It’s time to think in Technicolor

FLO MARTIN

We’ve all been reading about how the American political arena has

taken on the flavor of the ancient Roman arenas -- the Romans against

the Christians, the gladiators against the lions, the reds against

the blues, them against us. Two thousand four years later, nothing

new. “Plus ca change, plus ca reste le meme.” (Oops! Sorry about

that. We must keep the “French” out of fries and toast. Let freedom

prevail.)

The them-versus-us phenomenon really hit me hard a few weeks ago,

right here in my own little part of the good old U.S. of A. But,

first a little history (or, rather, “herstory”).

This writer inherited a whole bunch of political genes from her

Bulgarian family: a statesman, a diplomat and a military general

turned cabinet-level government official, all university educated.

She also graduated from Bezerkley in the mid-1960s. In short, she

started out slightly pink.

As displaced persons in postwar Germany, my family struggled to

live. We were penniless, homeless and often hungry in the mid- to

late 1940s. Once in the New World, we labored for our daily bread and

the shelter over our head. My parents, even though considered

blue-collar and then white-collar, remained true to their homeland,

at that point a satellite country belonging to the Soviet Union. Dad

and Mom became dyed-in-the-wool, ultra-conservative “red” haters.

In the mid-1960s, I started my volunteer writing career. Letters

to the editor, here we come! I let it fly in local and national

papers. And, guess what? My dad, then working for the U.S.

government, was called on the carpet and told in no uncertain terms

to reign in his “pinko” daughter.

Some 25 years later, a prominent Costa Mesa resident encouraged

Daily Pilot readers, just days before the deadline, to run for a

particular office. I answered his call.

By then, I was a regular at City Council meetings and heavy into

the Neighbors of Harbor Shopping Center. Several other Costa Mesa

residents filed -- one of them a serious, hard-working and

experienced gentleman who obviously deserved to win. So I ran a

non-campaign -- no fliers, no lawn signs, no nothing! My message

became: “Don’t vote for me. Vote for him!” And, wonder of wonders, I

got 600 votes. Thank goodness, he got many more. But, stay involved I

did, by serving for a short time on a public committee and by

pounding the pavement for candidates.

Now, back to last month and three weekends of knocking on doors in

a Costa Mesa precinct for my favorite candidate X, of speaking with

voters and handing them pertinent reading material. Everyone who

answered my knock was kind and thoughtful -- several folks even

thanking me for giving my time and for being there. Some were very

forthright in their opposition to the candidate and told me so. But,

no problem. No one was rude, at least, no one until a few doors short

of the end.

“Hi, I’m your neighbor and am walking in support of Candidate X. I

have some reading material to leave with you and hope that we can

count on your vote.”

There was a moment of silence, then the stern voice followed.

“What’s X’s position on firearms?”

“I don’t know.” (My mind is racing ... who cares! I don’t even

know X’s political party and, besides, firearms aren’t a local

issue.)

“What’s X’s position on abortion?”

“I don’t know.” (Oh my gosh, this is getting very uncomfortable.)

“Well, then, X must be a liberal and, lady, you’re wasting your

time standing here.” (What a harsh tone and such an unfriendly

comment. Ouch! More like wasting my time.)

Back at home and 15 minutes too late, the perfect reply came to

me. One, exercising my right to participate in the political process

and, two, talking with a neighbor are not a waste of time. It’s what

makes the good old democratic process tick. Enough with the insults.

Let’s stop the finger-pointing and the name-calling. No more them

versus us. No more red versus blue, white versus black, yellow versus

brown. Single colors are irrelevant, even dull. Let’s all think sky

blue pink with purple polka dots. Let’s think in Technicolor.

* FLO MARTIN is a Costa Mesa resident and faculty member at Cal

State Fullerton.