Electoral Disappointments

While we're waiting to see whether Norm Coleman and Ted Stevens or their opponents/replacements will be the old white men of choice in the Senate as of the swearing in of the 111th Congress in 2009, here are a couple sobering tidbits from the last week:

Darcy Burner- One of the reasons I was so excited to move to the West Coast a couple months ago was the liberal atmosphere, and I have found that in abundance. Peace Action West has helped me keep up on a lot of the progressive campaigns out here that I haven't had time to be personally involved in. One of my favorites was that of Darcy Burner, a strongly anti-war, "practical progressive" (OK, that appellation churns my stomach a little bit) candidate. She was running against a former sheriff in Washington's 8th congressional district and lost narrowly. Like a good Red Sox fan, I let myself get excited by the joyous potential (another strong ally in the congressional battle to end the occupation of Iraq, a cause even more morally righteous than keeping the Yankees from an AL East crown [speaking of which see Dave Zirin's piece on the new Yankee Stadium in the latest issue of The Progressive on newsstands or at your school/local library]) only to witness a jarring late-season collapse and loss of lead.

The Passage of CA's Gay Marriage Ban- on the political "scale of losing", this one ranked somewhere between Bush's re-election and the Corrupt Bargain in terms of pain for its supporters. Seeing my gay friends morosely ponder life in Massachusetts as the results came in took a lot of the edge off of Obama's victory speech. Those of us living in the Bay Area can luckily still attend the on-going "No on 8" rallies and protests, gatherings which now, more so even than usual, can mark collective spiritual togetherness and uplift as one of their primary positives. In the week before the election, our house received material from the "Yes on 8" campaign prominently featuring Obama and Biden, and their quotes about opposing gay marriage. Obama's 200-point electoral victory would not have been jeopardized by speaking out firmly against constitutional bans on gay marriage. This is one area where greater courage and leadership from him during the campaign could have made a concrete difference in national politics beyond his own race. His appointment of Rahm Emmanuel as chief of staff makes me wary that more such cautious decisions will become the norm from the President-elect. However, that he is considering John Podesta, CEO of the Center for American Progress for a Cabinet position as well is a hopeful sign. While not the most liberal voice at CAP, Podesta would nevertheless represent an important counter-balance to Emmanuel's dogmatic centrism.

In other news, check out the new issue of Tikkun, available at tikkun.org!

Glide Methodist Church Celebrations

A few blocks from Powell St. BART stop in San Francisco, in the "Tenderloin" district of the city, stands the Glide Church.  On most days, it is noticeable for its height and grandeur- four or five stories of impressive rock complete with a prow-like steeple.  Sunday mornings, however, you tend to notice the line of people outside the door, stretching to the end of the block, who are waiting to get into a service.  You could be forgiven for thinking the queue-ers awaited service from a barista; the only place I've seen a line with that many young people in California so far during my limited was outside a BK getting their morning coffee on Rosh Hoshashanah.  There may have been as many couples in their 20's and 30's waiting to go into Glide on Sunday as there were attending all the UU services in the Clara Barton District.  From the perspective of a prospective UU minister, I was perspirational with aspiration for such demographic comeliness in a congregation.  

Inside, greeters Les and Erly had shook everyone's hand by the time they got to a pew.  Chairs had been set up on the end of each row to accommodate overflow (not because it was the week of Rosh Hashanah).  The choir, band (yes, BAND, replete with five professional musicians) and congregation were as a whole about half white.  It seemed like slightly more whites from where we were sitting because there were more blacks sitting in the front.  The service began not with centering words from the baritone Reverend Cecil but a wicked sax-piano duet.  That got people's attention and applause erupted immediately.  Then came the first "hymn" (the service was called a "celebration"; I'm not sure what the analogous synonym was for the hymns- "ballads" perhaps?)  Throughout the pre-celebration period, band intro and foot-stomping, hand-clapping choir number a projector was sending huge slides onto the back wall. Announcements were mingled with inspirational photos of members in calm or triumphant poses.  Now, the slides showed the lyrics for people who wanted to sing along, alongside with worldwide images of the love and gratification being extolled.  

Between songs, Rev. Cecil would rise to share words of encouragement to each other's highest goals and ideals.  After several songs an early middle-aged congregant got up to talk about how "the worst is not the end".  In the context of his mother dealing with her fourth bout of cancer and him having lost over 300 pounds in the last few years, it was a powerful reminder.  

I will always appreciate the slow, contemplative wisdom of UU churches and Quaker meetings for worship.  But getting lost in the exuberant clapping and singing of close to a thousand people was cleansing and inspiring as well.  As the folks who've ever sat near me in church know, having music loud enough that it overpowers my own efforts is not a negative.  I did not agree with everything said from the pulpit, but 98% of it worked for me, and multiplying that by the coefficient of inspiration made for a quantitatively up-lifting experience.  As I told Will and David once we left: "I might not come here every week of my life, but knowing it is here and that the celebrations go on every week is a really positive thing to remember."