This letter fell through the cracks back in early September. With one month till the election, however, it seems like a good time to finally print it. Sorry, Tom, about the delay.
Your column about the Democratic National Convention is beautifully written, it is timely, and it speaks of the new American Dream that had ’em dancin’ in the aisles [Getting my hopes up, Ken Trainor, Viewpoints, Aug. 28]. We unite behind a shared vision of a better and more achievable future.
As to the recent DNC, it was indeed different. The euphoria flowed easily, and the speeches reinforced my levels of pride and comfort in the extraordinary, dedicated talent supporting the candidates. The two brilliant Obama speeches were encouraging, providing much fuel for dancing.
Poet Amanda Gorman was exciting and insightful. She said it falls to us to stand together, or we cannot stand at all, and how patriotism is not just love of freedom, but love that frees us all. Tomorrow is written by the audacity of our hope. She states that perhaps the American Dream is no dream at all, but instead is a dare to dream together. In many ways, she echoed Lincoln’s most famous speech, his Gettysburg Address.
You wrap up your comments with a listing of the good that would come if American voters deliver the White House and Congress to the Democrats. It is indeed an impressive and encouraging list.
Thank you, Ken, for your cogent and optimistic piece.
My Dream is active and thrilling.
Tom Lynch
Oak Park