The next three days will bring the culmination of the 2020 election season, as those of us who have not already cast our ballots will show up on Tuesday to vote in our local, state, and national elections around the country.
As I lay here in the pre-dawn of the day, like I have so many times when reading your latest post, I have quiet tears sliding down to my pillow, reflecting the heartening message you send out almost every day that Hope should be a steady sea anchor for all of us to cling to. I am forever grateful I came across your Letters many months ago. I had long before that given up trying to take in and process the fire hose of discordant and utterly baffling news. I had more faith in the late show hosts and their monologues than most news outlets (still do, actually). But your analysis, as well as the steadying hand of hope you've always held out, have helped me immensely. Thank you for the sacrifices you've made over the last year to produce your articles and videos. It is immeasurably appreciated.💕
Natalie, your post could have been written by me it so closely resembles my actions, my thoughts, my hopes and the gratitude I feel that I was somehow guided to Heather’s letters. Thank you for letting me know that I’m not the only one out there torn between hope and despair. ☮️
Dr. R., I have never posted on your newsletter, but I must tell you that tonight, as I prepare to go to bed, reading your posting brought tears to my eyes. I so needed to hear a voice of hope, reminding me of all that we have within our reach, if we keep the faith. Thank you for all of your amazing wisdom and knowledge that you share with us. You are such a gift. And to all of our community here, I thank each and every one of you for your generous spirits, your humor, and your deep belief in the goodness that is out there.
I always wait till morning to read your letters because they are so rich and thought provoking, not necessarily what you want when trying to sleep. But tonight for some reason, I read this before turning out the light, and am so glad I did. This letter is calming and grounding and hopeful, and gives us all courage to face whatever comes. Thank you for all you have given us, ... insight, clarity, understanding, and reason to believe in our country.
I am a Southern-born, old, white, Vietnam era Navy vet, and retired lawyer, living very comfortably on my assets. So, demographically, I should not even know that your Letters exist, much less read them. I thank God for a friend forwarding one of your Letters to me around Labor Day, because I now read it religiously with my first cup of coffee. I am grateful for today's uplifting message. It has helped me get beyond yesterday's bad Iowa poll and my memory of 2016.
Jay, I am a Northern-born, old, African American, 4F would-be Vietnam era military vet, and retired journalist, living uneasily on the meager pensions, SS, and late financial funds my (white) wife and I have managed to cobble together. I can’t say with any certainty, whether or not I would have unearthed HCR’s vital blog, but I owe my always resourceful bride, and the friend who sent her the link, for my very fortunate exposure to Dr. Richardon’s brilliant, incisive, gracious and ultimately illuminating series of Letters from an American. I’m an inveterate night owl and so I often read these missives before I turn in in the wee, small. I find that her spacious and penetrating analyses buttress my belief that we must indeed look to the “long game” in order to reconstruct this land into the universally prosperous, indivisible nation—and ultimately world—that the Founders could not have possibly dreamed of.
Bill, thank you for your words. I'm an old white guy living on a pension, enjoying medicare, a Vietnam era vet, comfortable in my own home, having lived the American Dream with a wife and two daughters. I consider myself the end of an era as I doubt my progeny will live as comfortably as I, or breath the fresh air that has filled my lungs, or the clean water to quench my thirst, belonging to a vibrant union to fight for my benefits and working conditions, I could not have imagined that our beautiful democracy would have been undermined so completely in such a short time. The future will be difficult and we will have to start at the bottom, electing progressive candidates at every level of local and state government or the house of cards will collapse. Let's get started before its too late!
I’m one more person so grateful to Heather and to this amazing community. You have bolstered me in my dark days, even more so than some of my own family. So thank you all. Heather’s message mentioned hope and someone else mentioned faith. Let me add my own quote, by Edward Teller. “When you get to the end of all the light you know and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.”
The last seven months have been the hardest for me. Loss of my husband, the horror of the pandemic, and the ongoing disruptions of much the I hold dear about this country. It has been particularly difficult to believe that the future will be brighter. But your letter tonight gives me hope-for my children and their spouses, for my granddaughters, for my family and friends, for this country. Thank you.
Reading your words was like looking in a mirror...and I also found hope in tonight’s letter....my husband, a deeply patriotic man, would have found hope also.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband, on top of everything else that has been happening. I lost my husband some 17 years ago, to a brain aneurysm. I think of him every day. You are going through a very difficult time now, but realize that things will get better. I found a new love and married last October. He is the reason that I can continue. Please know that you will get through this and things will get better.
Of all your beautiful letters, this is possibly the most beautiful and encouraging, upbeat, full-of-faith and hope letter I’ve read. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Heather!
What a kind and generous soul you are, Heather Cox Richardson. And brilliant, of course, a trait that has served all of us well over these past months as you've gathered up the shards at the end of every shattered day and pieced them back together. Because of that, I for one have been able to sleep at night, knowing that nothing crucial would be overlooked. You, on the other hand, were writing and posting into the gray dawn, documenting history for the rest of us. Thank you for your insights, your humor, your love for this country and its people, and your sane and grounded outlook on life. Blessings on you and all you love.
Thank you for your beautiful comment, Natilee. It gave me chills! Your description "as you've gathered up the shards at the end of every shattered day and pieced them back together" is so deeply poetic and accurate. ♥️
Beautifully said and my sentiments exactly! “knowing that nothing crucial would be overlooked” - the reason that I have been able to get through these last 7+ months!
Thank you Natilee. As with many others, your comments have brought me to tears. These last months would have been been much more difficult and hopeless without Heather's wisdom.
Thank you, Professor Richardson. Your faith in Democracy is inspiring.
I use your Letters as a teaching tool for my students here in Germany (thank you, for that as well) and last week one of my students commented that American Democracy sounds good in principle – but it isn’t working very well if one man, Donald Trump, can bring it to its knees. I paraphrase, but I think you get the point, and I would agree with this sentiment. Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s election, we find ourselves in a world of increasing tribalism and alienation at a time when Democracy is in trouble.
This morning I read two articles dealing with different aspects of the situation, but connected, I believe, by a common thread – unless all of us can somehow lower the temperature in the room by making a concerted and genuine effort to understand the root causes of the discontent our political rivals are feeling, we won’t be able to work our way out of this stalemate.
This work needs to be done out of the glare of cameras, in small groups across the country. If each Member of Congress, for example, held a “listening” series of town meetings in their constituency with voters from the opposing party, to hear their grievances, to get beneath the slogans and stereotypes, to make an effort to really understand their concerns, to dispel misunderstandings and political propaganda with facts, it might help begin a process of reconciliation. Convening small mixed groups of citizens who hold differing opinions – again, outside of the glare of cameras – might be another thought.
Word of mouth is a great form of advertising and change that lasts is incremental. Both of these statements are applicable to our situation. Biden can set a conciliatory tone and I expect he will, but the real work of repairing the torn fabric of national unity will need to be done person to person, neighbor to neighbor, co-worker to co-worker.
I know there are eyes rolling and folks thinking – poor, naïve guy, he actually believes dialogue is possible. Yes, I do, and I would be interested in hearing other ideas about how we might rebuild. The alternative - allowing the continuation of the present death spiral of anger and mistrust - just isn’t acceptable.
Anne Applebaum’s article in The Atlantic on cumulative extremism on the Right and Left:
R Dooley, your message is so important...I live in place (eastern Kentucky) that most people think of as "Trump Country" and yes, it did go overwhelmingly for Trump in 2016 (we have yet to see what happens in 2020)...so I'm talking about my neighbors and even friends here when I say this...there is a lot to learn, a lot to listen to...people in eastern Kentucky haven't been listened to, and their problems taken seriously for decades. There are successful models for the type of community dialog of which R Dooley speaks. I urge everyone to read about this small movement - Hands Across the Hills https://www.handsacrossthehills.org/ - about a group of mostly left leaning folks in Leverette Massachusetts reaching out and making common bonds with groups of Trump voters (and others) in Letcher County Kentucky (where I live). More minds are changed by being listened to than being talked at.
I know many of those folks from Leverett who are part of this group. I've heard them talk about their experiences talking with the people in KY. It's inspiring to hear how they have both listened and been listened to. There needs to be many more of these kinds of groups across the country willing to "listen."
Thank you for referring to this movement! It is a wonderful platform to start talking and listening to one another. That is simply something we just don’t do enough of.
I agree with Sue that this is an important message. Many of you have written about the need for change and the possibilities for change with new leadership in the White House and the Senate, and I think one change is the need to look at each other as people, not as "types," not as "Trumpers" or "troglodytes" or "ignorant fools." I think we need to stop the name-calling, though goodness knows I've done quite a bit of it myself in the past four years, and I continue to think it about neighbors who have certain campaign signs for our governor's race in their yards. But have I asked them? No. That's the work I need to do. I keep thinking about the truth and reconciliation work that's been done in South Africa and wondering how we could undertake such action here. Meeting in small groups and listening, truly listening, can be a potent measure. Also, we have this community, a million strong, A MILLION OF US, and how can we harness the strength and energy of this community to pursue a more equitable society?
Ruth, you mentioned one of the greatest keys for this effort: Listening, truly listening. That requires opening ourselves to possibly being wrong, and probably learning new perspectives, without trying to decide how to reply while someone else is presenting their perspective. Sometimes it start with just agreeing to accept our differences and look for the few ideas upon which we do agree to use as a foundation for building trust that the "other" isn't trying to trick us to win, but is simply sharing how they see things. Without truly listening, honest dialogue is often tainted. I also agree we need to change our rhetoric eliminating the name calling and unfounded assumptions that are often triggered. Your comment is an excellent starting point. Thank you!
You wrote: <snip> unless all of us can somehow lower the temperature in the room by making a concerted and genuine effort to understand the root causes of the discontent our political rivals are feeling, we won’t be able to work our way out of this stalemate. <unsnip> Writing here from Louisville Kentucky, the stalemate is their point and the Senate Majority leader, MM, is their king maker. Recent attack ads in support of MM, complain of out of state money in the Kentucky race. Out of state money, is perfectly valid in this case. The majority leader is the obvious bottleneck to overcome.
Yes, I would agree that MM is the single biggest legislative stumbling block in Congress to passing legislation that does directly not benefit his political interests. He, and his fellow travelers need to be retired with all deliberate speed. They represent all that greed and unabashed self-interest can buy.
My point, and I probably didn’t express myself clearly, was less about professional politicians like MM and more about voters. And not all voters are going to be receptive, I realize that, but I believe we need to make the effort. I just don’t see how the present situation can continue. MM and many like him are not representing the best interests of their constituents - they don't start from a place of truth.
We need candidates and representatives that hold principled positions, speak the truth and are accountable. Honest dialogue is a starting point – listening & engaging with those with whom we may disagree, is a starting point. You can’t engage in honest dialogue with a liar.
R. Dooley and Melissa, we must get big money out of the political process, period. To those who think Mitch isn't working for his constituents, I would argue that he is, if you consider his constituents to be the guys paying his way.
Last night I heard over $2 BILLION has been spent on political ads, not sure if they meant the whole campaign season - it was either on BBC or PBS News Hour - sorry, didn't think to look it up before typing this. At any rate, my first thought was how much good could have been done for the nation, if that money had gone for the common good, not to feather a few already plush nests.
And the amounts being spent by outside PACS was obscene. Citizens United MUST BE OVERTURNED.
Among my own relatives and acquaintances with opposite political views, some are more amenable to dialogue than others. The people who are willing to listen and talk can do it - the clergy in my synagogue have been leading that sort of thing for a year now. That by itself will make progress toward healing, whether or not everyone participates.
Tagging on to this, how do we include those who feel left behind by their government? This came to mind while reading an article about West Virginia. For a couple of years they had good jobs again because of building a gas pipeline. For several reasons that is going away with nothing to replace it. The pandemic is making that even worse. It's a story we've seen before especially the rural midwest. What can we do to help them help themselves? Especially if moving is not an option.
Aren't these exactly the folks that need to be included in conversations? Can't we learn their fears that may, perhaps, have just foundations while educating them about their misconceptions (wild west: helped their neighbors, yet doesn't appear to realize that land was given, or cheaply bought due to government intervention) to try to build a common ground upon which to start? I agree the article does an excellent job characterizing many who are 45 supporters.
Pointless. They are immune to reason, to facts, to empathy. Do you think conversations would have kept Mussolini out of power or lessened the Red Terror of the Russian Revolution?
I appreciate this as a grass-roots initiative, and think it may be a great way to begin dialogue in communities. Interestingly, I think actually getting this started will be the hardest part, because everyone would have to leave their emotions at the door, and try to combine with an open mind, and open ears. If those who believe the ideology of our current administration come in with that attitude, it own't work, because you get into a situation where there is only shouting and accusation. R Dooley, perhaps you could expound on how you think these conversations could be started?
And there are many others that I and others have mentioned. Some have been active for months. They occur at all levels: neighborhoods, communities, towns, regional and state coalitions of smaller, local groups working together. It's exciting, and it is encouraging. Alexander, look around your own community and find out what is going on. Often Inter-faith groups initiate this kind of discussion, and even if you are not religious, that is often a good place to start, because they pull together not just faith groups, but other kinds of community based discussions that spread out from there. Some of our people join organizations with a conservative bent, and work with them on projects that are meaningful and non-partisan. You get to know people, build trust. It creates room for more understanding of what other people's underlying concerns are.
Thank you, R Dooley for identifying what I believe is the single most important action that we in Heather’s Herd need to take: “[T]he real work of repairing the torn fabric of national unity will need to be done person to person, neighbor to neighbor, co-worker to co-worker.” This should be our new “vocation”!
As others have said, it is of critical importance that we forget the labels and the slurs and the general negativity that recent events have, understandably, engendered—on both “sides”. And we must abandon the whole concept of “us” and “them”. There is only one side; it is the side of humanity!
If we put aside our angst and anger, our righteous indignation, our sense of absolute “rightness”, we can approach our family members, our friends and coworkers—and even strangers—with open hearts and open arms, and proceed with the business of healing and reconciliation. With our egos and emotional and intellectual attachments firmly under control, we can begin to listen for the hurt and fear that usually lies beneath the facade of violence and rage.
Once we identify—and identify with—the underlying issues that foster such destructive and divisive words and behavior, we can begin to demonstrate our newfound understanding and compassion. If we can reach that basic and universal level of feelings and need, we can then consult together to find and/or create new common ground to address our mutual challenges.
In the end of the day we put aside our faith in men, in mere mortals, and put our faith in the inevitability of the brilliant idea, the universal truth, the inexorable progress of that long arc of the moral universe as it bends towards justice. Progress is integral in the word progressive every bit as much as it is integral to our future as a species. We will persist, we will progress, and we will see a better, brighter future. Thank you for cataloging and clarifying the confounding present as it prepares to some day be our amazing history.
"...cataloging and clarifying the confounding present as it prepares to some day be our amazing history." Ric, these words have inspired me even further. Thank you!
Thank you, dear Heather, for all you have done for us. I know you have sacrificed beautiful days, sleep filled nights, and time with family to keep this ship sailing. And thank you to all my fellow readers. Without these letters and the knowledge that kindred spirits do exist, these would have been very dark times. I don't think any of us knew, when we read your first letters, what a wonderful community experience we were joining. Thank you for everything - especially hope! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I have tried hard to understand both sides in our current political divide. What is it that each sees so differently? I have talked about this to many and searched my own feelings and thoughts. I am sure there are ultimately many differences but after considerable thought I feel it comes down to one essential difference. Who do you care about?
It seems Trump and those who support him care more about themselves than anyone or anything else. It seems to be all about themselves or in the case of Trump, himself. He and his supporters feel they have not been treated fairly or with the respect they feel they deserve. They want this or that for themselves. They see themselves as deserving things they don’t have. I want this and I want that. It is like a young child who has not yet learned to share.
Biden and Democrats seem more interested in serving others. Who among us needs help? What can we do to lift our neighbors and our communities? Who needs help? What can we do for others? Democrats seem to think more not about themselves but for us as a neighborhood, as a community, as a country, and even about the needs of all who share the planet with us.
It seems as I look at every issue that divides us politically it ultimately comes back to one side who feels hooray for me and the hell with everybody else and another side who is about reaching out a helping hand and has concern for others.
I don’t think our politics have always divided along that line, but it seems the case now.
If my perspective is accurate, I am glad I have chosen the side of care and compassion for others. It is how I was raised by my parents, nurtured and educated to behave by teachers and role models, and raised my own children. Perhaps that is why all are Democrats and social justice advocates. Neither I or they were taught to be Democrats, but I and they were taught and learned values. Our values resulted in our political views and social behavior choices.
I see what you are saying. Let me sharpen that with a view having moved to Louisville KY. The Senate race with the Senate Majority leader versus Amy McGrath. This Senate election has been framed almost as do you believe MM has destroyed democracy or saved it? IMHO, MM has damaged the checks and balances of democracy in favor of crony capitalism. MM has served other interests beyond those in Kentucky. MM says KY punches above its weight bringing in more Federal dollars. I think it is a sad thing for Kentucky. Most naive Kentuckians are still working low paying jobs with no growth opportunities. The hell with everybody else side thinks it's a good thing: the 1 percent are richer and the MAGA folks are poorer than ever - but they are sticking it to......the man, the government etc.
I see that I am not alone in literally being brought to tears by this profound message of hope. I Thank the stars for you Dr. Richardson and to all of you followers for indeed keeping the faith. I think what touches me the most is your identification of the amazing variety of what, and who, we are. Of our varied backgrounds and vocations and interests. So I’m going to tell you all who I am and what I do, in hopes that others will do the same. My name is James. I am a professional model maker; I’ve built models of many, many things, from John Deere tractors to AT&T answering machines to Bell helicopters and on and on. Now mostly building elaborate and large model train layouts for clients.
I’ve voted Democratic for as long as I have been able to vote, since 1981. Well, ONE time I voted for a republican, because he was an ok guy in our small town. But that was 22 years ago. And I still regret it as a stain on my record lol. It won’t happen again.
I wish everyone a peaceful time over the next couple weeks and months. Let’s keep it up and vote for humanity.
The Republican party hasn't always been what it is today. Think Eisenhower, an honorable man. I was a registered Republican until the Moral majority took over that party. And even then, I split the ticket until very recently. I really tried to vote for the better person. It's sad that we have reached this point in politics.
So James, remember that you were voting the best you could at the time.
James, my first ever vote was for Richard Nixon in 1972. Boy, did THAT ever put me off of ever voting Republican again! So I think we've all had our momentary "lapses of sanity" when we voted Republican--LOL! You're not alone.
[Expressly for James] Regarding your model-building...I should talk to you. We currently still have my late dad's HUGE HO gauge layout in our basement and need to get rid of it. There are probably 15-20 (not sure) engines (one solid brass) and a rolling stock of maybe 200 or more cars, plus houses, businesses, people, automobiles, vegetation, etc. It's massive and has hardly been touched since my dad passed away in 2011. He was a HUGE train geek and it was his passion all his life. My brother did almost all of the electrical/wiring work involved and my dad and his buddies built the landscapes and houses and stuff. We don't want to throw it out as there was, by my dad's reckoning, at least $10,000 invested in it all. Sadly, the technology used then is all from the 80s-90s, so I'm not sure if the engines are even usable now. We've been struggling trying to figure out what to do with it. Ideas?
Hi Bruce; sorry for the loss of your Dad. We ought to continue this offline, if you’d like to email me at jamesharrmodelmaker AT gmail DOT com (I think you’ll know what to do here :-)
Forgive yourself on the stain on your record. I have one too. First time out, I voted for John Anderson, an independent running against Jimmy Carter and RR.
I am Dianne Needles - Some reason the Heather Cox Richardson people still have me under Tony Reed email because when I paid my fees somehow it went on his account he is a friend that I had once sent one Heather letter to. Somehow the payment went to his account and then it got straightened out to mine but they never changed the email for my posts on email. On Facebook it is fine -long story —anyway, I enjoyed reading your post and what you do sounds very interesting and cool. Take care
Many of us listened to Mr. Rogers when he told us during rough times to look for the helpers. Dear Heather, we are lucky we looked and we found you.
This is beautifully put. I share the sentiment. We are very lucky to have found Heather.
Yes!
Absolutely agree!
YES!!
YES! I am indescribably grateful to you, dear Professor!
As I lay here in the pre-dawn of the day, like I have so many times when reading your latest post, I have quiet tears sliding down to my pillow, reflecting the heartening message you send out almost every day that Hope should be a steady sea anchor for all of us to cling to. I am forever grateful I came across your Letters many months ago. I had long before that given up trying to take in and process the fire hose of discordant and utterly baffling news. I had more faith in the late show hosts and their monologues than most news outlets (still do, actually). But your analysis, as well as the steadying hand of hope you've always held out, have helped me immensely. Thank you for the sacrifices you've made over the last year to produce your articles and videos. It is immeasurably appreciated.💕
Natalie, your post could have been written by me it so closely resembles my actions, my thoughts, my hopes and the gratitude I feel that I was somehow guided to Heather’s letters. Thank you for letting me know that I’m not the only one out there torn between hope and despair. ☮️
My thoughts exactly! ❤️☮️
Thank you Natalie for putting my thoughts into the appropriate words.
YES! You wrote what I feel.
I do the same thing every morning when I first wake up, before I get out of bed. I read Heather’s insights. It helps
Ditto
My thoughts and quiet tears exactly
She gets the quiet tears almost every day Natalie! We are going to make it, we must!
Amen
You spoke for so many of us. She is the island of sanity in the craziness.
Dr. R., I have never posted on your newsletter, but I must tell you that tonight, as I prepare to go to bed, reading your posting brought tears to my eyes. I so needed to hear a voice of hope, reminding me of all that we have within our reach, if we keep the faith. Thank you for all of your amazing wisdom and knowledge that you share with us. You are such a gift. And to all of our community here, I thank each and every one of you for your generous spirits, your humor, and your deep belief in the goodness that is out there.
As the song goes "My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of......."
Funny, I often hear the Battle Hymn of the Republic in my head after reading these letters.
HCR has kept me sane all these months.
I always wait till morning to read your letters because they are so rich and thought provoking, not necessarily what you want when trying to sleep. But tonight for some reason, I read this before turning out the light, and am so glad I did. This letter is calming and grounding and hopeful, and gives us all courage to face whatever comes. Thank you for all you have given us, ... insight, clarity, understanding, and reason to believe in our country.
Thank you Misi. I am grateful to be in the Herd with you.
My sentiments, exactly. I couldn’t have put it better than you, Misi. Thank you❤️
I am a Southern-born, old, white, Vietnam era Navy vet, and retired lawyer, living very comfortably on my assets. So, demographically, I should not even know that your Letters exist, much less read them. I thank God for a friend forwarding one of your Letters to me around Labor Day, because I now read it religiously with my first cup of coffee. I am grateful for today's uplifting message. It has helped me get beyond yesterday's bad Iowa poll and my memory of 2016.
Jay, I am a Northern-born, old, African American, 4F would-be Vietnam era military vet, and retired journalist, living uneasily on the meager pensions, SS, and late financial funds my (white) wife and I have managed to cobble together. I can’t say with any certainty, whether or not I would have unearthed HCR’s vital blog, but I owe my always resourceful bride, and the friend who sent her the link, for my very fortunate exposure to Dr. Richardon’s brilliant, incisive, gracious and ultimately illuminating series of Letters from an American. I’m an inveterate night owl and so I often read these missives before I turn in in the wee, small. I find that her spacious and penetrating analyses buttress my belief that we must indeed look to the “long game” in order to reconstruct this land into the universally prosperous, indivisible nation—and ultimately world—that the Founders could not have possibly dreamed of.
Bill, thank you for your words. I'm an old white guy living on a pension, enjoying medicare, a Vietnam era vet, comfortable in my own home, having lived the American Dream with a wife and two daughters. I consider myself the end of an era as I doubt my progeny will live as comfortably as I, or breath the fresh air that has filled my lungs, or the clean water to quench my thirst, belonging to a vibrant union to fight for my benefits and working conditions, I could not have imagined that our beautiful democracy would have been undermined so completely in such a short time. The future will be difficult and we will have to start at the bottom, electing progressive candidates at every level of local and state government or the house of cards will collapse. Let's get started before its too late!
I’m one more person so grateful to Heather and to this amazing community. You have bolstered me in my dark days, even more so than some of my own family. So thank you all. Heather’s message mentioned hope and someone else mentioned faith. Let me add my own quote, by Edward Teller. “When you get to the end of all the light you know and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.”
The Edward Teller quote, along with Heather’s powerful message, did it. Brought me to tears. Thank you. Keep the faith!
Such a lovely quote... thank you for this.
The last seven months have been the hardest for me. Loss of my husband, the horror of the pandemic, and the ongoing disruptions of much the I hold dear about this country. It has been particularly difficult to believe that the future will be brighter. But your letter tonight gives me hope-for my children and their spouses, for my granddaughters, for my family and friends, for this country. Thank you.
Reading your words was like looking in a mirror...and I also found hope in tonight’s letter....my husband, a deeply patriotic man, would have found hope also.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband, on top of everything else that has been happening. I lost my husband some 17 years ago, to a brain aneurysm. I think of him every day. You are going through a very difficult time now, but realize that things will get better. I found a new love and married last October. He is the reason that I can continue. Please know that you will get through this and things will get better.
Thank you Ellen. My husband died from a brain hemorrhage.
Of all your beautiful letters, this is possibly the most beautiful and encouraging, upbeat, full-of-faith and hope letter I’ve read. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Heather!
What a kind and generous soul you are, Heather Cox Richardson. And brilliant, of course, a trait that has served all of us well over these past months as you've gathered up the shards at the end of every shattered day and pieced them back together. Because of that, I for one have been able to sleep at night, knowing that nothing crucial would be overlooked. You, on the other hand, were writing and posting into the gray dawn, documenting history for the rest of us. Thank you for your insights, your humor, your love for this country and its people, and your sane and grounded outlook on life. Blessings on you and all you love.
Thank you for your beautiful comment, Natilee. It gave me chills! Your description "as you've gathered up the shards at the end of every shattered day and pieced them back together" is so deeply poetic and accurate. ♥️
Beautifully said and my sentiments exactly! “knowing that nothing crucial would be overlooked” - the reason that I have been able to get through these last 7+ months!
Natilee, your words, too, just brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
Thank you Natilee. As with many others, your comments have brought me to tears. These last months would have been been much more difficult and hopeless without Heather's wisdom.
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
-Emily Dickinson
Ahh...thank you Kari ~ that Emily Dickinson poem has been a touchstone
in my life this whole year; great to know someone else feels it as well...
🦋
...and now there are not just tears, but sobs. Thanks to you and Emily.
Thank you, Professor Richardson. Your faith in Democracy is inspiring.
I use your Letters as a teaching tool for my students here in Germany (thank you, for that as well) and last week one of my students commented that American Democracy sounds good in principle – but it isn’t working very well if one man, Donald Trump, can bring it to its knees. I paraphrase, but I think you get the point, and I would agree with this sentiment. Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s election, we find ourselves in a world of increasing tribalism and alienation at a time when Democracy is in trouble.
This morning I read two articles dealing with different aspects of the situation, but connected, I believe, by a common thread – unless all of us can somehow lower the temperature in the room by making a concerted and genuine effort to understand the root causes of the discontent our political rivals are feeling, we won’t be able to work our way out of this stalemate.
This work needs to be done out of the glare of cameras, in small groups across the country. If each Member of Congress, for example, held a “listening” series of town meetings in their constituency with voters from the opposing party, to hear their grievances, to get beneath the slogans and stereotypes, to make an effort to really understand their concerns, to dispel misunderstandings and political propaganda with facts, it might help begin a process of reconciliation. Convening small mixed groups of citizens who hold differing opinions – again, outside of the glare of cameras – might be another thought.
Word of mouth is a great form of advertising and change that lasts is incremental. Both of these statements are applicable to our situation. Biden can set a conciliatory tone and I expect he will, but the real work of repairing the torn fabric of national unity will need to be done person to person, neighbor to neighbor, co-worker to co-worker.
I know there are eyes rolling and folks thinking – poor, naïve guy, he actually believes dialogue is possible. Yes, I do, and I would be interested in hearing other ideas about how we might rebuild. The alternative - allowing the continuation of the present death spiral of anger and mistrust - just isn’t acceptable.
Anne Applebaum’s article in The Atlantic on cumulative extremism on the Right and Left:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/left-and-right-are-radicalizing-each-other/616914/
Roger Cohen’s Opinion piece in the New York Times, “Freedom as the Muzzle of a Glock”:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/30/opinion/trump-voters-colorado.html
R Dooley, your message is so important...I live in place (eastern Kentucky) that most people think of as "Trump Country" and yes, it did go overwhelmingly for Trump in 2016 (we have yet to see what happens in 2020)...so I'm talking about my neighbors and even friends here when I say this...there is a lot to learn, a lot to listen to...people in eastern Kentucky haven't been listened to, and their problems taken seriously for decades. There are successful models for the type of community dialog of which R Dooley speaks. I urge everyone to read about this small movement - Hands Across the Hills https://www.handsacrossthehills.org/ - about a group of mostly left leaning folks in Leverette Massachusetts reaching out and making common bonds with groups of Trump voters (and others) in Letcher County Kentucky (where I live). More minds are changed by being listened to than being talked at.
I know many of those folks from Leverett who are part of this group. I've heard them talk about their experiences talking with the people in KY. It's inspiring to hear how they have both listened and been listened to. There needs to be many more of these kinds of groups across the country willing to "listen."
Thank you for referring to this movement! It is a wonderful platform to start talking and listening to one another. That is simply something we just don’t do enough of.
yes!
Thank you so much for sharing that : It looks like they are doing the work that needs to be done.
I agree with Sue that this is an important message. Many of you have written about the need for change and the possibilities for change with new leadership in the White House and the Senate, and I think one change is the need to look at each other as people, not as "types," not as "Trumpers" or "troglodytes" or "ignorant fools." I think we need to stop the name-calling, though goodness knows I've done quite a bit of it myself in the past four years, and I continue to think it about neighbors who have certain campaign signs for our governor's race in their yards. But have I asked them? No. That's the work I need to do. I keep thinking about the truth and reconciliation work that's been done in South Africa and wondering how we could undertake such action here. Meeting in small groups and listening, truly listening, can be a potent measure. Also, we have this community, a million strong, A MILLION OF US, and how can we harness the strength and energy of this community to pursue a more equitable society?
Ruth, you mentioned one of the greatest keys for this effort: Listening, truly listening. That requires opening ourselves to possibly being wrong, and probably learning new perspectives, without trying to decide how to reply while someone else is presenting their perspective. Sometimes it start with just agreeing to accept our differences and look for the few ideas upon which we do agree to use as a foundation for building trust that the "other" isn't trying to trick us to win, but is simply sharing how they see things. Without truly listening, honest dialogue is often tainted. I also agree we need to change our rhetoric eliminating the name calling and unfounded assumptions that are often triggered. Your comment is an excellent starting point. Thank you!
You wrote: <snip> unless all of us can somehow lower the temperature in the room by making a concerted and genuine effort to understand the root causes of the discontent our political rivals are feeling, we won’t be able to work our way out of this stalemate. <unsnip> Writing here from Louisville Kentucky, the stalemate is their point and the Senate Majority leader, MM, is their king maker. Recent attack ads in support of MM, complain of out of state money in the Kentucky race. Out of state money, is perfectly valid in this case. The majority leader is the obvious bottleneck to overcome.
Yes, I would agree that MM is the single biggest legislative stumbling block in Congress to passing legislation that does directly not benefit his political interests. He, and his fellow travelers need to be retired with all deliberate speed. They represent all that greed and unabashed self-interest can buy.
My point, and I probably didn’t express myself clearly, was less about professional politicians like MM and more about voters. And not all voters are going to be receptive, I realize that, but I believe we need to make the effort. I just don’t see how the present situation can continue. MM and many like him are not representing the best interests of their constituents - they don't start from a place of truth.
We need candidates and representatives that hold principled positions, speak the truth and are accountable. Honest dialogue is a starting point – listening & engaging with those with whom we may disagree, is a starting point. You can’t engage in honest dialogue with a liar.
R. Dooley and Melissa, we must get big money out of the political process, period. To those who think Mitch isn't working for his constituents, I would argue that he is, if you consider his constituents to be the guys paying his way.
Last night I heard over $2 BILLION has been spent on political ads, not sure if they meant the whole campaign season - it was either on BBC or PBS News Hour - sorry, didn't think to look it up before typing this. At any rate, my first thought was how much good could have been done for the nation, if that money had gone for the common good, not to feather a few already plush nests.
And the amounts being spent by outside PACS was obscene. Citizens United MUST BE OVERTURNED.
As if MM wasn't supported by "out of state" money!
MM gets money out of state and out of country!
Among my own relatives and acquaintances with opposite political views, some are more amenable to dialogue than others. The people who are willing to listen and talk can do it - the clergy in my synagogue have been leading that sort of thing for a year now. That by itself will make progress toward healing, whether or not everyone participates.
Tagging on to this, how do we include those who feel left behind by their government? This came to mind while reading an article about West Virginia. For a couple of years they had good jobs again because of building a gas pipeline. For several reasons that is going away with nothing to replace it. The pandemic is making that even worse. It's a story we've seen before especially the rural midwest. What can we do to help them help themselves? Especially if moving is not an option.
Cohen's article sums it up nicely. MY freedoms, not yours.
Aren't these exactly the folks that need to be included in conversations? Can't we learn their fears that may, perhaps, have just foundations while educating them about their misconceptions (wild west: helped their neighbors, yet doesn't appear to realize that land was given, or cheaply bought due to government intervention) to try to build a common ground upon which to start? I agree the article does an excellent job characterizing many who are 45 supporters.
Pointless. They are immune to reason, to facts, to empathy. Do you think conversations would have kept Mussolini out of power or lessened the Red Terror of the Russian Revolution?
I appreciate this as a grass-roots initiative, and think it may be a great way to begin dialogue in communities. Interestingly, I think actually getting this started will be the hardest part, because everyone would have to leave their emotions at the door, and try to combine with an open mind, and open ears. If those who believe the ideology of our current administration come in with that attitude, it own't work, because you get into a situation where there is only shouting and accusation. R Dooley, perhaps you could expound on how you think these conversations could be started?
Aside from the suggestions in my comment, check this out: “America in One Room”project. You can google it - I find it a very interesting idea.
And there are many others that I and others have mentioned. Some have been active for months. They occur at all levels: neighborhoods, communities, towns, regional and state coalitions of smaller, local groups working together. It's exciting, and it is encouraging. Alexander, look around your own community and find out what is going on. Often Inter-faith groups initiate this kind of discussion, and even if you are not religious, that is often a good place to start, because they pull together not just faith groups, but other kinds of community based discussions that spread out from there. Some of our people join organizations with a conservative bent, and work with them on projects that are meaningful and non-partisan. You get to know people, build trust. It creates room for more understanding of what other people's underlying concerns are.
Thank you, R Dooley for identifying what I believe is the single most important action that we in Heather’s Herd need to take: “[T]he real work of repairing the torn fabric of national unity will need to be done person to person, neighbor to neighbor, co-worker to co-worker.” This should be our new “vocation”!
As others have said, it is of critical importance that we forget the labels and the slurs and the general negativity that recent events have, understandably, engendered—on both “sides”. And we must abandon the whole concept of “us” and “them”. There is only one side; it is the side of humanity!
If we put aside our angst and anger, our righteous indignation, our sense of absolute “rightness”, we can approach our family members, our friends and coworkers—and even strangers—with open hearts and open arms, and proceed with the business of healing and reconciliation. With our egos and emotional and intellectual attachments firmly under control, we can begin to listen for the hurt and fear that usually lies beneath the facade of violence and rage.
Once we identify—and identify with—the underlying issues that foster such destructive and divisive words and behavior, we can begin to demonstrate our newfound understanding and compassion. If we can reach that basic and universal level of feelings and need, we can then consult together to find and/or create new common ground to address our mutual challenges.
In the end of the day we put aside our faith in men, in mere mortals, and put our faith in the inevitability of the brilliant idea, the universal truth, the inexorable progress of that long arc of the moral universe as it bends towards justice. Progress is integral in the word progressive every bit as much as it is integral to our future as a species. We will persist, we will progress, and we will see a better, brighter future. Thank you for cataloging and clarifying the confounding present as it prepares to some day be our amazing history.
Your lovely words made me teary. We will persist. I so hope these hard times are over. Bless you for your optimism.
"...cataloging and clarifying the confounding present as it prepares to some day be our amazing history." Ric, these words have inspired me even further. Thank you!
Well stated.
Thank you, dear Heather, for all you have done for us. I know you have sacrificed beautiful days, sleep filled nights, and time with family to keep this ship sailing. And thank you to all my fellow readers. Without these letters and the knowledge that kindred spirits do exist, these would have been very dark times. I don't think any of us knew, when we read your first letters, what a wonderful community experience we were joining. Thank you for everything - especially hope! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
The essential difference, who do you care about?
I have tried hard to understand both sides in our current political divide. What is it that each sees so differently? I have talked about this to many and searched my own feelings and thoughts. I am sure there are ultimately many differences but after considerable thought I feel it comes down to one essential difference. Who do you care about?
It seems Trump and those who support him care more about themselves than anyone or anything else. It seems to be all about themselves or in the case of Trump, himself. He and his supporters feel they have not been treated fairly or with the respect they feel they deserve. They want this or that for themselves. They see themselves as deserving things they don’t have. I want this and I want that. It is like a young child who has not yet learned to share.
Biden and Democrats seem more interested in serving others. Who among us needs help? What can we do to lift our neighbors and our communities? Who needs help? What can we do for others? Democrats seem to think more not about themselves but for us as a neighborhood, as a community, as a country, and even about the needs of all who share the planet with us.
It seems as I look at every issue that divides us politically it ultimately comes back to one side who feels hooray for me and the hell with everybody else and another side who is about reaching out a helping hand and has concern for others.
I don’t think our politics have always divided along that line, but it seems the case now.
If my perspective is accurate, I am glad I have chosen the side of care and compassion for others. It is how I was raised by my parents, nurtured and educated to behave by teachers and role models, and raised my own children. Perhaps that is why all are Democrats and social justice advocates. Neither I or they were taught to be Democrats, but I and they were taught and learned values. Our values resulted in our political views and social behavior choices.
I see what you are saying. Let me sharpen that with a view having moved to Louisville KY. The Senate race with the Senate Majority leader versus Amy McGrath. This Senate election has been framed almost as do you believe MM has destroyed democracy or saved it? IMHO, MM has damaged the checks and balances of democracy in favor of crony capitalism. MM has served other interests beyond those in Kentucky. MM says KY punches above its weight bringing in more Federal dollars. I think it is a sad thing for Kentucky. Most naive Kentuckians are still working low paying jobs with no growth opportunities. The hell with everybody else side thinks it's a good thing: the 1 percent are richer and the MAGA folks are poorer than ever - but they are sticking it to......the man, the government etc.
I see that I am not alone in literally being brought to tears by this profound message of hope. I Thank the stars for you Dr. Richardson and to all of you followers for indeed keeping the faith. I think what touches me the most is your identification of the amazing variety of what, and who, we are. Of our varied backgrounds and vocations and interests. So I’m going to tell you all who I am and what I do, in hopes that others will do the same. My name is James. I am a professional model maker; I’ve built models of many, many things, from John Deere tractors to AT&T answering machines to Bell helicopters and on and on. Now mostly building elaborate and large model train layouts for clients.
I’ve voted Democratic for as long as I have been able to vote, since 1981. Well, ONE time I voted for a republican, because he was an ok guy in our small town. But that was 22 years ago. And I still regret it as a stain on my record lol. It won’t happen again.
I wish everyone a peaceful time over the next couple weeks and months. Let’s keep it up and vote for humanity.
The Republican party hasn't always been what it is today. Think Eisenhower, an honorable man. I was a registered Republican until the Moral majority took over that party. And even then, I split the ticket until very recently. I really tried to vote for the better person. It's sad that we have reached this point in politics.
So James, remember that you were voting the best you could at the time.
I too voted for a Republican once, for John Lindsay for mayor of New York City in 1966, but even he became a Democrat in 1971.
James, my first ever vote was for Richard Nixon in 1972. Boy, did THAT ever put me off of ever voting Republican again! So I think we've all had our momentary "lapses of sanity" when we voted Republican--LOL! You're not alone.
[Expressly for James] Regarding your model-building...I should talk to you. We currently still have my late dad's HUGE HO gauge layout in our basement and need to get rid of it. There are probably 15-20 (not sure) engines (one solid brass) and a rolling stock of maybe 200 or more cars, plus houses, businesses, people, automobiles, vegetation, etc. It's massive and has hardly been touched since my dad passed away in 2011. He was a HUGE train geek and it was his passion all his life. My brother did almost all of the electrical/wiring work involved and my dad and his buddies built the landscapes and houses and stuff. We don't want to throw it out as there was, by my dad's reckoning, at least $10,000 invested in it all. Sadly, the technology used then is all from the 80s-90s, so I'm not sure if the engines are even usable now. We've been struggling trying to figure out what to do with it. Ideas?
Hi Bruce; sorry for the loss of your Dad. We ought to continue this offline, if you’d like to email me at jamesharrmodelmaker AT gmail DOT com (I think you’ll know what to do here :-)
I look forward to chatting.
Museum?
Forgive yourself on the stain on your record. I have one too. First time out, I voted for John Anderson, an independent running against Jimmy Carter and RR.
My first vote, too. And my only stain.
I am Dianne Needles - Some reason the Heather Cox Richardson people still have me under Tony Reed email because when I paid my fees somehow it went on his account he is a friend that I had once sent one Heather letter to. Somehow the payment went to his account and then it got straightened out to mine but they never changed the email for my posts on email. On Facebook it is fine -long story —anyway, I enjoyed reading your post and what you do sounds very interesting and cool. Take care
Wow. So wonderful.
Your optimism is contagious. I kinda count on that.