By guest contributor: Renee Campbell
Democratic Convention Finale - WTOP News
As the Democratic Convention unfolded last week, we were shown one inspiring montage after another and presented with speakers broadcasting messages of warning and hope. Citizens from across the spectrum of the Democratic Party and even into the Republican Party lent their voices to the cause of defeating Donald Trump and electing Joe Biden our next US President.
Two of the most powerful speeches came from former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, Michelle Obama laid out the need for change. Her assessment of Donald Trump’s shortcomings as President was reinforced by the Republican defectors who spoke at the convention in support of Biden. Barack Obama reminded us that the struggle to make this country work for all its citizens is nothing new. Heroes of the past put their faith in what could be rather than what was, and were able to bring about structural reform. These speeches were focused on character - the self-serving, amoral character of Donald Trump, which has led us to a state of chaos, and the empathetic and diligent nature exhibited by Joe Biden, which will enable him to lead us to a better place.
Joe Biden’s acceptance speech was a knock-out by all accounts. His warmth of character and dedication to his life’s work as a public servant is undeniable. Biden’s choice of running mate says good things about his desire for an inclusive administration, and his record in supporting pro-gay rights legislation and authoring anti-domestic violence legislation speaks to his willingness to get ahead of the curve on issues he believes are moral imperatives. His capacity to persevere serves as a role model for us as individuals and as a nation. Joe Biden is undeniably a survivor, and if we trust him to lead us, maybe we will be too.
Biden/Harris will be a tough ticket to beat come November - at least I hope so. My only negative comment on the week’s proceedings was the over-use of quasi-religious imagery and language. If the word “soul” had been tied to a drinking game, we all would have been wasted by the end of each night.
They say there are no atheists in a foxhole, but no doubt there are quite a few in the Democratic Party. Voters are unlikely to object to a President who holds strong religious convictions. Many of the heroes of the civil rights era were deeply committed to their faith in God. But it is not a good idea to leave the impression that the Party is pinning its hopes on a supreme being. When trust is tied too closely to a God concept - explicitly or implicitly - you will turn off some voters and bolster the cynics among us.
“Faith” will be necessary as we work our way out of the current morass, but it would be wise to make clear that where we must place our faith is in the “small d” democratic process. The definition of religion is a belief in things unseen. If we believe in our founding principles, that all men are created equal and are endowed with inalienable rights, and have faith in the democratic process, we can bring about a country far better than the one we see today. God willing.
Two of the most powerful speeches came from former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, Michelle Obama laid out the need for change. Her assessment of Donald Trump’s shortcomings as President was reinforced by the Republican defectors who spoke at the convention in support of Biden. Barack Obama reminded us that the struggle to make this country work for all its citizens is nothing new. Heroes of the past put their faith in what could be rather than what was, and were able to bring about structural reform. These speeches were focused on character - the self-serving, amoral character of Donald Trump, which has led us to a state of chaos, and the empathetic and diligent nature exhibited by Joe Biden, which will enable him to lead us to a better place.
Joe Biden’s acceptance speech was a knock-out by all accounts. His warmth of character and dedication to his life’s work as a public servant is undeniable. Biden’s choice of running mate says good things about his desire for an inclusive administration, and his record in supporting pro-gay rights legislation and authoring anti-domestic violence legislation speaks to his willingness to get ahead of the curve on issues he believes are moral imperatives. His capacity to persevere serves as a role model for us as individuals and as a nation. Joe Biden is undeniably a survivor, and if we trust him to lead us, maybe we will be too.
Biden/Harris will be a tough ticket to beat come November - at least I hope so. My only negative comment on the week’s proceedings was the over-use of quasi-religious imagery and language. If the word “soul” had been tied to a drinking game, we all would have been wasted by the end of each night.
They say there are no atheists in a foxhole, but no doubt there are quite a few in the Democratic Party. Voters are unlikely to object to a President who holds strong religious convictions. Many of the heroes of the civil rights era were deeply committed to their faith in God. But it is not a good idea to leave the impression that the Party is pinning its hopes on a supreme being. When trust is tied too closely to a God concept - explicitly or implicitly - you will turn off some voters and bolster the cynics among us.
“Faith” will be necessary as we work our way out of the current morass, but it would be wise to make clear that where we must place our faith is in the “small d” democratic process. The definition of religion is a belief in things unseen. If we believe in our founding principles, that all men are created equal and are endowed with inalienable rights, and have faith in the democratic process, we can bring about a country far better than the one we see today. God willing.
Renee Campbell - Guest Contributor
Following a career in music and dance, Ms Campbell became active in progressive politics during Barack Obama's first campaign in 2008 She attended a Wellstone bootcamp for candidates and organizers, which lead to blogging. She continued to volunteer and was selected as an OFA Summer Organizing Fellow in 2014. She completed an internship in political consulting and received an M.A. in Political Psychology from Stonybrook University. She blogs at CitizenSpeaking.net.
Following a career in music and dance, Ms Campbell became active in progressive politics during Barack Obama's first campaign in 2008 She attended a Wellstone bootcamp for candidates and organizers, which lead to blogging. She continued to volunteer and was selected as an OFA Summer Organizing Fellow in 2014. She completed an internship in political consulting and received an M.A. in Political Psychology from Stonybrook University. She blogs at CitizenSpeaking.net.