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locking horns by useless no more
Yesterday, I went to the kindergarten graduation ceremony at the local public elementary school. One of the teachers, who happens to be a member of my church and a card-carrying Republican, spoke briefly of a new after-school program that she has helped initiate. It is designed for children who are in danger of not having the basic skills necessary to begin first grade – a type of program that is quite common around the nation, but that had been sorely lacking in this rural Virginia county.
I was choking back tears as this teacher called about two dozen children to the stage – most of them from desperately poor African American families – and presented them with hugs and certificates. Knowing that she also invests a considerable amount of her personal time making home visits and tutoring these students, it dawned on me what a significant difference she makes in the lives of young children who have an incredible number of obstacles thrown between themselves and academic success.
This remarkably dedicated kindergarten teacher reminds us of how incomplete and misleading the typical left vs. right dichotomy can be. It would be easy to consider her Republican voting record and her conservative views on issues such as abortion, gay rights, and gun control, and to conclude she has little in common with progressives such as myself. From this, it would be easy to assume that, like some Republicans, she takes a “blame the poor” attitude toward poverty issues and has little compassion for those who are suffering in this economic crisis. Because of such stereotyping, it would be easy to ignore the fact that she is dedicating her life to helping poor children in a woefully underfunded public school system.
Those of us who get pigeonholed into easy categories of left/right and Democrat/Republican often fail to see the common bonds we share with our so-called political enemies. We cannot allow differences on a handful of “hot-button” issues to be exploited by those with political agendas and ambitions. If people of good will and legitimate concern for the common welfare continue to beat up one another based on these outdated categories, more sinister forces that have no concern for the people or no particular stake in partisan politics will further consolidate their power.
A prime example of this sinister tactic is the recent attack on teachers’ unions in many states. In this budget crisis, in what should be a time for the people to rally around its education system and proclaim that it is always a top priority, we have allowed partisan politicians trying to increase their own power to bitterly divide us. People who care deeply about the same thing have been duped into throwing stones at one another, to the great detriment of our nation’s children. Shame on them, and shame on us for taking the bait.
So before you place yourself in staunch opposition to someone because of who they voted for or how they feel about one of those wedge issues, please consider the deeper, non-partisan values that might be shared. Both sides might be surprised if we can steer the conversation away from the oppositionalism that is consistently fed to us. “Seek common ground” is not a naïve, pie-in-the sky slogan. It might be our only hope.
15 Comments
It’s commendable that a fascist is helping poor children in your parish with her own two hands. The problem, however, is not “oppositionalism” (I actually can’t tell what you mean by that – it sounds like opposition for oppositions sake, or tribalism, so I’ll assume something like that). The problem is that the views and values of her social group are a social problem. It’s the macro vs micro debate.
Sure, on a micro level, she is directly making a difference to these kids. And that’s great. But, that does not overcome or make up for the much greater evils that she directly perpetrates with her politics and religion that makes the kids’ situation what it is in the first place. So, essentially, she’s a staunch supporter of the conditions that make these kids need her help in the first place.
That doesn’t make her a hero – that makes someone that feels good about helping alleviate problems that she causes and continues to cause. That strikes me as one of the most cynical and manipulative things a human being can do, and I’ll still be proud to oppose people like her no matter what. Even if that ruffles some feathers of collaborationist Democrats.
Virginia!
Jim, I thought you were here in SC!
Okay, I get that the teacher is going over and beyond her regularly paid duties. When I was young and in school our teachers gave this much and more. In fact, they all felt it was a reflection of them if students did not reach the level they should in order to pass to the next grade. My parents also were much stricter than the ones today seem to be. I just don’t know if these younger generations don’t understand that young children need to sleep longer, eat healthier, listen carefully, and learn all they can.
What I don’t understand is how a teacher can vote republican when all of my life that party has done everything possible to hamper and manipulate public education. If her job was threatened by the likes of a Walker in Wisconsin do you think she would understand?
Jim is an eternal optimist, and one I would dare call “friend;” however, I agree with one_outer that somebody patting the children on the head while simultaneously slitting their throats is among the most abhorrent creatures ever to mingle among humans.
Jim, while this individual is dedicated and industrious, you do present only one side. Taking the information you have supplied it is rational to assume that the individual being discussed has also dedicated many hours to political activities that ultimately subjugate and suppress these same children. Perhaps it is only guilt that motivates her, but perhaps she can see that the children need to at least read and write to be profitable
slavesemployees in her husband’s factory …While I admire your optimism, Jim, and your obvious empathy for all human beings, often your views look more than a little simplistic, and overly good-hearted. While a member of the ruling class may sometimes come out to the field and hand out sugar taffy to the cotton picking children, there is no indication that this action is a repudiation of their respective roles.
Kudos to this teacher, especially for the “extra effort” via her dedication to the teaching profession. And I commend this extra effort, since I didn’t learn English until the third grade and with the help of a primer, and well-known as Laura Ingall’s “Little House on the Prairie.”
As to your euphemism for a “handful of hot button issues” I have to take exception. Take, for example, my Gold Standard is LBJ’s Great Society. Thusly, if the teacher was amply questioned, we would find for ourselves that this Republican-oriented teacher would be in virtual opposition to the body of laws that animates the Great Society. And which I would not find surprising since the Tea Party Movement has turned the Republican Party into a carcass of fealty.
And by way of contrast, Hell, today, if I were to ask my fellow Democrats on their level of affection for the Great Society, the Corporate Democrat would unemotionally explain, and patiently, I might add, that my politics are supremely outdated. Consequently, the Peter Principle when applied to the “sellouts” and the “vendidos” receive the “upward lift” for sucking up to corporate gluttony, and not on an economic ambiance for Decency.
So, I am being dragged along by both the Corporate Democrats and the Corporate Republicans, while the theocrats in both major political parties would love to install Leviticus as Rule of Law. And yet, I much prefer to profess my “outlier” status and thusly, rejecting the prevalent “criminal stupidity” that is “all the rage” among the extremists.
Jaango
I to would have been surprised at the lady`s generosity as I was when I found out that Jesse Helms adopted a severly handi-capped child. Most oxy-codeneiacs with radio micros in front of them believe that the poor need good lectures on supply side economics and self reliance. I am perplexed at the venality of some of the above posters. Wasn`t there a story about some guy who found specs in other`s eyes yet had a pole sticking out of his eye? Every day as I age I become a litle mellower. I even feel sorry for the creepy Anthony Weiner and the sickingly oily John Edwards. Let`s see,I think gay rights are about 136th on the list we should worry about. I feel that if you do not have a pistol whenm you cross the 14th Street Bridge into the District,they should give you one.I believe in the equality of oppurtunity but not result and I would trade 20% more unemployment plus a woman`s right to choose to get us out of all these stupid wars. What does that make me? Am I a corporate shill content to watch the govenrment grind down the working poor. What the Hell am I and who the Hell are these folks who have the unmitigated gall to challenege your friend`s motives and integrity.
Zenostoa
“fail to see the common bonds we share with our so-called political enemies”
It’s our minds that are different, Father: not our hearts.
Sorry to see your message going unheeded.
These children have a black president and a Democrat to boot. What good does it do them? They are blessed to have a teacher who cares about them. Thank you Reverend.
I don’t much find it interesting that in our America, virtually all, refuse to acknowledge the existence of our “littlest citizens”. These are the children born in the United State and to undocument immigrants. Once their parents are repatriated to Mexico, for example, these children return with their parents. And yet, if you ask anyone, in the United States or on the internet, as to whether these “littlest citizens” are living in hovels, have three meals daily, have access to decent medical care, or even for having the qualitative and quantitative educational experience, no one can speak accordingly and intelligently. To wit, these children have been casually ignored and cavalierly dismissed, as in out-of-sight and out-of-mind, and which adequately demonstrates that “citizenship” is now deemed fungible.
Now, do you favor citizenship as a Priority One basis for these undocumented immigrants? And yes, where are the teachers as the Wise Counsel?
Jaango
And in 10 years when one or more of those kindergartners becomes sexually active, can’t access basic healthcare or birth control, what precisely is Ms. Church Lady going to do? Pray away their illness, STD, pregnancy? Give the pregnant girls coupons for diapers?
And let’s not forget any kids who might turn out to gay….where will her “love” and “compassion” be then?
It is good to see you around here Jim!
Regarding your diary entry. . . .
I’ll agree that it is worth talking to people who disagree with us, rather than simply writing them off.
However, in regard to the point about allowing hot-button issues to be exploited by those with political agendas and ambitions, I see things a bit differently. Personally, I’d suggest that this is more of a problem for those people who do things such as voting for war-mongering politicians in the name of being “pro-life.” Or for people who vote for politicians who want to cut taxes and deregulate business, because they fear that the other guy might let gay people might get married.
I mean, it is not the people on the Left who are voting against their own economic interests because of “hot-button issues.”
The problem for those of us on the Left is a bit different. Our problem is that neither one of the major parties represents our views. The choice seems to be between “far right,” and “even further right.”
“Seek common ground” is not a naïve, pie-in-the sky slogan.”
I think the OP is mixing apples and oranges here.
If the primary point is that it’s important to not be so biased against someone else’s politics that we’re blind to the good things they might do, no problem. I work closely and productively with the Republican Chairman of my town’s Board of Selectmen. His politics are way, way to the right of mine but he fights hard to preserve the people’s voice and I respect him deeply for that.
But respecting a good job when it deserves respect is not the same as “seeking common ground”.
The phrase “seeking common ground” comes dangerously close to capitulation, caving in… and selling out. Did Obama “seek common ground” when he caved in to the Republican’s blackmail for massive tax cuts for the wealthy elite?
Certainly, one can argue that compromise may, at times be necessary. More importantly, however, far more importantly, is to understand that the neutered centrism that has resulted from years of compromises between Republicans and Democrats has relegated far too many Americans to lives of desperation and hopelessness. Their common ground has put most of us, and the future of the republic itself, on shaky ground.
Ultimately, what will define our collective future will not be whether we can find common ground within the perimeters of today’s status quo; it will be whether we can forge a shared vision for change and commit to obtaining the power necessary to bring it to life.
Jim I think it’s great that a teacher is doing something extra for “Her” students! I cannot express my distaste for anything Republican these days other then to characterize them as loathsome individuals , lacking in morals and human compassion !I have no choice except to lump them together,if I was a Republican I would be forced to search my soul and change my allegiance.Over the years I’ve leaned right at times (Thats past history)At one time there was some Common ground ,I think at this point in our history it does’nt exist and has’nt for some time.
So, the “card-carrying Republican” teacher described is a “loathsome individual, lacking in morals and human compassion“?
This seems to be another example of cheap rhetoric: “But what about the Children?”
Not impressed at all by random acts of kindness.
Impulsively hitting a drive thru and circling back to give a hot meal to the vagrant on the corner is a “random act of kindness.”
Getting this type of program up and running is hardly a random act, not to mention spending “a considerable amount of her personal time making home visits and tutoring these students.”
But please do continue to sing with the chorus which is so ably proving the author’s point about stereotypical assumptions and unthinking opposition.