An Adolescent Crush and Growing Up Behind the Orange Curtain

I had a sweatshirt similar to this in the 1970's. I used to wear it while I mowed the lawn. And pretty much all the time, come to think of it. Every once in awhile, I let my mom wash it. All these decades later, I still have a thang for Al Green.

Keep in mind that I grew up in Orange County, California. The county that votes 98% Republican in every election. The county where a chapter of The John Birch Society was on my college campus (UC Irvine). The county that even The West Wing made fun of. When I registered as a Democrat at age 18, there was quite an uproar. After the shock wore off, my parents were sort of okay with it, but didn't dare tell my Grandpa Otto. They thought it might kill him.

In college, when I volunteered for the Mondale/Ferraro campaign, things got worse. One time at the Bank of America, a woman HIT ME with her purse because she didn't like my 'MONDALE for President' button.

So you might say it was a little "liberal" to wear a shirt in public with the likeness of a soul singer who was also black. Looking back, I think I might have done it just to piss people off. 'Cause even at 11, that's the kind of girl I was. I sure wish I knew where that sweatshirt was now. I might have to ask for a new one for Christmas.

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I'm off to Orange County (yikes!) to visit my family and help look after my dear dad who is having cataract surgery. Please send good thoughts and I'll be back soon with more stories and (if all goes well) more junk!