DNC Diary: Get In ​“Good Trouble,” And Vote

Below is the fourth and final DNC 2020 diary entry submitted by Westville Alder Darryl Brackeen, Jr., who is a delegate at this year’s national party convention. The convention took place almost entirely online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here, here and here to read the first three entries.

As I drove up to Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford for an in-person watch part of the fourth and final day of the virtual Democratic National Convention Thursday, I felt a sense of history fall on my shoulders.

I walked up to the door and checked in as a delegate representing the Third Congressional District. Finally, we could be socially distant, follow the state guidelines to meet in person, and be with fellow delegates.

I reflected on President Obama’s words from the night before: ​“Democracy was never meant to be transactional — you give me your vote; I make everything better. It requires an active and informed citizenry. So I am also asking you to believe in your ability — to embrace your responsibility as citizens — to make sure that the basic tenets of our democracy endure.”

I reflected on the days of knocking on doors in Iowa as a precinct captain (where the campaign looked bleak) to being in this moment, casting my vote for the next president of the United States.

I knew I was doing my part as Citizen Brackeen. This is democracy in action.

I chose to support Joe Biden so early in this race because I knew that we need a president to restore the soul of our nation. As the Vice President put it Thursday, ​“Character is on the ballot. Compassion is on the ballot — decency, science, democracy.”

As this convention played out over the last four days, it confirmed what we knew about Joe Biden: That he will be ready on day one to right the wrongs of this rogue presidency.

We cannot sit on the sidelines anymore. What we must request is high-quality outcomes and decency in the White House. Silence is a form of cooperation to the sabotage that is Donald Trump.

Admittedly, I am a sucker for the use of poetry in speeches, and the Vice President is known for quoting Irish poets.

Appropriately the Vice President quoted the Irish poet Seamus Heaney during his nomination acceptance speech:

History says,
Don’t hope on this side of the grave,
But then, once in a lifetime.
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.
This is our moment to make hope and history rhyme.

So let us bring this to our front door in Connecticut. We must not remain silent, and we must address the significant inequities surrounding this general election.

Let’s Get In Some ​“Good Trouble”

We heard the words of John Lewis echo throughout this convention about getting in ​“good trouble,” and so many people love to use his words, but are not about backing it up with their actions.

So let me take this moment once more to get in some ​“good trouble.”

How can we sit through this convention knowing that the Secretary of State’s office in Connecticut continues have no concrete plan to address the November election except pass the buck? Do we remain silent while excuses continue to be peddled, or do we do something about it?

This will be one of the highest voter turnout elections. Many underfunded city/town clerks offices all across the state have to take on an expected significant intake of absentee ballot applications.

Whatever happened to teamwork, in a democratic society through consensus and working together to make this a more perfect union?

This is what democracy looks like.

At this moment, as citizens and residents, we must be sure we do all we can to go and find ways to volunteer at our local city/town clerks offices statewide.

We must demand a more accountable and transparent plan to ensure every registered voter can vote without putting their lives at risk due to health disparities in our communities across the state.

Please click here to sign my petition concerning these demands.

As Michelle Obama said a few nights ago, ​“We’ve got to request our mail-in ballots RIGHT NOW, tonight, and send them back immediately and follow-up to make sure they’re received.”

When generations look back at this moment and as the ages pass, will you be seen as a change agent or one who sat on the sidelines?

The future of our democracy lies with our children and their children; they are the future.

While this Democratic National Convention was unconventional and historic, all I want my daughters to remember me as is a man who told the truth and acted on his convictions, even if it wasn’t popular.

I wholeheartedly believe by committing to engage and vote that the generations will remember you as an agent for change as well. Please do so by voting this November and ensure that our democracy is sound and that our nation’s soul is restored. Make a plan and go to vote.org or text ​“VOTE” to 30330.

Follow me on Twitter @dbrackeen or on Facebook @Alder Darryl Brackeen Jr. To get email updates to go to brackeenfornh.com.