A good friend of my wife’s emailed that video to her. I thought it was really profound so I posted it. Now I don’t think it’s profound because of the political views per say. What struck me as interesting was where this guy is from. Kali-forn-i-a. Over the years I’ve worked with countless people who “came” from California (no one is ever really from there). And I’ve got tons of weird stories about how Californians see the rest of the country. I worked in Nashville for several years and just about every time I worked with some one from Hollywoodland they would comment on how they were so surprised about the south. They thought were we a bunch of uneducated hillbillies who were completely backwards in our thinking. On several different jobs I was asked where someone could find some moonshine. Like every person in the south just happens to have a still in their backyard…give me a break. They all want to get John Deere overalls and cowboy hats when they come. We’re not all farmers and we’re not in Texas, idiots. Get your stereotypes correct. But I digress, back to the topic.
The gentlemen in this video is a walking talking contradiction. At least according to society. He’s a black, Californian, conservative, republican. That’s like walking through downtown Baghdad and finding a Kosher deli. But the most amazing thing about this guy…he’s completely unashamed of who he is. He’s not bowing down to what he’s “suppose” to be and do. So because I’m white and live in the Bible belt I’m suppose to vote a certain way. Why? Does my skin and geographical location determine who I am?
His opening statement…”Issues”. What a novel concept. Listening, understanding, contemplating, deciding. Not…listening to everyone else, get wrapped up in the hype, overlooking the issues, then letting someone else tell you how to decide. Face it folks when the smoke clears and the hype is flushed away all you all left is the issues. You either believe in and desire for what the canidates have to offer or you don’t.
Now as far as the title “Into the lion’s den”. I guess it’s my way of applauding this guy. Not for his political beliefs but for his courage. His courage to be a sheep among wolves. He didn’t drink the kool-aid of whatever he was being sold. This guy is what freedom is to me. The freedom to stand up and go against the grain, to go against what is popular. We’ve all heard the quote about what is popular is not always what is right and vice versa. Ohhh the irony, it’s palpable. I honestly don’t know if I could be as fourth coming as him.
