what matters most?
What impressed me the most about the Democratic National Convention, and surprised me, was the appeal made by so many speakers to the common values of the American tradition. I’m not alone. Much has already been said about the positive, joyful appeal of both Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. One commentator, Ezra Klein, while applauding President Biden’s record said that Biden’s speech was a sharp contrast with its severity, even “gloom and doom.” Whereas Harris and Walz are sounding a different tone of hope, promise, and possibility for everyone. Someone referred to Tim Walz as America’s Ted Lasso. Why is that? Because we recognize he is a good person, who is not perfect, who reminds us of the things that matter most: stand up to bullies, care for the poor and hungry, let your life be an example of kindness, humility, and a sense of humor. Time, and time again, he said this is not about Democrat, Republican; it’s about human decency. We recognize it when we see it.
In her stunning acceptance speech, Vice President Harris declared: “We have a new way forward for our nation, united around our core principles. We are not going back. We have more in common than what separates us.” She spoke of the values that her father and mother gave her and her sister. They are the ones that everyone recognizes: decency, honesty, neighborliness, and especially community service. “When something is wrong, don’t just complain about it. Do something.” It reminded me of my own parents in a small town in Florida.
My father was a military veteran. When he retired, he volunteered to teach poor adults to read with the local adult literacy program. The experience brought him deep satisfaction, even healing. He was a volunteer umpire for the local little league, where my mom ran the concession stand. My mother was homemaker and the treasurer of the Florida Republican Party. Ronald Reagan (and Nancy) were large heroes in her life. She didn’t allow “cussing” in our home. “You will have your mouth washed out with soap.” I can testify to her honesty. Nor was there any toleration for local racism. The “N word” was not allowed in our home. “You aren’t raised that way,” she reminded us. I didn’t need the Ten Commandments to be on my classroom wall (though they may have been, and I didn’t know it.) I learned what was right and wrong the old-fashioned way.
I didn’t expect the DNC to remind us of all these common virtues and values that we hold in common. Even the sharpest criticism of Donald Trump was largely to emphasize how opposite his words and behavior are to the core values of kindness, decency, honesty, empathy, and compassion. “We are not going back” is a rejection of chaos, cruelty, enmity, and a summons to embrace what Lincoln called “our better angels”.
For his part, Barack Obama turned to the same well of values and virtues that we all hold in common. In the core of his speech, he said “To make progress on the things we care about, the things that really affect people’s lives, we need to remember that we’ve all got our blind spots and contradictions and prejudices. And that if we want to win over those who aren’t yet ready to support our candidates, we need to listen to their concerns and maybe learn something in the process. After all, if a parent or grandparent occasionally says something that makes us cringe, we don’t automatically assume they’re bad people. We recognize that the world is moving fast, that they need time and maybe a little encouragement to catch up. Our fellow citizens deserve the same grace we hope they’ll extend to us. “
I don’t need remind you that extending grace to others is the heart of the Christian faith, and very much in line with all religious traditions. Speaking of which, ridiculing young Gus Walz for exuberantly expressing his love and pride in his father is a despicable expression of cruelty. The sheer opposite of grace.
Of course, there will be policy differences. Of course, there will be arguments over the best path forward. Yet, I very much appreciate the vision, with its accompanying virtues and values, that Kamala and Tim have set forth. Pastor and Senator Raphael Warnock said “voting is a form of prayer. The more we do it together, the better we are.”
There are 74 days until the election. Let us pray with one another.
