During the weeks between debate and step-aside, one party was often described as “in disarray,” the other as “unified.” “Disarray” sounded wrong; it felt like a good conversation. And unified? Certainly, when a man who’d previously called their leader an “idiot,” “reprehensible,” and “America’s Hitler” is picked to be vice president.

To a mind that seeks conflict — for clicks or for kicks — tough conversation looks like disarray. And to a mind that fears uncertainty, let’s have unity at any cost. When these thoughts first occurred, I was quick to label one party as “in conversation” rather than disarray; the other party as fearful. Then I remembered how these same thoughts and feelings — pleasure from a good fight and fear peering into the unknown — I’ve had them and will again. Calls for a bit of humility rather than name-calling.

So how’s our democracy doing? Who knows. But what I do know is that we have the power, from moment to moment, to choose what we do, and pay attention to our thoughts and feelings as we act. We have the power to listen to each other, to care for and about each other, to calm our hearts and minds, and make this country a better democracy. No one with sense, no one from Ben Franklin to Winston Churchill to John Lewis, no one said democracy is easy. So let’s keep on keepin’ on, because the alternative is … the alternative is grim and species-destroying.

Dave Roitman

Florence