I’m a Jew. In Republicanland.

Lately I’ve been told to have a Merry Christmas or, on one occasion, snapped at for saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.

It takes every ounce of self-control not to reply with Happy Hanukkah, but I’m actually afraid someone might shoot me or reach across the counter and ring my neck. On the rare occasion a customer finds out that I am Jewish (I wear a bracelet sometimes that, if you see up close, has a small Star of David charm) they begin to bring me church pamphlets.

I have a collection. One of them is a comic book detailing how Jesus will ride a white horse out of literal fucking space to fight a demon army led by Pope Francis. Also there is a dead baby on one page about Noah’s flood. I’ll have to dig it out and post photos on Quora someday. It was phenomenal and also incredibly frightening.

So I don’t wear that charm at work anymore. Because I actually fear for my safety.