I’m a big fan of Newark Mayor Cory Booker. I’m not from Newark and save for a few stop overs on the way to New York, I’ve never spent any quality time there. I do think it’s fair to say that the city has long had a reputation. Whether that reputation is fair or not, I can’t speak to. I only know that since he’s been mayor, he’s been a fantastic ambassador for the city and, for that matter, the country.
Whether he’s trumpeting the “deliciousness” of our racial diversity or presenting a much needed pragmatic approach to issues ranging from economics to gun control, he’s an inspiring figure in that, at least to me, he rouses the possibilities of both country and man.
And Superman.
Improving the economic conditions in Newark would be enough, but Booker adds to his resume by rushing into burning buildings and saving freezing dogs. The guy is just a compelling character in a great story, so I had to start following him on Twitter.
So I’d see his “Tweets” – what the Mayor’s up to, the occasional motivational quote – but the best stuff would be something like when a Newark citizen notified Booker that an elderly lady was in her apartment and had no heat. Seconds later Booker responded that he’s on his way with a blanket and space heater. Look at his feed. This is absolutely true.
I’m curious if a John Williams score accompanies Booker when he enters these places in the nick of time. I doubt this is true. Probably because he’s not actually Superman and does, of course, need the occasional break.
There is a great distance between admiration and emulation. While I wish I were more like Booker in many ways…Well, I just took a quick break to grab a Kraft Single from my fridge. And I’m just blogging. Granted, I haven’t eaten lunch yet and it’s 2:13 in the afternoon, but my point is that mine is a different kind of Hero’s journey. And not simply because I haven’t rescued any dogs.
But I digress, this is not about me but rather my admiration for a civic leader that I truly believe in. In these tense times it’s nice to have leaders that both seem like decent folks and manage to get things done. I’m looking at you Congress.
But in our polarized society, regardless of how “delicious” it may very well be, you can’t please everyone.
Once again on the Twitter feed, I caught someone giving the Mayor hell that he didn’t respond to one of his Tweets.
Today we get excited when we make connections. We have more ways to do so and seem to get more “connected” every day to all kinds of people. So much so that we start to take it for granted.
Booker replied that he can’t respond to each and every “tweet”. I think this is perfectly acceptable because I’m frankly surprised he responds to any at all.
You can’t help everyone. You can’t do everything. Whether you’re saving freezing dogs or snacking on Kraft Singles, however well-meaning your intentions, you can’t be everywhere at once, all things to all people. Not even Superman. In fact, Superman’s father advised him of such and thus Clark Kent was thrust upon an unsuspecting world.
And so in our continuing age of irony it would seem that even our public figures with seemingly the best intentions need a secret identity. Not to hide their duplicitousness, but rather just to get an occasional break from their deliciousness.
C I P R I A N I 
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