Joanne Carraway Word Count: 474

Community Columnist Article for July

Funeral Parlor Fans, Jesus, and Politics

As the political primaries draw near, I can’t help but reminisce about my family’s long history in politics. You see, I’m old enough to remember the days when the political rallies and “stump” speaking on the courthouse lawn were the much-anticipated social event of the summer. I’m old enough to remember when the candidate with the loudest voice got elected, because there was no public address system and, consequently, other promising and capable candidates who were vocally challenged lost by default. I’m old enough to remember the “perks” that went along with enduring the long-winded oratory: homemade ice cream; luscious, red-ripened, Dixie Queen watermelon; and, considering the Southern humidity and July heat index of 110 degrees, the life-saving “hand fans” supplied by the local funeral “parlor.”

It’s those “hand fans,” though, that really are indelibly etched in my memory. They characteristically featured Biblical artist Warner Sallman’s stunning portrait of Christ knocking at the door. As a child I was more enthralled with the sheer beauty of the picture than the thunderous promises of the eloquent speakers. Maybe it was the luminosity of the white robe of Christ in that picture that caught my attention. I remember trying to “feel” the light as I stroked my little fingers across the fan. I wondered what was behind the door to which Christ was diligently seeking entry. At that young age, I didn’t contemplate the juxtaposition of Jesus and the politicians—but now I do.

My epiphany occurred following the reading of the Bible passage wherein a politician of antiquity, the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, posed to Christ the quintessential question: “What is truth?” It is striking that one of the most powerful governmental leaders of that day grappled with the fundamental definition of truth. Did Pilate begin his ascension to power not knowing truth? Or, had the “system” so corrupted and tainted him that truth no longer embodied principles of absolutes? Was Pilate’s question framed in cynicism or sincerity?

Whatever Pilate’s reason for asking Christ that question over 2000 years ago, the use of those hand fans back in the good ole days of “politickin” now made perfect sense to me, for their use made a salient and seminal point: The need for Truth. Maybe, just maybe, Truth had been the clever purpose of the funeral home proprietors back then (along with, of course, brilliant advertisement for their services). I rather imagine that lying wouldn’t come quite so easily for a speaker facing Jesus being waved on a thousand fans in an audience. You know, come to think of it, perhaps we need an infusion of those hand fans once again! Some things, like Truth, never go out of style, so, to funeral home owners everywhere, I say: Fellow countrymen, with all expediency, rise to your civic duty and get those printing presses up and running!