Without any chance to defend, I am deemed to be a despicable creature, unworthy of even being part human. Somehow, according to a person or persons unknown to me, I have been put on trial, in absentia, judged, and convicted of a ‘crime’. Not only has my life been wrong, I have failed in every way possible in how I think, comprehend, and make decisions.

I did not write what follows below. It was sent to me via an anonymous email. What struck me most is that I am an older white male living in a Western society and was born, raised, educated, worked, and lived according to that society’s expectations and its laws. A society that arguably is the most successful in human history.

Although the intent behind the email is tongue-in-cheek, there is a clear message that saturates the lines in between: it sums up the abundance of available evidence that demonstrate such judgements and much worse, exist.

How did any of this happen?

I used to think I was just a regular person, but I was born white, which now, whether I like it or not, makes me a racist.

I am a financial and moral conservative, which by today’s standards, makes me a fascist.

I am heterosexual, which now makes me a homophobe.

I am mostly non-union, which makes me a traitor to the working class and an ally of big business.

I was brought up as a Christian, which now labels me as an infidel.

I am retired, which makes me useless.

I think and I reason, therefore, I doubt much that the political elite and media tells me, which must make me a reactionary.

I am proud of Australia, which makes me a xenophobe.

I value my family’s safety and I believe in the rule of law, which makes me a right-wing extremist.

I was taught to respect women no matter what they do or say, only to be treated as an inferior whenever I hold open a door for them.

I try to greet everyone with a smile and a hello, but often the response conveys automatic contempt and suspicion.

I believe in hard work, fair play, and fair remuneration according to each individual’s merits, which today makes me an anti-socialist.

I acquired a good education without HECs debts, which makes me some kind of privileged underachiever.

I believe in the defence of my country and I honour those who served in the Australian Defence Force, which now makes me a right wing-militant.

Please help me come to terms with the new me… because I’m just not sure who I am anymore!

Funny … it’s all just taken place over the last decade; prior to which I had no confusion or delusions about myself.

As if all this nonsense wasn’t enough to deal with … Now I’m not even sure which toilet to go into!