Straying From the Herd

MOST AMERICANS LIKE TO think of themselves as nonconformists. So deeply rooted is the value of rugged individualism in our culture that we all claim to be independent thinkers and doers. It isn't always true, but there's a lot of truth in it. When I was in first grade, six years old, I found out about something called the "World Series". Everybody seemed interested in it, so I asked questions, and learned a lot. I learned that everybody hated one of the teams, the one called the Yankees. I had no idea why. I assumed that since everybody hated them, they had little or no chance of winning, so I felt sorry for them. I started rooting for them, and, lo and behold, they won. By the time I found out why everybody hated the Yankees it was too late; I was a Yankee fan. A nonconformmist. Just a few years later I was learning about religion, and church. Once again, the fact that everybody in my life seemed to have about the same attitude towards it, a pro Christian bias, I decided to go in another direction, a less traveled religious path, a journey of my own. I just plain did not want to be like everybody else, period. Still don't. During the time, oh, about twenty years ago or so, when everybody wore all black clothing, every day, I couldn't do it. I tried it for just one day, and kinda liked it, but, still, it felt strange. Another teacher walked up to me and said "now you are one of us." Yes, but only for a day. And so now here we are in the age of texting and tweeting, and Facebook, and once again, I just can't seem to get into it. E mail and a portable phone are enough for me; don't need no fancy smart phone, and all that. Maybe someday.