What I Like About Nebraska and Tim Walz
Yesterday, Laura and I set out early for Omaha, Nebraska. It is about an hour north of us, which doesn’t seem like a drive because everything here is a bit of a n adventure. Reaching the grocery store takes 30 to 45 minutes, so it was an easy day trip.
We decided at the last minute to attend the Tim Walz rally, even though I had some accessibility issues. We took our time planning the trip and got there plenty early. When we arrived, the lines were already outside the gathering area and into the neighboring fields. Luckily, they set aside an ADA area, which still took some walking, but we didn’t have to stand in the long line. The people waiting in our ADA group were very friendly, so I enjoyed the wait as I watched the Secret Service agents get in place along with the other faithful police officers at their scheduled posts. It was quite exciting for someone who doesn’t get out much.
Before my deconstruction, I was a Pastor for about 20 years. One of those churches was in rural Nebraska. While leading the small church, building a new building, and integrating into the lives of those dear people, I witnessed their sincerity, generosity, and sense of community. I would later sour on the religious side of things, but I never forgot the kindness and love I felt from many people there. A couple of times, when a farmer passed away suddenly, the whole community would band together and help their neighbor bring in the crops. It left a mark on me, and I will always remember that.
At the appointed time, we were allowed to enter after a thorough search by the Secret Service agents. There was assigned seating for the disabled like me, and we met several reserved Nebraskans who were kind and accommodating. We had relatively good seats that were right next to the great maze of recording equipment and well-dressed reporters. I thought about their dedication to reporting what they see and doing it in a compelling manner. They were a mixture of young, beautiful journalism people up front and the older, mature ones hunched over laptops in the back.
I wondered to myself what it feels like to go to all that effort and bring all that equipment to record what happened there and then be upstaged by someone who wasn’t there and twist their reporting to suit their own narrative. It is frustrating when people believe things with no eyewitness accounts and flatly deny the things they don’t want to be true. It’s part of what discourages me about religion and politics that we deny what we can see and observe and tend to believe in the myths and the fairy tales that we hope will be true. But we were there, and this is what we concluded based on the evidence we saw and what we already know about Nebraskans.
- Considering Caring About the Little People
When the Governor came onto the stage to a standing ovation, some people were with him. When the woman about his age began to speak, I shamefully proposed, in my mind, that I wanted to hear what Tim said, not another speaker. But I quickly realized that this was his wife, and I did want to hear what she had to say. The other lady was a former student of the two former teachers. Both told relatable stories about their experiences in public school education and how one person can make a difference.
From the moment the three of them began to speak, I fell into the narrative and memory of every good teacher and coach I’ve ever had. They were resolute and strong but compassionate and cared about the struggling football player who needed to improve in English class. It’s easy to assume we should support the high achievers and privileged people in our communities and condemn anyone who doesn’t measure up or is struggling. However, good teachers and good Nebraskans know different things and see the potential in all the struggling and marginalized.
- Evaluating What’s Important
I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, so I know that the population density in a place doesn’t necessarily mean that any one characteristic is true. For example, I grew up in a small town and an area where busyness and activity were honored over contemplation and silence. As a young man, I participated in the wheat harvest before I graduated high school, but I never took the time to stand in the soil and appreciate the stars. I would experience that later in Nebraska when I learned that sometimes it’s better to do nothing and appreciate where and who you are.
With all of Tim Walz’s enthusiasm, I also sensed his appreciation for the people and the situation he finds himself in. He definitely draws attention when he is in a room, but he seems to be able to live in that moment and appreciate what is without wishing for it to be different.
Since I retired as a clergy member in Nebraska, my beliefs have taken me on a wild journey that I am so glad I embarked upon. A few weeks ago, the children of one of my old friends asked me to officiate his memorial service. I ensured that they understood I was not a religious pastor anymore and my remarks would be what I felt in my heart. My address paid little heed to the scriptures and had no references or common religious things we usually say out of habit. I shared my thoughts about what I feel is important.
The attendees obviously had different religious backgrounds, but I didn’t hear a comment afterward about what I should have said. They were present at the moment, listened intently, sometimes even nodded, and approved in a reserved Nebraska way. I felt love and appreciation and validated whether or not I presented the right gospel (good news) they expected.
Nebraska used to have a motto that got misinterpreted by people, saying, “Nebraska, honestly, it’s not for everyone.” It makes me laugh every time I hear it. While I want to dismiss it as ridiculous, I also am coming to understand that there is some wisdom in it. Not everyone can appreciate stillness, silence, or doing nothing for a while to regain their sanity. We too often endorse what’s exciting and popular instead of good, wholesome, and effective.
What I admire in many Nebraskans is what I admire in Tim Walz. They both seem to have spent some time evaluating the call to love our neighbors instead of jumping on bandwagons of hate just because it’s popular to “own” the Libs or humiliate our rivals. I know that Tim and Nebraskans are not perfect, but they seem to have spent some time contemplating what matters most.
- Endorsing Community
Humans have a deep need for connection. It is hardwired into us, and we seek it out no matter where we start or wherever we find ourselves existing. In my opinion, religions have played on this need that we have to connect and develop communities that generally meet the needs of the founders and those in control more than the needs of the individual people. It provides enough community to keep us busy but doesn’t always solve humanity’s problems.
Of course, smaller communities and minority communities often overcome the challenges and provide a real community for their citizens.
But what most people don’t understand about community is that it has to be inclusive. The best communities are those that love everyone the same. Rallies like the one we attended give us that same sense of community, but if they exclude groups of people like queer and other marginalized people, then it’s just as bad as a church that isn’t inclusive of all people. Anytime there is othering because of race, sexual orientation, or gender, then the community is more of a club or a closed society than a community.
Just before Governor Walz spoke at the rally, a 12-year-old black teenager approached the mic and brought the house down with her powerful rendition of “It’s Been a Long Time Coming” and “Rise Up.” I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between how the crowd treated her and what I typically hear from Republicans and Religious people ruthlessly laying siege to what doesn’t match their personal preferences or causes them to think about something uncomfortable.
At the rally in Nebraska, no one had to provoke this appreciation and love, which was inherent in those gathered. There were queer people, minorities, cat ladies, farmers, businesspeople, and people with and without families. They instinctively were just to all those around them, even to the protester who wasn’t on board with the proceedings.
Communities that, through power and control, completely control the group’s narrative and what the makeup of that group looks like are not real communities. They are essentially cults that have gathered around one specific person who satisfies their vitriol and hate for those who are not like them. There is a distinct difference between resonance with a leader and unquestioned loyalty. I identified with the community that gathered in Omaha because they cared about each other as much as they cared about the speakers.
Being a part of a community can sometimes be frustrating because everyone is not easy to love. One person, whether a politician or a pastor, cannot solve the issues of the community, the country, or even the parish. It may be as simple as loving your neighbor, not the charismatic leader.
- Returning to Authenticity
What I felt most about the governor of Minnesota was his authenticity. He was real, just like the best teachers and coaches in my life. He wasn’t perfect but determined to love, include, and encourage the people around him. In the long run it wasn’t about him, it was about those who couldn’t help themselves. It was about working together for a common good.
To be authentic, a person must have a core sense of values and know who they are. This is very hard for a pastor or a politician to achieve because once they’ve amassed a fan base, changing direction could derail their endeavors. A person of integrity has to be authentic enough to stick to their values even when it makes them less popular for a season. It’s the difference between being liked and respected.
I will never be a fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, just because it is not my state of origin, and it’s just a football game. I also never learned to like Runza sandwiches for whatever reason. But I know authenticity when I see it, and I find it in many Nebraskans, including Tim Walz and the beautiful voice of Ms. Dorsey!
The ride home went fast because we had many things to contemplate. Oddly enough, I mostly felt hope, which is the name of the Governor’s daughter. Doing the right things and achieving community, understanding, and mutual benefit is hard work. It won’t get done by demonizing what we consider to be the other side; it will be when we unite around common values that benefit all of us, not just the privileged.
Even though I’m not religious, my values center around loving our neighbor. I intend to keep contemplating that, possibly by staring at the stars from my porch, but definitely not while eating a Runza or watching the Huskers play football. I remain aware of issues and challenges in our world and my local community without having to destroy someone else or “own” or control the narrative.
It feels like vulnerability and struggle to pursue this path, but it also feels like hope and authenticity and progress!
Be where you are, Be who you are, be at peace!
Karl Forehand
What Kind of Father is the Christian God?
Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward, Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity. He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community. He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston. His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply! You can read more about the author here.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In