Burns Strider: January 2009 Archives

Bedtime Stories

Last night's bedtime story for my two little boys was about Mother Rosa Parks. A few nights ago we read and talked about Dr. King.

On Monday morning, MLK Day, I will do what I have been doing for over 15 years... it is the only day of the year my wife would allow such a tradition.

Awaking early, I fire up the CD player, turn up the volume, hit play and Dr. King's "I have a dream" speech reverberates off the walls of our house until everyone is awake and downstairs listening to the speech and me talk about attending my native Mississippi county's NAACP Freedom Banquets with my father and the waning remnants of the Jim Crow during my youthful 1970's.

My boys have come to embody, literally personify, the meaning of change and hope for me. They listen to stories of separate but not equal old movie houses, health clinic waiting rooms and restrooms as though I came from another planet. They cannot fathom their Turtle Park playground cut off from their African American little friends.

"Daddy, how would I play with Ethan?" one asked me this year about his sweet friend of color.

"That is what I am telling you," I say, "You have the blessing of having any friend, knowing any person, experiencing your whole city (nation) and skin color just reminds us of God's rainbow and promise that the world will never be destroyed again by floods of hate." (Yes, I know, any theologians reading this. I take great liberty with the rainbow, but my boys are 6 and 4, respectively. They get it.)

Color Blind

The change I lived through in the 1970's and 80's is the reality my children live in, today. That makes change incarnate for me. It makes me deeply thankful. It makes me smile.

It also let's me tell my boys how they will see injustice, we have not attained perfection, and hurting people in their lives. And they can stand on the shoulders of Mother Parks, Dr. King and thousands of others who put their hope in action and bring their change to their generation, for their world.

This approaching MLK Day brings with it the inauguration of a new President for our good nation. Barack Obama will soon be sworn in. My boys know more about him and his family than one would think... where they are from, their enjoyment of basketball, where the Obama children go to school and on and on.

The whole concept that Barack Obama could not be President simply because he is black does not even resonate in their little brains.

Can you imagine an America where such concepts do not exist? Dr. King and Mother Parks did.

A new President will soon forever expand our composite of Presidents.

Little children all over the nation will develop into adults who were led into the future by an African American, or, without diminishing ethnic heritage, should I just say, who were led by just another American like Washington, Lincoln, JFK or Clinton.

Color blind!

Grace Notes

Senator Clinton often refers to 'grace notes' that are experienced through life. She is talking about those moments that touch the soul, when something special and soul shattering is experienced... something that calls us to understanding, feeling and action.

I look forward to seeing my boys experience the 'grace notes' of their lives. I will share with them this week some of mine.

My Grace Note

Several years ago I was running a congressional race down south. It was horrible. We were out of money, there was little cooperation internally and externally. Our opposition was drowning us with spending on television ads.

It was so bad I decided to get out... not just get out of that particular campaign but of the profession. I was ready to hang it up and find another career.

My first son was an infant, it was a Friday and I was already planning on flying to DC for the weekend to be with my wife and new baby.

I just would not return.

I was numb by the time I arrived at the airport in Atlanta. Getting through security did not help. As I walked to my gate I realized a celebrity must be nearby because people were gathering around someone. I could see flashes from cameras.

As I approached I heard, "Son, this is your Congressman."

And I heard, "Sir, would you mind taking a photo with my daughter?"

The celebrity: United States Congressman John Lewis.

The audience: White Southerners (I know Southern voices), mostly my age (I know slightly graying hair). Many with children.

So here I was watching the sons and daughters of the South... those of a generation who remember the remnants of Jim Crow and who had family and friends who grew up prior to the Civil Rights Movement. I know the things they have heard in their communities. I know the things they were told, by some, as children.

But here they were introducing their children to John Lewis, having photos taken and getting autographs.

And then one white gentleman stuck out his hand to Congressman Lewis and said, "Thank you, sir, for what you did for my family."

John Lewis crossed a bridge and was beaten with baseball bats for it. John Lewis was imprisoned for saying we should all be treated equally, because, well, because we are equal. John Lewis was spat upon and reviled.

Me? Well I had a bad week in a campaign office. And I was ready to quit. No baseball bats, no spitting, no imprisonment. Nope, I just had a frustrating week.

I returned to DC, saw my wife and new baby and returned to that campaign and gave it my best. We did not win the race. We came close. But, I have helped many people of good will win campaigns since. I did not quit.

Now that, folks, is a 'grace note.'

Blessed

We are blessed for the churches and clergy who led the Civil Rights Movement.

We are blessed for those ladies who first gathered at Alabama State to take action in support of Mother Parks. The first thing they did: Join hands in prayer.

We are blessed Reverend King shared his dream with us.

We are blessed Congressman John Lewis never quit.

We are blessed the children of today will see just another American become President on Tuesday.

My march to the future involves the celebration of an African American becoming President. My boys march into their lives involves an inaugural children's concert and interests in the White House pet. Change!

What are your 'grace notes?'

AMEN.

Republicans have a problem... they don't know who they are.

Devastated

The 2006 and 2008 election cycles were devastating for the GOP. They went from the Roveian-based belief that they had basically won the political war and Democrats would be no more to more of a "what the hell happened?"

In Washington today, Republicans basically control nothing including the great American conversation of ideas. They've lost their center. And their battle, this little sideshow, for who they are going to be must be decided before they can offer any vision and ideas.

Battle Lines

The battle for the soul of their Party is turning out to be a real donnybrook between two warring factions. This battle takes on many patinas:

- a return to old, reactionary ideology vs. a modern, more moderate conservatism,

- some are sprinting to the traditional base vs. some calling for new outreach to minorities and others, and

- social and cultural rightwingers vs. economic conservatives.

Recent History

These polar worlds have been in the Republican Party for a long time managing to build fragile bridges and hold things together with duct tape.

But the previous election for President brought these intra-mural battles to the surface and now an all out battle is taking place with the winner likely defining the future of the Republican Party.  

Sarah Palin offers the embodiment of one part of the Republican Party. Sadly, she adopts the darker side of politics telling vast parts of the nation they aren't "real Americans." While spiraling downward into the dark hole of divisive politics she manages to rally the social and cultural rightwingers. Talk about "gotcha" politics. No wonder Joe Six Pack, in large numbers, chose to vote Democratic.

Peggy Noonan and other Republican types, in their cardigans and classic loafers, largely embody the other side. They roll their eyes at the cultural conservatives. Instead of making an honest case for their beliefs and claimed disdain for narrative-based politics (probably a disdain for just values-based narratives) instead manage to belittle those who think differently from them. These Republicans just can't quite stomach alter calls and a raised hand during prayer... bless their hearts. 

In other words, Republicans have retreated to their corners leaving very little connective tissue to bind them together.

Who Will Follow

Chris Cilliza of "The Fix" fame over at the Washington Post today brings to light a memo from former Republican Congressman Tom Davis... a true moderate in a Party devoid of his ilk.

I encourage you to read all of Chris' post. Here is some of it: 

Losing 54 House seats, 13 (or 14) Senate seats and the presidency over the past four years has effectively pushed Republicans into the political wilderness with no obvious guideposts to help find their way back...

Given (Tom) Davis's reputation -- and the current morass in which the GOP finds itself -- we were intrigued to come across an essay penned by the former Virginia member titled "The Way Back."

In it, Davis convincingly make the case that the alleged takeover of the party by social conservatives has worked to its electoral detriment.

Writes Davis:

"We talked to ourselves and not to voters. We became more concerned with stem cell policy than economic policy, and with prayer in schools rather than balance in our public budgets and priorities. Not so long ago, it was easy to paint the Democrats as the party of extremists. Now, they say we're extremists, and voters agree."

It's likely the few moderate Republicans around right now, even if they embrace the Davis memo, are not going to have any impact on the battle for control of the Republican Party. 

The social and cultural conservatives won't embrace this memo... Davis dismisses their issues.

And even those remaining Republicans are engaged in their own partisan quests... one of them being to weed out the social and cultural conservatives. They may articulate Davis' message but they won't embrace it. It's not who they are either. They are not moderates.

Disdain for social and cultural conservatives does not a Republican moderate make.

The upcoming election for Chair of the Republican National Committee will be the first and key test in who will control their Party. It's worth watching.

Faithful Progressives

Those of us who have toiled in the vineyards as progressive faithful would do ourselves particularly well to pay attention. Not to smirk or gloat, but rather to watch for lessons to learn. Engineers have learned much over the years by studying the Titanic's demise.

I agree with Davis on the focus on economic issues, especially during tough times like this.

The progressive faithful can't be seen by others in the Party, or, more importantly, the electorate as carrying on "culture war" battles while millions lose homes, jobs and livelihoods.

There is a moral and spiritual dimension, during this economic decline, in the lives of our families that needs support. And there is a moral and spiritual voice that speaks to average, everyday challenges needed in Washington.

Let's be the voice of all Americans.

Let's respect all who want to come to Washington next week and pray.

Let's find collaborative and working relationships with our fellow progressives in the secular world.

Let's lay off the labeling of each other.

Let's pull the nation together as one.

Let's practice the Golden Rule.

AMEN.

One of the many blessings I have been afforded over the years was the opportunity to serve and work for Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina.

As a white Southerner, this African American Congressman, also of the South, taught me much about putting faith in action... about the true nature and impact of a real faith lived out in the public square... about the courage to do what's right in the face of harsh circumstances.

Congressman Clyburn was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement and, today, he is a leader, the third ranking Member, of the United States Congress.

He teaches and leads, often, through telling stories. He has a cadence in his deep voice that demands attention. If you haven't had the chance to hear Jim Clyburn tell a story or relate a sermon then you are missing out.

As part of the events this week surrounding the swearing-in of the 111th Congress, House Majority Whip Clyburn delivered the reflection at the Congressional Bipartisan Interfaith Prayer Service at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church.  

Here is what Congressman Clyburn had to say:

"Today, we begin a new chapter in the history of our great nation. For most Americans, this is a time of great hope, but for many it is a time of immense fear and uncertainty.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once admonished 'That our ultimate measure is not where we stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where we stand at times of challenge and controversy.'

"Keeping in mind the earlier scripture readings, I invite your reflections upon a powerful lesson found in the Book of Luke.  A group of adherents are sitting with the Master recounting their experiences and celebrating recent successes when one among them--a young lawyer--smugly asked The Master, 'What do I need to do to achieve life everlasting?'

"The Master responded by asking him how his readings addressed that question. The young lawyer replied that according to his understanding, 'One must love the Lord, God with all one's heart, soul, strength, and mind; and one's neighbor as oneself.'  The Master replied, 'That is correct, go live it.'  But, the young lawyer was not satisfied with that answer and pressed for further clarification by asking, 'Who is my neighbor?'

"The Master replied with a story which most of us are familiar.  You'll remember that a certain man fell victim to thieves who robbed him and left him for dead.
 First to come upon him was the head of the church, who upon seeing the victim crossed to the other side of the road. Next to come along was a church leader who paused to take a look but continued on his way.  Finally a Samaritan, a good person but of different ethnicity, came upon the wounded traveler.  He stopped, got down off of his donkey, treated the victim's wounds and nursed him overnight before continuing his journey the next day.

"The Master concluded this lesson by asking the young lawyer who he thought was the unfortunate traveler's neighbor.  The young lawyer replied, 'The one who showed compassion.' And the Master responded, 'go and do likewise.'

"I draw three morals from this story.  First, being a good neighbor is not defined by one's faith or church membership.   Second, it is not defined by one's ethnicity. Third, being a good neighbor sometimes requires that we get down off of our high horse and minister to needs where we find them.

"As we enter this new session of Congress, I would hope that we will reflect upon this lesson, set aside our religious, ethnic and political differences, show real compassion for the hardships of our neighbors, and remember our moral obligations, 'to the least of these.'"

AMEN!