"We are powerful, grounded in a clear vision, and undeterred by the long and fraught arc of transformation. Contestation of a fully inclusive democracy should not initiate retreat. Instead, we must double down on projecting and protecting our vision." - An Open Letter to All Who Believe in Democracy, July 2022
As much of the country awaits the midterm election results, we must remind ourselves of the long game of our work toward a true multiracial democracy. Elections are vital to our democracy, and our vision — a country rooted in racial, economic, and gender equity — cannot be achieved in an election alone.
This is generational work, which means we use every possible strategy to win on equity. This week, we vote in service of this vision, and no matter the outcome, we continue the work to transform this country towards the promise of a multiracial democracy. We have to remind ourselves that we the people are the founders of this not-yet-realized nation.
This summer, many of you accepted the invitation to be part of this work to continue to make our democracy real. Amid contestation from those working to impose their own exclusionary vision, we remain rooted in the truth that a different nation is ours to fight for and build–together.
We continue the work our ancestors began. In the United States, democracy has only ever been made real by the people working together for change. Throughout history, peoples' movements have always been the ones to shape this country toward its potential. From the abolition of slavery to the Civil Rights Act, from the establishment of public education to the weekend –– it is peoples’ movements that have always led us closer to the true practice of democracy.
It will take the participation of all of us –– whether you’re Black or white, Asian or Latinx, Native or newcomer –– to create this new nation. We do it by being voters. We do it by putting our visions, from housing justice to real public safety, on the ballot. We do it by advocating for equity in the federal government, and organizing in our cities, towns, and statehouses across this country. We do it by pursuing results commensurate with the scale of the challenge and the opportunity — advancing liberating policies for the nearly 100 million
people in our country living in or near poverty.
No matter today’s results, we will continue this arc of transformation. We will be the Founders of this new democracy, for the years and decades to come.
Sincerely,
Michael McAfee
President and CEO, PolicyLink
