Caldwell: [Mamdani] “doesn’t swing his arm like a regular American.”
First they came for the people who don't swing their arm like a regular American, but I did not speak out, because I absolutely swing my arm like a regular American.
Or do I? Which arm is he talking about? Does it matter which? Are people judging me? Talking behind my back? Is that why Jones got the big promotion instead of me? Can I really say I love America when I just swing my arm (which one?!?) any old way without giving my technique any thought at all?
And that's what really worries me. I don't know if I'm a Heritage American, but I can pass for one (if you take my meaning). But what if my arms are giving me away? Am I on a list? Is subversive arm action a valid reason for a Kavanaugh stop?
Maybe I'm overthinking this. Maybe Caldwell is just a little bored of traditional racism, and wants to add some new folks to his list of irregular Americans. I think I'll go with that.
(But I'd still like to know which arm gives Mamdani away.)
Terrific recap that evokes an earlier era of cities as both engines and laboratories of democracy, in the era of JFK and LBJ, with numerous bold commitments, many of which didn't work out. But it was not for lack of trying, and helped spawn the field of urban studies and policy implementation. Fifty / sixty years later, Mamdani is drawing on similar themes and, importantly, a vision and values of the common good. The man meets the moment, and then some, as we celebrate our 250th declaration of independence from an earlier tyrant.
Caldwell: [Mamdani] “doesn’t swing his arm like a regular American.”
First they came for the people who don't swing their arm like a regular American, but I did not speak out, because I absolutely swing my arm like a regular American.
Or do I? Which arm is he talking about? Does it matter which? Are people judging me? Talking behind my back? Is that why Jones got the big promotion instead of me? Can I really say I love America when I just swing my arm (which one?!?) any old way without giving my technique any thought at all?
And that's what really worries me. I don't know if I'm a Heritage American, but I can pass for one (if you take my meaning). But what if my arms are giving me away? Am I on a list? Is subversive arm action a valid reason for a Kavanaugh stop?
Maybe I'm overthinking this. Maybe Caldwell is just a little bored of traditional racism, and wants to add some new folks to his list of irregular Americans. I think I'll go with that.
(But I'd still like to know which arm gives Mamdani away.)
It is so odd. Now I'm constantly looking at my arms, wondering if I am using them in the most American way I could be.
Well-said.
Terrific recap that evokes an earlier era of cities as both engines and laboratories of democracy, in the era of JFK and LBJ, with numerous bold commitments, many of which didn't work out. But it was not for lack of trying, and helped spawn the field of urban studies and policy implementation. Fifty / sixty years later, Mamdani is drawing on similar themes and, importantly, a vision and values of the common good. The man meets the moment, and then some, as we celebrate our 250th declaration of independence from an earlier tyrant.