The Politics of Pedi’s

My 67-year-old mother and I had our monthly pedicure this morning! I can’t explain why I love doing this so much. Imagine 12 pedicure chairs in a row with pedicurists working over the clients’ feet. The place is packed, women wait for an open chair. Both patrons and workers range in age, from young and playful to elderly and wise. It’s fascinating to me how language is really no barrier at all.

It is a “woman’s place,” the talk is about children and husbands and looking and feeling beautiful. Call me a sexist and a racist and whatever – don’t care. It just feels right. It is the 2010 version of the beauty shop in “Steel Magnolias.” They recognize us and tease my mother about always choosing plain pale pink polish for her toes while I opt for red glitter, zebra stripes and flowers. Smiles pass between the women. Do men have such a place – I mean, do they bond at the auto parts store?

So, in this place where things are Right in the Universe, in stark contrast to most of the rest of the world, I noticed a stack of political brochures at the toe polish drying station. The shop was endorsing Cindy Truong running for District Judge. Cindy, brought from Viet Nam at age 11, could not speak English at first. She graduated Valedictorian seven years later from Mustang High. While working at a convenience store, she earned a bachelor’s in Economics in three years and a juris doctorate in another three. She’s been an assistant DA the last 10 years, and several area fraternal police orders are supporting her.

I loved the text of her brochure. “My last name is not Smith or Jones, but I am from here. I am an Oklahoman.” And on her website, she credits the injustices she witnessed as a child in Viet Nam as the fuel for her life. “Instead of wallowing in sorrow, I made myself strong.”

Now that, folks, is the American Dream. I can’t wait to cast my vote for her.

I included a few pics of Cindy and her son, her gorgeous husband, and some of her crew walking/ running the Red Bud Classic.