October 17, 2008 2:53 PM
Purcellville Gazette: my latest column
My latest biweekly column in the Purcellville Gazette, which you can download here:
Close To Home By Barbara CurtisThe real politics of hope
No matter which side of the political fence you're on, now and then you probably wish we could all just take a big breath, forget the relentless campaign tension and get back to our everyday lives.
But getting back to normal depends on how deeply we cherish the things that matter most: family, friendship, community. It also depends on how graciously we handle political disagreements with people we work and play and worship and shop and drive down the road with.
Last week, I ran into a friend I hadn't seen for a long time. After chatting about our kids for a while, suddenly she leaned in and said:
"Does Sarah Palin drive you as crazy as she does me?"
I guess it's safe to assume she doesn't read my blog :)
"Why no, I love Sarah," I said. Then when my friend looked at me like I'd just announced I'd seen an alien spacecraft, I ventured a short explanation: "She's the most authentic and real candidate I've ever seen."
Startled, this woman - who I hope is still my friend - began listing a sort of How-Does-She-Drive-Me-Crazy-Let-Me-Count-the-Ways. Her reasons were all the reasons I like Palin - just seen through a different prism, the unique prism shaped by my friend's experience and worldview, both of which I respect.
But with kids waiting to be picked up, and facing the political chasm separating us, I grabbed for a fragile bridge: "You know, the bottom line is this: no matter who wins the election and how we feel about it, our daily lives will still look very much the same. I'll still be coming in to buy coffee from you and you'll still be making the best coffee in town."
I couldn't resist giving her a hug. She is a person I like and admire. How she feels about politics just isn't going to change that.But I'll be honest: I haven't always felt this way. In my Weatherman Underground-wannabe days - and even later as a small business owner still clinging to my liberal politics while wishing that the government would get off our backs and let us make a decent profit - my self-image and attachment to my political past didn't allow me the flexibility of being friends with people not of my persuasion.
Bluntly stated, I hated conservatives. And if you disagreed with me politically, that was the end of that.
Things are different for me now. Though deeply committed to conservative values, I am also deeply committed to friendship and community. And especially concerned with the heritage we pass on to our kids.
Think of road rage and the innocent children in the backseat who grow up believing this is how people drive. Political rage - name-calling and personal insults and even allowing yourself to think that because someone holds different views they are somehow inferior - well, that's a way of life we can pass on to our kids with little effort.
Learning to disagree with respect and compassion - to value friendship and community over our political passions - may be new territory for some. But I can't think of a better time than now to challenge ourselves and to practice what we preach about acceptance.
After all, our children are watching. So no matter what happens over the next three weeks, three months, three years - let's do it for them.
Posted in Campaign 2008, Loudoun County | Permalink
Comments
Since having a child with special needs, I've been forced outside my usual circles, into closer contact with those who differ politically. Many of the strongest disability advocates are Democrats. You're right; we need to respect each other.
Posted by: Julana | October 17, 2008 4:35 PM
