Beth, I really enjoyed your perspective on the election, so firmly grounded in your relationships with people in many walks of life. I think it's hard not to speak merely as a partisan in today's political climate. And when one takes on that challenge, one must then work hard not to be taken for a partisan (or a "backsliding" partisan). It's hard even risking explaining yourself. We forget that the distinction between an opinion and an ideology is the level of thought and experience that goes into the former. This may be one of the first genuine opinions I've read during this election cycle. It doesn't hurt that, as you guided me along, I was nodding my head the whole way (e.g., I'm totally with you about Bernie Sanders). Be that as it may, this is an outstanding piece.
Thank you so much. You've described what was difficult about writing this! So far, nobody has attacked me too much, and I actually haven't gotten that many comments. Perhaps it's harder to dispute what a person writes from their own experience. I really loved your most recent piece too and will leave a comment!
Thank you for this essay Beth. As another US immigrant to Montreal, years ahead of you, I appreciate your perspective. Maybe it's not a coincidence after all (speaking of car keys) that the last day I owned a car, I crashed my second hand Honda into the newer one in front of me in 2016, not realizing the driver stopped at a red light, while I was listening and distracted by the NPR commentator describing Bernie's defeat in the California primary the day before.
I'm struggling with the piece about identity politics. I know how afraid the queer and trans members of my synagogue are now that the presidency is going back to him. Intellectually I hear the argument that a Democratic focus on identity politics is a problem. But emotionally I can't get behind anything that feels like throwing them under a bus.
Of course you can't, and neither can I! We shouldn't ever do that. However, what the Democrats needed to do was to win the election in order to protect a lot of people who will now be in grave danger. It wasn't about throwing anyone under the bus: they needed to get the emphasis of their messaging right, and thereby appeal to a broader group of voters. You can still stand for human rights, and yet make the campaign primarily about the issues voters say they cared most about. The Democratic failure has actually done what none of us wanted to do.
Beth, I really enjoyed your perspective on the election, so firmly grounded in your relationships with people in many walks of life. I think it's hard not to speak merely as a partisan in today's political climate. And when one takes on that challenge, one must then work hard not to be taken for a partisan (or a "backsliding" partisan). It's hard even risking explaining yourself. We forget that the distinction between an opinion and an ideology is the level of thought and experience that goes into the former. This may be one of the first genuine opinions I've read during this election cycle. It doesn't hurt that, as you guided me along, I was nodding my head the whole way (e.g., I'm totally with you about Bernie Sanders). Be that as it may, this is an outstanding piece.
Thank you so much. You've described what was difficult about writing this! So far, nobody has attacked me too much, and I actually haven't gotten that many comments. Perhaps it's harder to dispute what a person writes from their own experience. I really loved your most recent piece too and will leave a comment!
Thank you for this essay Beth. As another US immigrant to Montreal, years ahead of you, I appreciate your perspective. Maybe it's not a coincidence after all (speaking of car keys) that the last day I owned a car, I crashed my second hand Honda into the newer one in front of me in 2016, not realizing the driver stopped at a red light, while I was listening and distracted by the NPR commentator describing Bernie's defeat in the California primary the day before.
Oh boy.
I'm struggling with the piece about identity politics. I know how afraid the queer and trans members of my synagogue are now that the presidency is going back to him. Intellectually I hear the argument that a Democratic focus on identity politics is a problem. But emotionally I can't get behind anything that feels like throwing them under a bus.
Of course you can't, and neither can I! We shouldn't ever do that. However, what the Democrats needed to do was to win the election in order to protect a lot of people who will now be in grave danger. It wasn't about throwing anyone under the bus: they needed to get the emphasis of their messaging right, and thereby appeal to a broader group of voters. You can still stand for human rights, and yet make the campaign primarily about the issues voters say they cared most about. The Democratic failure has actually done what none of us wanted to do.