After almost seven decades of life and the privilege of living in America, I can reveal multiple stories about the people I have known, and how they changed my life. I never thought about their race, ethnicity, income level, religious belief, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. I have been fortunate to experience the kindness and benevolence of many men, women, and children, and they affected my attitudes and removed any possibility of prejudice; therefore preventing a judgmental view based on our differences. This was my America, and much of it continues to live today. Intelligent Americans must ignore the evil among us which is demonstrated by Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

I was fortunate to grow up in one of the least racist and bigoted areas of our nation. Los Angeles in the 1950’s and 60’s had evolved from the backwards sections of America; the south and Midwest. If I chose to have a friend, it was based on his or her personality and a mutual respect. After I was allowed to leave a Catholic high school, I attended a public school which was extremely diverse. I flourished in the environment. I am not claiming that everything was perfect, or that I didn’t have difficulties with some of the other students who were not white, but those situations had nothing to do with our ethnic and racial differences.

After graduation in 1964, I enlisted in the United States Air Force. I couldn’t afford college, and the recruiter promised me that after four years I would have a career in civilian life; he lied.

What I did learn after being stationed in San Antonio, Texas, and Biloxi, Mississippi, was that what I had watched on television was real. Blacks were hated for no discernable reason in the south.

I had a pre-existing medical condition, and was discharged after less than six-months of service; my recruiter had lied to his superiors as well.

I returned home at the same time that the situation in Vietnam was escalating. I tried to attend some night classes at what was then called a ‘junior college.’ They failed to hold my interest. I needed to work, and an ‘Astronics’ company by the name of ‘Lear-Siegler, Incorporated hired me as a mail boy and stationery clerk. I found a friend in a young black gentleman who was about four years my senior. Later in 1967, I was employed by Bonanza Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport. One of my best friends and my tennis partner was a black gentleman. Both of these men remain in my thoughts today as two of the finest people I have ever known.

My first marriage was in 1967. My bachelor party was organized by  two men; they were both gay, and one of them sang at my wedding. They were wonderful friends, and neither of us was judgmental about the other’s sexual orientation.

There are many more instances about my life of fortune. I have known men and women of all races, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and religious persuasion, and my relationship with them has been entirely based upon their moral character.

I have never been able to understand racism and bigotry. What I hear today from the Republican candidates disgusts me. Their generalization of races, the LGBT community, and those who believe in religions other than Christianity confound me.

I have read the Bible and the Constitution, and there is no claim in either document that one group of humans is superior to another. I have read the Quran, and it denounces extremist groups who want to destroy the freedoms of good and caring people for their own advantage.

My America believes in ‘freedom and justice for all.’ It condemns the refusal of individual freedoms to practice the religion of their choice. It promises all of its citizens the right to equal treatment under the law, regardless of sexual orientation. It doesn’t discriminate based on skin color, or the fact that their sexual organs are not male.

I will support only those who share my beliefs; I despise Trump and Cruz who fail to believe in my America.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

My novels are available on Amazon