It’s been a long time since I wrote a “blog post” or “diary” (whichever it’s called these days) on here. I used to be a hardcore political junkie, and when time allowed it (or quite honestly, my courage), a political activist. I had grown so incredibly frustrated over the years, that at one point early last year, I decided I had had enough. I gave up.
I started paying some more attention when Bernie Sanders announced his candidacy, but I still wasn’t back to being the politico I had been in the past. Until I met Robert Reich last month at a book signing, and he told me not to give up. And honestly, I think that’s what I wanted to hear him say to me. I think I needed someone I admired to give me that bit of encouragement. So slowly over the month of October, I started to come back to close to what I used to be.
I started watching the debates. I read books again. I bought a Bernie shirt. I was pretty excited when it came in the mail, and couldn’t wait to wear it to spread the message. But I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know what to say when I was out shopping and a young woman, who I hope was old enough to vote, said “I like your shirt”. I said “thanks” and gave her a thumbs up. Then a couple of minutes later, the cashier asked me about my shirt. “Is that who you’re voting for?” she asked. Still not prepared to engage, and kind of defensive, since I’m used to being the lone liberal, I responded “that’s why I’m wearing the shirt”. Immediately, I felt bad. I thought to myself “kind of a dick thing to say there man”. But it didn’t faze her. She said she was afraid of Donald Trump. She told me about how the father of her children had recently died, and how much of a struggle it was to survive on her wages, and how Obamacare wasn’t that great for her. She said she was interested in Bernie’s ideas and wishes she had more time to pay attention to the election coverage. I mostly listened. I think she needed for someone to listen. To understand. To care. I offered a few things in the conversation, but I didn’t feel that I said enough. So to her, even though she’ll never read this — thank you. Thank you for sharing your story with me. Thank you for reminding me why I cared so much about politics in the first place. And I’m sorry I wasn’t ready to give you more answers. Because I should of been. I won’t let that happen again. I’m looking forward to wearing my Bernie shirt tomorrow. And I hope I’m seen by someone like this young woman. I’ll be ready next time. I promise.
