Talk about an improbable historic coincidence: that Barack Obama’s acceptance of the Democratic Party’s nomination for president comes 45 years to the day after Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.
But thank goodness this is not the blog where blind optimists gather. No one here is naïve enough to think that the election of Obama would mean the disappearance of racism or racial disparity. This is not the blog where blind opitimist gather who think that legal instruments set in place over 40 years ago to ease class, gender, and racial disparities in society, like affirmative action and the Civil Rights Act, would become outdated with a black man sitting in the White House.
Thank goodness everyone here knows that while our society has come a long way in these 45 years since Dr. King’s speech, race hatred still exists in this country and the gulf between rich and poor is ever widening. And that Progressives still have a long way to go before we can relax, pat ourselves on our backs and congratulate ourselves for not being, well, whatever it is that is the opposite of a Progressive.
|
Previous Posts
Why Jews Around the World are Praying for the Victory of the Egyptian Uprising
Originally appeared on Tikkun Daily BlogEver since the victory over the dictator of Tunisia and the subsequent uprising in Egypt, my email has been flooded with messages from Jews around the world hoping and praying for the victory of the Egyptian people over their cruel Mubarak regime.&nb
posted 1:48:39pm Feb. 01, 2011 |
read full post
»
When Generosity, Love, and Kindness are Public Policy, the Violence We Saw in Arizona will Dramatically Diminish
The attempted assassination of Congresswoman Giffords and the murder of so many others in Arizona has elicited a number of policy suggestions, from gun control to private protection for elected officials, to banning incitement to violence on websites either directly or more subtly (e.g., Sarah Palin
posted 2:44:04pm Jan. 19, 2011 |
read full post
»
The Spiritual Messages of Chanukah and Christmas -- and Their Downsides
Christmas and Chanukah share a spiritual message: that it is possible to bring light and hope in a world of darkness, oppression and despair. But whereas Christmas focuses on the birth of a single individual whose life and mission was itself supposed to bring liberation, Chanukah is about a national
posted 12:59:53pm Dec. 02, 2010 |
read full post
»
Obama (and Biden) Have No Clue About What's Bothering Their Political Base
Shortly before the California Democratic primary in 2008, the San Fransisco Chronicle invited me to write a short article explaining why I, chair of the interfaithNetwork of Spiritual Progressives, was supporting Barack Obama. Like most other progressive activists, I understood that a pres
posted 1:44:11pm Sep. 30, 2010 |
read full post
»
Values or Partisanship? TV Ad calls out Graham for caving on climate
by Keely Brewster
It was disappointing that Lindsey Graham changed his mind, values, and opinions surrounding climate legislation. Lindsey Graham was right when he discussed the need to decrease our dependence on foreign oil for reasons of national security, economic security, and job loss. Lindsey
posted 2:32:58pm Jun. 16, 2010 |
read full post
»
|
posted August 29, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Maybe the bigots will pack up and leave for darker pastures. I am a white, Anglo Saxon Protestant that has lived for the day that a Black American could run for President. if fact, I would be happy if a Jew, Latino or woman would be able to say the same.
Come top think of it, We did have a woman, a Hispanic and a Catholic run at the same time, didn’t we. The very Idea that we have come so far is a testament as to the “Dream” of Martin Luther King.
The Angels in Heaven are rejoicing that this day has come when the majority of Americans (3 to 1) think we have finally grown up.
America for all Americans! Long live the process!