Honoring the Legacy of those Before Us: Fighting for Democracy
Today is a significant day in American history. A day like so many other days in our nation’s history that includes both steps forward and steps backward in our commitment to making the United States a “more perfect union” and a nation that moves more toward justice, equality, and respect for all.
On this day in 1963 the Mississippi civil and voting rights leader Medgar Evers was gunned down in his front lawn by a white supremacist nearly 100 years after slavery was abolished and all people of color were guaranteed in our Constitution the right to vote. On June 12th, 1967 the United States Supreme Court ruled in Loving vs. Virginia that state laws banning interracial marriage were unconstitutional. And just five years ago on this day in 2016 49 people were killed and 53 more wounded in a mass shooting inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, FL.
The history of our country and my state of Texas is woven with both good and bad. It is a history where some fought for justice and equality and pushed for love, while others in anger and hate lashed out in response to change. The perfecting of a union of any kind isn’t a straight line and has it’s ups and downs, and it’s always a battle to rid ourselves of negative impulses and actions. But in order to move forward, we must not only accept and understand our light, we also must see our shadows and dark side. It is the only way to correct the tragedy of our past and present in making a better future.
Yes, we live in a country of paradox, but we must each ask ourselves how do we honor the legacy of those who have fought and shed blood before us to make our union more perfect?
At this moment in Texas and around the country Republican leaders are seeking to restrict voting rights, empower partisan actors to potentially nullify voting, undermine women’s health choices, pushing laws that attack people based on their gender and sexuality, and not only block common sense gun reform but make it easier for mass shootings to occur. This is happening while large majorities of Texans and Americans oppose these efforts and question whether our democracy is broken when their voices aren’t heard and leaders are not held accountable.
I have always been a believer in bipartisanship. I have believed in normal times that a bipartisan consensus of officeholders coming together in consensus on policy is a good thing and gives legitimacy to any legislation passed. It is a process that when the system is healthy and office holders act in good faith and from a place of integrity works very well and gives confidence to Americans that their voices are heard. Bipartisanship is like a healthy relationship: it works when you can trust your partner and you share the same fundamental values.
Today, we are not in that relationship. Our system isn’t healthy and GOP office holders are not acting in good faith: they can’t be trusted, don’t share our same values, and are not operating from a place of integrity. Right now there is a bipartisan consensus among citizens for gun reform, expanded civil and voting rights, and to protect a women’s right to choose. But that consensus is blocked by GOP office-holders at nearly every level of government. Like an unhealthy relationship, bipartisanship among office holders can’t work with the current GOP as it is manifested in today’s politics.
We must remember that bipartisanship is not the goal, but a process to get to the goal. The goal for all of us is to advance the cause of justice, equality and well-being among all Americans. And seeking bipartisanship with GOP elected officials at this time is a fools errand, and takes us away from our overarching goal and dream of a better America. The filibuster is a vehicle being used to thwart justice and equality and does not represent the bipartisan consensus that exists among American citizens. We must let go of that process, and find a different path to advance the American vision. We must explore a new way of understanding consensus and free ourselves of the mantra of the past so we can have a compassionate just country in the now.
To this end, all Americans no matter the tribe we are from must come together through our policy differences and ensure our voices are heard in this democracy through standing firm on voting rights. We must rid ourselves of the GOP bad actors so that we can accomplish the overarching vision of America and once again reach a place that bipartisanship and consensus among lawmakers is possible. Today the only legitimate vehicle in politics for saving our Republic is the Democratic Party.
Each day as I sit on my porch along the Blanco River in Wimberley, Texas I ask myself how I can honor the legacy of Medgar Evers, the Loving couple, and all the victims of mass shootings. We must each do more than quote those of our past or give thoughts and prayers to the victims of injustice, we must push and prod and fight for our democracy no matter our race, creed, color, or party. Let’s do this my fellow Texans and Americans.
