We met in the mid-nineties. He was in the burgeoning tech industry and I was helping his employer out in a major spat with Phoenix City Hall. We have stayed close and still work together today – albeit, as the photos below indicate in very different capacities.
In the age of tribalism and identity, you would not put the two of us together. He wears a lot of leather, has a ponytail, and runs a biker ministry. He also happens to be reserved and quiet. Me, well, you know, I got rid of my ponytail more than 20 years ago and I’m certainly not shy about my opinions!
In the culture of identity politics, there are some who would rather focus on the differences between a biker dude and a political consultant, rather than our commonalities. However, there are a lot of things that we have in common.
We have both been intrigued by the notion of human freedom. He’s a biker that is a pastor, the iconic cultural icons of the American motorcycle culture and the limitless open road written about by rockers like Bob Seger, “Headed out on my big two-wheeler I was tired of my own voice, took a bead on the northern plains and just rolled that power on.” As a pastor, he is ministering in a place where opportunities would seem limitless.
If you would like to strike back in the battle against identity-first culture and support someone doing good in the world, please read on, and vote for friend of the firm Shawn “U-Turn” Taylor in the “Dream Chopper” contest.
David Brooks, a favorite political and cultural commentator of mine once wrote, “Freedom is not an ocean you want to swim in; it is a river you want to cross so that you can plant yourself on the other side.” Indeed, theologian C.S Lewis is paraphrased as saying, “Hell is the greatest monument to human freedom.”
In addition to being a husband, father, and grandfather, Shawn is also the Director of Two Thieves Motorcycle Ministry in West Phoenix. Both Shawn and I have swam across that “ocean” and planted our flag on the “other side.” To us, that other side begins with the common understanding that we were created by a perfect God and that we all fall short of that.
You can certainly “look” at Shawn and see something that is not there. I look at Shawn and see “freedom fighter” who has firmly planted his flag on the other shore of cultural responsibility and is reflecting his light in our world and making it a better place. Winning a contest like this would help Shawn do even more – I would encourage you to join us in supporting him.
How to vote:
You must have a valid Facebook account to vote.
Here is the link to vote: https://dreamchopper.com/2020/shawn-taylor
Follow the link and click on the button labeled “Free Daily Vote.”
Shawn can earn one vote per person every 24 hours.
We greatly appreciate everyone who takes the time to help out our good friend! You can help with a vote or by simply passing along his story!
Follow Shawn’s progress:
Twitter @intheknight
Facebook facebook.com/NotYourEverydayGeek
Instagram instagram.com/intheknight/