I Recognized this America...

Yes. Watching the Democratic Convention this week was quite exciting. I am a born and raised in USA human being, born smack dab in the middle of America, spent most of my time in small communities, up close and personal to the rambling megalopolis, and great American City, Chicago. I have lived here all my life, and the theme, and tone, and vibe of the convention totally resonated with me. I recognized the America these folks were talking about. I am aligned with the vision. Sure, it was just a story being told, a picture being painted, a narrative, a vision, one that I know initmately. It's a story of hope, optimism, it's forward-looking, and most importantly, it's inclusive. Young folks, old folks, people of color, women, LGBTQ+, you know the whole beautiful rainbow and multi-cultural stew of humanity. It was a dream floated into the firmament, that we all can share. And the folks on that stage at the United Center, emobodied all of that. These were folks who have "walked the walk,"  folks who have rolled up their sleeves, and have done the work of organizing, voting, legislating. Practicing the hard-slog of politics. Sure, we all can dream the impossible dream, and then we  must do the work of realizing , making real, the possible. You try in your small way to make the world a better place; one smile, one gesture, one word, one vote, one act at a time. It's simultaneously a grand adventure, and a humble, homely approach at the same time.  There was a fabulous sound-track throughout. Beyonce's "Freedom," Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground," and Aretha Franklin's "Respect." On my own very personal playlist, I was listening to Donald Fagan's I.G.Y.  from  his great solo album, The Nightfly (1982). I.G.Y. is a song that bubbled up from Donald's childhood,  he is remembering being stuck in the suburbs on the East Coast in the 1950's, an idealistic, young lad, in his room, under the covers, listening to Jazz & R&B on his transistor radio, hoping to grow up, and maybe be somebody. The chorus: "What a beautiful world this will be, What a glorious time to be free..."  Yep. Exactly. I mean, that was what this week was all about. Harris/Walz. Of course...