My club here in DC does a weekly track workout on Wednesday and the refrain last week was one of overwhelming gratitude that we had a space to share together where we could lift one another and aim our nervous energy at something. Was far and away the best part of last week.
Much as I would love everything and anything I participate in to resist so much of the Trump ethos, I think run clubs should stay out of it, unless they already identify with a particular social or cultural identity. I live in an area where I assume that everybody is a Trump supporter until I find out otherwise; I hope most of the people I run with are not, but I really do not know. Just over the last few days I have seen bitter and aggressive discussions and "unfriendings" among local runners online. So I have to say I will run with anybody who does not let their politics, religion or whatever interfere with their relationship with other runners (in words or in actions) . . . although for the after-run beer I will certainly gravitate towards the fellow runners who I know to be more of my mind. But I would hate all run clubs to split into MAGA and non-MAGA contingents.
I agree. But I do have some soft R Republican friends, and I know they somehow agree with most of the things I say as a hard P Progressive, so I actually don't mind having a beer with them while they explain income tax to me incorrectly. Basically, I don't think all hope is lost yet, however it might feel.
Whatever people may think of some of the extremes of the current Republican/Trump party, I suspect a lot of people voted for them simply because of the economic situation.
Ignoring them and their view, and living (running!) in a world of echo chambers isn’t going to help.
Of course, no running clubs wants extremists rocking up expressing racist, sexism etc views but we should be able to exclude those people while still having tolerant spaces where views can be sensibly discussed.
Run clubs should be where people of all backgrounds can live and run together. We see each other as just political views, never as people with backgrounds and lives. Running together and talking together afterwards will help us all grow.
My club here in DC does a weekly track workout on Wednesday and the refrain last week was one of overwhelming gratitude that we had a space to share together where we could lift one another and aim our nervous energy at something. Was far and away the best part of last week.
That's cool. It must have been pretty intense in DC!
I was lucky to have a nice long walk planned with a couple of pals. I followed that up with a second long walk alone.
It was weirdly quiet on Tuesday but you could feel it in the air on Wednesday.
Much as I would love everything and anything I participate in to resist so much of the Trump ethos, I think run clubs should stay out of it, unless they already identify with a particular social or cultural identity. I live in an area where I assume that everybody is a Trump supporter until I find out otherwise; I hope most of the people I run with are not, but I really do not know. Just over the last few days I have seen bitter and aggressive discussions and "unfriendings" among local runners online. So I have to say I will run with anybody who does not let their politics, religion or whatever interfere with their relationship with other runners (in words or in actions) . . . although for the after-run beer I will certainly gravitate towards the fellow runners who I know to be more of my mind. But I would hate all run clubs to split into MAGA and non-MAGA contingents.
I agree. But I do have some soft R Republican friends, and I know they somehow agree with most of the things I say as a hard P Progressive, so I actually don't mind having a beer with them while they explain income tax to me incorrectly. Basically, I don't think all hope is lost yet, however it might feel.
Falling back deeper into silos into the answer.
Whatever people may think of some of the extremes of the current Republican/Trump party, I suspect a lot of people voted for them simply because of the economic situation.
Ignoring them and their view, and living (running!) in a world of echo chambers isn’t going to help.
Of course, no running clubs wants extremists rocking up expressing racist, sexism etc views but we should be able to exclude those people while still having tolerant spaces where views can be sensibly discussed.
I've just seen more people draw a line in the sand this time, so I suspect the division is only going to increase for a while.
But yes, falling back and doing more is the answer. Doing more of the stuff you think is *good* is always the answer.
Yeah, it happened here after Brexit, family members arguing and friends falling out. The power of lies.
Run clubs should be where people of all backgrounds can live and run together. We see each other as just political views, never as people with backgrounds and lives. Running together and talking together afterwards will help us all grow.