Welcome to the McDermott Minute!

Hello Friends, Politicos, and Random Internet Surfers,

This will be a space to discuss the intersection of social justice, policy, and political rhetoric. Like many progressives, I am frustrated with how many battles we seem to be losing. We can talk negotiation tactics all we want, but the truth is that most of us are surrendering the argument the second we open our mouths. A major problem lies within ‘the conversation’ –how we talk, or don’t talk, about political, social, and justice issues.

For too long progressives have allowed conservatives to define and design the conversation, and then wonder why we can’t make headway against the formidable but intellectually flimsy conservative machine. How can we expect a progressive outcome to emerge from a conservative framework? Just look at the debt ceiling debate –how could Democrats possibly expect anything but a slaughter when they were agreeing to address an ostensibly “urgent deficit crisis” constructed by conservatives. Progressives should have been fighting for our framework of relieving the dept by investing in our economy. Instead, they were fighting tooth and nail to not have vital services cut. It’s time to ditch the conservative rhetoric and develop an approachable, concise, progressive message.

In addition to retooling our language, the progressive movement (a term I use to describe what we can and must be) needs to refocus on core progressive issues and values. We can’t expect to pen progressive policies with a centrist focus. For example, how can we expect people to believe that a policy will specifically hurt minorities if we rarely acknowledge racial inequality and oppression? We can’t address problems we don’t talk about.

The McDermott Minute will critique areas where the conversation has been co-opted, point to areas where justice issues are being ignored or misrepresented, and develop progressive ideas, focal points, and strategies.

I had some hesitation about starting a blog, but I’m hoping to use my hesitations to turn out a better product. I don’t want to be another blogger shouting into dead space. This blog will not be a place for me to rant about the latest thing the republicans did –although I’m sure that will seep in from time to time. I want this blog to be a place to develop ideas and rhetoric that can be put into action!

While I have been talking about starting this blog for a while, I have been dilly-dallying, until recent events inspired me to get the ball rolling. The Occupy Wall Street protests have demonstrated –by way of contrast– just how silent the progressive voice has been the past two years. As Van Jones said recently about the Tea Party, “I’m not mad at them for being loud. I’m mad at us for having been so quiet”.

There is palpable momentum behind our movement and the time has come for us to use our voices and organize. This is my way of joining the public conversation, sharing my ideas with you, and providing a forum for you to join in shaping the progressive dialogue. The success of this blog will be determined by how useful it is and how many conversations it sparks, so please share your thoughts as it proceeds.

Keep on Critiquing!