I am an African American man well over fifty, I had a conversation with a tutoring student that made me weep. I’ll call her Imelda, because I’ve never seen her in the same pair of shoes twice.
Imelda is nineteen years old, working her way through school, socially conscience and vents regularly about the economy and political injustice. I told her I was supporting Hillary Clinton and she was aghast. She went on to explain the virtues (most of which I agree) of Senator Bernie Sanders. The discussion was spirited and on about 85 percent of the issues, we agreed that Sanders and Clinton were pretty close. She closed the conversation by revealing her decision to vote for Donald Trump if Bernie is not the Democratic nominee.
I swallowed hard and asked if this was a Bernie or bust stance? She answered by explaining her peculiar reasoning, “if they want to ruin America, I am going to give them their way.” This young, educated, beautiful young Black woman was willing to throw away the future of America to prove a point. I tried the, “what about Trump being supported by racist and neo Nazis groups,” argument, how about his complete disrespect for young and old women like yourself, to no avail. She was determined that, if her favorite player was not in the game she was rooting for her team to lose and lose in a devastating manner. This is my problem with the Bernie Sanders supporters for all the bluster of revolution, economic injustice and cries of a rigged system, posing over substance is too often more important.
Walking as opposed to running is not going backward or standing still. It may not get you there in record time but every race is not populated by world record holders. Usain Bolt does not run every moment of his life, even he walks to the track. The real action begins when the starter pistol is fired. I am much older than my student and remember the time when my idealism was the only thing that swayed my opinion. I was torn between encouraging the enthusiasm of a young woman who wanted to be involved and tempering political anger, each has its place. I wish the wisdom that comes with age could ride on the back of youth. If time were my ally, I might be willing to advocate the fall of the system. I see Muslims, Hispanics, Blacks and the poor struggle. I am not willing to sacrifice their lives, their children or their dignity to my hurt feelings. I have given my full-throated support to Hillary and if by some stroke of Bernie magic, she loses, I will give full-throated support to Senator Bernie Sanders. I wish I could run but I am willing to walk to the finish line, I never could run as fast as Usain Bolt anyway, even at my best.