My DNC Experience
I had the opportunity to go to the Democratic National Convention (“DNC”) in Chicago and here are my general thoughts on Politics, Palestine, and Democracy. Did anyone ask for this? No. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t publicly chart my thoughts on this historic convention.
First, I want to give a major shout out to my twin(s) for sliding me tickets to the DNC! Seriously, thank you.
Palestine
First, if you’re reading this and think “Yonathan I can’t believe YOU of all people went to support the DNC, especially after what’s going on in Palestine. I’m so disappointed”. My rebuttal to that is a few things; first whatever thoughts or opinion you may have those thoughts/opinions is not something I haven’t thought of myself. Secondly, and I say this respectfully, I’m not too sure how much I care about your opinion, in that my own political views are not altered based on my attendance. Moreover, and I say this humbly, I’m pretty well versed on the Palestinian fight for liberation, my first article in 2021 was actually about Palestine (#NotABandwagon). So if my presence at the DNC makes you feel a type of way, I’m sorry Comrade, but also, eh, I really don’t care.
Now onto the DNC and Palestine. Walking through security and through the gates of the DNC I was admonished by Palestinian protestors labeling me of supporting Genocide. Which is hilarious because I would watch TikTok’s of protestors doing the same to members of Congress and Congressional staffers and would think “YESS!! GET EM!” Now I’m on the other side of the Genocide accusations and was thinking “Noo Stink you don’t understand I’m with you!!” I gave them a sign of my support but the gesture was empty handed, which is fair. However, to my surprise, I was shocked at how many Keffiyeh’s and Palestinian pins I saw roaming inside the arena. People from all walks of life with purposeful acknowledgement of the conflict.
The DNC was in error by not letting an uncommitted delegate or Palestinian American speak at the DNC. State Rep. Romman should’ve been on that stage sharing her story as a Democrat and Palestinian American. Moreover, I wasn’t too upset by Kamala’s speech from a pragmatic perspective on Palestine. I would’ve appreciated if she noted her commitment to a two state solution, rather than commitment to the Palestinian right to “self-determination” as I believe that’s much different from tones of past American presidencies. Overall I would be bullish on her Palestinian position. If I was a betting man, I’d believe her position would be akin to Obama’s position on Israel, which is much different from Biden’s. Acknowledging that the current war in Gaza is much different from any of the skirmishes during the Obama presidency, I believe that Biden’s allegiance to Israel has conflicted his interest in objective decision making in regards to Israel. Only time will tell. But I without any hesitation can subscribe to the theory that Trump would be an awful president in regards Palestine. If possible check out his Middle East “Peace Plan” it awful attempt at a peace plan that Palestinian leaders had no input at all. If you want know how bad it was, Netanyahu endorsed it with no issue.
DNC
United Center the home of Michael Jordan, Patrick Kane, Derrick Rose, and now Kamala Harris?
Now, I’ve never attended a political rally, nor have I worked on a political campaign and while I’ve been following politics my whole life, this experience was new and pretty awesome. The walk through the arena to your section is quite a blur. The energy was different I’ve never experienced anything like that before. It’s akin to going to a college or high school graduation except instead of rooting or cheering for your friend or family member it’s everyone rooting for just one graduate. As cheesy as it sounds its a comforting place of community from people you’ve never had conversations with. People from all across this nation coming from different states, religious backgrounds, races, and beliefs, but sharing within the same sustenance of principled beliefs.
And now to the kinda weird part of the convention. As mentioned I’ve never been to a political rally so I was probably an outlier in the audience and while I was amazed to witness our democratic process unfold, I also was taken aback at how the pageantry of everything was kinda dystopian. The convention was full of thousands gathering in a crammed arena chanting and shouting the name of a person who they don’t really know. Removing the significance of Kamala Harris being a person of color and the first woman president, part of me saw the whole ceremony akin to the crowning of the Pope.
I recently read a article (aka saw a TikTok) in which an interviewer asked Maya Angelou “What would you want the younger generation to know about Malcolm X” from which Maya Angelou responded that both Malcolm and Martin Luther King Jr “had an incredible sense of humor” she noted one of the mistakes historians make is when they recreate historical figures as being larger than life. And that’s what this kinda felt like. To me, as cheesy as it sounds, I was more impressed with all the volunteers. I talked to so many after the nights events and so many were teachers, retired librarians, lawyers, literally from all walks of life who took PTO just to help organize and run the event. Why? Simply because they’re democrats and don’t want Trump to win. I was more in awe of their presence than the scores of politicians who attempt to recreate Obama’s 2004 political launching speech.
Democracy:
Focusing on Kamala Harris, I could write about her and the impact of the her policies till my hands fall. But I think it’s best to pivot to a brief discussion about our Democracy.
While there are millions of issues within the Democratic Party, it pales in comparison to the issues with the GOP. And because the Republicans have decided to go all in with Trump, its ripple effects are disrupting the growth of progression for the Democratic party. As a sucker for parallel examples I will now use one here. Let’s say you the reader, are in a 100 meter track race with your sworn enemy, your goal is obviously is to beat them. The method in which you beat them can only be done in two ways 1) either you race as fast as you can to the finish line or 2) you simply run faster than your opponent. The mindset in both situations are completely different, in the first scenario that’s an internal battle that you yourself must overcome. You’ve practiced as hard as you can, you know what your limits are and your race is based on your quest for self perfection. However in the second scenario your pace is not determined by your own successes but rather that of your opponent. As such if your opponent doesn’t sprint but rather walks, you simply have to jog at a light pace to defeat them. In the second scenario there is no self conflict, no quest for perfection. Circling back to the Democratic party, they have chosen the second option, running not as fast as they can but rather running just enough to beat the Republicans. And while that’s an economical choice in terms of winning elections, it’s long term effects are disastrous to the progression of our country.
In conclusion my “advice” to Kamala Harris is to heed your father’s advice and run, run as fast as fast as you can towards the arch of progression. Ensure that Democratic principals and values are worth more than winning elections but rather ideals that future generations both domestic and abroad can point to as a guidepost for human rights and decency.
As always let me know your thoughts, go out and vote.
