Let’s Dance

breakdance
“Let’s dance!
Put on your red shoes and dance the blues.
Let’s dance!
To the song they’re playing on the radio.
Let’s sway…
While color lights up your face.
Let’s sway…
Sway to the crowd to an empty space.”
 
~David Bowie – “Let’s Dance” (1983). 
 
I’ve never heard of a “crunchy abortion.” When you google that phrase, you find all the usual suspects in the search results: Fox News Channel, Alex Jones, and right-wing blogs. This term is courtesy of the same people who perpetuated the myth of the “knockout game”, who think that First Lady Michelle Obama is morbidly obese, and theorize that top tennis player Serena Williams is secretly transgendered. 
 
So neo-cons want to dance with me on the topic of abortion? Ok, then. Let’s dance. 
 
Those of you who claim to know what my personal views on abortion are either [1] misinformed, [2] operating under your own political party’s talking points, and/or [3] throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks. Here are the facts: I’ve never publicly stated my own views about abortion – not in my op-ed column, not in a television or radio interview, or anyplace else. Fact: If you don’t know me personally, you have no idea what I feel on that subject. Fact: If you do know me personally, you have no clue what I feel on that subject. Either way, you don’t know. You’re assuming… and we all know the dangers of assuming. 
 
Subsequently, you will not make me the face of abortion. That’s a falsehood wrapped in a lie and served with a garnish. You rant champions who sully my good name with impunity in this newspaper are the very same people who compliment me when you see me at the grocery store, hardware store, or restaurant. It’s funny how that works. 
 
I’m a Christian – and I conduct myself as such. I’m a proud American – and my words and actions are demonstrative of that. I’m a human being just like you. I have good days and bad days just like you. I have hopes and fears just like you. I breathe air just like you. Unlike some of you, I say what I mean and I mean what I say. My picture and my name are above my op-ed column for a reason. The words contained therein come from my mind, my heart, my spirit. Wherever my column appears on planet earth, there is no confusion who the author is. There is no confusion what I stand for – what I believe in. 
 
I’m here on the dance floor. Where are you? 
 
It’s truly fascinating to me that you rant rousers never attach your names to your own words. Why is that? Is there a law preventing you from doing so? Do you always forget? Help me understand. You take the time to call the rant-&-rave phone number and leave a voicemail message. Or you take the time to sit down, write a letter, and mail that letter. Or you take the time to type up a letter, and email it to the newspaper. But when it’s time to prove the power of your conviction – when it’s time to endorse your rant/rave by placing your name beside it – you shrivel up like a California raisin? As Flo the Progressive Girl said, “Sprinkles are for winners.” 
 
Where are you going? I thought you wanted to dance. 
 
Have you noticed that whenever I compliment the Republican Party – for any reason – the rave quotient totally explodes? Have you noticed what whenever I disagree with President Obama – on anything – local conservatives lose their minds? Have you noticed that every single time I write above love or unity or peace – the venom flows like a mighty river? You want to talk about deafening silence? Yeah, you got really quiet on me all of a sudden. 
 
Let’s really get down to it. Let’s deep dive. You’re not upset at me because of my faith. You don’t care that I’m a Democrat. This isn’t about where I was born and raised. It doesn’t bother you this Bible-toting, Shakespeare-quoting preacher loves and respects our American president. I know what bothers those who have declared themselves my enemies. I know what makes you angry. I know why you’re really upset. 
 
Stop the music. I have the microphone. 
 
What burns the bridges of my critics is this platform itself. You may ask yourself who am I to have such a forum? Who allows me the ability to write about anything I want anytime I want? Here’s your answer. My boss granted me this platform.
 
Perhaps you know Him. His name is God. I don’t take my orders from you. I take my orders from Him. It is through His unmerited favor, grace, and mercy that I thrive. He blesses me to be a blessing to others – especially to those who declare themselves to be my enemies. 
 
Attention: conspiracy theorists, I write every single word. No ghostwriting happening here. Sorry to disappoint. 
 
If you truly knew the miracles your hate-filled, obsolete, discriminatory words bring to me and to my life, you would cease and desist immediately. And I don’t want you to stop. I really don’t. So rant on, brothers and sisters. As Proverbs 27:17 reminds us all: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Amen. 
 
Let’s sway. 
 
Say whatever you want about me, wallflowers. That’s fine. I’ll keep on dancing – and praising our Lord and Savior.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *