I donated $25.00 yesterday that was also part of entering a sweepstakes to win a trip to Chicago for the 2024 Democratic convention. I really want to go (never been to a party convention or to Chicago). Back in 1988, we sent Bill Strickland and Lisa Baskin (wife of Leonard Baskin) to the convention in Atlanta, GA as delegates from Amherst and Northampton, MA, for Jesse Jackson. Watching news coverage of the convention back home, I saw them on the floor during a camera pan of the convention hall. I wanted to be there with them so bad that my heart ached.
The key challenge if I win the sweepstakes is finding who will be able to take care of the cats for a week. A first world problem with practical solutions -- so no big deal.
Jim, Susie and I were living in Pelham. We loaded up our car with two or three other people and that was enough to dominate the meeting of the Democratic Party in Pelham so we got to go to the state convention as Jackson delegates. The high point of my political career.
I continue to rewatch Jackson's speech when I need inspiration -- usually 3-4 times a year. I particularly like the moment when he addresses disabled individuals in the convention hall crowd. Unless I am missing something, no other candidate during the '88 campaign had an extensive disability rights platform. It was all part of the Rainbow Coalition. It remains inspiring, but also somewhat depressing, given what could have been as opposed to how everything turned out. However, revisiting the speech is not simply wallowing in nostalgia. Rather, it remains a portent of what still could be realized. I have to hold out the promise, I have to go on.
I donated $55.00.
ReplyDeleteI donated $15.
ReplyDeleteI donated $25.00 yesterday that was also part of entering a sweepstakes to win a trip to Chicago for the 2024 Democratic convention. I really want to go (never been to a party convention or to Chicago). Back in 1988, we sent Bill Strickland and Lisa Baskin (wife of Leonard Baskin) to the convention in Atlanta, GA as delegates from Amherst and Northampton, MA, for Jesse Jackson. Watching news coverage of the convention back home, I saw them on the floor during a camera pan of the convention hall. I wanted to be there with them so bad that my heart ached.
ReplyDeleteThe key challenge if I win the sweepstakes is finding who will be able to take care of the cats for a week. A first world problem with practical solutions -- so no big deal.
-- Jim
Jim, Susie and I were living in Pelham. We loaded up our car with two or three other people and that was enough to dominate the meeting of the Democratic Party in Pelham so we got to go to the state convention as Jackson delegates. The high point of my political career.
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing. Were you actually there in person when Jackson gave his speech?
ReplyDelete-- Jim
I continue to rewatch Jackson's speech when I need inspiration -- usually 3-4 times a year. I particularly like the moment when he addresses disabled individuals in the convention hall crowd. Unless I am missing something, no other candidate during the '88 campaign had an extensive disability rights platform. It was all part of the Rainbow Coalition. It remains inspiring, but also somewhat depressing, given what could have been as opposed to how everything turned out. However, revisiting the speech is not simply wallowing in nostalgia. Rather, it remains a portent of what still could be realized. I have to hold out the promise, I have to go on.
ReplyDelete-- Jim