Alex Gardner

Dear @PatMcAfeeShow, Any person of color, of a differing religion, or woman living in America can now say to Pat McAfee: Congratulations, you have now experienced 1/100th of the fear, threats, and abuse we have faced in this country since we were BORN. You now know what it's like to be shocked out of the cocoon of your peaceful existence when someone says or does something racist, sexist, phobic, or prejudiced. You now know what it feels like to be unable to go to certain places where you're not welcome, outright or underneath it all. You know what it feels like to be followed, watched, and leered upon with suspicion just because you look the part. You now know the experience of being mocked, dismissed, diminished, and dehumanized. What it's like to face discrimination and to have your achievements attributed solely to being a "token" rather than to your own merit. You now know what it feels like to be called a slur because of who you love, how you dress, and because you want to be the gender or person you want to be. To be called something behind your back while they shake your hand in public. You now know what it feels like to be a Jew, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Mormon, or someone who doesn't belong to the prevailing religion. To be accused of belonging to a cult, not be Christian, attacked while in your place of sacred worship, and openly discriminated against in private and public arenas. You now know what it feels like to be objectified as nothing more than a sexual object, viewed only as a house cleaner or a caretaker. To be unable to earn the same equal pay for doing the same job, to be trivialized, disregarded, ignored, and passed over. You now know what it is like to be a victim who is blamed for their assault because they "brought it" on themselves. You now know what it feels like to be profiled and prejudged, because you talk differently, look different, or look the part of someone who committed a crime. Detained, arrested, and intimidated for no reason other than your looks. You know now what it feels like when your neighbor, a stranger, or a homeowner calls law enforcement, an HOA manager, or a security guard because you're simply existing on your property or doing something they think you can't be doing, like walking in your own neighborhood. You know now what it feels like when you're pulled over, stopped, looked at, and questioned by police, knowing that the wrong cop, the wrong words, and the wrong move could end your life. Our sin to receive this lifelong sentence? Being born this way. You now know what it feels like to walk in our shoes. Except, you can take off your shoes, and you get paid millions to walk in those shoes. We, on the other hand, can't take off our shoes. We were born with them. They are permanently on. And long after you put on different shoes, we will still wear ours and still live in the existence we have today. With that being said...Pat we are with you. You will now also know that we have your back and support you against these people who want to harm you because of what you say. You have our love and support; we know these threats are REAL. And you have our empathy, resolve, and goodwill to fight back against hate, discrimination, and prejudice simply because someone doesn't agree with you. It's an odd feeling for people who have never experienced it, and it can create a fear-riddled existence that makes you want to hide. Or worse, look around every corner, wondering what is lurking and what could harm you. But fret not. Have faith in humanity and the general goodness inherent in 99.9% of the people in our nation. As someone who lives in your shoes of fear, I support you and know what you're going through. Many of us, if not all of us, do. Take care of yourself and know that infinitely more people love, cherish, appreciate, and like who you are and what you do, including the Pig Bus and many here in the State of Utah. Take care and God bless Pat. Go Utes!