In the Days of Guns and God

It has been almost a week now that the media became obsessed with Obama's words at a San Francisco fundraiser. Obama indicated that economic problems have made blue collar workers bitter and that, as a result, they tend to cling to their guns and religion. Both McCain and Clinton have responded by calling Obama's words "elitist" and "out of touch." I tend to think, after living with two blue collar parents for years, that Obama has simply spoken the truth, albeit not very tactfully.

Like Obama, I was raised by a single mother after my father left the family early on to roam the country. He worked spasmodically up and down the Mississippi River as a deck hand, and she worked two shifts as a waitress, sometimes seven days a week, to make ends meet for my sister and me. Though our mother never took food stamps through the years, as Obama's mother did, we had to be very careful with the tip money she brought home each night for groceries and other bills. Like Obama, both my sister and I were able to study hard and to get college degrees with the help of student loans and grants. While we have moved up in our socio-economic class, we both still share somewhat of an understanding of the culture that we are no longer a part of.

My observation teaches me that typically people still in the under class do feel comfortable with their guns and their religion. It almost seems to be a choice that is made. Here in Little Rock guns have always been a way of life, especially for the protection of one's house and belongings. As in any city, crime is high here in the state's capitol. The alternative is to turn to religion as a way of understanding that suffering is a part of life, but that justice and riches will come in the afterlife for the faithful. Social talk often centers on the illegal immigrants coming into the area daily and the loss of jobs to Mexico and other developing countries.

In today's political climate, one cannot simply say aloud what is true without a microphone or camera being present to record it. Yes, Obama should have been aware of this inevitability, but it is a shame that he cannot speak truth without fear of censure.