Single-Wide Trailers: The New Symbol of Humble Origins

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

America's first political class, people like Washington, Jefferson, Madison, the Adams, the Lees, Patrick Henry and the other national leaders of the Revolutionary period, were born to privilege and represented the elite segment of society.  It wasn't until the election of Andrew Jackson to the presidency in 1828 that the public began to realize that common people were also capable of leadership - as long as they were white men.

Our seventh President, Jackson, had roots which were far more common than those of our "founding fathers."    Old Hickory not been born amid wealth established in Europe, and his views on the future of the young country had been forged on the frontier and in the military, rather than from the lap of luxury.  He came across as a true man of the people, someone who shared the views and interests of ordinary individuals - and someone who, like most of them, had even been born in a log cabin. 

The log cabin quickly became a symbol that early 19th century politicians used to highlight their humble origins, reminding voters that they, like Andrew Jackson, were also men of the people.  Following Jackson, at least six other US Presidents were born in log cabins, including:   James K. Polk, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan. Abraham Lincoln, and James A. Garfield - as well as hundreds of holders of lesser offices.   Having been born in a log cabin essentially "made" a candidate a man of the people, and any who had been fortunate to have been born with that advantage were quick to cash in on it.

Today, of course, standards defining "humble origins" have changed.  I recently read that Jimmy Carter, who was born on October 1, 1924, was the first U President to have been born in a hospital - and indication that we are truly becoming a modern nation.

Now the emphasis is shifting away from the circumstances of our birth to the environment in which we were raised.  Last week in an article in Politico which focused on Jason Smith, my US congressman, a Republcican from Missouri's 8th district, I came across this deprecatory gem that Smith has crafted about his own humble origins:

“I grew up in a working-class family. My mother was a factory worker and my dad was an auto mechanic and a preacher, and I lived in a single-wide trailer for most of my life.  My background is what drives me and the policies I’m pushing.

Tennessee Williams couldn't have said it better!