Choose one – (a) (a) (a)
The Lunatic Fringe in the Middle
§ 2: Choose one – (a) (a) (a)
There are some things in life we get to choose, and some things we don’t. Well, okay, there’s a lot of things we don’t. Way more that we don’t. Okay, most of life is spent dealing with choices we didn’t make.
I am male. I did not choose that.
I am “white”. I did not choose that.
I am American. I did not choose that.
I am Italian, Irish, and a Yankee as well. All choices made for me by the circumstances of my birth. I also grew up Catholic, Democrat, and blue collar (not surprising considering my ethnic background and Great Lakes area environment). As many do, I adopted my family ways in most aspects of life. I was an altar boy. I rooted for Kennedys. I did basically whatever my folks did until I was old enough to understand and question things for myself and begin to learn which choices I could make and which I couldn’t.
Well, I couldn’t change the fact that I was a white male. I couldn’t change my height. I could change my weight and appearance (to some degree). Health is a choice we can often make. Appearance is always a choice we can make at some level.
I was raised a Catholic, like both of my parents’ families. I went to Catholic schools and played in the church sports leagues. When I got older I learned more about other faiths. At first I questioned everything, tried to read everything and understand all the other faiths. In the end, I still considered myself basically Catholic, but I have a much better understanding of the world and other religions.
The biggest choice I could make is my behavior. Everything I am, everything I want, everything I do is affected by my behavior – my attitude, and the way I treat others.
I was born in the “sexist 50s”. That does not make me sexist. Treating women badly would do it, or if I actually believed any of that sexist crap, that would do it. Also, the bible’s language tells me to include women when I say ‘man’ or ‘men’ or ‘mankind’, as well as every race. As I choose to believe the more objective truth, I don’t feel that I’m sexist. I’m cynical, because so many women seem to feel that’s impossible, but still, not sexist.
Likewise, I am not racist because I am white. I can’t look back at my ancestry and find racial atrocities to feel ashamed and guilty for. I can’t read the news without being incensed by racial issues. I can’t justify the oppression of anyone in this country. I did not choose to be American, but I can choose the way I interpret the Declaration, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Maybe Washington and Jefferson had slaves, but Lincoln changed that, and I can see this as proof to me that “all men are created equal”.
I choose to view racism and the concept of racial superiority or inferiority as immature, childish jealousies and fears, not deserving of serious consideration. I can’t make people believe that. All I can do is act on my beliefs and try not to step on any toes.
That’s not easy, since I am probably the single worst demographic type in the U.S. today. Single, white, male, no kids, over 40, middle class suburban childhood. There are few that will try to believe that I am not racist, sexist, capitalist, bigoted or whatever they’re mad at or want to blame for their ills. Well, I didn’t cause those problems, and I can’t help if I’m being punished for them.
As for politics, I inherited my dad’s. I think that’s fairly common for baby boomers and their folks alike. Politics, like religion, are often rooted in family tradition and social level. In general, the rich have usually been conservative and the poor (most predictably) demanding change (liberals). Nowadays, people have more opportunity to be informed than ever, and yet many still cling to political heritages. Choosing a political position can be tough, but it is still a choice, not an inheritance. Sooner or later, everyone must learn to evaluate their choice of political sides objectively, if only to confirm their opinions. I found, in time, that I did share most of my parent’s beliefs and opinions. Over the years, they came to agree with many of my differing thoughts. I learned that they were really more middle of the road than outright Democrat. And the same went for most of our neighbors, Republicans alike. It seemed to me, early on, that both parties were so extreme, the average person had to choose whichever would help them, personally.
Traditionally Democrats have represented workers, and Republicans, the employers. It is very difficult for the voter to break the custom and vote the other party. Both parties are presented in an “only one will do” manner. I think most people would rather have all the information on an issue before they vote on it. We don’t expect that at all. We are used to the polarization of the ‘two party’ system. We expect to hear only the extreme aspects of the story from both sides. Sadly, we vote on many issues based on what will hurt us the least, not what will solve the problem best. Through all of this there remains a cynical sense of futility, the feeling that the average citizen can’t make political choices, that their vote is meaningless.
Well, my friends, wake up!!! Politics and government, behavior and integrity – all are choices that we make and unless we demand real facts and full participation in the process, we punt our rights to anyone who sees a way to profit from them.
You can choose, too. We can all choose.
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