Later this month is my 50th high school class reunion. I plan to attend because I truly had good friends in high school, people I’d like to see again.

PAUL GORDON

But even though I’ve attended several class reunions in the past and enjoyed them all, I wasn’t sure about this one. Even though the 50th is the biggie, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be around some others in my class or from my high school.

I’m originally from a small town in southern Indiana, four hours from here; lived there through college. Since moving up here I’ve had to laugh when people have said I don’t have an accent. When people would say that the area I was reared in was notorious for being the land of the KKK, I scoffed. I’d never heard that while there and still don’t get it.

But I have come to realize in the last decade that there is a larger political divide in my hometown than I had ever imagined. And it really has nothing to do with Democrats and Republicans or who among my classmates is one or the other.

It comes down to Donald Trump, easily the most polarizing politician in decades and perhaps ever.

I guess I’ve been naive in that I was surprised to find just how many of my classmates follow Trump, believe in him and in anything that comes out of his mouth. Some have gotten downright nasty when learning of my disdain for him.

I’m talking about people who were good friends in high school, guys I’d sneak down to the river with on Friday nights after the ballgame to drink beer and smoke cigarettes.

I remember voting in my first presidential election in 1976: Carter vs. Ford. The discussions at the time centered more on which man we felt would get the most done and less on party. I voted for Jimmy Carter because I believed he would have a better chance getting things through Congress since it, at that time, was held by the Democratic Party.

But as I think back there wasn’t a whole lot of discussion among people my age. We did not, of course, have the pleasure — or pressure — of social media. Many of us read the newspapers and watched debates but I’m not sure how many really paid attention to the candidates. It just wasn’t something we talked about much over a beer or game of pool.

I grew up in a strong union household and thus, a Democratic one. To this day I vote mostly Democrat and don’t worry about ruffling feathers.

Still, I am a little leery about this reunion. I will try to avoid conflicts and turn a blind eye to anyone wearing a MAGA hat at the parade. I just want to have a good time, see old friends, drive around and see how the town of 18,000 has changed.

Eat some of the best pizza you’ll find anywhere.

Politics had little place at my high school pep rallies, football and basketball games or proms. That’s what I’m hoping for this reunion.

To quote one of those good friends, “I hope we’re old enough and wise enough to leave that crap at the door.”

Me, too.