Take a look at the following videoclip and a related NPR story about it. Longtime United Mine Workers President Richard Trumka, Secretary/Treasurer of the AFL-CIO union, is making a passionate speech in support of Senator Barack Obama.
Now, this the America I came to love and respect when I first came to this country as a young student in the late 1970’s. This is the passion and conviction that has been increasingly missing in Americans, especially during major elections, over the past two decade. As Democrats stepped closer to the center, sounding and looking more and more like Republicans, the fire died down in their supporters. As talk about “God” and “God’s will” took over the dialogue of Republicans, the fire died in Republicans’ speech and many of their followers fell silent. The fire is back in both parties’ supporters, as important and sensitive social and economic issues are contemplated and discussed by Americans–in this case, issue of race. It is easy, once again, to fall in love with the America I first met in the 1970’s. If nothing else, this is what Barack Obama’s candidacy has brought America, the fire that makes America so unique, so special.
