Copyright 2024 – Rebecca Nietert
Age 21 – In a world often marred by prejudice and ignorance, a single moment can alter lives indefinitely. Such was the case when a bullet punctured my existence, yet again, forever changing the course of my life.
I found myself tired. Tired of the discontent, tired of the fight, tired of the prejudice, tired of the meanness in the world. The weight of it all seemed unbearable, suffocating any glimmers of hope that once flickered within me.
At that point in time, I had been through so many traumatic events that I couldn’t justify why a human being would want to take my life, simply because of how they believed. It perplexed me, shattered me, and left me wondering how a twisted opinion of truth could hold more value than my right to exist.
Within the depths of serenity, where calm waters once flowed, a tempest brewed, unseen and unyielding. Blissfully unaware, I traversed my community, basking in a sense of belonging, blissfully ignorant of the prejudice lurking beneath the surface. Our neighborhood, awash with the vibrant hues of diversity, became our sanctuary, promising harmony. Little did I know, the tranquility was but a deceptive haze, concealing the impending storm.
It happened innocently enough – a simple outing, a shared journey to an event. Bubba and his truck, seemingly ordinary, came to a halt beside us at the red light. Yet, as I glanced out of the corner of my eye, a sight caught my attention – a shotgun in his grasp. Panic surged through my veins, and with a voice strangled by fear, I screamed, “Go!” In an instant, the deafening explosion broke the silence, its impact resonating as if fired from a cannon. The screech of metal, the reverberating blast shattered the tranquility that held my ordinary life together. In a twisted dance of ignorance, a prejudiced man had sought to silence the very beauty of diversity that eluded his grasp. The bullet, guided by hate’s twisted motives, found its fated target, tearing through my flesh, lodging itself within my physical being. Pain, confusion, and an avalanche of disbelief entwined, as the world around me descended into shadow.
In the aftermath, a palpable hopelessness enveloped me. I questioned the very nature of our existence, shaken to the core by the recognition that prejudice and hatred still hold sway, lurking within the hearts of those we once deemed neighbors. As the tendrils of agony reached deeper, piercing my soul, I found myself adrift in a desolate sea of despair.
Navigating the abyss in the aftermath of the shooting proved to be an arduous journey, one where the scars etched onto my body paled in comparison to the soul-deep wounds inflicted upon my being. The malicious act of a single soul had shattered the foundations of my trust, leaving me precariously perched upon the precipice of hopelessness. Yet, even within the unfathomable darkness, a faint ember of resilience flickered within.
Through therapy, self-reflection, and unwavering perseverance, I emerged from the shadows of prejudice as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The bullet that once sought to eradicate my existence inadvertently fueled a fire within me, igniting a passion for dismantling prejudice in all its forms. I channeled my pain into advocacy, standing tall as a voice for those silenced by prejudice, striving to foster understanding and acceptance within society.
While the bullet may have torn through my physical being, it failed to inhibit the indomitable spirit within me. The journey from victim to advocate has been arduous, littered with obstacles and moments of doubt. Yet, it has also been marked by profound growth, illuminating the strength of the human capacity for resilience. By sharing my story and standing against prejudice, I hope to inspire others to rise above their own adversities and reshape the world with compassion and understanding. Prejudice may have pulled the trigger, but it was the force of love and acceptance that triumphed in the end, proving that even the darkest moments can give birth to immense light.
As the venomous tendrils of bubba’s prejudice wormed their way into the very core of our relationship, the damage inflicted ran deep, beyond any possibility of repair. It was I who suffered the wounds, yet I understood the all-consuming hatred that had taken root in both our cultures. In his world, I became an outcast, scorned and shunned by the women who saw my presence as a threat to their established norms. On the other hand, within my own circles, my family greeted him warmly, offering open arms, but my friends and colleagues showed no such appreciation. Acutely aware of the shift in perception, I knew that every step I took alone on the street would not be met with judgment and disdain, vastly different from the demeanor I witnessed when he was by my side. The weight of prejudice and loathing would forever loom over us, casting a shadow that inevitably tore us apart.
This is not just the tale of one tragic encounter, but a stark reminder of the relentless storm that brews within society. It is a call to our collective consciousness, urging us to confront the demons that plague our souls and embrace the diversity that fortifies our existence. The path ahead may seem treacherous, shrouded in the dour cloak of hopelessness, but it is through our resilient spirit that we may yet find solace.
Reba Nietert 