Last Words: To The Nazi In The Café

Thank you for so publicly displaying your hate in the form of a sizeable decal on your otherwise standard issue MacBook. Standing behind you in line, you spoke with such congeniality to the barista (who is most certainly not Nordic… why didn’t you “resist” her?) that I sat with my oat milk latte with a warm feeling in my heart that I was sharing the space with another good and decent human being. Thank you for correcting me.

As 2020 kicks into gear, I am grateful for the opportunity to sip my morning coffee in close proximity to your hostile symbolism, as the experience has served to strengthen my resolve to spend this new year and every year thereafter doing what I can to combat your ideologies and build a society where you do not feel comfortable being so brazen in your hatred.

I resolve, among other things, to multiply my efforts to instil in my children a deep appreciation and love for people of every colour, creed, gender and ability and teach them that all people are welcome and worthy.

If I were a religious person, dear Nazi, I would pray for you. But instead I will keep you in mind as I spread love and acceptance. I will also hope that in this new year, for the sake of yourself and for the sake of Icelandic society and the world at large, you will resolve to embrace and appreciate the differences of the people around you rather than continuing to harbour so much disdain in your heart.

Happy New Year.