By Carol Lucas
This afternoon I was sitting at my computer, trying to come up with a topic for the upcoming edition of The Island News. In the morning, I had attended a memorial service for a good friend, the second in a week’s time, so I wasn’t feeling exactly energetic or up to the task at hand.
I picked up this past week’s edition, which I hadn’t had time to read, and began to scan. I thoroughly enjoy reading what my fellow op-ed writers contribute, although I do admit to gritting my teeth sometimes.
I then moved to the letters to the editor and I was drawn to the heading “Isn’t there something worth writing about besides Trump.” As I began to read, I saw my name, and my first thought was, “Here we go.”
I went to the name of the contributor of this piece, and while I am adamant about not naming names, should I choose to respond, I will say simply that this gentleman contributes on occasion as a writer himself. Furthermore, despite our different takes on politics, I feel he is comprehensive about what he presents, and as I have said before, I will defend anyone’s right to do so.
Interestingly enough, as I read his commentary on my last article, the light bulb came on, and I knew I had been presented with my material. So here we go!
Please know, sir, that I appreciate your suggestion that I have a rich history of accomplishments and wonderful memories of my students. With no small amount of deference, I will tell you that upon retirement, I was given an award by the state of Pennsylvania for my contribution to education. Within my own district, I accrued “The Extra Mile Award” for going over and above my classroom duties.
As for my former students, I avoided Facebook for years until I finally gave in to my granddaughter’s nagging. There is much I detest about the venue, but what I do love is having reconnected with well over a hundred former students. To see them as thriving successful adults is heartwarming. And good grief, many are grandparents. I don’t know how that could happen since I am only 39! (Thank you, Jack Benny.)
But let’s get to the question that was posed, and that is “Isn’t there something worth writing about besides Trump? The short answer is, “Yes, beyond a shadow of a doubt.”
Considering “worth” as the focal point, I can guarantee you that I could rattle off at least 20 much more worthy subjects.
But you see, sir, I am driven by fear, which has a lot of impact behind it. I fear, first of all, for our country and where it is headed. I had the privilege of growing up in a small town and at a time where there was little to fear. I’d leave my house in the morning to go out and play. Maybe my friends and I would pack sandwiches in a paper bag (no plastic thermal packs then) because we planned to be out all day.
Yes, the sixties brought about turmoil, but not what we are seeing today with masked men throwing people to the ground, spraying them with God-knows-what, and yes, murdering them. Men who have been recruited from the ranks of white supremacists.
Secondly, certainly every bit as important, and tied to the first, I fear for my daughters, my granddaughters, and now my two great grandchildren. I worry what kind of world will exist 10, 15, 20 years from now.
I am concerned about the environment and how our present administration is ignoring it, opting out of any group that might bring about a bit of sanity to the topic. What will their world look like?
I am horrified by 47’s rush to antagonize those countries that have been our allies for decades. If we escape without a war on multiple fronts, it will be a miracle.
And will that war be brought to our own country? Are the nuclear codes in the hands of a madman who has shown disrespect for so much of what our democracy stands for? Has that man purposely squandered our reputation throughout the world to the point we are either laughed at or pitied? Sadly, the answer to all of those questions is, “yes.”
Understand, sir, that I don’t worry for myself. My four score plus three years doesn’t give me a lot of wiggle room. But you need to know that I pray nightly for our situation to somehow right itself in what I perceive is a country on the precipice, indeed a world brought there by the election of one person and the evil with which he has surrounded himself.
So yes, I will continue to do what I consider to be my contribution to help rectify the present situation. I like to think of it as further educating folks. Perhaps, sir, you and I can sit down sometime over coffee (or something stronger) and discuss “the bard.” I promise not to drag you screaming.
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
