There’s an article in the style section of the New York Times today touching on the depth of anger on the left – an anger so deep it threatens to pull families apart.
FOR years, Sheri Langham looked at the Republican politics of her parents as a tolerable quirk, one she could roll her eyes at and turn away from when the disagreements grew a bit deep.
But earlier this year, Ms. Langham, 37, an ardent Democrat, found herself suddenly unable even to speak to her 65-year-old mother, a retiree in Arizona who, as an enthusiastic supporter of President Bush, “became the face of the enemy,” she said.
“Things were getting to me, and it became such a moral litmus test that all I could think about was, ‘How can she support these people?’ ” said Ms. Langham, a stay-at-home mother in suburban Virginia.
The mother and daughter had been close, but suddenly they stopped talking and exchanging e-mail messages. The freeze lasted almost a month.
Well, no. It’s not explicitly about the angry left, not in so many words. But as Josh Trevino points out, it’s just that all the really angry people in the article are on the left side of the political spectrum. You’ve probably seen them on the highway sporting those, “If you’re not outraged you’re not paying attention” bumperstickers.
I try to pay attention. I do. It’s just that I can’t quite manage the outrage – or at least, I can’t manage it against the folks they want me to be outraged at. Disappointed at times, but very rarely outraged.
How does the Times article treat those on the right? Well they’re more like those folks who cross the street to avoid being badgered by the scary raving homeless guy:
Silvy Brookby, an algebra teacher in Kansas City, Mo., was once amused by the liberal banter she heard at the school lunch table from her colleagues, and often countered with a Republican perspective of her own… ‚ÄúRecently, I have withdrawn,‚Äù she said. ‚ÄúI‚Äôve been like: ‚ÄòI can‚Äôt do it anymore. Let me sit here and eat my chicken tetrazzini.‚Äô ‚Äù
Still, hope springs eternal. Ms Langham has – if not quite forgiven the political preferences of her mother – a woman who brought her forth into the world in pain, and cared for her when she was small and helpless, and scrimped and saved (one presumes) to set her off on her own in life – she has at least agreed to let her mom know what the source was of the sudden coldness that had crept into their relationship:
“She was the one person I knew who still believed in these people,” Ms. Langham continued. So, she said, “for a month we didn’t call each other, didn’t e-mail, and she did sense something was wrong.”
“I had to explain to her, finally, where I was coming from,” she said. “In a way, she was relieved. But I think she probably now views me as even more of a progressive nut job than before.”
Safe bet.
Nice to see they actually talked to people out here in Chicago, or “fly-over” country.
I think it’s become more polarized in the last several election cycles when people will say and do anything, seemingly, to hold onto or attain power and whip up their followers in the frenzy.
It’s also when leaders and screamers of both sides continually shout that the other party, for what they believe, are alternately cut n’ runners or tramplers of the consititution, etc. It’s when people say that what you believe in is wrong. Not just different, which is fine, but wrong. Wrong for America and all that crap. Please. That what you believe, taken to the extreme absolute nth degree, will somehow allow terrorists to set up shop across the street from your house, or turn our country into a civil liberty-shredding police state.
Good for Ms. Langham to reach out to her mother. I guess you can’t expect one’s children to be just like you. I imagine you want them to be free thinkers and come to conclusions on their own, despite your own feelings, wishes and guidance.
My family, for one, is very, uh, partisan. And being the youngest I’ve taken it upon myself to be the moderate. For what it’s worth. It does make for interesting holiday dinners.
My mother-in-law and her “friend” are polar opposites, but they’ve found common ground on a few issues and don’t push their luck.
Lex,
It is Tuesday. Even in San Diego, that was Sunday’s paper.
“Safe bet.” — Lex
Can I get some of that action? I’ll put $20 down that the daughter’s a progressive nut job also. In spades.
Subsunk
The anger is just as strong on the right, you know. I personally think it is due to the public persona that President projects. People compare him to Reagan, but he is nothing like Reagan. Reagan may have said something you disagree with, but he also cushioned the blow-ergo Tip O’Neil- others respected and drank with him.
Since Bush doesn’t drink we get none of that. No personal interaction or humor, just the stridency that comes from waking up every deay feeling as good as you are ever going to feel. He may be that way, but who among the working class gets to see it? It becomes hard to keep focused because it is so easy to root for him to fail. His tone in speeches is “I’m being patient with a fool”. Thanks for nothing pal, that never won my respect.
Which probably explains why he is such a good campaigner, but so poor at choosing people to advise him. Reagan got that part done A LOT better.
I can’t imagine not speaking to a family member because of politics – sheesh, seems to shallow and callous. It’s important, but it shouldn’t drive your family relationships, in most cases. Extreme behavior on either side of the aisle would be cause for concern.
When I was growing up, I was as liberal as they come and my parents were not – interesting conversations when I was a teen, but always with respect of both views. As I’ve gotten older, wiser and more experienced in the ways the world can kick you in the ass, I’ve found myself becoming more and more like my parents were when I was a teen – conservative with a libertarian leaning.
I might have missed something along the way. but since when does liberal and progressive mean the same thing. If her mother really is a staunch Busj supporter she probably now has more evidence that her daughter is a bleeding heart liberal nut job.
Safe bet indeed.
Oops, meant Bush. Don’t know this Busj guy.
Its Bush’s evil twin brother….the one who can drink.