A New Progressive Patriotism?

Like many of you, since Election Night I have found myself frequently moved by the new reality we live in, now that the astonishing words "President-elect Barack Obama" have become commonplace in our media. These are not the kinds of feelings aging academics are supposed to have. So, prompted by WNYC's terrific talk show host Brian Lehrer, who asked listeners if there was a "new progressive patriotism" in the wake of the election, I wrote a piece about these powerful and surprising feelings in the current Chronicle of Higher Education. Normally it takes a subscription to the Chronicle to see these articles, but I've gotten a special dispensation for the piece, which you can access by clicking here.

Comments

[jdmiller49]

Very nice, Warren, except you've got me misting up again. I just e-mailed you a lengthy note from my desk here in Cutchogue. I hope you have the same address. Your friend, Jeff

[XME]

Very nice article...thank you!

I know that MANY Americans can relate to you last statement that: "I get to sing "land that I love," wear a flag in my lapel, and mean it more than ever before in my life. Now that's change I can believe in".

For the past 10 days I wake up with this feeling of pride in America (and Americans) that I've not felt to this extent before. Given where we were 200 years ago, and even just 40 years ago, it's reassuring to know than I even thought we were, because I never imagined I'd see a non-white US President in my lifetime...particularly one who's middle name is used to try and incite fear, who spent many years overseas, who's father was not an American and was a practicing Muslim.

For at least 7 years (since 9/11) I've been feeling that xenophobia was overtaking America; that we were willing to judge entire groups of people as evil and terrorists because of the actions of a few religious zealots. And I've even often been disgusted by America when I saw many (even our own president) FOSTERING hate and xenophobia.

For me, November 4th was evidence that, despite all of this, xenophobia is NOT winning. This gives me GREAT hope and pride.

[Warren Goldstein - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank YOU, XME. I've been getting a lot of responses from folks around my age, who have had similar feelings, and who wondered if they'd ever get a chance to express them publicly again. A friend who used to be president of a seminary responded that we've been in exile. And I think that's the right metaphor. Exile for the past 40 years. Being able to come home is a powerful experience. Which is also why we need to make it happen for the gay and lesbian folks who didn't receive the invitation this time round--in California, Arizona, and Florida, especially.