On Kamala Harris’ terrific nomination speech, and the privilege and responsibility of being an American
On Kamala Harris’ terrific nomination speech, and the privilege and responsibility of being an American
Harris, with a look to the future: "With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past.”
The Recombobulation Area is a thirteen-time Milwaukee Press Club award-winning weekly opinion column and online publication founded by longtime Milwaukee journalist Dan Shafer. Learn more about it here.
At the Democratic National Convention at the United Center, Kamala Harris delivered a terrific nomination speech. The personal story, the vision for the future, the contrast with her opponent, the inspiration of the moment. It was outstanding.
In her closing remarks, she delivered a line that will stick with me for a long time, talking about “the awesome responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege on Earth. The privilege and pride of being an American.”
There’s a reason this line connected in such a strong way. Throughout the night, the theme of patriotism was front and center, and in a sense, aiming to reclaim national pride and “greatest country on Earth” type of rhetoric as something that belongs to all Americans, not just belonging within the flag-waving nationalism of the right.
But it is that word privilege that makes that patriotism theme truly resonate, and it is that word responsibility that gives it greater meaning. We have a responsibility, all of us as Americans, to protect this privilege and preserve it for future generations.
We’ve learned in recent years that this privilege is in a precarious place. The democracy of our nation has indeed been threatened. Dark forces have been pulled from the shadows by the gravity of Donald Trump’s fearful message for the country. We’ve been pushed in ways that have tested our resolve, and our capacity to responsibility shepherd that uniquely American privilege.
So perhaps this message for a “new way forward” has arrived at precisely the perfect moment.
“With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past,” said Harris. “A chance to chart a “new way forward.” Not as members of any one party or faction. But as Americans.”
The speech was forward-looking and hopeful, offering a vision for the future, a chance for the nation to turn the page. Too often, the politics of the last decade, especially, have been mired in rehashing old arguments, spiraling into circular debates, ultimately getting nowhere. The seeming inevitability of a Biden-Trump rerun felt like it was putting the future on hold.
But no longer. This is an opportunity to turn the page. The energy of this campaign has inspired callbacks to Barack Obama’s campaign in 2008, and while that doesn’t quite seem like a pitch perfect comparison, what does seem to call back to ‘08 is how new this feels among Democrats for a fresh voice to be front and center.
The Harris-Walz campaign, the joy it’s bringing, the unity among Democrats it is inspiring, and just how quickly this is all happening, is fairly dizzying. But this speech and this convention have truly struck a chord.
To be sure, this will still be a remarkably close election that will come down to a handful of swing states. But as Tim Walz said the other night in Milwaukee, “something is happening” here. It might not be perfect at every step. There were moments within that speech that I might not have been in 100% agreement with.
But Harris hit the mark in so many ways in that speech, on policy, on tone, on message. As she spoke about on stage, it’s been an “unlikely journey” for her to get there. But unlikely journeys can lead to remarkable places. That feels like where we are right now.
This reminder she delivered — of privilege, of responsibility, of unlikely journeys — can begin to set the foundation of America’s next chapter. With Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket, it is time for us to turn that page.
ICYMI: Dan Shafer joined Civic Media’s “Special Report from the DNC” on Wednesday and Thursday. Watch here.
Dan Shafer is a journalist from Milwaukee who writes and publishes The Recombobulation Area. He’s also written for The New York Times, The Daily Beast, Heartland Signal, Belt Magazine, WisPolitics, and Milwaukee Record. He previously worked at Seattle Magazine, Seattle Business Magazine, the Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee Magazine, and BizTimes Milwaukee. He’s won 18 Milwaukee Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards. He’s on Twitter at @DanRShafer.
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