Liberalism has changed a great deal over the last half century. Whereas it was once optimistic and genuinely compassionate, it has become cranky and mean-spirited. Almost every day, we hear about what liberals hate. Although they talk about love, they seldom demonstrate it.
How different this is from the liberalism of my younger days. This is why I decided to honor three righteous liberals I have known. I began with my uncle Milton and continue with a former coworker: Noel Martlock. Both were men of high ideals and kindhearted follow through.
Noel and I worked together in Rochester, New York for the state’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. We served as counselors at the same psychiatric facility. While I dealt with the mentally ill, his caseload was primarily the physically disabled.
Noel was an excellent counselor. His clients loved him because he was competent and concerned. He always listened to people and was plugged into the services suited to their needs. A no nonsense kind of guy, just as with my uncle, there was usually a smile on his face.
What made this special is that Noel was disabled. He suffered from congenital osteoarthritis. This meant that he was hunched over and stood barely four and a half feet high. His hands were so badly gnarled that he could hold a pencil with difficulty; yet hold it he did.
Despite his handicap, Noel believed in doing for himself. He never played the cripple card. Oftentimes we had to assist him with doors, but when he could do for himself, he would. All of this was very natural, without an appeal to guilt or sympathy.
Noel, as I say, was a liberal. By then, I was a committed conservative. We were aware of these differences; nevertheless rarely spoke of them. Our political leanings had nothing to do with our jobs or personal relationship.
In any event, Noel’s health gradually deteriorated. He knew his life would be brief, but intended to make the most of it. Unfortunately he began falling asleep at his desk. When he started doing this when dealing with clients, he knew it was time to retire.
The doctors’ initial assessment was that he was suffering from narcolepsy. This was deemed incurable. About a year later, however, it became apparent that a settling of his bones caused his breathing difficulties. This suggested a tracheotomy as a cure.
The procedure was a success. Noel was soon back to his joyful self. This prompted him to ask for his old job. For reasons I never understood, the request was denied. But that was not the end of the story. Noel was not about to quit.
He went on to law school, where he obtained a degree. After this, he volunteered to help the poor with their legal problems. This took all of the energy he could muster; yet it never occurred to him to sit home feeling sorry for himself.
Noel passed away shortly thereafter. He was in his early forties, which was nearly a decade longer than he was expected to survive. His was a worthwhile life. Whenever I feel depressed, he example cheers me up. From him, I learned that we humans can do more than we imagine.
As for his liberalism, Noel was constantly realistic. He did not believe in pie in the sky solutions. His compassion was practical, not theoretical. If what he was doing did not help people, he altered his approach. He understood that results matter.
For too many contemporary liberals all that counts are good intentions. If their programs are tearing families apart, they rationalize the debris as laudable diversity. If crime goes up on their watch, they blame the police rather than the criminals.
What most characterizes modern liberalism is bellyaching. It adherents cry about everything and take responsibility for nothing. Whatever goes wrong is someone else’s fault and hence has nothing to do with the limitations of their philosophy.
Noel was not like that. He knew first hand that life’s difficulties were not academic. They had little to do with theoretical models of social justice. The help he rendered was person to person. This meant that if it did not help, it had to be modified.
Compare this with how stubborn liberals have become. If a healthcare program does not do well, they double down and demand more. If race relations deteriorate, whites are evidently more bigoted than ever. Is this what liberal kindliness has come to?
Melvyn L. Fein, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Kennesaw State University
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