the New York Times discussing how the Coronavirus is affecting Republican and Democrats differently. Why does it matter if we are Republican or Democrat? Instead is it possible that we simply live in rural vs urban areas and have different challenges? Not everyone in a city is a Democrat and not every rural citizen is Republican. We are not a one size fits all country.

I lived in an apartment on the upper west side in Manhattan NY. The building can be seen in the movie When Harry Met Sally when she is at her book shop, which incidentally was actually an antique furniture and cheese shop at the time. I was in my twenties and stayed out late in the night seeing Cherry Poppin Daddies or Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Can’t remember which. I leaned over the bar to talk to the bartender and lit my hair on fire on a tea light. Then I broke the heel on my 3 1/2 inch heeled boots . I took a taxi home to 69th St and Broadway. As I hobbled home a little tipsy, hair and one of my eyelashes a little smoky and singed, they had to stop filming until I got down the block and in my apartment building door.

I got into the elevator that could barely hold two people, rode to the third floor, opened my apartment door happy to end the evening only to have the lights blinding me through my window.

Everything in a city affects everyone else. If you are heavyset and you take up too much sidewalk, people are frustrated. If you stop to photograph a building you irritate those you are blocking, trying to get to work. When we visited NYC last year, my friend couldn’t get the revolving door to work and a stranger screamed at her because she was holding people up.

Small towns have more elbow room. Regardless how you feel about someone you probably wouldn’t tell them off because you have to see them tomorrow. Or your child may be involved in an activity with their child. So even though we live further apart, we are very connected in rural life.

Yet somehow there is more self sufficiency. We do it ourselves.

Back in New York City, we lean on each other more. You do this well. I do that well. Let’s trade.

I am tired of labels. Why is Red or Blue needed?  I hear over and over how racist middle America is. I disagree.

Most people out here don’t care what color you are, religion, or sexual orientation. They care if you will work or if you are lazy.

Yes there are some racists. But I have had plenty of that in New York too.

I remember riding on a subway car when a tall angry German man looked at me and said you are expletive Jew.  Racism is everywhere. So are good people.  Maybe we can admit that different areas have unique situations. And that governing all together doesn’t really work.

Most people out here want the government to stick to keeping the infrastructure up and letting us live our own lives without interference.

Most people in cities tend to trust the government to help regulate disputes take care of the environment and get involved more.

Maybe instead of disparaging each other we can see there are idealogical differences and some issues we will never agree on. Can we accept each other versus tearing each other down?