Anti-Intellectualism and An Avocado

People often assume that because one is in a certain profession, they are well-versed on most everything about that topic. So, because I am a history teacher, I occasionally get asked some obscure question about a random historical era or figure and when I respond with "I don't know," get frustrated looks in return. While I'm certain all you teachers understand what I'm talking about, I imagine this phenomena knows no occupational boundary. Many mechanics probably can't tell you what oil filter goes on a 1972 powder blue Ford pinto, nor should nurses be asked to explain why your elbow feels funny.

While we often equate a specialized skill set to vast knowledge of anything that might possibly be connected in a brainstorm web, it seems we also assume passion for all of those outlying concepts and ideas as well. I know for a fact that this is not true. I am working on my PhD in history and have spent the past few years teaching at both the high school and college level. But, big deal, there is a lot about the profession and the subject matter itself that does not interest me in the least. I have no desire to be interviewed for a PBS special; I couldn't care less how many books, if any, I publish; I will never expect acquaintances to call me Dr. Turner; I would rather work at Centre or Berea or a community college close to home than any renowned research university across the country. Most pertinent to this particular blog entry, I hope to never become the kind of historian so entrenched in archives and the dry regurgitation of facts that I forget the importance of thought-provoking and socially relevant ideas. History without analysis intrigues me very little; why produce something that does not inspire questions or make people think?

This stuff is on my mind because I've been (re)reading work by Richard Hofstadter, a former Columbia University history professor, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and cultural critic whose political leanings were invariably nuanced throughout most his life. As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, there are many historical narratives and styles that make me want to poke my eyeballs out. Hofstadter's work does not. I appreciate the fact that he is an intellectual historian who allows ideas, not archival minutia, to ground both theory and thesis (this is the primary critique of Hofstadter, that he did not rely enough on primary research). Even when I don't necessarily agree with a stance or interpretation, I so enjoy reading his work. It is occasionally biting and irrefutably smart, yet the writing itself is relatively understated and approachable (it seems a good sign when the arguments and wit speak for themselves without need for pretentious presentation).

Hofstadter has been on my mind because I have been trying to put some of the stuff I talk about on here in context of historical scholarship (I'm trying to push myself to write more on the dissertation rather than on Pillowbook). While I don't think it imperative to justify why my community or family makes me happy, I also see the value in occasionally stepping outside of my subjective experience. There just comes a time when tiny eyebrows and dreams of being Beyonce just don't cut it.

In Age of Reform, Hofstadter's 1955 publication that is perhaps his most renowned and influential work, he explains Populism within the context of "the Agrarian Myth." Basically Hofstadter suggests that Populism, the late 1800s political movement associated with agriculture and localized politics, has been evaluated by audiences in rose-colored glasses. His point: the self-sufficient, innocent, yeoman farmer didn't exist in the Gilded Age; instead, Hofstadter warned of putting too much stake in sentimental concepts of republicanism (pick yourself up by your bootstraps type stuff), the democratic potential of the local in wake of industrialization, and of democracy itself.

Hofstadter's argument could be easily applied to modern politics, just as it could to my blog. Occasionally, I think I border on, if not completely embrace, romanticism. I see the local as a bastion of comfort and goodness, but tend to ignore those qualities I would characterize in any other circumstance as narrow-minded and/or regressive. Is there a danger (and if so, what is it) in propagating my own agrarian myth?

With that being said, here's more "Adventures of the Yeoman Farmer" for you:):
When out mowing my yard today, the gentleman who happened to be mowing the Carhartt lot came over and introduced himself. Before asking why I had never grilled hamburgers and hotdogs for he and his coworkers instead of making them eat their bologna sandwiches for lunch (have you all noticed how bologna seems to be a part of many stories?:)), he got to telling about how he used to help my dad on the farm. In fact, he knew "Curtis Lee and Miss Jackie" even when they "were just courting," recalling how he used to drive Mom's blue pinto when she would come down from Glasgow to visit dad for a few days.
This conversation made my day.
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And now, the long-awaited debut of (and the obvious segue way from Hofstadter)...
LINDSEY AND HER AVOCADO
My avocado recipe for today is a pretty traditional use for my favorite fruit - my version of Starbucks Huevos Racheros Wrap. I somehow had myself convinced that statewide testing=trips to Starbucks for Mrs. Devore. This was working out quite well until my SB gift card ran out and I had to choose between my new morning fix (wrap and green tea) or gas in my car. I decided to attempt the wrap at home today. Thanks to my friend Terri, I have a new found love for corn tortillas and decided to use those instead of the whole grain flour used by SB, otherwise I used most of the same ingredients. Cilantro would have been a great addition to this dish (I am strangely fond of this herb and really think you can never add enough to any salsa or Mexican dish).

Lindsey’s Huevos Rachero Mini Wraps
Two eggs, scrambled with salt, pepper and garlic powder
Add shredded cheese, tomatoes with lime juice, diced avocado
Add black beans (optional)

I put the wraps in foil and ate them once I arrived at school. They had time to “steam” in the foil and I think this improved the taste and the texture of the corn tortillas. I had Salsa Verde at school and added this to my dish (I am also strangely fond of salsa verde- “keep pouring it on”).

My wraps were quite different than Starbucks, but satisfying all the same. I give Lindsey’s Huevos Rachero Mini Wraps 4.5 out of 5 avocados on my avocado yummy scale.