i have been having some recurring thoughts lately and i wanted to put it in the atmosphere and get a response from you guys...it is not a secret to most of my friends that i am an Obama supporter, but i must admit that i have been hesitant to broadcast my Obama support at work or at home....and i have a yard sign that remains in my living room and a magnet on my fridge...i do engage in some political conversations and i think even the people that i dont talk to presume i am voting for Obama, correction have voted for Obama. i did post the sample ballot for my state in the break room at work and my co-workers know that was my doing along with a sign for the dates of early voting! but i think some people can chalk that up to, well this is the first time he has voted here being new to the area?? but my recurring thoughts have been, how many other people are "secret" supporters of either Obama or McCain?? And why do some people have no shame or are unabashedly screaming their support while others silently cheer at the latest polls or cringe when a candidate or surrogate does something or says something we disagree with?? why are some people so open to discuss politics in "mixed" company and others in that same crowd even in the same conversation give glancing looks of now why did you have to go and say that, or can we please change the conversation; their uneasiness to engage in political discourse in no way hidden. why cant you openly discuss politics and/or religion? why? is it fear of some retribution? some retaliation? or simply being labeled and placed in some categorical box?? may be that is why its much easier to not declare or broadcast an affiliation at all and don the cloak of "independence" rather than the robe of "hey i am a supporter"...its much easier just to cheer silently i guess......
1 comment:
I think the reason people shy away from discourse on politics and religion, especially on the job, is that these two topics are extremely divisive and many a war has been waged in the names of both. Then one doesn't want to have to defend their position, especially if you are a part of the minority, say a Muslim in a mostly Christian environment. I am very grateful that I work with the people that I do because we can engage is these discussions and have very deep discussions on issues of race, religion, and politics without consequence. Even when we disagree. I think it helps that I work with a very diverse group of individuals so everyone is a "minority" in some sense.....Baptist v Mormon v Catholic v Hindu v Muslim v African American v Jewish v White v Indian v Pakistani v Korean. I look forward to these discussion because it gives me a more global view on issues, I don't always have to see the glass as half-empty and we all respect one another's opinion even when it's different or disagreeable from our own.
I think a larger issue is whether or not this is real or perceived in your workplace. And by that I mean, have you actually tried to discuss politics, specifically the issues and NOT the candidates? Sometimes people are more inclined to discuss issues rather than who they will or won't vote for. You should start the trend. Why are you a closeted Obama supporter to begin with? What is it that you fear from these people that you won't show your support? I say go home, but up your yard sign and wear your sticker. If they don't like it too bad, you are entitled to your vote and they are entitled to theirs. But you are in the "deep south" in Tifton and most likely the natives are staunch Republicans and many may identify as conservative Christian, as if somehow one couldn't be a Christian and liberal (I take extreme offense to that notion) and they were this with pride and honor and I think you closeted Obama supporters need to come out. Therefore I declare today, October 22, 2008, the Offical "Obama Pride Day", all supporters of Obama are free to come out of the closet without fear of retaliation or retribution. Say it Loud, "I support Obama and I'm proud"!
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