Dear Ms. Walls,
You may not remember me- although I truly doubt that you've had that many smug, Republican-voting black libertarians in your classes over the years- but I certainly remember you.
You, my southern-drawling, infectiously positive, unapologetically liberal professor, were without a doubt the most influencial presense in my post-high school academic life.
I'm writing this because things have changed.
For one-- I'm obviously no longer a Republican. Not since late 2004, officially. I voted for our boy Edwards. He's changed too.
The other thing, though, is that all the wisdom you gave us, your students, back in 2002-- was dead wrong.
Things have changed.
I remember that discussion very well.
We were discussing the prospect of a black President.
I, no doubt, was deeply cynical, smug and, more likely than not, mocking of the notion. I'm only slightly less smug these days and, since Nov. 4, far less cynical.
But you said a few things about Presidents that I will never forget.
You said, Senators do not become Presidents (not for many years, now). The people generally want someone with executive experience, so they tend to choose Governors. You said, Senators tend to have a rhetorical style that is ponderous, technical and largely disconnected from the populism needed for a Presidential candidacy.
In 2004, you were correct. John Kerry exemplified that. But this is 2008....
You said that Democrats are usually better off with Southern candidates, that Democrats can not compete in the south if they choose a North-eastern who'd be painted as "elitist" or some big city big shot.
You said, Ms. Walls, that the nation would not elect a black Democrat. That the hope for a black President would have to come from the Republican side-- else wise, these notions, planted in our heads from the times of Reagan and Cadillac Queens, of the give-away Democrat would be magnified by the race of the candidate. That racism would be a hard wall to climb.
You had some good points, Ms. Walls.
But you were wrong. So, so very wrong.
Can you believe it? He's a Democratic Senator from Chicago with no executive experience. And he's black.
I know that, wherever you are and wherever you were on Nov 4th, no one in the room could be more happy to have been wrong than you. Honestly, since that day, I've thought and thought about how much I would have liked to have seen the joy on your face when the results came in. The joy of having all the old conventions tossed right out the window.
Thanks for the lessons. I remembered them well.
If you're still teaching, well... I'm sorry. Rewriting the old wisdom and teaching a new generation, during these times? You really have your work cut out for you.