The Spring of Hope
US politics today / Kamala Harris / history / news
In an era of radical political change, social unrest, growing inequality, and intense debate over crime and punishment, Charles Dickens penned his famous opening line for "A Tale of Two Cities." His words captured the essence of a time riddled with dichotomies and extremes—an era marked by prosperity and poverty, wisdom and foolishness, hope and despair.
There is a reason I begin this newsletter with Dickens' iconic words. His comparison of Victorian England to the French Revolution, some 60 years earlier, mirrors the complexities and unpredictabilities of current American society and politics.
Let's consider the full text of Dickens' extended opening line:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
I share this passage because it resonates with the current state of American society—a juxtaposition of extremes. Dickens' commentary on upheaval and transformation is timeless, reflecting historical periods often ending in disillusion and regret. In politics, there are no simple solutions for complex situations.
US politics now move at a dizzying pace. Breaking news emerges every hour. Consider the events of the last six hours:
- Six hours ago: A bipartisan task force was announced to investigate the Trump assassination attempt.
- Five hours ago: Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned.
- Four hours ago: President Biden announced he will address the nation to discuss his decision not to seek re-election.
- Three hours ago: A stark reminder that climate change does not wait for better politicians—Sunday was the hottest day in recorded history as fossil fuel emissions continue to drive temperatures to new extremes.
- Two hours ago: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Kamala Harris.
- One hour ago: Senator Bob Menendez announced his resignation following his conviction in a federal corruption trial.
On a typical day, each of these stories would have dominated the news cycle, with the possible exception of the most worrying one since climate doesn't sell well in the news.
It's even worse. Stories that should be the headline news are now buried under a barrage of other headlines. The sheer volume of news dilutes the shock and gravity of each event.
Consider, for example, the body cam footage released by Reuters, showing a deputy from the Illinois State Police shooting a Black mother during a call for help at her home. The senseless killing of Sonya Massey, a woman who sought assistance, is a stark reminder of the contradictions of our time—prosperity and poverty, wisdom and foolishness, hope and despair. Like countless others, her story risks being forgotten amidst the deluge of other news.
In England, things improved significantly after Dickens' time, although history oscillates between good and bad times. Now, with the Conservatives out of power, the true extent of their governance is coming to light. Yesterday, Britain's new home secretary, Yvette Cooper, told Parliament that the Conservative government spent nearly a billion dollars on a controversial deportation plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. The outcome? Four volunteers made the trip, each receiving £3,000 in cash. It is a glaring example of political cynicism at a time when the UK, still struggling with the fallout of the Conservatives' Brexit folly, could use such a large sum for healthcare or education.
Returning to America, Dickens' words remind us that after a winter of despair, there can be a spring of hope.
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, I feel a sense of optimism. Change is in the air: Kamala Harris' honeymoon as a new candidate, the rapid closing of the Democratic ranks to support her, and signs of panic on the other side, where Trump seems to have lost his appetite for another debate. If age was the main issue, let's talk about it. And since a prosecutor is in the room, let's talk about law and order.
I hope you share this hope with me.
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"A society grows great when elders plant trees in whose shade they know they will never sit". Amidst a rapidly changing news cycle, is the image of President Biden standing tall boarding Air Force One for his return to the White House. This true Patriot has planted a tree of hope for all America to sit under.
The images continue: Az Senator Mark Kelly, top VP contender, Snoop Dog to carry torch in Paris, "childless cat lady" memes, Fox News cutting away from J.D. Vance's speech, Trump whining about "lying Kamala". The Prosecutor vs The Felon, Democracy vs Dictatorship and hope vs fear.
But the image that stays with me is Sonya Massey. Thank you for saying her name. I fear she will soon be a forgotten statistic on the back pages of history, never to see justice. I hope we will remember, and I hope we will see better days.
Because hope is a beautiful thing. "A thing with feathers that perches in the soul." I've seen it in so many images and posts today. I have seen it in smiles and laughter. And it feels good.
Gracias por todo, Alex.
Great writing.
Love the connection to Dickens that mirrors these extraordinary times we are living in.
You have a brilliant knack for making those connections and weaving into your storyline.
Also putting hope on the agenda when it’s so desperately needed.