My First Encounter with Bigotry in Politics

First of all, I have been a Democrat all of my adult life. The political parties in this story are irrelevant to me. the subtle (or not so subtle) bigotry left a lasting impression on me, and my campaigning for Barack ever since Hillary dropped out has brought all these memories back.

I'm a 100% Italian American. Third generation, in fact. My parents have always lived in Massachusetts, and so have I. My dad was a blue collar Eisenhower, Saltanstal, Rockefeller kind of Republican. He became friendly with another little known liberal Republican, Ed Brooke. As a matter of fact, my late dad even christened one of Brooke's daughters when she converted to Catholicism to get married.

Anyway, when Brooke first run statewide, in 1960, he unsuccessfully attempted to win the secretary of state's position. But you can imagine the Kennedy landslide in Massachusetts that year. I was 8 years old, but I'll never forget my father's anger at Brooke's Democratic opponent, Kevin White, for his slogan that year. VOTE WHITE. So many of my father's not so friendly friends thought that was just so clever.

Later, in 1962, when Ed Brooke ran and won as Massachusetts' Attorney General, I remember how proud I was that my dad was on the right side of history.

In 1966, when Atty. Gen. Ed Brooke ran for the U.S. Senate, I remember my father waking me up on a Saturday morning (14 yrs. old at the time) to tell me to paint over our raised basement wall because someone had painted the words n***er lover on the wall. Needless to say, I worked my ass of after that, stuffing envelopes, delivering fliers and putting stickers on, because I had so much to prove. That victory was the most exciting election night of my life, (outside of my dad's council win 7 years later). Ed Brooke chose my father for one of his administrative assistants. They stayed close friends for the rest of my father's life. Sen. Brooke is still alive, God bless him.

My devotion to social justice was born of these experiences. My work as a union leader took root in those early days. I have been, and always will be, a Democrat.

However, bigotry knows no party, knows no religion, knows no nationality.

I have related this story to you, and every word of it is true, because this election has brought back to my mind my late father. I can appreciate his courage now, more that I ever could before.

I know he would be for Barack, after all, when he passed away in 1997, he died a democrat, because this is the party of social justice. but courageous fighters in this cause come from all political parties. I learned at an early age that great men (and women)come in all sizes, shapes and colors.

I'll continue working in New Hampshire for Obama, my closest swing state, and I hope we carry it, because dad, this one's for you.

And God bless your Dad.

Your dad was a helluva a guy. :hug:

http://www.revere.org/phototour/tour_parks.htm

ciarlone park

I just couldn't leave this unsaid.

I really wanted to share this with my friends.

What a wonderful dad you had. This election brings back memories of my dad too, who also passed away in 1997, I would have loved sharing this election with him. He was a person who gave everyone the benefit of the doubt and treated everyone with respect. I'm always amazed he turned out that because his dad had racist views. I signed up myself to travel to PA since I live in a non-swing state too.

that's why it must be faced down.

As a mom to two adopted girls of color I am in total agreement. They are just one reason why I have to do more than give money to the campaign -- as in travelling to a swing state and talking directly to voters. Thanks again for the great story about your dad -- I missed the earlier part about a park being named after him -- what a nice honor for him and your family. :)

Bigotry from either side of the political spectrum is based on fear. Fear of change. Fear of competition for jobs or other resources. Fear that the playing field will be leveled and the the obstacles to prosperity will be torn down. I am glad your father had the courage to stand up for what he believed in.

I am working in the south on the campaign and I've ran into a few really upsetting people. In the end, I know these people are scared and afraid of the change that is coming and I try to have compassion -- but the hatred and ugliness is also tough to brush off.

On the other hand, I've registered some disenfranchised voters here who haven't voted since Kennedy and their hope and faith in Obama is an awesome thing to behold.

Your story inspired me and I'll be thinking about it tomorrow when I'm out registering again. This kind of support makes all of the difference.

thanks again.

Thanks so much for recalling your dad's legacy. It's moved me to tears because he and continuing with you prove that one cannot belittle community activism, the very least we can be involved in. I remember a poem by Maya Angelou about the caged bird and the free bird which, until I read your account, was always about slavery and free whites. But it has a different meaning for me now. The poem is now about those who try to keep the majority of us oppressed and depressed and those who will not stop singing (and I don't mean that in it's literal sense) the song of freedom because we have no choice.

...The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

Hopes this makes because I'm all verklempt right now.

and you have found a friend.

My dad also voted for Ed Brooke, though he was a Democrat. He is Boston Irish and played and coached basketball with many African Americans growing up. Boston was no hotbed of tolerance in the '50s for sure, but when he was stationed down South and out West during segregation, this really woke him up to prejudice and to social injustice. To this day, at 74 and not in the greatest health, he is intolerant of intolerance, and he hopes that he'll make it to see an Obama presidency.

I know what you mean about blue collar racism. Boston seems to have a lot of that among people who would-or should-normally vote Democrat.

I liked that.

maybe we can recycle it. ""Proudly for Obama".

Has a nice ring to it, don't you think.

Your dad would be proud of both your words and deeds.

Thanks, l.c. for all that you do, and for sharing your dad's dedication and do-the-right-thing spirit with us.