Boomers, the Democratic National Convention, Past, Present & Future

Reflections on the first day of the Democratic National Convention

With drums beating, chants reverberating, and spectators gawking, anti-war protestors marched stridently through the Sixteenth Street Mall in downtown Denver. Much smaller in numbers than anticipated by their ambitious organizers, Recreate 68, protestors nevertheless evoked a time when many participants were young students four decades ago.

Whether or not you agree with anti-Iraq War sentiments, this was nevertheless a positive view of democracy marching. Confrontations between protestors and police did not cloud this hot, sunny day in Denver.

In a time of public complacency about overt challenges to established international foreign policies, I experienced an upwelling of excitement for those willing to set themselves against the norms. They were impassioned and amused; dedicated and playful. They were peaceful, perhaps a reflection of omnipresent authority dressed in black.

Many of those marching were also Leading-Edge Baby Boomers. Although I didn’t interview any of these latter-day activists, I could see they had been to this place before. Not necessarily Denver, but these moments of street theater and shared passion for change. Maybe these former Vietnam War protestors have never completely left behind the urgency of peace, and perhaps the 2008 Democratic National Convention inspired resurrection of dormant needs to engage once again in the chaotic process of policy change.

Yet, the future is also about young activists, ready and willing to take the torch forward in shaping public perceptions, those indefatigable battles for mindshare that spring from democracy. Fresh faces, fresh ideas, tomorrow belongs to them.

Not only has the Democratic National Convention attracted the spirit of protest; the political extravaganza has also brought together the ferment of intellectuals seeking fundamental revisions to social and political contracts. Ground Zero for this intense progressive exploration of the future is happening at the Big Tent, sponsored by the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado.

Boomer Paul Krugman of The New York Times (b. 1953) joined John Podesta, CEO of the Center for American Progress (b. 1949), and Arianna Huffington of Huffington Post (b. 1950) for a live taping of Air America Radio, representing bookends of old and new media, converging in ideology and passion to foster insights and rationale for a rambling political process.

And should thought-leaders of the nation's progressive movement lose sight of why their fight is right, then they need look no further than the greatest presidential speechwriter of all time.

It's hard to imagine that at 27 Ted Sorenson conducted research for and drafted JFK's Pulitzer prize-winning book Profiles in Courage. Sorenson served as Special Counsel and Advisor to John Kennedy and played a major role in resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis by drafting Kennedy's critical letters to Nikita Khrushchev.

And I thought: here stands before me a momentous historical figure so intrinsically fundamental to the idea of passing the torch from one generation of Americans to another, as John Kennedy pronounced in his inaugural address. Here is the man who crafted those mighty words.

In an emotional appearance before the DNC convention, Senator Teddy Kennedy acknowledged words spoken by his younger brother: “In November, the torch will be passed again to a newer generation of Americans,” he said. “So with Barack Obama and for you and for me, our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again, and the dream lives on.”

As you can see, for this Boomer observer, the 2008 Democratic National Convention has begun: the past revisited with a promise that the future must be bright with scintillating ideas.

Comments

[Greg Dobbs]

"Democracy marching." What a meaningful phrase, and a reminder of how sad it is that so many Americans see dissent to their way of thinking as disloyalty, not democracy.

[Nancy B]

Good blog. Enjoyed it. The DNC has touched off nostalgia as aptly described in your blog. We should never fear dissent, and it should not be confused with violence. Dissent brings change. Ted Kennedy's appearance gave hope for the future, and maybe even for him. Thank you for this.