Californians Really Are A Different Breed

June 5, 2009 | By Kitty Felde

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Somehow, living in California, you imagine that the rest of the world looks like us, thinks like us, and acts like us. Not so.

And while it’s true that politicians are like actors - a bit over the top, perhaps not the best example of real life folk - they do demonstrate the regional differences in this country. Boy, do they ever.

San Jose Democrat Mike Honda hosted a press conference on Thursday to promote his immigration bill. It would extend the definition of family to include same sex partners. Honda was joined by Congressional colleagues from several other states and the difference in appearance and demeanor was eye opening.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler from New York was larger than life, addressing the small audience as if he were in a basketball arena at a national political convention. His energy level matched the city of New York itself. It was like pouring a very strong cup of espresso in your ears.

Wisconsin has an openly lesbian Congresswoman, Tammy Baldwin. And you knew she was a midwesterner from the start. She was clean cut, polite, blonde. And she didn’t hog the spotlight. She made her points and then stepped away from the microphone.

Both of Hawaii’s Congressional representatives were there. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and Congressman Neil Abercrombie began their remarks with loud, “aloha!”s and expected the audience to echo “aloha” back at them with just as much passion. Both spoke proudly of their ethnically mixed state with its glorious landscape. They did not, however, come attired in the stereotypical aloha shirt. And neither sported flower leis.

Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee arrived late and loud. Her bright kelly green knit suit was topped off with a sherbet colored shawl. And being a woman from Texas, she had the obligatory big Texas hair. She blew in like a hot wind over the Texas panhandle, announced her apologies for being late, and just a swiftly, blew out of the room on a tailwind. She definitely made a Texas-sized impression.

By contrast, our own California Congressman seemed “normal.” Congressman Honda did not wear the Capitol Hill uniform of a dark suit and white shirt, choosing instead an ensemble in earth tones that reflect our desert landscape. He was quiet, polite, he even shed a tear talking about an issue he obviously feels strongly about.

This, I think, is how we Californians like to think about ourselves: colorful, compassionate, kind to others. We may not really be that way, but it’s nice to know that’s how a Congressman from California presents himself to the world.

Surfer John
4 months, 1 week ago

New Yorkers are loud people. Too loud for my ears since I was born in Santa Monica.

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