Friends, there’s no getting around it. These are dark times. It hurts to watch the state and the country we love descend to the depths we are witnessing today. But however you may feel after this debacle of a week, never fall victim to the belief that you are powerless. Never believe that there is nothing you can do. Cynicism is the easy route. Reject it, and seek the harder path.
The harder path isn’t just about political activism. Registering voters is great. Canvassing to encourage neighbors to vote for progressive candidates and policies is important. But there’s a greater challenge here. That challenge is to continue, against all odds, to be motivated by hope rather than anger, to see the best in our neighbors, to see the best in ourselves.
Voting matters, but so does every act of kindness, every positive sentiment, every moment of trust. People matter. Community matters. Human connection is what binds us all and moves us all toward a better future. We as Democrats believe in a country where “we” matters more than “me.” We believe in a country where our neighbors’ needs are our needs. We believe in a country where fairness and kindness are strengths rather than weaknesses, and where your success makes my life richer and more secure. Do not abandon these values, even in the face of a nihilism from the other side that seems insurmountable. They are not lost; they have simply forgotten. Be an example to everyone around you. Be a foundation for those who need solid ground. Be a light in the face of great darkness, and the darkness will inevitably turn away.
Durham Precinct 35.3 