My political crossroads came early – at age 13. Up till then, I had pretty much done like most kids: taken the lead on politics from my parents. My folks were WASPy, middle-class Republicans in the 70s and 80s. Politics as such was rarely discussed, though my earliest political memories include telling Jimmy Carter jokes among the other kids in our family-friend group.
Two running currents in my life intersected in 1984: one was the Reagan/Mondale presidential race. The other was my own developing moral code, which was influenced heavily by viewing the 1982 film Gandhi, and by studying the Gospel in my church confirmation class.
I considered myself pro-Reagan, or as pro-Reagan as a sheltered 13-year-old white kid with no context could consciously consider herself. In our social studies class’s pre-election debate, I was enthusiastically on Team Reagan. Even at that age, I sensed and enjoyed the feeling of power on the incumbent side. I also remember the importance of rhetoric; even though we lost the mock debate on points, our teacher gave us credit for the persuasive delivery of our (admittedly) stupid arguments.
At the same time, my study of Satyagraha and of the Gospel of Matthew, in particular, the Sermon on the Mount, were substantially influencing my worldview. My politics, previously an unconscious performance of power, crystalized around compassion, love of the neighbor, and non-violence. By the next general election, I was a bleeding-heart, flaming lib. While I continue to interrogate liberal and progressive politics through the lens of my values, I have never found the need to turn back.
(indistinct chatter) 