One thing about writing later in the day is that sometimes I can catch an unexpected moment that might otherwise slip by. Tonight, I am writing in the moments after Senator Cory Booker broke the record for longest floor speech set by Strom Thurmond in 1957. While I realize that many people in the US and the world will not know or care that this has happened, or maybe they won’t recognize how impressive this is, Andre and I called the boys into the living room so we could watch this historic moment as a family.
While Senator Thurmond, a segregationist, spoke to prevent the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, Senator Booker is speaking “with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able…because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis.” As I write, he is still speaking, still saying important things, still imploring citizens to pay attention as he speaks in protest of “actions taken by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.”
Here in our house, Mr. 16 is in the middle of research for an essay on the historiography of the Civil Rights Movement, so he knows that, despite the way we often speak of it as mostly the actions of small group of leaders, it was truly a movement of everyday people, of mothers and fathers and workers and students. He is beginning to understand that ordinary people have power when they work together. He is, I hope, beginning to understand true citizenship. It’s hard for them to imagine, I think because my children have never known a world where a Black man cannot be president or where they cannot date or befriend or marry whomever they wish. My children believe that people are inherently equal and understand that while racism exists, it is something we can and should push against. It’s hard for us to remember how much has changed in a short time.
Cory Booker is speaking to draw attention to the fact that President Trump’s administration is rolling back many rights and bringing into question many others, to point out that many of their actions are unconstitutional. Around the world, we are seeing similar autocratic movements and democratic backsliding, and it is, frankly, frightening. Even writing this with an eye to publishing it on my little blog makes me nervous: we know that immigration agents are now asking people applying for a visa to provide their usernames for social media platforms. I’m a US citizen, but I live outside the country. Will I be allowed back in if I voice dissent? Some will scoff at the question, but Sen. Booker’s speech is part of what ensures that I will be – and that my children, half Canadian, half American – will be, too.
I took a picture of the kids watching Sen. Booker as he set the record. Mr. 14 declared the moment “not picture-worthy” and I am, unsurprisingly, not allowed to share it. Maybe my children will be right: maybe this moment will not be that important because civil rights will never be called into question again. Maybe we’ll forget the picture and the moment and the feeling of crisis that has led to it. Even if we do, Sen. Booker’s feat will help us remember that American ideals of justice and equal rights are foundational – “all men are created equal” – and worth fighting for. He will help us remember that ordinary people are the ones who have to stand up. Hopefully, tonight, my children heard that message; hopefully, other people did, too.
Persistence and Pedagogy 
An incredible moment in history. I appreciate your reflection.
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I love this line: “He is beginning to understand that ordinary people have power when they work together.” And I love that you took a picture! Oh, do I hope that Mr. 14 is right and we’ll soon forget this moment of crisis that made the filibuster feel so monumental. No matter what, it’s impactful that the record for a filibuster will no longer be for someone speaking against civil rights.
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Exactly! Buh-bye to that record!
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I was just speaking with my friend and colleague about this today as we drove home together. I didn’t tune in but I watched some clips. Good trouble. Necessary trouble. Thank you for writing this important reflection, even as published words begin taking on more risk.
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I also hope that your picture turns out to be non-historic. I have time to sit and watch the speech tomorrow– today I have only heard clips. Thanks for writing about this– Did you read Peter Von Euler yesterday? He blogs at Humble Swede. I think you’d want to read it if you haven’t already.
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Actually I’m watching some of it now. I don’t think I have 24 hours of watching in me. But I admire him!
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This is and will be an historic moment. So glad you took a picture – give it a few years and your boys will feel differently. I to worry when I post things – the world feels unsafe at the moment. I do have hope we will return to a safer world I just don’t know how soon.
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You are wise to tune your children into moments like this- to help them learn that lesson that ordinary people have power when they work together.
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I’m so glad I caught the last hour of his speech! My brother texted me to tune in, and then my oldest and I sat, riveted. We had to take him along with us carpooling to music, but we watched him make the record — so moving!
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Amanda,
There were moments of Senator Booker’s speech that brought me to tears. His filibuster, along with the win in Wisconsin, felt like important moments to me. There will be big demonstrations this weekend. The groundswell is building. Your description of the photo resonates as important to me. It will either mark the moment when ordinary people found their collective voice, or it will mark the moment when too little was done too late. Either way, it’s iconic. I think your children will know that one day. Print and date that photo. Senator Booker’s voice lifted up the voices of many others as he read emails and messages he’d received from all over the country into the congressional record. Isn’t that a marvel? People across the country participated in that record-setting event, and history has recorded it.
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I love your lines about the world your children are lucky to know and not think back at all. I hope it continues to be that way and these issues grow further and further in the rear view. Moving in the forward direction is the only direction. Thanks for sharing.
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Really appreciated a little bit of positive US news for once: the Wisconsin supreme court election and Senator Booker’s historic speech on the same day! I am also in AWE of the physical and mental and emotional stamina it took to break that record. And grateful to have a pro-democracy moment go viral. I enjoyed reading about how your family responded and watched.
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