The Unity Trap
Time and again, we’re told that “unity” will save us–but somehow only when that unity is with those who would diminish our humanity.
Vol. 45
In This Issue: ESSAY | NOW READ THIS | FINAL FRAME
NOTE: I finished writing the essay below literally 15 minutes before the news broke on Sunday that President Joe Biden was dropping out of the race for re-election. I think a lot of the message I’m trying to convey below is still very relevant, but obviously a few details have suddenly changed. Whew! I have…a lot of thoughts…about this rather explosive development and Kamala as the new presumptive nominee. I’m going to give myself some time to digest the news before writing about it, though.
Suffice to say for now that I am a little exhausted with living through unprecedented times so much! But I think there is an opening here–and I say this as someone with a lot of criticisms for Harris–that provides more of a path to victory than before. At least when it comes to the presidential election. There’s still a whole lot of work to be done beyond that, no matter what.
Anyway, enjoy (or don’t) the inevitable avalanche of commentary and speculation this week! And be sure to turn off the news when you can, and find joy and rest where you can.
The Unity Trap.
I just got back from nine days in France. I know, brag. But it is a privilege to travel like that, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to do so. One of the benefits of travel, especially outside of one’s home country, is the chance to view the world through an entirely different lens. Different media, different politics, different culture, different language(s), different day-to-day mundanities, etc. It helps remind us that the “way it’s always been done” isn’t actually so. It’s just the way it’s been done in our little bubbles. And it may or may not be the option or way that serves us best.
Any country that thinks it’s got all the best systems and ways of doing things is fooling itself, of course. Humanity’s diversity is one of its great strengths but too many of us are forever trying to fight against that fact, to everyone’s detriment.
Anyway, after such a lovely vacation, it was a rude shock to wake up on the morning we were to return to the United States to the news that someone had attempted to assissinate Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. My stomach immediately dropped.
Not because I have any love or compassion left for that man, mind you. But killing him–and effectively martyring him for his rabid MAGA cultists–is about the worst thing I could imagine happening right now (also, murder = bad). The worst thing, though, is attempting to martyr him and failing, leaving us with unquestionably iconic photos of Trump bleeding from ear, defiant and holding up a fist in front of an American flag. You couldn’t pay for better propaganda. Already, the cultists are wearing fake ear bandages in support.
I’ve since listened to some more level-headed and historically informed takes on the matter, though, and I admit I don’t feel quite so doom-and-gloom about it. If you also found yourself reacting to the news with “that’s it, it’s over, he’s won the election” thoughts, I highly encourage you to listen to this episode of What A Day, where they interview a historian of attempted presidential assassinations and others about what impact, if any, such events seem to have on election outcomes. Spoiler: Not much, it seems–at least not when it comes to swaying people who were undecided or already opposed to that person. The most such incidents seem to do–and it’s not nothing–is add fuel to the fire for the true believers. In this case, Trump’s MAGA cultists just have another example to cling to that confirms their preexisting belief that Trump is ordained in some way to lead. That’s scary and worth taking seriously, for sure, but it seems less likely (especially since we’re still a few months out from the election itself, and who knows what will happen in the meantime) that the event will meaningfully impact how people actually vote.
All that speculation aside, the extra sickening fallout from the incident, for me anyway, is seeing so many Democrats (Biden in particular) and people on the center-left practically falling over themselves to send well-wishes, condone “all political violence,” and call for “unity” and “turning down the heat” of our political climate.
First of all, where was/is that outrage over “political violence” when it comes to police cracking skulls of student protesters, white supremacists openly marching on cities (and killing people), and actual genocide in places like Palestine and Sudan?
Secondly, let’s take a hard look at where the vast majority of that heat is actually coming from. Which party is responsible for the lion’s share of calls for political and social violence? And should any moral person be obliged to “unite” with them? The GOP sure as hell doesn’t seem interested in moderating their hateful and extremists stances. The literal demonization of Democrats and anyone on the left continues apace.
(Even Sen. Ron Johnson couldn’t stay on message here, giving a Democrat-bashing speech at the RNC but later saying it had been an “old” text improperly loaded on the teleprompter - which, as excuses go, is pretty amazing.)
I can’t help but flash back to my first real encounter with this kind of “unity” rhetoric–the kind that demands we come together as a nation but specifically only to support the worst impulses of that nation. I was in college when the September 11 attacks happened, and I experienced first-hand the extreme jingoism and weaponization of patriotism to threaten anyone who questioned the drumbeats of war and xenophobia unleashed by those in power at the time. “United We Stand” became the ubiquitous motto. I knew at the time that it was dangerous bullshit. I had no desire to stand united with those who demanded that we drop bombs on other people in retaliation, who condoned the further erosion of our civil liberties, and demanded unquestioning support for the military-industrial complex.
Every time something traumatic and bad happens in this country, it seems, we’re told that the answer is to stand “united” with the worst actors in that drama. And the Overton Window shifts ever-further to the right.
It feels like it’s very much happening again, though I’m heartened to see a growing amount of pushback, too. I only hope it’s enough to stem the rising ride of authoritarianism, fascism, and Christian nationalism that actively threatens this country right now (and anyone who tries to tell you it’s unrealistically alarmist thinking to call it that is definitely trying to pull one over on you).
I can hold compassion for the broken, fearful people who are perpetrating even the greatest harms. But compassion and a desire for restorative, transformative justice and healing does not (and cannot) mean ignoring or excusing away bad actions and intentions. It doesn’t mean I’m required to “unite” with my abuser.
I don’t know what will happen in November or after. These are scary times. I do know, however, that we have no hope of saving ourselves if we keep falling for the same bad-faith arguments, if we allow fear to overcome our principles and good sense. Or if we give up the fight before it’s really over.
Now Read This (good/inspiring news edition).
“Frank Emspak was an advocate for workers–and for labor media” [Alice Herman and Chali Pittman for Tone]
The veteran labor activist, scholar, and journalist died on June 15, leaving behind a formidable legacy in Madison and beyond.
“How we get through this” [Ijeomo Oluo at Behind the Book]
Our capitalist colonialist system isn’t sustainable. It never was. It has to fall if we as a species are going to survive. But that’s quite the giant to fall, and a lot of us risk getting crushed in the process. So I’m writing this because I want us to take this seriously and be prepared. And I don’t want us to give in to despair.
“Dane County judge strikes down part of Act 10” [Ruth Coniff for the Wisconsin Examiner]
Dane County Judge Jacob Frost struck down part of Act 10, the Wisconsin law that ended most collective bargaining rights for most public employees. The law unfairly exempted public safety workers from the limits on unions, Frost ruled.
“Facing years of budget woes, Madison moves to develop strategy to change the state’s finance laws” [Liam Beran for Isthmus]
This is a bit of good-news-bad-news, but it’s really good to see serious effort being put behind developing a more comprehensive strategy to lobby the state Legislature to change rules that have long hamstrung municipalities when it comes to budgets. I’m also glad to see more education about this issue getting out to the public. We all need to sit up and take this seriously.
“Naturalist-in-Residence Programs led by Alex Booker to to begin at Madison Public Library”
Booker, who currently serves as the Manager of the Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, will facilitate 10 nature-based programs in libraries and green spaces across Madison over the next six weeks. The theme of Booker's residency is “Find Your Way Back to Nature" and will focus on ways to reconnect with the ecosystems that surround us.
Read Local.
I recently had the pleasure of attending the book release party for Zara Chowdhary’s new memoir, “The Lucky Ones,” at our local indie bookstore, A Room of One’s Own (truly one of the brightest gems in all of Madison/Wisconsin).
I’ve only just started reading, but between what I’ve taken in so far and the event itself, I’m ready to heartily recommend the book. Zara is currently a writer and lecturer at UW-Madison and someone whose work and activism I’ve been impressed and heartened by since we virtually crossed paths during the pro-Palestine encampment this spring. It was clear from the standing-room-only event that she has cultivated a tight-knit and supportive community here in her adopted Madison. And it was extra beautiful to have the event opened and closed with gorgeous singing from her friend, Ezaz Ahmad.
The book itself is both deeply personal and a needed warning call for events that are still unfolding in India. It’s a perspective and experience that is woefully lacking from mainstream narratives, actively suppressed in her native land, and something we could all stand to learn from.
Described as “A moving memoir by a survivor of anti-Muslim violence in contemporary India that delicately weaves political and family histories in a tribute to her country’s unique Islamic heritage.”
Check it out from your own local indie bookstore or library.
Final Frame.
Annecy, France, from above. We climbed a mountain (and then we turned around). It was beautiful.
‘Til Next Time.
Take care of yourself and of each other. Build community. Connect whenever and however you can. Thanks for reading and please tell your friends and/or consider becoming a paid subscriber. It really helps me out!