2018

I am a 55-year-old gay Arab-American man. But I don't get much grief from that because,

A) my skin is white.
B) my voice is deep.

I call it white masculine privilege.

It's a mark of the superficiality of American fear. I see it this way. If I had darker skin or an effeminate way (or both) I would be judged more harshly by a decent percentage of the population. Inside I'd be the same guy with the same hopes and memories and dreams and wishes and loves and losses.

And let me admit that at times, I am no better. I judge in fear as well. But I do try to acknowledge it quickly and - importantly - I try not to act on it.

I don't know who said it but someone said that while this country has long been angry, it has rarely been this mean.

I don't know if blacks and gays and other minorities would agree but it does seem that meanness and blame are at the center of America's culture now.

I wish I had some political clout. I don't of course, because I'm not rich enough to put my mug on TV.

But if I did, I'd listen. I would ask people to tell me what they think. What they believe. I'd let them finish. And then I'd ask questions.

I would be honest with them. If they disagree I would let them tell me why.

But most importantly, I'd try to plant a seed of tolerance by allowing them their beliefs regardless of how they make me feel.

The only things I would not accept are threats to hurt others. That's the line they can't cross.

Listening is not easy sometimes. It is getting harder and harder these days because people are narrowing the scope of information they accept.

But it really is the only thing that can save discourse. It's all we have left.

It's been my experience that when people feel heard they step away from their anger. I mean look at Trump: he convinced a lot of people that he heard their concerns.

Of course, he only listened because of his need to be loved. And his supporters have lowered their hopes to the point that making liberals mad is their main goal.

So again, I don't hope 2018 brings a new crop of angry politicians. I can't imagine how this country survives unless we turn down the volume on "pissed-offness.

If I had money, I would run. But I doubt I'd win. I wouldn't look at like a sporting event. I wouldn't tell people what they want to hear. I wouldn't tell rich people that they would have a pawn to do their bidding. I wouldn't try to hide my faults and they would be pretty easy to find.

But maybe, just maybe, I'd plant a seed. Maybe I'd start a few other people on the road to being listeners.

It's worth a try.