Opinions

Erwin, Tennessee—town of 500 known for hanging a circus elephant to death in 1916.

Murderous Mary, the first elephant in Tennessee, was undoubtedly unaware of the fame she would bring to the town of her final performance—or how stories of her killing would one day be told by a wilderness aficionado to a busload of whitewater rafting beginners.

Signing up to paddle solo through class three and four rapids, I was anticipating a physically and emotionally grueling day, a summer vacation experience to discuss for years to come. I was not, however, expecting to be less impressed with the water than with the god-fearing redneck who guided me down the Nolichucky River (Cherokee for “river of death”).

I am, especially with the fast-approaching presidential elections, quick to pick up on individuals’ political stances. Yet I often let my own preconceptions place individuals into constricting ideological boxes.

Traveling across the Bible Belt and into the depths of Appalachia, nearly everyone I came across had a thick southern drawl, had never left his or her home state, was ultra-conservative and explained the world in terms of Christianity.

Josh, the rafting guide, seemed no different. After experiencing motion sickness from five hours of boating—I thought I’d grown out of this more than five years ago but apparently not—I ended up on Josh’s boat for the final hour of the journey. Sadly I felt more like hurling than talking. But he kept calling me “princess” which made me feel guilty about mooching a ride down the river. So I talked and covered the basics of high school, music, television and sports.

One thing led to another and soon we were talking about the upcoming election. At the mention of Barack Obama, Josh scrunched up his face and we hit a rock. Because Obama wanted to take the Ten Commandments off public buildings, remove “In God We Trust” from dollar bills and did not put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance, Josh deemed Obama the antichrist. I was not sure what to say. A political leader, he believed, must stand for the values upon which his country was founded.

At the mention of Hillary Clinton, all I got was a scoff in response. It took some prodding to get Josh to admit his aversion to the idea of women holding leadership positions. Responding, I’m guessing to my horrified expression, he quoted certain passages from the King James Bible. Yet Josh did not degrade women. He readily acknowledged their capability to lead, but thought religious texts ought to be carried out to the T.

Josh’s religious faith was solidified after he survived being shot during his second tour in Iraq. Someone must have been looking out for him.

Even after two tours, Josh thought Iraq was a mistake, something George W. Bush entered so he could finish what his father started.  And he did not agree with many of Bush’s or Senator John McCain’s policies. Their one overriding positive quality, he believes, has been their constant support of the troops. Thus, McCain would get his vote in the upcoming election.

By the time we skirted the last rock of the 10-mile Upper Nolichucky, I had a newfound respect for Josh. Yes, he had political and religious views I will never be able to understand, but he had thought about everything. All his views had reasons. He was willing to fight a war he didn’t believe in just because he had faith—in religion and in his country’s leaders.

I consider myself a liberal New Yorker who is open to many cultures and values. Yet I went into Josh’s territory feeling superior. Ultimately I realized that this country must overcome its current quandaries together—through understanding and collaboration.

So as the donkey and elephant rush towards November neck and neck, I’m rooting for the donkey all the way. But now that I understand more about where the elephant’s coming from, I have a little bit more respect for it.