I know in the grand scheme of things it’s pretty small, but I really, really appreciate that two days before the inauguration, hundreds of thousands of people stood out in the freezing cold to listen to some music, to be inspired, and to generally share the moment. And, even more, that when Pete Seeger (all of 89 years old) came out, he led a rendition of “This Land is Your Land” with the “radical” sections included.
There’s something immensely comforting in the idea that a celebration of our president can include lines like:
In the squares of the city, by the shadow of a steeple
By the relief office, I saw my people
As they stood there hungry, I stood there whispering
This land was made for you and meA great high wall that tried to stop me
A great big sign there said private property
But on the other side, it didn’t say nothing
That side was made for you and me
Not because I really think there’s anything truly radical about it, or because I think he’s going to build some socialist utopia, but simply because it’s nice to be able to admit the blemishes in our country without feeling like it disrupts the amazing promise. Or, even more simply, it’s nice to feel, even for a little bit, like America belongs to everyone, not just to those at the top.