Last Saturday Maine motorcyclists rode from Bath to Camden to show their support for reform and raise funds for non-profit community medical clinics in Maine. Before the group of bikers shoved off, they joined Organizing for America’s state director Julian Fedlerle, Will Towers (a corrections officer and the President of AFSCME Local 2968), and Greg Douglas (a carpenter from Harpswell who was recently featured in an AP story about health care) at a press conference where they called on Senators Collins and Snowe to support a plan that lowers costs, guarantees choice – including a public option, and ensures all Americans have access to quality, affordable care.

Here’s a news segment from WCHS6 in Portland, ME and a few other news stories from events in Independence, MO, Indianapolis, IN and Atlantic City, NJ.

Black Americans are all too aware of the epithet “Uncle Tom,” which refers to someone considered subservient to whites, an accommodating token. A black person is branded an Uncle Tom for veering from the group in any way.

When one goes against prevailing opinion, derision is to be expected. In group-think, individuals are not allowed to express opinions different from the group’s. What’s good for the group takes precedence over what’s good for the individual. As black conservatives know, going against the grain takes courage. Standing up for what’s right is difficult but worth the effort.

“I consider myself an American — I was born and raised here,” Vargas said. “I love my people. I love my culture. I love our rice and beans, our salsa music, our language — everything my parents raised us with. But I am so grateful for the opportunity only the United States can give.”