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(Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg)
Today is the beginning of a historic Democratic National Convention in Chicago with parallels to the infamous 1968 convention. Like before, the incumbent President is not seeking re-election, and there is a protest movement hoping to end U.S. involvement in a bloody, unpopular war overseas.
President Joe Biden will be handing the baton to VP Kamala Harris, the first Black-Indian female to ever lead a ticket. The Democratic Party has assembled a multi-race and multi-faith movement that represents Americans who have been often marginalized, unseen and unheard. It seems to be embracing progressive politics they have historically shied away from for fear of alienating swing state voters and centrists. There is palpable excitement, energy, and joy that has replaced the doom and gloom of the past 10 years. But there is also the spectre of the ongoing Gaza war that has claimed over 40,000 lives, and the threat of Donald Trump and MAGA who are committed to right-wing authoritarian rule.
The work is not accomplished.
In this remarkable and messy transition, I turn to Professor Eddie Glaude, a historian, author, MSNBC contributor, and editor of the new substack A Native Son, to discuss how Democrats can navigate this historical moment of uncertainty and hope to create a progressive platform that can bring systemic change and finally make the elusive American Dream into a reality.
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How Can Democrats Take Advantage of This Historical Moment?