Our mayor published this essay today on MassLive that begins…
My two kids probably could not think of anything more torturous than being forced to watch a boring speech by the President of the United States, but I made them watch President Obama’s farewell address last Tuesday, anyway.
I told them the things parents usually say: You might learn something. You’re witnessing history. When the president addresses the nation, everyone should listen.
But the truth is, making them watch our first African-American president say goodbye was more about me than them. I didn’t even care if they paid attention; this was a moment I wanted to experience with my arms around them.
Read the rest here.
LOVED IT! I think he hit the nail on the head.
Half of the country voted for each candidate. No matter what you think of either candidate, (roughly) half of your fellow citizens voted for the other one. Start talking across the great divide. It may not be as great as it first appears.
This is great! I would have loved to be at that dinner.
The Mayor is right on target. We need to reach out across the aisle on ALL issues.
Gee, I don’t know; I would have hoped, and really, expected an elected politician at the level of mayor, or even councilor, to have met with people of diverse backgrounds, and ideology many, many times. It should come as no surprise how Trump supporters felt, because, as Mayor, he would have spoken to them many times in all sorts of forums.
1 in 6 voters in Newton voted for Trump. He never discussed their politics with them before?
He has been Mayor for 6-7 years, and he didn’t know how 16% of the voters in Newton feel on a national level?