there has been a good deal of public head-scratching about the passionate response some people have to obama and his campaign, often accompanied by an underlying skeptism that paints obama support as not-quite-reasoned, insubstantial, or superficial. the worst examples of this, of course, are the assertions that equate obama supporters with cult members, children following the pied piper, etc.
this hadn't touched my life personally until i had a conversation with a friend the other day, who asked me "what exactly do people think they are signing up for, as obama supporters?" she didn't say it, but there seemed to be some question in her mind as to whether obama supporters can really justify their support, or if they are just caught up in a (mindless) "obamamania." (this is conflated, of course, with the misapprehension that he only offers inspiring messages but not substantial policy prescriptions)
i tried to "be the change i want to see" and, instead of responding to her sharply and in the moment, i took a few days to consider her question seriously rather than dismissing it.
here is the email i wrote to her:
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