Why is it that some of us are accustomed to news reports about violence, poverty and hopelessness in the "inner city" (aka urban low-income communities of color), and their implicit assumptions like poverty leads to hopelessness leads to crime and violence, but we are indignant when similar notions are suggested about white communities? I sometimes don't even realize I'm making assumptions until someone points it out, but when my awkwardness and discomfort wears off, I'm grateful for the insight. I feel more connected to the world because I understand it better, and am more respectful of its complexity.
The truth is, we have a lot to learn about each other if we are to coexist peacefully and prosperously. (Think of how you feel when someone asks you about your life, your background, your interests, what you think.) I worked for many years with low-income rural people of different races and cultures. In my role as an organizer and advocate, I constantly ran into assumptions about rural people, most commonly: uneducated, poor, close-minded, backwards, primitive, and insular. So I wonder if some of the concern about Senator Obama's remarks in San Francisco stems from a frustration with the redneck-hillbilly stereotype.
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The story that matters most in this campaign is the number of donors to Senator Obama's campaign, and the average size of donation. That is the best indicator not only of his unassailably broad appeal, but the promise he represents for rejuvenating the democratic process. "Of the people, by the people, for the people": what a concept?! Maybe after all of these years, we have a chance to build a more perfect union. What amazes and appalls me, however, is how we as Americans don't seem to be able to recognize democracy when it's standing right in front of us.
It's shocking (and telling) to me that the GOP took pride in rallying behind its nominee so early. Democracy IS messy, but it is in my opinion far more important than unity.
Reasoned critiques of any candidate are fair, expected and necessary: they will strengthen a campaign and clarify its message. And Senator Obama would be the first one to say that he's open to new ideas, and his responses' effort to open and deepen conversations reflect this perspective. A desirable (and currently absent) trait in a president, if you ask me.
And lastly, some unsolicited tips for the campaign(s)...
Hillary and Barack should spend a week (at least) just focusing on McCain. I think Democrats in PA and beyond know enough to decide, and some "double-teaming" would end McCain's honeymoon, start to chip away at any Republican advantage, serve as an unequivocal sign of Democratic unity.
...and fellow supporters:
Every criticism of Senator Obama is now a signal to me to send in another donation.
and
I was wondering today if it would be interesting to start a "Piggybanks for Barack" campaign--my daughter (4) has one and is probably the strongest supporter in the house.
Well, this is the day to make my first post. All along I've been thinking that there are so many people writing and talking out there, what could the point be? Every voice does matter, but frankly, I need something to keep me from yelling at the TV. (Plus, I've never had a blog, and I can think of no better spark than this remarkable moment we are all living in.)
So, as some friends at the office used to say, "There's a new dork in town." Here goes.
I worked for many years in forestry and forest conservation, one of the whitest sectors around. And when my organization, a grassroots network of rural people, community organizations, and small businesses started talking about diversity and race and class, a lot of people were left scratching their heads, and asking questions , most of which went something like: "What the heck does all this have to do with forestry?" The answer was simple, if unpopular: "Everything." Low-wage workers (often undocumented and mistreated, and working in unsafe conditions without recourse), poor landowners just trying to get by, often just trying to hang onto their land, and communities with land and water poisoned by pollution with nowhere to turn.
The fact is race matters, and racism is everywhere. And it is not an insult to be called a racist, it is simply a reality. (A wise friend once described racism as something we are "dipped in," something we inherit, and as such it is something we must question, disrupt, and dismantle. It is big work.) Talking about, trying to understand it, work on it, work through it is messy, and painful, and often scary. It is a conversation that is always out there, waiting to be had. We can choose not to talk about it, but that will not make it go away. And today, a presidential candidate decided to talk about it. Now, that's presidential. And something I can be--and am--proud of.
