Excerpt
From
Too Late to Die Young:
Susan gets me on gospel radio because she likes the guys at the station. They're jokey and jivey and very Christian. I like their studio. It's all eight-track, 1970s technology. No fancy electronics here; the engineer turns dials and flicks mechanical switches. On one of their cartridges that's been reused and relabeled countless times, I lay down my spot:
I'm Harriet McBryde Johnson. I'm running for Charleston County Council.
You might know me as the wheelchair lawyer who pickets the telethon. People ask me why I do that. The answer is, human dignity is not for sale.
Why am I running for County Council? Because government, too, should treat every citizen with dignity and respect.
When the base closes, what kind of community will we be? If you want a voice in what happens, vote for me, Harriet McBryde Johnson, and the Democratic ticket.
I'll do my best for you.
"'I'll do my best for you,'" one of the radio men repeats. "Is that your slogan?"
It sounds pretty weak I think. "I don't think so. I don't think we have a slogan yet. Maybe we'll run a contest. Got any ideas?"
On departing, I give them the latest edition of the Temporary Campaign Brochure. I don't ask for a copy of my tape. I'd have no way to play it, and eight-tracks are in short supply. Every cartridge is needed in the Lord's service.