They're choosing violence.

Realization: We've given the power of public office and armed force to people who believe they're carrying out God's will when they terrorize their neighbors. It seems they don't actually think of us as their neighbors. Unless I’m missing something, many of them think of us as their enemies and God's. They think we're killing babies and should stop. They think we're gay and should stop. They think we're “woke” and should stop.

In my public and private communications with many of the people I came to know when I taught—or tried to teach—at Christ Presbyterian Academy (I refer here to Bill Lee and his family, Marsha Blackburn and her family, and the ostensible friends and family of both families) and when I attended Franklin Road Academy as a student, I’ve mostly operated under the assumption that the people I’m talking to understand that I am not their enemy. In recent exchanges with some of them, I’ve begun to suspect this was a mistake.

My fellow Tennesseans, we are responsible for the behavior of elected officials who abuse people on our dime and our time. Just because you didn’t vote for Republicans (or vote at all) doesn’t mean you don’t share custody (as I do) of the terror they carry out on our presumed behalf.

Stay safe, Tennessee.