Moving Ahead with an Open Mind
by Margaret Carolla
I watched the 2004 elections from a crowded, noisy bar in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Strategically positioned by the bar entrance, I observed several bewildered Argentines walk in, expecting to find a normal Tuesday night crowd and maybe a soccer game on TV, and instead coming across 200 rowdy and increasingly inebriated yankis glued to Wolf Blitzer. Loud cheers when Pennsylvania went blue (it was a heavy Kerry crowd); boos and epithets hurled at my dear state when Missouri went red. In the ladies bathroom on election night, after things started looking pretty dim for the Dems, an Argentine accosted me in desperate English: "What going on?! How is it Bush be winning?"
Naturally the question of why and how Bush won was on everyone's minds. After reading breakdowns and analyses and statistics and op-eds, and after the post-election depression wore off, I got to thinking: in light of these elections, what should we do now? I was yearning for a creative idea. I wanted to hear something different from the usual recommendations: the gritty, grassroots, get-out-the vote hard work that I believe was being done.
The Sunday following the elections, I had dinner with three of my best yanki friends in Buenos Aires. What we should do was the subject of the conversation. Over some stunning bottles of Malbec, my world-wise friend Erin pitched her idea. President Clinton famously attends what are called "Renaissance Weekends", where "accomplished individuals and families from a broad range of disciplines, backgrounds and political, economic and religious convictions came to learn from each other." Why not do the same?
Erin proposed starting a retreat of our own. It will be a structured but open brainstorming session where participants identify important action steps and commitments each one is willing to make towards promoting progressive values. We will invite people from all sectors, public and private, to take a weekend of their time and travel at their personal expense to come together and discuss agendas and formulate action plans. We will be open to differing perspectives, viewpoints and ideas on how to best influence the direction of our country and to promote progressive values, which form the core principles of our country.
I know what you're thinking: just what we need, another group that fits the stereotype of the liberal elitist snob. It is true that carried out poorly, this proposal runs the risk of that accusation. However, by keeping a few key points in mind, I think the retreat idea has real merit:
Avoid being condescending. It's easy and tempting to lump all those who voted for Bush in the category of "idiots" (thank you, Daily Mirror ). But the fact is, as difficult as it is to accept, there are intelligent people who are Republicans and who vote Republican. People can sense condescension from a mile away, and it's insulting and counterproductive.
Work towards an inclusive strategy. The plans we work out in the retreats aren't just for political professionals, but steps everyone can take in working toward our common goals. The social capital we generate in the retreats can and will be shared.
Have a grand vision, but don't overlook the details. This isn't intended to be solely a talk shop. We will come away from the retreat with action steps and people who have signed up to carry them out according to their availability.
The importance of the retreat goes beyond the format. The retreat has no value in and of itself: what is important is the exchange, the ideas discussed, and the action steps identified. The retreat format merely provides a formalized, tangible commitment to what we should do.
Of course, there are many different answers to the question what should we do. The "usually recommendations" that I referred to earlier are important: volunteering, participating, going to meetings, getting involved in the grassroots, writing letters, getting out the vote. But in light of the circumstances, I believe a special effort is necessary to debate, learn from each other, and work together to promote the values we hold dear.
We'll be meeting in Oregon next year, if you're interested in participating.
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Margaret Carolla is a self-described "Yanki" from Missouri who lives in Buenos Aires Argentina. Her e-mail is: macarolla@yahoo.com .