Fame seems like hell on earth.
I have never wanted it.
If I were in a famous rock band, I would definitely want to be the bassist and I would never, ever dress like a rock star. I'd dress like a soccer dad so no one would ever figure out I'm famous.
My kind of fame is the author-y kind, where few people recognize you on sight. Like my friend's dad for instance, who casually mentions to his daughter that some author lady had been attending their (my childhood) ward for a few weeks because some movie was filming in town. It was Stephenie Meyer.
I can deal with that kind of anonymity and the checks that come with it.
But Mitt Romney and the South Park guys are indirectly dragging me into the spotlight whether I want it or not. Tony nominated musicals, Republican presidential bids . . . this week's cover of Newsweek:
http://www.newsweek.com/2011/06/05/mormons-rock.html
Sigh.
I'm not voting for Romney. I have way too many issues with him. Jon Huntsman is potentially more interesting. But I may vote (again) for Obama because I DON'T VOTE FOR PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE MORMON.
I do other stuff just because someone's Mormon, like buy their book or album, which I may not ever read or listen to. But I certainly don't vote that way. I don't even vote on American Idol or SYTYCD that way. (Um, I don't actually vote on either of those shows, anyway, to be honest.)
But that's a different post.
This is about the spotlight being on me. My neighbors know we're Mormon. Most of my closest friends aren't Mormon and I'm sure they can't miss the national spotlight we're getting.
Am I ready for my close up?
I hope so. I hope I've lived my beliefs with thoughtfulness and I match up favorably with the good things they will expect. Because now . . . everyone's looking.
Speaking of spotlights, the always excellent Melissa Bastow has produced another issue of Barrel of Blogs magazine and yours truly is in there unnecessarily taking up two pages to tell you what I'm doing this summer in case you couldn't stand not knowing. Wander over and find yourself some new bloggers to read. Also, look at all the pretty pictures!
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16 comments:
You and I are so much alike. I agree. I think I probably didn't look as close at Romney as I should have last election, because I really dislike the thought that because he's Mormon, I should vote for him. So I probably gave him zero chance as a rebellious move.
I've met tons of icky Mormons. But I need to look more into if I actually agree with his policies.
Mormon doesn't always equal smart. And Mormon doesn't always equal right.
We can, we must think for ourselves and make educated decisions based on what we know and believe. The end.
I voted for David Archuleta a few times. But his voice is so sweet and good! He deserved the vote.
Thank you for posting this. I think people of any faith should live in a way that exemplifies what they believe in without having to tell people outright. And if that leads to questions (like it did with me, being the ONLY LDS member in my entire high school) then you better hope you can give an answer you believe in. :)
Totally agree. I don't agree with Romney on most issues. Voting for him for being Mormon would be no different than someone voting against him for being Mormon. Both are ridiculous and close minded.
My favorite quote from the Newsweek article was: "In an age of spiritual consumerism, when many people regard religion as a therapeutic lifestyle aid, faith is often expected to serve the individual. For Mormons, it’s the other way around." Made me feel like we are SO AWESOME.
You don't shock me often, but you did today. You would seriously vote Obama again? Hmm. I won't even say what I'm thinking because you wouldn't like me very much.
So I'll end with this. I'd really like to read that Newsweek article, but your link is broken. I'm off to google it.
I hate the spotlight too. I don't know yet enought about Romney's issues on politics (not my favorite topic anyway..so heated)....
and now that I am in Canada, I guess it doesn't matter as I won't get to vote anyway.
BUT, I know,(cause I know me) I will hate the spotlight being on Mormons and being put on the chopping block. I don't know if I am ready for that.
Are you really getting questions? Or are you just hoping you won't get questions? I think it's interesting that you're all right with discussing politics - hence your openness about voting for Obama - but not when it crosses into your religion. I kind of think that no one is more likely to give you static about any of this than a fellow Mormon. Don't worry about your neighbors.
I think you're exactly right, and I think this is all part of the grand scheme. And a test for those of us that people recognize as Mormons. I've been thinking about some of my friends from high school and hoping that some of the criticism Mormons have been given in recent years will be tempered in their minds with the memories of the love they had for the Nomroms (as we were called by some) that they knew and loved back in the day.
Living so far away from all the things you mention, I'm afraid this won't be much of a test for me (since nobody here has ever heard of Mitt Romney or The Book of Mormon musical. I'll still try to be a good girl.
You + me = political brain twins. I would throw myself over a cliff before voting for Romney. I used to think I could live with Huntsman's moderation, before he started getting all wishy-washy. He's already started flopping around like a fish on a line, trying to come across as more conservative than he really is. You're a moderate, man. LIVE IT. OWN IT. BE IT.
The national spotlight shining on mormonism can be somewhat embarrassing because of the media's tendency to focus on things that are somewhat embarrassing out of context - garments, polygamy, etc. But most of the press coverage I've read has been largely positive. The newsweek article was a little uncomfortable to read, but I thought it was fair. I do have issues with people thinking that because I'm mormon I agree with the church's stance on gay marriage, or that it means I'm automatically a Republican, etc.
We should vote for people that represent our beliefs politically. The religion thing will just make it easier for people that don't want to think analytically.
Ugh...
I hate when people bring religion into places that it doesn't need to go. However, I have no idea who I'm voting for...
Once upon a time I thought I knew things.
I realized that I was wrong.
Now I try to feel things instead.
I'll let you know how that turns out.
(Also, I had SUCH a crush on the Junior Romneys - all of them - when we shared a ward when I was in the second grade.)
These types of spotlights don't crop up for those that fit into the mainstream -- white, male, Protestant, married, east-coast educated, etc. When a political candidate doesn't fit that profile exactly, there's a spotlight on him (sorry, it isn't often a her). Here's an article on JFK's religion -- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,874023,00.html from 1960. This article exists since it was a concern at one time. Now, the new Catholic is a Mormon. Just because it hasn't been done before, doesn't mean it can't be done now. Look at Obama getting elected.
I think the major concern Newsweek is hiding is that Romney has the biggest war chest of funds to battle Obama and they want to remove him from the race early. This happened in California over a decade ago when Gray Davis (the corrupt governor Schwartzenegger helped recall) ran a negative ad campaign against his strongest rival, Richard Riordan, during the Republican PRIMARY--not the actual election. What ended up happening was a weak Republican won the primary and ran against Davis. Then surprisingly, Davis won. How did that happen? It makes you wonder.
P.S. I also don't vote for politicians just because they "look" like me. I'm a very distant cousin of Romney's and will look at his political stances prior to deciding whom I should vote for. But I can't vote for Obama. His economic policies just infuriate me.
Um...Nikol pretty much stole my comment. Except for the part where I actually DO agree with Romney on most issues.
But I really do agree that voting for someone because of their religion (or race) is the same as NOT voting for someone because of their religion (or race). If I'm going to take time out of my day to go and cast a vote, I want to make sure we have more in common than a shared destination on Sunday.
I'm sure I've said this before, but I like you even more after this post. I can't even count the number of times I've gotten looks and snide remarks from "good Mormon people" who think that I'm headed for hell in a hand basket simply because I don't think Obama is the anti-Christ. Gimme a break, people.
Thought provoking. You are awesome.
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