When I entered politics, I made some mistakes. I’m an athlete, so I thought I had to beat my opponent. And as I got older, I decided that I needed to learn from my opponents, not just beat them.
I’ve fought great battles for civil rights and equal justice under the law all my life, so I’m glad I learned that lesson. It took Ronald Reagan to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday. It took George Herbert Walker Bush and George Walker Bush to work with John Lewis and others to extend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
In that regard, I have to tell you my biggest humbling story. It was the night Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast. And like many Louisianans and people in the Gulf Coast region, my family was separated. Those who could afford to leave did. But it’s the end of the month, and when you’re working paycheck to paycheck, you’re waiting for that eagle to land — Social Security, veterans benefits, whatever. And many could not leave.
I found myself in a position where I knew people in the Bush administration. And instead of going on national television and criticizing the failure to rescue people and provide water, I went on national television and said, President, how can I help you? ”For more than three years, I sat in President Bush’s White House more than Bill Clinton’s White House. And I realized that God had placed me at that table at such a time. For me, it was a time to tell and remind people that I was one of those poor kids growing up on the bayou, and that I was born in a charity hospital that no longer exists.
Sitting across the table from the President of the United States, I was able to ask him to provide another hospital so that poor children like me would have a place in the world. . I was the kid who could go to President Bush and say, “We need to fix the levees, rebuild the schools, and bring people back home.”
On the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I flew to Louisiana on Air Force One with President Barack Obama. When he asked me to come with him, I said: And I plan to welcome President Bush and his wife home. ” And they both came with me. No one booed. we played music. The president danced with all his might. And, God permitting, we have made a lot of progress and look forward to bringing both presidents home next year on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Although today’s climate is divisive, we must remember that Democrats and Republicans are minority parties. Neither of us represents the majority. The majority of voters are independents. They don’t want anything to do with Republicans or Democrats. The problem is that the system we have in place doesn’t allow most states to actually make a choice until the general election. So we have to find a way to win back independent voters. We have to make sure they’re willing to help us make big decisions and change the system around primaries. I think another significant shortage is the need for more candidates. We need more people willing to run and run for office. I tell my students: Because there’s no one better than that. Why now? Because tomorrow is still not enough. ”
When I was a kid, my parents were always working late, working second or third jobs, and my grandmother would call us by name and read us something from the Bible. He gave it to me. When I think of her and our current political moment, I am reminded of Galatians 6:9. “Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due time you will reap a harvest.” Don’t give up.
I will never give up on America. I will never give up on my community. I will never give up my ability to change and progress.
So America, don’t give up. Our best days are ahead.
Donna Brazile is a political strategist and former chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Excerpted from an evening forum held at the Washington National Cathedral, sponsored by Deseret Magazine, Brigham Young University’s Wheatley Institute, and Wesley Theological Seminary.
This article appears in the April 2024 issue. Deseret Magazine. Click here for details on how to subscribe.
