Your Place or Mine?
Your flag flyin’ over the courthouse means certain things are set in stone. Who we are, what we’ll do, and what we won’t. It’s gonna be a long walk home—Bruce Springsteen, Long Walk Home
Yesterday, I summed up election 2024 by comparing it to my dog throwing up on the carpet. I’m Dave Pell and I approved this message. In the post, I mentioned that I am doing my best to refuse to hate my fellow Americans. The divides between us – on the internet and in real life – are counterproductive, give more power to autocratic tendencies, and represent what I think is the biggest obstacle to a brighter future. In the before times (last week), I shared an article about how dramatic our divides have become. NYT (Gift Article): Millions of Movers Reveal American Polarization in Action. I’m not hopeful that social media algorithms will bring us together. That leaves real life (which, candidly, is a topic about which I know very little). In his speech promising a peaceful transfer of power, President Biden addressed this issue. “You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree. Something I hope we can do, no matter who you voted for, is to see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans.” In the spirit of unity, I want to highlight a program I learned about recently that gets right to the heart of the divide. It’s call the American Exchange Project. It’s not about sending exchange students to different countries. It’s about sending them to different communities right here in America. “We send high school seniors on a week-long trip to an American community very different from their own, and help them welcome other students into their hometown for the same incredible experience.” It sounds like a great idea. I’ll be looking for more examples of programs and ideas that can move us forward as one nation. For now, check out the American Exchange Project.
+ And a scheduling note: NextDraft will be off for the next few days. The conspiracy theorists will suggest that this lib has been owned and is running for cover from the blistering news he’s finding in his open tabs. But that’s only about half of it. I’m hanging with my son who’s been away at college. He’s only a freshman, but I hope he’s been quick learner. I’ve never needed someone to tap a keg more than I do right now.
