Episode 12 - The Spark of Hate

Written by: Fun But Shy Girl

Based on Characters Created by: Mark Reisman

Emmy Mendoza was standing before a large crowd of well dressed individuals in a large convention room, as she herself was wearing an elegant sleeveless dress. As Emmy stood at a podium, she spoke into a microphone as she said, "And so I highly implore you all to give as much as you can today. This is one of Portland's most well run homeless shelters. I know many people think that homeless shelters are just full of individuals that are lazy. However this shelter seeks to give individuals access to fine clothes and good barbers and hair stylists, along with job skill training in many needed skills around Portland. In addition, this organization also helps give funding to child welfare organizations that seek to help homeless children immediately at properly reconnecting with their families, or sending them to the best foster homes as soon as possible. As someone who was homeless myself after I was kicked out of my home just for liking the girl who became wife, I would've benefited so much from shelters like this one. Luckily I had my friends to support me, but not everyone is so lucky. So please, be a friend to those that need your help more than ever now."

Suddenly the speech stopped as in the present: Emmy and a much older well dressed man were watching the speech on a video in an office. The man smiled as he looked at Emmy and said, "I must say Miss Mendoza, you sure know how to give a speech. Thanks to you, numerous charities have been solving so many of the social and economic problems in Portland." Emmy smiled as she said, "Thank you Mayor Grayson. I'm just doing my part for Portland, as you are too." Mayor Grayson sighed as he said, "Well my time as mayor will be expiring soon. Which is why I brought you here today Miss Mendoza. Portland needs to be led by someone who truly cares about the people. And your speeches and videos alone have done far more to inspire change in this town than arguably anything I've done in recent years. So... how would you feel about taking your influence to the next level?"

Emmy was sitting at a dinner table with her wife Olive, and their son Barry. A wide eyed Olive looked at Emmy as she said, "He asked you to run for mayor!?" Emmy looking a bit nervous said, "Yeah. I mean I told him I'd think about it, but... wow. I mean, to think - I once had a hard time getting any job in town. Now I'm being told I'm good enough to run the town." Then Barry said, "Well I say go for it mom. All of your former students from school that are 18 now would definitely vote for you. They know you're a good leader." Then Olive gently held Emmy's hand as she said, "Yeah. And you've helped so many homeless individuals and been an advocate for so many minority groups. You're exactly the leader Portland needs." Then Emmy still looking nervous said, "But... what about my grades in school? I mean I almost didn't pass seventh grade, remember? Also, what if people learn about my learning disability?" A smiling Olive said, "No one cares about your middle school grades. And you've learned many ways to focus better since then. Also, many great influential leaders have had learning disabilities. Many former US presidents had learning disabilities such as John F Kennedy, Woodrow Wilson, and supposedly George Washington did as well. Plus, even great leaders in television and cinema such as Walt Disney had learning disabilities from a young age too. But it's not your weaknesses that define you. It's your strengths and what you can do for others... plus, you've got plenty of support to help you along the way." Emmy took a deep breath and then said, "Okay. I'll do it."

Several months later Emmy was doing a press conference as she stood at a podium before several members of the press. As video cameras were pointed at Emmy, she spoke with confidence as she said, "And yes, if elected mayor I would push as quick as possible to raise taxes for the most wealthy of our town. Many large business leaders in recent years have taken advantage of the tax cuts Portland has offered them, only to then move their bushiness to other states leaving their former employees high and dry. The elite have taken advantage of the working class far too long, and need to pay their fair share. My goal is to lower taxes only for low income families. The only special tax incentives I would give to large businesses would be if they signed on for staying in Portland for a set amount of time, and would have to agree to the fair wages bill I am already pushing the governor to pass. Now then, next question?"

One reporter raised their hand and said, "Miss Mendoza, one of the newest topics being brought up is how state run adoption agencies are run. Many have been pushing for gay, lesbian, and transgender couples to not be allowed adopt children. What are your views on the matter?" Then Emmy said, "Well in any family: there are going to be morals and values taught. And I understand it can be difficult to accept that people different than yourself are adopting children. However people different than yourself are having children born to them every day. Also, just as many parents wouldn't want the government to control how children are raised in their house, they need to understand no gay, lesbian, or transgender parent wants their parenting to be controlled either. Also, we need to seriously get past this old misconception that being a gay or lesbian parent turns your kids gay. As many know: me and my wife have a son, and he is definitely the most straight boy you'll ever know." Then suddenly at the back of the room, a man yelled, "Your son is a freak of nature, and you and your wife are gonna destroy families as we know it! Go back to your freaking closet your queer freak!" The man then threw a closet door on the ground and then ran out. Many reporters and camera crew turned to look at the man and the door he threw on the ground, as Emmy stood looking slightly scared and nervous.

Several days later, Emmy and Olive were sitting up in bed together as a frustrated looking Emmy said, "I mean it's the 2040s. I thought having a gay or lesbian mayor was no big deal anymore." Olive sighed as she said, "Well... I was afraid this would happen, but... Emmy, I've been seeing this kind of behavior outside my workplace for months now." A sad looking Emmy then said, "What? When? Are you okay? Did anyone hurt you?" Olive then said, "I'm fine. Building security is great at keeping me safe. But... after we made it public that Barry was the first child in history created from the genetic material of two women... there's been a lot of hate thrown at me. I mean I deleted all my social media accounts pretty quickly after all the death threats..." Then a panicked Emmy said, "Death threats!? Oh my God. Olive, why didn't you tell me!?" Olive sighed and said, "Because this was expected. I mean... Emmy, we changed the world with how Barry was born. And every time major change happens in the world, people will always push back." Then Emmy said, "But Olive, your research now that it's public, could lead to other scientists to find a way to cure all genetic illnesses. It could lead to babies being able to be born already immune to most viruses. Your work is gonna save the world!" Olive sighed again, and then said, "And it means more children are gonna be born immediately into non-traditional families, and... a lot of people are still against that." Emmy raised an eyebrow as she said, "Like who?"

The next day: Emmy and Sophia were sitting in front of a laptop looking at website that had the face of an older man smiling in the corner. As Sophia clicked around the website she said, "This is the website of your opponent: Jim Dobbs. The site gets over a million hits a day." As Emmy looked the website she said, "Yeah. My parents used to listen to his radio show when I was little. I liked listening to his sermons when I was younger. Although then he started preaching about how being gay is no different than being possessed by a demon, and it was his ridiculous teachings that encouraged my parents to kick me out when they learned I was dating Olive back in high school." Then Sophia said, "Well remember, Jim Dobbs had a lot more time to influence people than you, considering he started his radio show before either of us were born. That guy who interrupted your press conference a few days ago; according to the news, he doesn't even live in Portland. He's from California. He's just a listener who felt compelled to mess with you after Jim Dobbs blasted you on the radio a week ago. Like it or not, he has way more supporters than you." Then Emmy with a determined look on her face said, "Well maybe he does throughout the country. But the people of Portland know better."

A week later, Emmy was sitting at a kitchen table with Sydney, as a frustrated looking Emmy yelled, "Are you kidding me!? The people of Portland should know better! How can I be almost completely tied in the polls with this guy!?" A sympathetic Sydney then said, "I'm sorry this is so frustrating for you Emmy." Then Emmy held up her phone and said, "I mean look at this crazy stuff my opponent is saying. He says he's gonna attempt to pass a bill to limit the amount of super hero movies in theaters, since all juvenile delinquents have seen them. Um, hello? Everyone watches super hero movies now. I mean we all drink soda from time to time. Is he gonna limit our soda purchases!? And look. Over the years, he's been part of this idiot movement to merge Oregon with Idaho just to force Portland to become part of a red state. What kind of logic is that!? That's not how things work in the USA!? He's promising his supporters things that can't happen!" Then Sydney held up a laptop and said, "Come on Emmy. We both agreed you need to study your opponent before the debate. And that means looking at what he's telling his supporters." Emmy then looked at a laptop that Sydney was holding. As Emmy looked at the screen before her, she said, "Okay. On his radio show today he talked about the biggest problem with America today is believing it was every racist, and... Uggh. Just... look at all of the lies this guy is saying." Then Sydney said, "Okay Emmy. Listen. Your opponent is trying to create division. You need to unite. So how about finding something you both agree on. Let those similarities allow you to connect with what his supporters believe. Then pull them in from there." Emmy took a deep breath, and then said, "Okay. Lets see..."

At a large debate: both Emmy and her opponent Jim Dobbs were standing at two podiums before a crowd. As Jim Dobbs looked at the audience, he said, "My opponent does not represent the heart of Portland or it's people. Also, she believes our country is systematically racist at it's core, and wants the government to control all your hard earned money. She's also said that she's pro-choice, and doesn't care if thousands of babies are killed every year. She wants youth to mutilate their bodies so they can be whatever gender they want. She does not believe that God intended marriage to be between a man and a woman, and she her spouse are seeking to use science to undermine the traditions and destroy the ties have held the human race together for thousands of years. This woman is a danger and deserves to be locked away; let alone lead." The debate moderator then said, "Miss Mendoza, your final argument?"

Emmy stood silent for a few seconds, as she cleared her throat and took a deep breath. Then she opened her mouth and said, "My opponent Mr. Dobbs has talked a great deal about his beliefs tonight. Beliefs that are deeply important to him that have served him well, guided him well, and have helped his family well. However those beliefs haven't helped everyone. It's easy for Mr. Dobbs to believe as a white man that our country has never had systematic racism. However my grandparents when they immigrated to this country would highly disagree. Our country has improved a great deal in growing past the age of Jim Crow laws, but to say their lingering effects still aren't felt would be incorrect. My opponent also believes high taxes are bad, and of course they'd be bad for large businesses like his own. But what about the thousands of people that have been laid off by big businesses in Oregon, while their former employers continue to receive large paychecks? It's time for them to properly give back." Then Jim Dobbs interrupted Emmy and said, "Stop avoiding the real issues. You want babies murdered, and you wanna destroy the American family unit as God intended!" The debate moderator then said, "Mr. Dobbs, you are out of turn!"

Emmy continued to speak as she said, "It's okay. My opponent says I'm evil for saying I'm pro-choice. However... like him and many of you out there... I'm also pro-life. I want every woman out there to choose life, because I wouldn't want a single person out there to miss out on the opportunity to raise their child, like I experienced with mine. However, I also don't feel it's the government's role to control how a family is run, and it's not our place to control how and when a mother gives birth. Just like how it's not the government's role to decide how children are raised and who gets to raise them. Mr. Dobbs claims God's plan is for only a man and woman to raise a child. Maybe he's right. Maybe he's wrong. But America is a country where we should have the freedom to decide that ourselves. It's a freedom of choice that God himself gave us. And to all of Mr. Dobb's supporters that feel that traditional families are the better way to raise children: then raise your children the way you feel. No one is trying to stop you. Because parents, you are the ones who get to control the direction of the hearts of the next generation. Not the government. I am not trying to change your values in how you raise your children. So please don't try to change how I and people like myself raise mine. Thank you."

A week later Emmy was standing in an office looking at a TV as Olive and several other adults were surrounding her. As Olive held Emmy's hand she said, "It's too close to call." Emmy sighed and said, "Yeah. But unlike votes for presidents on election night, it doesn't take as long to count the votes for a town mayor. We'll be finding out soon. Uggh. I feel so nervous." Then Olive said, "Go get some fresh out. I'll call you in if anything is announced." Emmy then stepped away and walked outside the building as she took a deep breath. Then suddenly the sound of a fast moving car approached her, as a loud voice yelled, "Stop destroying this country!" Then suddenly several bricks and a grenade were thrown out of the car towards Emmy. Emmy ran away screaming as she yelled, "Aahhhh!" Then there was a bright explosion.

A female news reporter stood in front of a damaged building as she said, "Tonight an attack was committed against the campaign headquarters of mayoral candidate Emmy Mendoza. While no one has been reported dead at this time, Miss Mendoza was hurt in the attack and was rushed the ER, where we are waiting for a response. The attacker was immediately caught by local police within minutes of the attack. While full information has not been disclosed yet, the license plate on the car the attacker drove would suggest he was from Texas. Bumper stickers seen on his car also suggest the attacker was a supporter of Jim Dobb's radio show. The attack was obviously a misplaced attempt to prevent Miss Mendoza from winning the mayoral election; an attack which was unnecessary though as it was just recently announced that Jim Dobbs has recently won the mayoral election. We go to his campaign headquarters for his acceptance speech."

A video image then appeared of Jim Dobbs standing before cameras as he said, "I am so happy and grateful to accept the mayoral position. I promise I will do everything I can do make Portland the most wonderful place in all of America. However I would like to give my best wishes for a speedy recovery of my opponent: Emmy Mendoza. Despite not agreeing with her on most issues, I would never seek violence as an answer to solving problems. Now then, good night everyone." The female news reporter then said, "And this just in. It's reported that from the hospital, Emmy Mendoza has been allowed by her doctor to make a statement. We now go live to hear from her."

Emmy Mendoza stood before a small press group in a hospital. Bruises surround Emmy's body, along with several bandages covering parts of her arms. Emmy also had a black eye and was clearly having difficulty standing as she said, "I would like to formally congratulate my opponent: Jim Dobbs on his win, and would like to be the first to recognize him as the mayor-elect of Portland, and would like to work with him in the future on any common ground we can find. But with that being said... Mr. Dobbs claimed he would never seek violence as an answer. But for months on his radio show, he spread misinformation and words of hate surrounding me. And the words of hate he spread grew, and never stopped growing. And when you spread words of unfounded hate, it will cause people to eventually lash out in violent hate. Mr. Dobbs may have not attacked me, but he lit the spark of a bomb fueled by hate, not knowing when it would explode or how big the explosion would be. But the thing is: when words of hate-fueled misinformation are spoken, it doesn't just light the fuse of one bomb... it lights the fuse of many bombs. And Mr. Dobbs... you have no idea how many people your words of hate are bound to hurt. Because they have hurt me, and many before me... and will hurt many more after me. And to all those that been infected by his hate, let me just say... I, and people like myself... we're not trying to ruin you or this country. We don't want to go into your homes and take your Bibles, or control how your kids are raised, or control your spiritual beliefs or political convictions. We just want to coexist in peace alongside you. You don't need to destroy us, because we are not trying to destroy you. And if we are wrong in what we believe, then do better. Just that. Spend more time teaching your kids what you believe is right. and strengthening your own home... instead of spending all your time destroying ours. Because while all of you people that claim to wanna spread Gods' message of love keep hating people like me... I'm gonna spend more time at home teaching my son what real love is."

The End