About a year ago, I wrote that 2020 would be the year that determines whether or not American democracy survives. And here we are. Our system has never lived up to its fullest potential, but until recently, its aspirations have driven us to fight to perfect it, guaranteeing everyone equality before the law and the right to a say in our government. The democracy that began as equality for a handful of the people in the new nation—just white men of property—expanded first to include poorer white men, and then immigrants, then African American men, then women, then Asian immigrants, Latinos, and native peoples. That expansion has never been smooth. Indeed, it has been obstructed at every turn. But even as people in power sought to prevent those they considered inferior from being treated as equals, the principle expanded.
Stacey Abrams is a key leader in that awakening. She deserves every accolade she's receiving for her inspired, tenacious and pragmatic work over the past decade in bringing representative elections to Georgia. I'd say she deserves the Medal of Freedom for her efforts, but given that Devin Nunes was given one the other day, that honor is now diminished. Congratulations to all Georgians.
Heather, I have selfishly read every single one of your Letters for over a year now for free. I read them on Facebook and commented as a "Top Fan" and through the free email subscription. Tonight I signed up for the paid subscription as I felt it was only fair for the vast knowledge, research, time, and devotion you have given to us all. I have learned more from you about the workings of our government than anyone over my lifetime. I enjoy your podcasts when I catch them.
I donated to the campaigns of Ossoff, Warnock, Biden, and McGrath. A first for me.
Thank you for giving me hope when there was little. Thank you for opening my eyes to the value of our democracy when I took it for granted. Thank you for every word you've carefully written. You have educated and enlightened thousands.
Remember that we are seeing the transformation of society. We are seeing the marginalization of racism, sexism, anti-gay ism. We are seeing the disintegration of the Republican party which has been the vehicle of racism since LBJ and the voting rights act. Before that it was the Southern Democrats, which was an actual party at the time of Lincoln and was on the ballot with Lincoln. The good doctor can correct me if I’m wrong, I’m not the historian here.
Voter suppression is 99% the enforcement of racist policy, the marginalization of non-whites. As voter suppression tactics become common knowledge, those tactics become less and less effective. You put light on it, and everybody sees it, and it becomes a hell of a lot harder to get away with it.
American society, and global society, is undergoing a fundamental change that is so fucking long overdue that I have to use a profane word to emphasize it.
So yes, I am super excited because I’m in my 60s and I’ve been waiting for this for decades. Fucking decades. If I have to hear even one more person say that the demographics are moving in the right direction and then eventually there will be change, I will stick my finger down my throat and upchuck. I’ve been listening to that bullshit since I was a teenager. I have been listening to Georgia and Atlanta becoming blue for decades. We are now seeing ACTUAL CHANGE. Trump is their last desperate attempt to hold onto the past. He has failed. He is part of ancient history and he knows it.
These losers will concede, they will change because they have to. Equality is here. Equality is here to stay. The new standard for American society is EQUALITY. The stupid assholes who think whites (males, straights, etc.) always come first are being relegated to the dustbin of history. FUCK THEM.
And this is coming from a straight white male. A straight white male with Nazi family history. It is time for CHANGE.
I'm sitting here in Georgia, breathless, and afraid to jinx everything if I say the words. Instead, I'll thank Stacey Abrams from the bottom of my heart for turning lemons into lemonade and creating a miracle, and will give due credit to Raffensperger and Kemp for protecting the voting system they put in place and it's reputation from the Menace, but remind both of them that the gerrymandering and voter suppression that they sponsored, while looking innocent, didn't work! It failed because even the disenfranchised can work together to overcome their tactics. Take that!
President Biden's first act should be to give Stacy Abrams the Medal of Freedom!! Restore it's sacred intent "to recognize people who have made 'an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.'"
Thomas Friedman wrote an excellent opinion piece in the NYT Jan. 5 beginning with the words “Never let us forget the names of those attempting a coup” (if not exact it’s close). He considers what might have happened if all three branches of the government were controlled by these sorts and that if this election-steal had happened, those of us whose votes were stolen, himself included, would fill the streets and protest at the Whitehouse and Supreme Court until we were heard. That gave me hope. He doesn’t allow that just because this election will not be stolen this time, that the actions of these elected officials should be disregarded.. to the contrary, he thinks that a picture of their faces should be on the front page of the Times with the caption describing them for who they are. They should be remembered for all time for attacking our country and it’s democratic principles.
I have not yet read this morning’s letter. I just woke up and saw that we have elected SENATOR Warnock! And to my complete and utter surprise tears started streaming down my face! I didn’t think it could happen. This is the best news in a long time and somehow feels even more monumental than Biden’s win. Georgia- we did it!!! ( Now hosing my breath for Ossoff!!)
Here in Georgia, as the votes seesaw back and forth and the percentages shift, I see the wealth vs. equality for all beginning to topple. If not this year, it will happen, but I'm hopeful that it will be sooner rather than later.
Thank you, Heather. You have no idea of your value to all of us.
“Americans have finally woken up. Democracy is not a spectator sport, and people are now speaking up, demanding that our leaders listen to us, and insisting that officials as well as ordinary Americans answer to the law.”
So no one should sit on the sidelines. Be engaged. Be informed. Speak out. “Get in good trouble.”
Democracy and the Rule of Law are not inevitable. They can perish from nothing more insidious than distraction and indifference.
We will get the government we earn and deserve. So earn it!
Professor, this may be your best essay to date. I think the line, "Once you have replaced the principle of equality with the idea that humans are unequal, you have granted your approval to the idea of rulers and servants" is particularly cogent. It's one of those obvious things that are only obvious when voiced. Thank you for your work!
I'm glad you chose to write this evening. Watching the insanity going on is stressful. I was saddened by my representative, Cathy McMorris Rodgers say she would protest the vote tomorrow. Saddened, but not surprised. In the end, your words, as well as those of others have provided a direction for me. I will work to see that McMorris Rodgers is not reelected. Thank you for the encouragement and reminder that there is work to be done.
In November, we had 66.7% voter turnout - the highest since 1900! It is so heartening that this is how people have responded to the events of 2020 - rather than give up and turn away from the democratic process, we got engaged. I hope it lasts!
Assuming Ossoff holds onto a .5% lead we're looking at two new Democratic senators. Imagine the twinkle in Kamala Harris's eye the first time she is called to the Capitol to break a tie vote! And imagine the pain that McConnell will have to endure losing his seat as the most powerful majority leader. I smile as I drink my cup of coffee knowing that once the circus of certifying the electoral vote is over we may be finally turning a page. Maybe I'll start sleeping better.
The funny thing is that many of us have worked very very hard to educate by writing postcards, writing letters, calling people in other states, and by calling our representatives in Congress. I have attended virtual town halls plus marched for Black Lives Matter and have gone to the Women’s Marches. I will continue to fight like hell for equality but I am exhausted! Any suggestions to relight my engines?
Heather Cox Richardson, you are the best teacher I've ever had. Thank you.
Stacey Abrams is a key leader in that awakening. She deserves every accolade she's receiving for her inspired, tenacious and pragmatic work over the past decade in bringing representative elections to Georgia. I'd say she deserves the Medal of Freedom for her efforts, but given that Devin Nunes was given one the other day, that honor is now diminished. Congratulations to all Georgians.
Heather, I have selfishly read every single one of your Letters for over a year now for free. I read them on Facebook and commented as a "Top Fan" and through the free email subscription. Tonight I signed up for the paid subscription as I felt it was only fair for the vast knowledge, research, time, and devotion you have given to us all. I have learned more from you about the workings of our government than anyone over my lifetime. I enjoy your podcasts when I catch them.
I donated to the campaigns of Ossoff, Warnock, Biden, and McGrath. A first for me.
Thank you for giving me hope when there was little. Thank you for opening my eyes to the value of our democracy when I took it for granted. Thank you for every word you've carefully written. You have educated and enlightened thousands.
Remember that we are seeing the transformation of society. We are seeing the marginalization of racism, sexism, anti-gay ism. We are seeing the disintegration of the Republican party which has been the vehicle of racism since LBJ and the voting rights act. Before that it was the Southern Democrats, which was an actual party at the time of Lincoln and was on the ballot with Lincoln. The good doctor can correct me if I’m wrong, I’m not the historian here.
Voter suppression is 99% the enforcement of racist policy, the marginalization of non-whites. As voter suppression tactics become common knowledge, those tactics become less and less effective. You put light on it, and everybody sees it, and it becomes a hell of a lot harder to get away with it.
American society, and global society, is undergoing a fundamental change that is so fucking long overdue that I have to use a profane word to emphasize it.
So yes, I am super excited because I’m in my 60s and I’ve been waiting for this for decades. Fucking decades. If I have to hear even one more person say that the demographics are moving in the right direction and then eventually there will be change, I will stick my finger down my throat and upchuck. I’ve been listening to that bullshit since I was a teenager. I have been listening to Georgia and Atlanta becoming blue for decades. We are now seeing ACTUAL CHANGE. Trump is their last desperate attempt to hold onto the past. He has failed. He is part of ancient history and he knows it.
These losers will concede, they will change because they have to. Equality is here. Equality is here to stay. The new standard for American society is EQUALITY. The stupid assholes who think whites (males, straights, etc.) always come first are being relegated to the dustbin of history. FUCK THEM.
And this is coming from a straight white male. A straight white male with Nazi family history. It is time for CHANGE.
I'm sitting here in Georgia, breathless, and afraid to jinx everything if I say the words. Instead, I'll thank Stacey Abrams from the bottom of my heart for turning lemons into lemonade and creating a miracle, and will give due credit to Raffensperger and Kemp for protecting the voting system they put in place and it's reputation from the Menace, but remind both of them that the gerrymandering and voter suppression that they sponsored, while looking innocent, didn't work! It failed because even the disenfranchised can work together to overcome their tactics. Take that!
President Biden's first act should be to give Stacy Abrams the Medal of Freedom!! Restore it's sacred intent "to recognize people who have made 'an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.'"
Thomas Friedman wrote an excellent opinion piece in the NYT Jan. 5 beginning with the words “Never let us forget the names of those attempting a coup” (if not exact it’s close). He considers what might have happened if all three branches of the government were controlled by these sorts and that if this election-steal had happened, those of us whose votes were stolen, himself included, would fill the streets and protest at the Whitehouse and Supreme Court until we were heard. That gave me hope. He doesn’t allow that just because this election will not be stolen this time, that the actions of these elected officials should be disregarded.. to the contrary, he thinks that a picture of their faces should be on the front page of the Times with the caption describing them for who they are. They should be remembered for all time for attacking our country and it’s democratic principles.
I have not yet read this morning’s letter. I just woke up and saw that we have elected SENATOR Warnock! And to my complete and utter surprise tears started streaming down my face! I didn’t think it could happen. This is the best news in a long time and somehow feels even more monumental than Biden’s win. Georgia- we did it!!! ( Now hosing my breath for Ossoff!!)
Here in Georgia, as the votes seesaw back and forth and the percentages shift, I see the wealth vs. equality for all beginning to topple. If not this year, it will happen, but I'm hopeful that it will be sooner rather than later.
Thank you, Heather. You have no idea of your value to all of us.
“Americans have finally woken up. Democracy is not a spectator sport, and people are now speaking up, demanding that our leaders listen to us, and insisting that officials as well as ordinary Americans answer to the law.”
So no one should sit on the sidelines. Be engaged. Be informed. Speak out. “Get in good trouble.”
Democracy and the Rule of Law are not inevitable. They can perish from nothing more insidious than distraction and indifference.
We will get the government we earn and deserve. So earn it!
“ Let’s approach the future with the clear eyes it demands.
And now, let's get to work”
Thank you Heather. I second your proposal. 💪🏻
Professor, this may be your best essay to date. I think the line, "Once you have replaced the principle of equality with the idea that humans are unequal, you have granted your approval to the idea of rulers and servants" is particularly cogent. It's one of those obvious things that are only obvious when voiced. Thank you for your work!
I'm glad you chose to write this evening. Watching the insanity going on is stressful. I was saddened by my representative, Cathy McMorris Rodgers say she would protest the vote tomorrow. Saddened, but not surprised. In the end, your words, as well as those of others have provided a direction for me. I will work to see that McMorris Rodgers is not reelected. Thank you for the encouragement and reminder that there is work to be done.
In November, we had 66.7% voter turnout - the highest since 1900! It is so heartening that this is how people have responded to the events of 2020 - rather than give up and turn away from the democratic process, we got engaged. I hope it lasts!
Assuming Ossoff holds onto a .5% lead we're looking at two new Democratic senators. Imagine the twinkle in Kamala Harris's eye the first time she is called to the Capitol to break a tie vote! And imagine the pain that McConnell will have to endure losing his seat as the most powerful majority leader. I smile as I drink my cup of coffee knowing that once the circus of certifying the electoral vote is over we may be finally turning a page. Maybe I'll start sleeping better.
The funny thing is that many of us have worked very very hard to educate by writing postcards, writing letters, calling people in other states, and by calling our representatives in Congress. I have attended virtual town halls plus marched for Black Lives Matter and have gone to the Women’s Marches. I will continue to fight like hell for equality but I am exhausted! Any suggestions to relight my engines?