A Message of Hope on this Day of Independence
If you just turn on the news some days, it is easy to lose faith in the political process and the American democratic institution itself with all the horrific strife and disgusting rhetoric. But while so many say this is the darkest time in American politics, I cannot help but reflect on the old saying, "it is always darkest before the dawn." It is a new day in this country, and we are turning a corner in Talbot County, as well. We have big plans to grow the Democratic Party in Talbot and building organizations that are focused on helping people as much as they are focused on winning elections. By prioritizing service, connecting with disenfranchised communities, being conduits to elected officials for individuals who need assistance, and offering our constituents the genuine feeling of hope for a better tomorrow, we will build the coalition of energized voters and supporters that will win the elections of the future.
As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, I cannot help but reflect upon how every time I sit down to meet with people and talk about the issues impacting Talbot County and how we can work together to make things better, I am left more and more hopeful for the future of our community. From the people who took the time to put up the ‘Hopeful’ signs across Talbot to the Juneteenth participant’s sign that said, "old white men against racism;" I am hopeful. When 20+ Oxfordians meet to discuss politics in 95F heat for over an hour, and I can sit with Sheriff Gamble over coffee for n important, renewed dialogue on difficult conversations; I am hopeful. When one-third of the Forum's Board is now represented by people under 30 years old; I am hopeful.
Hope is powerful. It is what inspired 56 colonists to pledge their "Lives, Fortunes and sacred Honor" to fight for freedom against the strongest military empire in the world; it is what pushed a woman from Dorchester to look to the stars to guide her brothers and sisters North to freedom from slavery; and it drove a President to look to those same constellations just one hundred years later to declare the Moon as our next frontier while the industry and genius of a nation took a "giant leap for mankind," reached for the heavens, and, as some would say, touched the face of God.
Democrats don't buy into the false narrative that the greatness of America is coming to a close. The concept of 'hope' is embedded in the American DNA. The doctors, nurses, factory workers, and all front line workers who stood up the U.S. response to a global pandemic must have had hope for a better tomorrow; the everyday American who wore their mask to protect their neighbors and cast their ballot in spite of the health risks were certainly hopeful in the power of individual volunteerism; and there must have been a sense of hope and perseverance that pushed businesses to operate nonstop and secure our health and pharma supply chain, including the local distilleries that converted their production lines to make hand sanitizer.
As we all reflect on this 245th anniversary of our country's independence, be proud of what each and every one of you has done to get yourself, your families, friends, neighbors, and even strangers through this difficult year and trying past five years. In the unlikely success story of the nation that chose representative democracy during the age of kings and despots, there has never been, nor will there ever be, anything false about hope. That is especially true in communities like Talbot County that are made up of compassionate, dedicated, and selfless friends and neighbors.
Thank you and have a safe, restful, and pleasant holiday weekend.
