A lasting lesson from way back
As Granddaddy pulled up to the South Georgia service station, another patron was just beginning to fill his tank. Granddaddy got out, walked around to the back of his 1960-something sedan, and opened the gas cap.
Albany, Georgia, 1973
It was the summer of 1976 and our family had been visiting Jimmy Carter’s headquarters in Plains, GA. I guess Granddaddy had some kind of identifier: a lapel pen a campaign button, something. As he was pumping gas, the other fellow addressed him, oozing with swagger. “Your boy’s gonna lose this one,” he said, obnoxious and way too convinced that he was right. Granddaddy chuckled, put the nozzle back on the hook, and said, “Well, I guess we’ll see about that. You have a nice day!” And that was that. We drove off.
I have no memory of Granddaddy fussing about it in the car. There was no volatile harangue of the man’s mental capacity. We just continued on our drive back to Granddaddy’s house a few towns away. Maybe he talked about it with the adults later, I don’t know. But while he was in our presence, he was respectful and pleasant.
That early lesson has stayed with me.
Early interest in politics
I’ve always been interested in politics, and in my younger days I know I threw my share of verbal darts. But, at least on my best days, I’ve tried to be like Granddaddy. That is, I’ve tried to hold fast to my convictions without demonizing those whose opinions are different from mine. It helps that as much as I like politics, I like the study of history even more.
The way some kids like baseball from an early age, I liked history. I can still picture the biography section in my elementary school’s library. Clara Barton, George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglass, Florence Nightingale, Booker T. Washington. Orville and Wilbur Wright…. And every single book I found on Abraham Lincoln. I still love history: Drop me off at the American History Museum in Washington DC, and I’m as happy as a t-baller at an MLB game.
Lessons from history
And one thing I’ve learned from history is this: it’s just not true that this is the most divisive time in US history. Any ranking would be subjective at best. Plus, we’ve had some truly horrific seasons in American politics. If you have limited knowledge of presidential politics, you can’t possibly know what the worst time in history has been.
For fun, take a look at some of these insults that flew around the political contests of old. Impressive right? Or, read this article from the History Channel that gives the nitty-gritty on some of the nastiest presidential campaigns.
My political opinion
Look, few people wonder about my politics. I believe in public education and I detest the death penalty. I think the immigration issue is vastly misunderstood. I do not like smarmy or obnoxious behavior and I absolutely can’t stand meanness. And, I do believe Donald Trump is dangerous. He is a narcissist, easily swayed by what people think of him, and that never makes for a good leader. Also, I find him smarmy, obnoxious, and mean.
That’s not to say I think Harris is perfect. I agree with more of her platform than I do of Trump’s, but there are areas where my opinions differ from hers. I think it’s important to realize no one is perfect. I’ve disagreed in some way with every single candidate I’ve ever supported at the ballot box. I’ve sent many a letter that started with, “I voted for you and I do not like the way you. . . .”
So, election day is here. By the time all the polls close, we will have a pretty good idea of how the US has voted. Fifty percent of us will be relieved that our candidate’s chance of being named president appears likely. The other fifty percent will be worried that the end is near for the nation as we know it. Most people believe that either way the vote breaks, the coming days will be charged with contention and controversy.
A way forward?
So before the votes are tallied, let’s all take a deep breath. No really, take an actual deep breath. Need another? Go ahead. Breathe.
Now, let’s imagine a way forward. Is there a chance that despite our differences, we could be kind to one another? What if we don’t brag about our candidate’s results, but rather keep our comments respectful? What if we don’t demonize the other party, but instead see them as the individual children of God they are? I’m not saying don’t be mad or sad or even proactive. I’m just saying that you can be angry and not be ugly. You can be intentional without being obnoxious. You can vehemently disagree and not become violent.
We will mess up. We will have moments when our tempers flare and our lesser selves take the lead. Forgive yourself and try again. We can get through this. If we treat ourselves and others with gentleness. An extra benefit? When we practice the fruits of the Spirit–love, patience, self-control, and the others–we start to look more like Jesus.
