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Nov. 5th, 2008
fils americain
Nov. 5th, 2008 08:07 amThe density of Brooklyn meant my walk to the polling station--a public high school--was a quick stroll. In elections proper there wasn't much excitement for national office: we were in a Democratic city in a Democratic state. Primaries were a different manner. 1988 would turn out ugliest of all.
As is the norm, the Democratic field for the nomination narrowed to just two. Michael Dukakis was a successful govenor from Massachusetts and a centrist. Jesse Jackson was an activist who came up from the grassroots and very much an outsider. Jackson won New York easily; the knives were out shortly thereafter. In 2008 Democrats railed against Republicans playing "the race card" against Obama.
In 1988 the Democratic leadership played it against one of their own. Because they couldn't conceive of a black man--let alone one with a folksy southern Black accent--become President.
Many of us--especially those of us young, idealistic and angry with Ronalad Reagan--felt betrayed by the party. Those of us whose politics were already much more progressive than what even the Democrats had on offer? We came in cynical, parked for a bit of hope, and left angry. Not angry enough to not vote--that's just self-defeating. But no longer able to put any faith in the only house on the (electoral) block. Jesse Jackson stood up for all people, including queers, in a time when to do so amongst African Americans wasn't merely controversial--it was ostensibly political suicide. But his gravitas and reason carried him through, even when it didn't translate into broad-based support.
Last night I watched Jesse Jackson crying in Chicago. I dont' think for a minute he was crying for what might have been 20 years ago. I believe he cried for the expansion of possibility, the winds of change, the face of hope in the new President-elect.. And I cried too.
As is the norm, the Democratic field for the nomination narrowed to just two. Michael Dukakis was a successful govenor from Massachusetts and a centrist. Jesse Jackson was an activist who came up from the grassroots and very much an outsider. Jackson won New York easily; the knives were out shortly thereafter. In 2008 Democrats railed against Republicans playing "the race card" against Obama.
In 1988 the Democratic leadership played it against one of their own. Because they couldn't conceive of a black man--let alone one with a folksy southern Black accent--become President.
Many of us--especially those of us young, idealistic and angry with Ronalad Reagan--felt betrayed by the party. Those of us whose politics were already much more progressive than what even the Democrats had on offer? We came in cynical, parked for a bit of hope, and left angry. Not angry enough to not vote--that's just self-defeating. But no longer able to put any faith in the only house on the (electoral) block. Jesse Jackson stood up for all people, including queers, in a time when to do so amongst African Americans wasn't merely controversial--it was ostensibly political suicide. But his gravitas and reason carried him through, even when it didn't translate into broad-based support.
Last night I watched Jesse Jackson crying in Chicago. I dont' think for a minute he was crying for what might have been 20 years ago. I believe he cried for the expansion of possibility, the winds of change, the face of hope in the new President-elect.. And I cried too.