The Scarlet R

Dr. Helen has a fun post about whether one should call themselves a Republican, or care how people respond to the term. When I started this blog, I though about it some, but mostly knew that a) it was catchy and b) it would drive people around here crazy.

In some ways I underestimated how people would react when presented with the R word. I was back east for a high school reunion (won't tell you which year) and an old, dear friend of mine, upon learning that I have a blog that is in some way "Republican", immediately said, "What's it called, 'I Am An Asshole'"?

(She's a college professor, too, btw.)

I've learned that, at heart, people do not like differences, or often even the appearance of differences. While many folks I talk to have a sincere interest in issues, a similar number have a Tourettic reaction that assumes I carry certain beliefs, even if we've never discussed a particular topic. Or, more likely, they ask me to defend this or that person who calls themselves a Republican.

And this is from "progressives", mind you. If one were to meet a black guy and immediately assume he likes rap, or a Jewish dude and ask him about money, what sort of person would that make you?

I understand that it is natural to think of people in groups. We all do it, it is a very human instinct. But what separates a person in my mind is one who can actually imagine a world of consenting individuals, with all it entails. That's progressive.

It's also really hard. Most people won't do it, and that's perfectly human. But to imagine that one is somehow more progressive or tolerant, while displaying no such characteristics, well, that's why I started this blog.

Anyway, back to Helen's topic. Sometimes I feel the need to explain to people that "Well, I am a free-market libertarian" when they respond badly to the R word. I considered not using it for a while.

But a good friend demonstrated something to me a few years ago, without his knowing. He is a lifelong Catholic, if not an especially pious one. When a wave of priest-molestation scandals came up, he continued to tell folks he is a Catholic. He caught shit from group-thinkers and headline-repeaters, but had the courage to know what he stands for and what he doesn't. He assumed a base amount of intelligence in the person he was talking to.

More recently, a new friend of mine -- who claims to have had a framed photo of Russell Kirk growing up, and whose dad read the WSJ editorial page at the dinner table (!) -- said, why wouldn't you call yourself a Republican, if you know what you believe?

She's right. There is little value in playing semantics. Yeah, I am Republican. I am also a libertarian, and perhaps I am a conservative, not sure. At the end of the day, if more folks will embrace the ideas that I think are important, I will be thrilled. No matter what they call themselves.

Comments

[KyleLundstedt]

Well said! You make an excellent point that defending political viewpoints in which you believe is valuable, regardless of how they're described. I would say that I share Dr. Helen's political affiliation - libertarian with a Republican flavor. However, I prefer the Ann Althouse's approach, hoping that humor or sarcasm may spur members of ANY group to consider their position a little more carefully.

[Steve C]

Point taken about human coalitions, but the really ironic part is the Fox/AM Radio/Churchy evangelical crowd is a provides the ultimate us-vs-them, pre-chewed, tell-me-what-I-should-think-today environment. When I go home I get to hear about the "gay agenda" and the liberals who want to do any number of nasty things to plain ol' folks. Knowing people on both sides, I find the ideologically pure echo chamber on the right far scarier.

[Jeremiah]

Love this post.

"But to imagine that one is somehow more progressive or tolerant, while displaying no such characteristics, well, that's why I started this blog."

Amen, brother, and Merry Christmas.

[Cinn]

Nice one Mr. R. And I sure do know the feeling...

[Debbie_S]

I wonder what your response was to your "old, dear friend" who basically called you an a**h**. Here's where I think a little humor could come in handy. You might have said, with mock innocence, "I'm sorry, you must not have heard me correctly. I didn't say Democrat . . . "

I think we Republicans need to cultivate a better sense of humor and come up with more clever comebacks. Not hostile ones, mind you. Genuinely funny ways of turning the tables on our liberal friends. I think this would go a long way in making being a Republican more acceptable. Being defensive and angry only hurts us.

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