I don’t mean to stray from the original purpose of this blog, which is to cover the politics of encampments and policing in Oakland, but today I want to revert to something I wrote yesterday, about my cancer diagnosis, and the public response to it. When I say “public” I mean, of course, members of the Coalition, who are the only ones I send the blog to. Dozens of them—of you--wrote in or emailed me, more than for any other post ever, expressing the same sentiments: sorrow, prayers, and thanks.
I feel an intense, personal connection with my readers, many or most of whom I’ve never met. My experience with writing blogs goes all the way back to 2008, when I began a wine blog (I was still working as a wine journalist) that quickly became one of the most popular of its type in the country. I was deeply appreciative of the connection with my readers, an appreciation that carries over to this day.
Even back then, people told me they were amazed that I dared to say certain things. My attitude was: who cares about controversy? I can see that, even sixteen years ago, I was more or less immune to what we now call political correctness. What mattered to me then, and matters now, is to tell the truth. I’ve often wondered why people think that’s brave. It would be cowardly to have a public voice and not tell the truth.
To all who wrote in to convey your sympathies, thank you. I can’t put it any more plainly. This is a tough time for me. My future is completely unknown but is likely to be…not pleasant. I try to avoid catastrophizing, but it’s hard, especially when you read the stories by people who have the same diagnosis I do—bladder cancer—stories that can be so bitterly painful and frightening. Hope one day, then dashed the next.
Writing has always been my solace. Words are my magic wonderland. And when the motive for writing is as imperative as it is these days in Oakland, writing becomes…I don’t know, transcendent. I mean the act of writing. That would not be true if there were no one to read one’s words. But in this case, there is someone—there are lots of someones. Lots of “you’s.” My writing is seldom if ever the best reporting you can find on any given subject. Professional journalists, such as those at Oaklandside, the Chronicle, and Steven Tavares at East Bay Insiders, do a much better job (even if I don’t always agree with their opinions). What I try to do, in this blog, is to encourage readers, to let them know they’re not alone in thinking the way they do, that at least one other person shares their beliefs—me. It can be hard, in this town, to support the police, and oppose the “progressives” on the City Council; I put the word in quotes because there’s nothing remotely progressive about them. In opposition to the majority of Oakland’s government, we’re constantly pushing against the grain, out of step with the wokes (who claim that morality is on their side), the proverbial nail sticking out of the floor, saying unpopular things and opening ourselves up to attack. I’ve always taken comfort in the belief that many people agree with me, even if the polls or election results suggest otherwise. That belief makes me more determined. Now, with so many of you writing in, that belief is again confirmed, compounded by the profoundest gratitude.
And with that, enough of this weepy stuff. Back to politics tomorrow!
Steve Heimoff