In 2007 I wasn't ready to sign into anyone's campaign, wasn't particularly "political," but I loved the idea of a black man getting even close to the Presidency. Besides, it appeared that this particular candidate had no scandals connected to him, carried a background in community organizing, and loved basketball. I'm quite sure I noticed the t-shirt in one of those pop-up ads that come unrequested from the internet, and liked the idea of this one--a sort of football jersey thing.
I don't remember how much it cost, but I'm guessing it wasn't cheap--and it's a good one. I gambled that its subtlety would make it wearable in Sioux County, Iowa--or so I believed. After all, it didn't just blast out his name; it seemed, first of all, a jersey, and then a political statement.
In 2007 I was edging close to retirement and going over to the college gym early in the morning, along with other colleagues and other emeriti. I don't know that I would have worn that shirt to the downtown mall or a church picnic, but the gym was sparsely populated so early in the morning. I wasn't sure all my friends' eyes were even open.
I was wrong. Two colleagues ripped at me and my shirt, were not only open about their disapproval but voluble in what seemed their hate for Obama. I don't know that either of them said it in their summary anger, but today I'm quite sure their anti-Obama vehemence grew from his toleration of abortion, not his race. At least I'd like to think that was the truth. Whatever their specific motivation, I wasn't accustomed to being slaughtered in public--in front of others--by old friends who thought an Obama t-shirt an abomination, an outright sin. Ripped, screamed at, scolded--one of the prophets of doom was a woman, the other a man. Their whippings happened at different times and different spots in the gym, but both were very public.
Their shocking fusillades made me more of an Obama supporter, but I didn't wear that t-shirt to early morning workouts again.
Just a couple of mornings later, I happened to come away from the workout with another retiree, the just-retired President of the college, who'd heard part of one of those Jeremiads. "Just thought you'd like to know," he said, whispered, as if we were behind enemy lines, "Louise and I think you're right, but it's not something I can say publicly." I was being commended.
That made me even more sure that my jersey was a good buy.
On January 3, 2008, I caucused for Barack Obama in the traditional Iowa way, by walking over to the side of the room those in charge had set off for the Obama supporters. Most of my liberal friends caucused for John Edwards, who would nosedive soon after.
As everyone knows, that night was a huge and unexpected win for the skinny Obama, and I still have the t-shirt. It's been a pj for all of these years so it's in great shape.
And today, I'm a registered Democrat.
It is sad that you had to get that treatment from your colleagues. I know that abortion is a very big issue for most Christians. I am not in general for abortion either. But I have a thought about this whole thing: nobody likes abortion because everybody loves babies and those signs along the highway with unborn fetuses and the caption "Don't Kill Me" are striking. But what if there were billboards with a student at her desk, an elderly person getting groceries or someone sitting at a concert with the caption ,"Don't Shoot Me?' Those same abortion critics seem to think that the right to have guns is more sacred than life itself. At least two former Supreme Court Justices ( GOP nominees) have stated that the second amendment should never have happened or should be repealed. It was NEVER meant to encourage or allow any citizen to have guns for any reason than to support the soldiers at the time of revolution. WHY can't people in our churches and schools have discussions instead of condemning those who see things differently. Why do we have to whisper our opinions in these settings? Maybe the question should be "why can't I even have a differing outlook in these settings?" It seems that it has become a new thing in some denominations and colleges that if you have a different view of things you are just out. I think that is sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm an independent myself but lean left. I agree we need to open the borders. We need workers to pick our crops. I don't want my kids to have to do such a lowly job. I know you would agree Jim since you did pick way back when. How can you possibly learn anything from such a Job? The criminals getting priority over victums is nonsense. They have every right that we all do. If they want a gender transformation, by golly we should pay for that as taxpayers. We have that thing called white privelage and that we should be held accountable for past transgressions. Illegals taking out citizens has to be the far right going crazy and making that all up. THEY are here to pick crops. How about getting rid of the police? All they do is creat hate and discontent. The fraud being rampant is again all made up by the right loonies. Give me a break. Getting rid of Thanksgiving and football is a great idea. Most of us are way over weight and should call for a day or two of fasting instead. The football thing is way overrated. WE are saturated with it constantly in the fall. I need a break. Getting rid of the Senate and the presidency is a great idea. That way we can deligate OUR KING. Not picked by people that don't know who is even running. Put 25 people on the Supreme Court. What could it hurt. More voices the better. Free health care for everyone. We know it's not free but we'll let those privelage people pay for it. They can afford it. The middle class will not be affected at all. PROMISE! Yes Jim, I'm all on board with the left. Thanks for letting us all know.
ReplyDeleteSorry I forgot a biggy. If men want to play in women's sports, I'm all for it. They have the same rights as any human being. I don't care it they don't have a menstural cycle. The word starts with men so that must mean something. To say they are superior in strenght is overblown. Those MAGA's are pure crazy sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLast page in your book Intermission, refers to Revaluation 22, which refers to not changing this book. I believe accepting the Liberal beliefs tends to want to change the book
ReplyDeleteGood old Hulst.
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