Nancy Smith and Casey Hatcher
Recorded
July 16, 2020
53:29 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddv000035
Description
Nancy Smith (63) speaks with her One Small Step conversation partner Casey Hatcher (34) about changes in Abilene, TX, including Christian Universities and free speech, local and federal politics in the community, and Evangelical Christianity in relation to political leanings.Subject Log / Time Code
NS speaks about growing up on a farm before moving to Abilene later in life. CH talks about her experience living in Abilene for her entire life, and speaks about her current pursuit of a Masters degree in Theology.
CH speaks about her plans for life after the seminary, and reflects on her lifelong desire to learn.
NS speaks about being asked to participate in the One Small Step Program. CH recalls her last experience doing a One Small Step recording, and shares her earliest memories of her family being outwardly apolitical.
NS speaks about her father being a Democrat in his days as a farmer, before changing his views when he felt the party stopped supporting rural workers. NS recalls her parents instilling political respect for the presidency from a young age, and losing that respect for Bill Clinton.
CH recalls a TED talk she watched with Monica Lewinsky. CH speaks about her values regarding voting, morality, and issue-focused voting. NS talks about the limitations of the two-party system, and how partisanship stops progress.
CH reflects on Evangelical Christians' support of Donald Trump, the different issues those voters focus on, and how people in Abilene equate their faith with political alignment.
NS remembers her father's teachings about hard work and kindness, and shares her desire for all others to work hard in their communities. CH offers a hypothetical of Donald Trump being the mayor instead of the president, and if his behavior would be accepted in Abilene.
CH asks NS about her work at a private Christian University and how it has shaped her views. NS gives an example of a Muslim prayer room being built on campus, and the different responses the university had to face.
CH reflects on her own experiences at another Christian University in Abilene. CH remembers an LGBTQ group speaking on the campus, and reflects on how attending their talk informed her decision to go into the seminary.
NS speaks about trying to be more open and hear others, but struggling with the Black Lives Matter movement, as her husband and son are police officers in their community. CH reflects on public perceptions of police. They close and discuss their favorite movies.
Participants
- Nancy Smith
- Casey Hatcher