To the woman who accosted me at Safeway over my Biden/Harris hoodie:
You said you couldn’t understand why I’d wear it.
Here’s what I’d have answered if you hadn’t already made your escape: Joe Biden was not my first choice for president, but I wear his name proudly because I believe in three things: democracy, science and the unfilled promise at America’s heart.
I believe in democracy because it’s not only just but wise for everyone to participate in making our society.
I believe in science because it’s the best way we have to face the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis that’s already here and will only get worse.
I believe in America because I believe everyone deserves life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
And I know that promise to be unfilled because not everyone has what all people deserve.
If you believe otherwise, well, it’s a free country.
But do believe this: I’ll keep wearing the hoodie, and believing what I believe, and doing what I can to help the America I love find its way through Covid, climate change, and whatever else history throws at us.
I believe filling the promise at America’s heart is the key and I hope someday you will, too.
Dallas Taylor
Port Angeles