If nothing else, this just felt like...a rare sliver of sanity? Like, maybe people *can* practice discernment in the face of very retro, blatant Islamophobia ("I know! Let's photoshop his beard!") and that maybe, just maybe, corrupt sex pests shouldn't hold elected office (I mean, politics is rife with them, but just this once...).
As I typed that part of the essay, I was like "am I overstepping here or is it really true that the pundits that be have tried to convince us that there's no use in trying to keep sex pests from getting to do whatever they want, whenever they want it?" And it's absolutely insane but that's exactly what's happened!
Yes! As if we aren't being gaslit enough...fucking Cuomo as a viable candidate for anything other than crawling in a dark hole somewhere to leave us all be.
My neighbor and I walk our dogs together frequently and have an ongoing debate, that I feel you might be able to weight in on: should the entirety of Republican leadership be sent together to one lone, melting iceburg in the Antarctic surrounded by hungry polar bears...or each get their own lonely, isolated iceburg all by themselves (also surrounded by hungry polar bears)?
Really important question. You know what, I am too much of a believer in the healing power of community, even for those who've strayed farthest from the light so let's give them a chance to figure it out together (but make sure the polar bears are super hungry-- stakes!)
It's always true! And it's worth paying attention to which candidates are able to attract 50,000 volunteers and why people are so beautifully fired up!
As a fellow non-New Yorker “ millennial socialist who pay too much attention to politics,” I feel this deeply! I can’t get enough of the joy of this campaign!
I was very discouraged by the attempts of the party machine to denigrate and sideline the Mamdani campaign. It was the same story we’ve heard so many times. The subtle whispers of Islamophobia and antisemitism along with the overt statements of “he’s too left leaning. The general electorate will never go for it”.
Well, in this one instance, the people rose up and tossed that out the window!
Early reporting says 60% of voters aged 18-34 voted for Mamdani and it appears that he led among male voters.
Maybe, perhaps, when you give people a candidate who talks about what they care about and seems to genuinely want to make their lives better, they enthusiastically support said candidate. Something for the powers that be to mull over.
The media tends to over-emphasize the New York Mayors race-for basically the same reasons that sports media over-emphasizes the Yankees, but I’ll play along this time. This was a super awesome election to watch unfold.
Loved so much about this piece and especially this:
There’s such freedom in earnestness, you all. When we see it in the wild, we might scoff at first, but eventually we too are tempted to let our guard down. If another human being can present like that—so nakedly, so guilelessly— perhaps we too can drop the icy front. No matter how much we pretend not to, we all dream, deep down, of a hot earnestness summer. What’s cooler than being cool? Hosting a potluck
To keep the momentum going - and whenever you start to lose hope - crank up Stand - by Sly & The Family Stone - and read the lyrics. It couldn't be more spot-on and uplifting.
If nothing else, this just felt like...a rare sliver of sanity? Like, maybe people *can* practice discernment in the face of very retro, blatant Islamophobia ("I know! Let's photoshop his beard!") and that maybe, just maybe, corrupt sex pests shouldn't hold elected office (I mean, politics is rife with them, but just this once...).
As I typed that part of the essay, I was like "am I overstepping here or is it really true that the pundits that be have tried to convince us that there's no use in trying to keep sex pests from getting to do whatever they want, whenever they want it?" And it's absolutely insane but that's exactly what's happened!
Yes! As if we aren't being gaslit enough...fucking Cuomo as a viable candidate for anything other than crawling in a dark hole somewhere to leave us all be.
Wait when is the election for crawling in a dark hole somewhere because I'm, like, not NOT interested
My neighbor and I walk our dogs together frequently and have an ongoing debate, that I feel you might be able to weight in on: should the entirety of Republican leadership be sent together to one lone, melting iceburg in the Antarctic surrounded by hungry polar bears...or each get their own lonely, isolated iceburg all by themselves (also surrounded by hungry polar bears)?
Really important question. You know what, I am too much of a believer in the healing power of community, even for those who've strayed farthest from the light so let's give them a chance to figure it out together (but make sure the polar bears are super hungry-- stakes!)
Most earnest person on the internet!!! <3
Cuomo had billionaire dark money donors (and Michael Bloomberg’s chunky funding.)
Zohran had 50,000 + volunteers! People power is a stronger currency than dark money!
It's always true! And it's worth paying attention to which candidates are able to attract 50,000 volunteers and why people are so beautifully fired up!
As a fellow non-New Yorker “ millennial socialist who pay too much attention to politics,” I feel this deeply! I can’t get enough of the joy of this campaign!
We're out here!
Right with you on this one, Garrett.
I was very discouraged by the attempts of the party machine to denigrate and sideline the Mamdani campaign. It was the same story we’ve heard so many times. The subtle whispers of Islamophobia and antisemitism along with the overt statements of “he’s too left leaning. The general electorate will never go for it”.
Well, in this one instance, the people rose up and tossed that out the window!
Early reporting says 60% of voters aged 18-34 voted for Mamdani and it appears that he led among male voters.
Maybe, perhaps, when you give people a candidate who talks about what they care about and seems to genuinely want to make their lives better, they enthusiastically support said candidate. Something for the powers that be to mull over.
The media tends to over-emphasize the New York Mayors race-for basically the same reasons that sports media over-emphasizes the Yankees, but I’ll play along this time. This was a super awesome election to watch unfold.
Could not agree more, Nathaniel. People want to feel something!!!
I'm not crying you're crying...
That's another great thing about hot earnestness summer! cry away!
I'm totally with you. I felt the joy and enthusiasm during this campaign and I cried when I saw how the votes poured in for him.
Me too!
GARRETT. 🥰
I'm so happy for you all!!!!
Loved so much about this piece and especially this:
There’s such freedom in earnestness, you all. When we see it in the wild, we might scoff at first, but eventually we too are tempted to let our guard down. If another human being can present like that—so nakedly, so guilelessly— perhaps we too can drop the icy front. No matter how much we pretend not to, we all dream, deep down, of a hot earnestness summer. What’s cooler than being cool? Hosting a potluck
I'm on a personal mission to shout down the myth that pretending not to care makes you cool.
Such great news.
To keep the momentum going - and whenever you start to lose hope - crank up Stand - by Sly & The Family Stone - and read the lyrics. It couldn't be more spot-on and uplifting.
Day to celebrate! BTW - if (rather when) you start to feel down, crank this one up full volume - and read the lyrics! https://open.spotify.com/track/68DqLs1hv7zI08EBvu53wV?si=fMSFeE-aQbCTyrqEtKH_og&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A7iwS1r6JHYJe9xpPjzmWqD
Yes!!!