The late SNCC activist, Bob Moses, once told me about the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1960. It was in the context of a wide-ranging conversation about struggle and organizing. He told me that the Civil Rights Act opened space for their voter registration efforts. On many levels, the legislation was woefully inadequate, but it criminalized any attempt to obstruct efforts to register people to vote.
I've been quoting that line from Baldwin since before Harris was the nominee. And I still believe it, even while my horror at her inability to include Palestinians in her definition of human beings grows and grows. But Trump is really a bridge too far, and I know that his election will curtail organizing for anything better.
I've already voted for Harris. But right now I'm looking for something concrete to greet her with when she walks into the Oval Office. Millions of letters saying she will be a one-term president if she doesn't end the Gaza War? A national boycott of something? What? I hope organizers are thinking of what to do.
You’ve just written what I’ve been trying to express to my millennial daughter and her friends for the past 3 elections! Thank you so much for your humanity and eloquence. I’ve passed this on to her and hope she can see past her anger, disillusionment and sadness with our nation and the world at large.
Thank you for sharing, and for saying what so many of us feel. I keep waiting for the shift to the left and it doesn't come, decade after decade. But yes, let's vote to keep buying time. I hope the next generation moves us forward.
Thank you for your thoughtful remarks. Eloquent, as always. I was surprised to hear that you didn’t vote for Clinton - I can’t believe you voted for Trump! I’m so sorry you lost your friends to Covid.
And I thank you for stating your intention to vote for Harris. I’ve already voted for her and I thought I’d feel less stress once my vote was cast, but now the interval to Election Day and the certain tumultuous days beyond still feel crushing. Although she may be far from perfect, I do think of her (or anyone else in her position and political point of view) as a type of “savior” when the contrast is fascism. I think many people will vote for her simply in the hope of cutting off the current fascist, racist chaos at the head. Without Trump at the head of the MAGA cult, where will his toadies go and who will they follow? They’ll find someone, but as you said, her election will give us some time. Please keep giving us your valuable insights.
Thank you for your response. The conversation today with you and Ken Burns on Nicholle Wallace’s show was so compelling. I’m reading Rachel Maddow’s “Prequel” now; your “We Are the Leaders. . .” Is next. No matter the outcome of the election, your voice on the national stage will continue to be essential.
I've been quoting that line from Baldwin since before Harris was the nominee. And I still believe it, even while my horror at her inability to include Palestinians in her definition of human beings grows and grows. But Trump is really a bridge too far, and I know that his election will curtail organizing for anything better.
I've already voted for Harris. But right now I'm looking for something concrete to greet her with when she walks into the Oval Office. Millions of letters saying she will be a one-term president if she doesn't end the Gaza War? A national boycott of something? What? I hope organizers are thinking of what to do.
US in general does not consider Palestinians as a People…
Interesting
You’ve just written what I’ve been trying to express to my millennial daughter and her friends for the past 3 elections! Thank you so much for your humanity and eloquence. I’ve passed this on to her and hope she can see past her anger, disillusionment and sadness with our nation and the world at large.
Thank you for sharing, and for saying what so many of us feel. I keep waiting for the shift to the left and it doesn't come, decade after decade. But yes, let's vote to keep buying time. I hope the next generation moves us forward.
I appreciate your reasoning and the depth of your love and care for human kind. A thousand angels around you.
Thank you for your thoughtful remarks. Eloquent, as always. I was surprised to hear that you didn’t vote for Clinton - I can’t believe you voted for Trump! I’m so sorry you lost your friends to Covid.
And I thank you for stating your intention to vote for Harris. I’ve already voted for her and I thought I’d feel less stress once my vote was cast, but now the interval to Election Day and the certain tumultuous days beyond still feel crushing. Although she may be far from perfect, I do think of her (or anyone else in her position and political point of view) as a type of “savior” when the contrast is fascism. I think many people will vote for her simply in the hope of cutting off the current fascist, racist chaos at the head. Without Trump at the head of the MAGA cult, where will his toadies go and who will they follow? They’ll find someone, but as you said, her election will give us some time. Please keep giving us your valuable insights.
I didn’t vote for Trump. It was an ill fated attempt to push the Democratic Party to the left. I write about the plan in Democracy in Black.
Thank you for your response. The conversation today with you and Ken Burns on Nicholle Wallace’s show was so compelling. I’m reading Rachel Maddow’s “Prequel” now; your “We Are the Leaders. . .” Is next. No matter the outcome of the election, your voice on the national stage will continue to be essential.
I would enjoy more exchanges with Ken Burns.
Your words articulate what's inside my heart.
Thank you Professor!
Thank you!
Thanks for this.