A new message from your friends at People For the American Way.
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Dear friend of People For the American Way,

I’ve always felt myself to be a patriotic American, but I’m not sure I
could always say exactly what that meant.

Today, as a World War II combat vet on the eve of Memorial Day weekend, I
think a big part of it is loving our country even when it is hard to do –
like when the response to children’s and teachers’ lives lost in yet
another mass shooting is to continue with a massive NRA convention just
miles from the tragedy. Or when 10 people are murdered at a grocery store
by a young man whose heart and mind are poisoned by racist ideology.

I weep for those people and their families. I weep for our country.

Our country is not defined by the worst of us, of course. But we must not
pretend that they are not part of who we are in this moment as a nation.

In some awful, terrible way, they and the weapons they use are part of our
culture. That’s not to say that we must accept it. Quite the opposite.
It’s an urgent reminder that – as patriots, and lovers of liberty,
equality, and the American Way – we need to push and fight and speak out
and do everything we can to move our country in a better direction.

Our next major test in choosing that direction will be in November’s
rapidly approaching midterm elections, when everything we stand for and
the fundamental rights of millions of Americans will be on the ballot. And
there’s so much work to do – and so many voters to reach – before then.

[ [link removed] ]To that end, I’m asking that you chip in as generously as you can to
stop hate and defend democracy by powering the work of our shared project,
People For the American Way >>

The teenager who murdered Black people in Buffalo ... the guy who drove
nine hours to kill Latinos in El Paso ... the man who gunned down Jews at
a synagogue in Pittsburgh ... the one who shot nine people at a Bible
study in Mother Emanuel Church because he, like the Buffalo shooter, was
convinced it was somehow his duty to kill Black people...

They used violence to snuff out the lives of people they didn’t think
counted as “real” Americans. Our country’s history includes a long and
bloody trail of that kind of violence.

But that is not our whole story. Our history is also a story of people
coming together to counter that violence. And maybe even more importantly,
to counter the idea behind it – the idea that this country belongs to any
particular group more than the rest of us. That’s where People For the
American Way comes in.

When I joined with Rep. Barbara Jordan and others to create People For the
American Way, we felt it was important to give people a way to join with
others in asserting that this country belongs to all of us. No one is more
American on account of their religion or skin color – or where they were
born or who they love.

I feel like my heart could explode with the urgency to spread that message
at a time when so many unprincipled people are dividing us for power or
profit or both.

That’s one reason I am grateful that People For the American Way gives me,
gives us, a way to side with those who believe that We the People means
all the people.

I am grateful that in these troubled times, People For has, in our
president Ben Jealous, a leader with a heart for upholding a better and
bigger vision of America, and a history of organizing people to move us
forward in making that vision a reality.

Some days the bad news feels overwhelming. The violence and contempt and
dishonesty can be so dispiriting. Those are the days we need each other
the most. Those are the days I remind myself to be grateful that there are
so many of us who have made a commitment to making a difference.

Today, I am writing to ask you to recommit to the ideal of the American
Way and the work of People For the American Way. We have a country to
save.

[ [link removed] ]Please join me in the effort with an urgent renewal donation now >>

The People For family and the commitment of supporters like you to Truth,
Justice, and the American Way is what gives me hope. Thank you for that.
And for everything you do.

Your friend,

Norman

 

[ [link removed] ]DONATE TO RENEW →

 

 

 

 

 

 


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activists like you, and we're always eager to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for your support.

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