A Few Steps Back in Kansas

When I began this blog a few years ago, part of the thinking was that we needed to re-evaluate how we deal with issues and in turn, how we deal with one another.  We should discuss events, not people.  Additionally, those who have opposing viewpoints are not adversaries or worse, enemies but simply those who don’t agree – nothing more or less.  Sadly, often one can see the violation of this principle.  This past week, the ridiculousness ventured out of the world of politics and into the state of Kansas.  The target was the First Lady and the subject was a commencement address. 

In Topeka, Kansas, Michelle Obama was approached to give a commencement speech at a combined ceremony for the city’s high schools.  It is typical that during this time of year, celebrities, politicians and other noteworthy individuals span throughout America’s campuses to provide parting words of wisdom for high school and college graduates.  Throughout the country, various schools manage to provide for honored guests as well as the parents and friends of the graduates.  However, a group of students and parents in Topeka felt the presence of Mrs. Obama would prevent friends and family from attending the ceremony and additionally, take away the attention from the graduates.  Those who oppose the First Lady’s address have certainly done that.  

First of all, the First Lady is not a political figure but simply a well-known one.  The address would likely not include any political content.  So, what is the objection?  It is hard not to see this as the political salvo the protestors fear might come from Mrs. Obama.   Oscar Wilde once said that “man is least himself when he talks in his own person.”  So when students and parents face television cameras and say this has nothing to do with politics, I don’t buy it.  Call me dubious, but it seems the situation is nothing but politics.  It is not hard to imagine the uproar if the president, also approached to speak in Topeka, were the one to appear.   

Part of the reason for the appearance of such a highly-placed figure is the fiftieth anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas – the case that struck down the legality of segregation.  Whether people in Topeka have it in for Mrs. Obama or have never gotten over the Warren Court’s push toward desegregation, the message comes across the same.  During the presidency of George W. Bush, there was so much disrespect directed at the president, including a book published to highlight how to assassinate the chief executive which met with no Democratic outcry, one would think that Republicans would know the importance of respecting the office, if not the man.  However, some have decided that turn-about is fair play.   

Historically, the extraordinary partisanship of modern politics seems to have borne out of the Watergate scandal and the Robert Bork nomination process.  Since, the rhetoric has been contrarian to the point of being childish.  It needs to stop and the only way to do so is begin the respect process.  So, for all the Republicans out there seeking affirmation for their bent notion of politics and political gamesmanship, grow up.  Barak Obama is the president of the United States.  He was elected to the office not once but twice.  His wife is the First Lady and Michelle Obama deserves the respect of her position.  How can one demand respect without first giving it?  

Since the days of Jefferson, Americans have accepted the will of the people in changing the government and conservatives, throughout the years, have championed respect for the state.  Still, it was decided Mrs. Obama will speak at a separate ceremony away from the graduation.  Meanwhile, those who protested will sit in the graduation arena in May and feel smug in the notion that they kept “that woman” out.  Then, ten or twenty years later, their kids will morph into people whose jaded outlook of life will include a lack of respect in all things that should be important to Americans and they will wonder where they learned such unflattering notions.  They will be able to find their answers, provided there are mirrors in the house.