I remember Ronald Reagan's Presidency. I hated it. In retrospect, he was better than W. but he wasn't quite as great as the news seems to "remember" him this week. Don't get me wrong, he deserves his state funeral, he was a President. But to point out the other side I offer two things:
First, I was in 5th grade when he was elected. My best friend was an African-American kid named Otis. I remember talking to Otis during recess and he was truly scared about Reagan being elected. Otis was positive that he wouldn't be able to go to school with me anymore because Reagan didn't like African-Americans and would reverse integration. Of course, that was just a scared kid but it does point out how polarizing Reagan's Presidency was. Otis obviously gleaned this information from his Mom or other adults who were talking about Reagan in a not-so-obvious light. I don't think Reagan hated African-Americans but that is the first thing I think of when I think of Reagan.
Second I offer this cartoon1 which I do think points out the truth.
Reagan does hold a place for me as the man who was President when I first really became politically aware. He probably shaped my political leanings (that sentence would disappoint him!). Similar with Jimmy Carter. Jimmy was my President. He was the first one I really remember understanding as President (I remember Ford, but I don't remember thinking of him as my President. I don't remember Nixon, but I remember lots of conflict!). I undertood what it meant to be President when Jimmy was in office... and I got to shake his hand at the Wilson Public Library! That will win a kid over for life.
So, fare well Ronald. Lets hope you have shaped our world for the better with your service. I have my doubts.
1 Thanks to Eric Carbone for the link, by way of Rich Mintz.
Posted by dmason at June 11, 2004 03:41 PM