I grew up in Pittsburgh. After college, I went on a 10 year journey with my wife through the deep south to complete my graduate degree, and begin my career.
We returned in 2005, for many reasons (grandparents, better job, etc.), but one of the main ones for me was so that my children would not grow up in the racism that seemed to permeate the rural communities that we lived in at the time.
McCain has driven this country to a place that I can fail to describe. I will only say that this election is a battle for nothing less than the soul of this country.
I was leaving my local Obama office with my nightly call lists to enter. Up the street is a bar that does take out - nice place, good neighborhood bar. As I rounded the corner of the intersection to head down to my car, a guy in his mid-30's blew by me (looked a lot like me, actually), a bulging bag of take out in his hand, on his cell phone. I hear the following:
Him (into cell phone): 'Fuck - they got one of those Socialist Obama Headquarters up here'
You know when you go to chuckle under your breath, and it comes out waaaay to loud? Yeah, I'm THAT guy.
He whips around: "YOU THINK THAT'S FUNNY?"
Me: "You don't think socialist is a little harsh?"
Him: "I think I was being kind." (He notices the paperwork in my hand)
Him: "Don't tell me your helping THAT GUY."
Me: "Sorry, guilty as charged."
Now, at this point I get my voter persuasion hat on, and I'm trying to a) defuse the anger, and b) try to talk to him about the issues. That wasn't going to happen.
Him: "YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO YOUR RACE!"
At this point something kind of took over in me. I can honestly say I did not think at all about came out my mouth next.
Me: "Racist much? No, I get it dude. The black guy can't win. Got it. Your small and petty and its all you got to justify your worldview. I got it. I get the anger. Sucks to be on the wrong side of history, so all you got is the hate. I hope to God you don't pass that nasty disease you got onto your kids."
At that point I walked away shaking, walked around the block twice (right past my car) until I was sure he wasn't coming back, got in my car and left. I was infantile in my understanding of racism and exactly what it is that McCain has unleashed - until now.
Volunteer. Do something - anything. We have to bury this crap once and for all.
Back to entering the call lists.