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Just when life seemed most disordered and chaotic, the homemade-ish and scrappy Democratic National Convention came to the rescue. At least it rescued me.
Yes, with hiccups, and delays, and a few awkward “Am I on?” “Is this thing working?” “I didn’t hear you say ‘action’” moments (not literally), and even a moment or two of video pixilation (at least on my tv), it was real and it showed us a different kind of America from what’s been monopolizing our brains since January, 2017. And that was even before Michelle Obama’s magnificent speech.
It brought to mind Walt Whitman’s glorious, “I Hear America Singing,” which also reminded me of #education.
I Hear America Singing
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
--1860
Day 2 brought me more pride, in the stirring roll call of states. There was such investment by each state’s spokespeople, by their accents, and choices of clothes – by their landscapes, and by their histories. Seeing Matthew Shepherd’s parents announce the delegate count for Wyoming, was more surprising and moving than I would have imagined. Seeing the dignified Khizr Khan – the gold star father who had been dissed by candidate Trump — disavowing the disgusting march and murder in Charlottesville as he spoke for Virginia…. My heart is full. Maybe we can return to the essential decency that has been stomped on and shredded by the thugs and nitwits of this administration.
Lisa Birnbach and Kurt Andersen
Kurt Andersen is my guest this week. A native Nebraskan, he’s had a remarkable career since he graduated from Harvard, involving most of America’s important media companies. A short bio includes working at Time Magazine, co-founding and editing the satire magazine SPY (where we met and worked together in the 20th century). Becoming the editor in chief of New York Magazine, the co-creator and host of Studio 360 at WNYC, and the writer of books, the giver of talks, and the soul of wit. His latest book, Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America: A Recent History was just published by Random House, and is a work in which he gathered evidence, conversation, and political philosophy to explain how America has lost its way.
This is part 1 of a two part conversation.
First: My Five Things
1. Patriotism. It’s not about holding the flag, wearing a pin, or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Do schools even teach that any more?). To me, patriotism is being a good person and caring about your neighbor. It’s coming to the defense of someone or some principle that has been wronged. Watching Colin Powell, and Marie Yovanovich, and the Carters, and Cozzie Watkins, the older woman who spoke from North Carolina this week, we saw patriotism on our screens.
2. Michelle Obama. I could have listened to her beautifully written speech and her soft but steady voice all night. I was startled by her one use of Trump’s name – she never mentions it – and her pointed repetition of his answer to all the deaths due to COVID-19, “It is what it is.”
3. The Bidens. At long last (three and a half years have never felt so long) we have a couple and a family that have actual familial feelings and warmth. No more children profiting from dad’s job or becoming unauthorized and unapproved yesmen for their father. No more hostile appearances on the right wing media. The job belongs to the president. The Bidens have authentic reasons to have become angry and cynical. And yet they are not. Donald Trump never worked for a boss before, never endured poverty or loss. And yet he and his entitled kids wake up angry every single day. The Bidens remain humble and grateful. However they’ve accomplished this is a wonder. The respect they show one another is lovely to observe.
4. Science. Thank you, Democrats for believing in science. It’s the only way to try to get a handle on the coronavirus and on climate change. We cannot wait.
5. The Democratic ticket. It looks like America. Maybe you’re disappointed that your candidate didn’t finish first or second. But the candidates who used their time in the spotlight to advocate for what meant the most to them – whether it was Pete Buttigieg, or Andrew Yang, or Tom Steyer, or Jay Inslee – they’re all part of this effort to correct the global insult that has been Donald Trump. I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about Biden/Harris.
Kurt Andersen
Kurt Andersen’s 5 Things
1. My new intraocular lenses
2. My daughters' writing and design work
3, My wife's gardens
4. Roasted salted pepitas
5. Imagining the day he's finally vanquished
More About Kurt Andersen
EVIL GENIUSES: The Unmaking of America
By Kurt Andersen
Published by Ebury Publishing a division of Penguin Random House.
Twitter: @KBAndersen
Instagram: @kurtbadnersen
Facebook: @kurtandersenbooks
Website: KurtAndersen.com
The 5 Things That Make Life Better podcast is recorded and produced at The Field in NYC https://thefieldtv.com
My team is Shpresa Oruci, Michael Porte, Sam Haft and Boco Haft.