Blum's Prayer
Ed Blum
A Prayer for the Democratic Party – from W. E. B. Du Bois (ca. 1910):
“It is never too late to mend. Nothing is so bad that good may not be put into it and make it better and save it from utter loss. Strengthen in us this knowledge and faith and hope, O God, in these last days. Amen.”
With the imminent delegate victory for Barack Obama, it appears that a time of healing is necessary for the Democratic Party. Last summer, I penned an article for History News Network about what the Democratic Party could learn about religion from the life and writings of W. E. B. Du Bois. I hope that the party, especially the more energetic followers of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, will heed these words. Du Bois prayed with his students at Atlanta University in the early twentieth century. I think they give us hope not only in the struggle against racism and misogyny, but also in the efforts for political alliance. Once again, we have so much to learn from the supposedly agnostic left.
A Prayer for the Democratic Party – from W. E. B. Du Bois (ca. 1910):
“It is never too late to mend. Nothing is so bad that good may not be put into it and make it better and save it from utter loss. Strengthen in us this knowledge and faith and hope, O God, in these last days. Amen.”
With the imminent delegate victory for Barack Obama, it appears that a time of healing is necessary for the Democratic Party. Last summer, I penned an article for History News Network about what the Democratic Party could learn about religion from the life and writings of W. E. B. Du Bois. I hope that the party, especially the more energetic followers of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, will heed these words. Du Bois prayed with his students at Atlanta University in the early twentieth century. I think they give us hope not only in the struggle against racism and misogyny, but also in the efforts for political alliance. Once again, we have so much to learn from the supposedly agnostic left.
Comments
As for Barack Obama, it seems to me that he's a man of contradictions, and I don't mean that pejoratively. He's more liberal than most Democrats, but also less statist. He can sound ideological at times, but you get a sense that at heart he's really more a pragmatist. He's very religious, but is obviously comfortable expressing himself in a secular way. He connects with the language of struggle, but not in a way that excludes the language of hope and optimism.
It will be interesting to see how the American electorate will eventually respond to him. Either his apparent contradictions will be easily exploited and paralyze his candidacy, or they will allow him to expand his appeal.
I go back and forth as to which way it will go. Whatever the case, it'll be fun to watch.
I guess what McCain needs is good news out of Iraq and success in making the "lack of experience card" stick to Obama. Otherwise, he's toast.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/02/AR2008060202599.html
I think McCain's problem is twofold:
1) He never had the support of the conservative base, so he's spent the last few months trying to shore up his support there. As Matt Sutton suggests in his HNN article, that hasn't been very successful, and McCain hasn't gone about it the right way. Conservatives still aren't enthusiastic about McCain.
2) By needing to shore up his conservative bona fides, he's enabled Obama and the Dems to paint him as Bush III. So he's going to have a tough time with independents as well.
I think David Brooks has it mostly right in this column:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/opinion/03brooks.html?hp
But I just can't see McCain overcoming a shaky economy and a president whose unpopularity leaving office just nudges out Richard Nixon.
If I'm not mistaken, I actually spent some money to join the ill-fated Concord Coalition.
Now how strange is that?
Look at this site (http://www.allina.com/ahs/aboutall.nsf/page/board_bios) and scroll down to find a photo and brief of your namesake. I'd venture to say that while he probably has more money, you definitely have a sunnier disposition. :)
aboutall.nsf/page/board_bios
I played this entire CD at my wedding and reception.
Time for Healing
I appreciate your reminded of Du Bois' powerful words. It is important for the Democratic party to heal so as to soundly defeat the Republican party at the polls in November. It's not wise for the Democrats to discount his chances just because W's popularity ratings and the economy are shaky. As preposterous as McCain seems to liberals, McCain's rhetoric resonates deeply with the heart of middle America. I've talked with many friends and family in rural America who will vote for him, even though he's struggled with his conservative message. They'd rather vote for a questionable Republican than a mixed race Democrat. Which I think interestingly takes us back to Du Bois and his constant--and very neccesary--reminder of the power of race in American society.
"In the midst of life and deeds it is easy to have endurance and strength and determination, but Thy Word, O Lord, teaches us, that this is not enough to bring good to the world--to bring happiness and the worthier success. For this we must endure to the end--learn to finish things--to bring them to accomplishment and full fruition. We must not be content with plans, ambitions, resolves; with part of a message or part of an education, but be set and determined to fulfill the promise and complete the task and secure the full training. Such men and women alone does God save by lifting them above and rising them to higher worlds and wider prospects. Give us then, O God, to resist today the temptation of shirking, and the grit to endure to the end. Amen." (p. 27, W.E.B. Du Bois, _Prayers for Dark People_, ed. H. Aptheker)