For twelve years, I worked for a county government agency with about 20 employees. I loved my work, but the administration was a retentive, micro-managing freak-show. When disputes between admin and peons arose, we had to work hard to stay above the junk lest we prove to be no better than our keepers. One of my dearest friends within the agency helped me through the mire by giving me a couple of images to hold closely in times of difficulty.
One image was that of a crab bucket. I’m from the Midwest and a vegan, so I’m not familiar with crab buckets, but my friend described how if you’re a little crab in a bucket with a bunch of other crabs and you try to get out, the other crabs will reach up and try to pull you back in. It is a helpless feeling.
The other was an old saying: Never wrestle with a pig. You will get dirty, and the pig likes it. (I think pigs are awesome critters, but I get the point.)
I put up posters in my workspace to remind me of my friend’s advice. The images kept me above the lowest common denominator, and when the time was appropriate, I was able to resign with dignity and grace.
Participating in an election is exhausting work. Senator Clinton and Senator Obama as well as their families have made extreme sacrifices in order to campaign for public office. When election results and media coverage don’t go as planned, it can be devastating.
I am loathe to say it, but from all appearances, Senator Clinton’s campaign seems to be operating out of a crab bucket.
As supporters of Senator Obama’s campaign, we must do our best to blog and interact with respect. There are some people out there who are afraid of change, but we know that, “Fear is a bad advisor.” Accept that there are some people who would rather spend all of their lives in the crab bucket or the mud puddle than experience life outside. Understand that they are afraid. Show compassion even if they show hatred for the unknown.
Obama supporters can see beyond the moment of distrust and fear. Inside our core there is an anticipation of the brighter day tomorrow will bring. We want everyone to know that feeling. That feeling is empowering and connects us to those who wrote America’s founding documents. Some of our neighbors may be so downtrodden that the sensation of hope may be so foreign to them that they prefer the familiarity of fear. Take their hand, literally or figuratively, and remind them that we will be here after even January 20, 2009, to see it through.
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