A Day Like No Other
Frankly, I was a little hesitant to get out of bed this morning. Not that I slept in, or hardly slept at all, but when it came time to slide my foot out from under the covers, for my toes to touch the cool air of the day, and plant my heel on the floor, I knew there’d be no turning back. This day, this November 3rd, 2020 … a day long dreamed of, but more recently dreaded, has arrived.
It’s more unsure, more volatile, more fraught with both peril and promise than any of us could have imagined. (Thus my hesitation to put foot to floor.) But it is here.
And so.
I ready myself and steady myself with what I know is true.
America is an ongoing experiment. It is a collection of ideas and people, more widely varied and diverse than ever before. America is young. Less than three centuries. And even younger when we count from historical changes-of-course, ranging from the Reconstruction to the New Deal to the Civil Rights Movement to 9/11. Times when we remade ourselves or demanded more from ourselves and each other — because we knew we could.
And we’re in such a moment again, brought on by COVID, the murder of George Floyd, and the repercussions of each. And we must count on each other again.
For all its trouble and all its pain, 2020 has been a year of indescibable beauty as well. People singing on balconies, wrenching conversations about race yielding new understanding, the plight of many being suddenly understood by many, many more, record charitable contributions.
It is this world I live in. Working as a philanthropic consultant, I spend my days matching people with resources with those that need them. I am surrounded by healers, problem solvers, doers and dreamers. I am inspired by the indefatigable energy of grassroots organizers and the limitless generosity of donors who want to accelerate change, lift up new ideas, and believe too that the best is yet to come.
This year, I have born witness to gifts passing between folks ranging from $40 gift cards to out-of-the-blue seven-figure donations. I’ve seen corporations transform lip-service on equity into action, and Foundations turn a months-long, prodedure-laden grants process into three lines in an email or a voicemail recording. More is needed, to be sure, but we’re not where we were even six months ago.
I’ve been told perhaps I have a skewed view of the world because I hang out with all these do-gooders. I say, great. Yes. I hope I do.
This “skewed view” is both my protection and my gift, and as I suit up today, sliding my arms through a well-worn VOTE t-shirt, grabbing a couple of campaign signs and a cup of coffee, I am aware of the “better angels” who go with me, whole flocks and choruses of them, that lift me up, that carry us all.
Today will be a day like no other — and I am glad for it. We are ready.
