Democrats Seek to Reshape the Party’s Image as Young, Snarky, Patriotic and Reverent of Civil Rights Heroes

As I read through this article, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for these remarkable individuals who are using their platforms to create change and inspire others. It’s heartening to see figures like Kamala Harris, Kristen Welz, Maxwell Frost, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and many more, breaking barriers and defying stereotypes in the political arena.


AS A CINEMA-LOVING ENTHUSIAST, I’VE GOTTA SAY, CHICAGO – Kamala Harris’ passionate speech on the closing night of the Democratic National Convention was the climactic scene after four days filled with impassioned speeches, emotional testimonies, fiery sermons, and loud warnings about the peril a second Trump presidency could bring.

Throughout the four days of prime-time broadcasts, Democrats worked diligently to redefine their public persona for moderate voters. Patriotic displays, such as flag waving and repeated chants of “USA! USA! USA!” were a common sight throughout the week, even during the three-minute standing ovation that greeted Harris when she took the stage to conclude a week filled with endorsements emphasizing her qualifications to become the next President of the United States.

Many orators compared Harris’ bid for the presidency to a spiritual crusade aimed at safeguarding America’s spirit and democratic structure. Speaker after speaker swore their allegiance to the nation.

“At the conclusion of her speech where she officially accepted the nomination after a tumultuous month marked by President Joe Biden ending his reelection campaign and a violent attack against her opponent, Harris passionately expressed her profound affection for her nation, saying,”I adore my country deeply.””

At this year’s Democratic presidential nominating conventions, it seemed clear that they were making an effort to soften some of their more confrontational political language used in recent years. This was a challenging task given the symbolic nature of the nominee, reflecting significant shifts in national politics. Simultaneously, it appeared that Democrats are eager to leave behind the strife and division characteristic of the Trump era.

FULL COVERAGE: Elections 2024 — Democratic National Convention

Trump’s rise ignited a tight-fisted rage, but there were instances where ordinary Americans were celebrated. On Wednesday night, Tim Walz, Minnesota’s governor and Harris’ running mate, was praised as “the guy” – the beloved high school teacher, the inspiring football coach who led a struggling team to championship glory.

I was positioned as the sensible, seasoned, and ethically sound candidate, offering a promise to safeguard the rights and liberties that progressives have tirelessly fought for over the past century. Reproductive freedoms, union membership, valuing the nation’s diversity as an asset rather than a concern, and many other topics were emphasized as being under siege by Trump’s conservative MAGA faction.

“Governor Josh Shapiro stated to the audience, ‘We stand for genuine liberty.’ He labeled former President Trump as an individual ‘without boundaries.’ ‘We deeply value our democracy,’ he continued, ‘and we hold a deep affection for this nation.'”

Democrats capitalized on the grim and ominous outlook portrayed by Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, as a means to attract voters repelled by the raw racism, self-centeredness, and sexism inherent within the Trump-Vance political stance.

California Senator Laphonza Butler noted on Thursday during a Q&A session at the CNN Politico Grill installation at the DNC that they’ve significantly increased the level of gloominess. She also mentioned, in reference to Mike Pence, the Indiana Republican who was previously Vice President under Trump, that he was always courteous.

Butler recalled the legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer, a pioneering Mississippi civil rights activist, who bravely opposed Democratic attempts to prevent Black people from exercising their right to vote in the 1960s.

“Angela Alsobrooks, a potential U.S. Senator from Maryland, stated that our nation is not revisiting the past,” she emphasized, highlighting the importance of preserving the legacies left by our forebears who fought for their rights even at lunch counters more than half a century ago.

On Wednesday, Oprah Winfrey unexpectedly added a powerful celebrity presence to the DNC. Similar to others, Winfrey stressed her extensive experience as an American traveler.

She shared that she’s resided in Mississippi, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Maryland, Indiana, Florida, Hawaii, Colorado, California, and Chicago, Illinois – her cherished hometown. Along the way, she’s encountered racism, sexism, and income disparity. Yet, she also emphasized the goodness she’s found in many homes and commended the dedication of long-term public servants like Harris and Walz. Their actions make her honored to declare that she is an American citizen.

At the convention, well-known figures like Hollywood stars made statements expressing their pride in being American. This was an attempt to combat the perception that Democrats are controlled by wealthy elites from Hollywood and Silicon Valley who live a life disconnected from ordinary Americans. To achieve this, these celebrity speakers also intentionally presented themselves as modest individuals.

“Eva Longoria, who used to work at McDonald’s, and myself, who was employed at Wendy’s, are here today,” Eva Longoria said as she introduced Harris, implying their past jobs didn’t define where they are now.

Republicans consistently argue that Democrats are overly influenced by a “progressive” political and societal perspective which is not in line with the general public’s preferences. In contrast, Democrats have recently countered by describing “Trump supporters” as simply “unusual.”

“Governor J.B. Pritzker stated, ‘It’s not being ‘woke’ that stifles economic growth – it’s strange. These individuals aren’t just peculiar, they’re hazardous.’ He also expressed concern, saying, ‘We don’t want our children to learn in American history that slavery was a form of employment.'”

The Democrats emphasized that the 2024 election is essentially a vote on the future by highlighting their increased focus on Gen X and older millennials taking leadership roles in government and policy-making nationwide. Notable speakers ranged from fresh faces like Maxwell Frost, a 27-year-old Congressman from Florida, to seasoned figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who enjoys strong support among core Democratic voters. The applause meter consistently registered high levels whenever these speakers made an appearance at or near the convention.

The injection of fresh energy among the party’s higher-ups is significantly boosting the Democrats’ strategies in the battle for public perception, including social media trends like memes and hashtags. This contemporary approach to political conflict is something that leaders from the era of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer might not grasp as intuitively as those who have spent their formative years with smartphones at hand.

Additionally, senior members of the Democratic Party were given a significant platform during the DNC to echo the message that the Harris-Walz campaign has popularized as its rallying call: “We won’t go back.” This statement serves as a reminder to the audience of the progress our nation has made.

Maxine Waters, a seasoned House representative from Los Angeles, invoked the spirit and memory of the late activist Fannie Lou Hamer during her DNC speech. Waters highlighted that Hamer urged Democrats at the 1960 Democratic National Convention to grant Black residents like herself the opportunity to represent Mississippi as delegates for the first time.

“Four years ago, I found myself questioning the essence of our nation when I asked, ‘Is this America?’ That inquiry was posed to party leaders, as recounted by Waters. However, four years later, my query received an answer when a group from Mississippi and I were warmly welcomed as delegates at the 1964 DNC.”

For women like Hamer’s generation, the idea of an American woman, especially one of color, becoming president was unattainable. Waters emphasized the significance of Harris’ candidacy for voters from underrepresented groups when she suggested that Harris might be thinking about figures such as Hamer and other trailblazers as she received her party’s nomination.

At that instant, everyone – from New York to Pennsylvania, Arizona, and California – might question, “Is this truly America?” said Waters. After a brief pause for applause, she emphasized her speech by urging the crowd to respond emphatically, “Absolutely and proudly, ‘Yes, it is!'”

(Pictured: U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost of Florida)

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2024-08-23 17:49