The timing couldn’t be more unfortunate for a book like Thomas Chatterton Williams’s ‘Summer of Our Discontent’ which primarily critiques the left’s illiberalism. Critics would argue that it runs parallel to an era where our President is seen exercising state power to browbeat critics spanning academia, media, and political adversaries. The significance is underscored by the reality of discontent with Democrats among a broad swath of Americans who preferred a volatile and unpalatable personality like Donald Trump. Williams addresses in his writing something many failed to grasp: To fathom the political and moral turmoil, an unsentimental critique of the over zealous left, and institutions that constantly submit to its excesses, is not only warranted but necessary.
It’s necessary to mention that Williams appreciates many liberal causes, aligning with movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo initially – for their intentions of amplifying dignity and rights for all Americans. However, his disappointment with the intensifying illiberal tendencies of the left is tangible. It’s like the socialists’ distaste for the Communists wrecking their equitable dream. In August 2020, NPR conducted a regrettable interview with a white author of the book ‘In Defense of Looting,’ unsettling most Americans who believe in the rule of law.
Following Minneapolis City Council’s pledge to disband the police department, the city experienced a 50% spike in homicides as a by-product of police shortages. Although Joe Biden voiced his opposition against the defund-the-police rhetoric, advocating for more police presence, the liberal social activists left an indelible mark on voters. Meanwhile, Harris remained quiet, implicitly supporting a stance that spiraled into chaos.
A staggering 74% of Americans, as revealed in a 2019 Pew survey, advocate for equal treatment of all races in areas of employment and education. While Biden and Harris were marginally more rational than the progressive activists, they too succumb to the same missteps. Their decision to view everything through the lens of identity had dire political implications as it was inconsistent with the lived experiences of the voters.
When the Harvard University racial preferences issue was taken up by the Supreme Court in 2022, Biden’s administration ostensibly put the interests of affluent Black and Hispanic families above working-class Americans of all races. This demonstrated a clear disconnect between their policy and the real-world implications of such decisions. Harris was no different, prioritizing optics over the needs of common American men and women.
Post the 2024 election, liberals were left flummoxed by Trump’s growing appeal among nonwhite voters, a trend that culminated in what Williams dubs as the least race-charged election since 1972. Now, blame was attributed to various factors that aided Trump’s 2024 victory – the rising inflation and immigration issues topping the list. But the cultural disconnect cannot be understated as a critical element in the mix.
As Democrats introspect their shortcomings, ‘Summer of Our Discontent’ should feature high on their reading list. While they can pat their backs for occupying a moral high ground over Trump concerning race-related issues, they would do well to take heed of Camus’s warning cited by Williams: I have seen people behave badly with great morality. Sadly, the hubris displayed by the likes of Biden and Harris often echoed this sentiment, casting long, damaging shadows over their touted morality.
The political landscape could learn from Williams’ candid assertion that the left’s illiberalism is detrimental and needs rectifying. His emphasis on understanding the nuanced reasons behind the Americans’ rejection of Democrats in favor of Trump can’t be dismissed as mere right-wing rhetoric. In reality, it echoes the sentiments of a populace fed up with political posturing devoid of real, grassroots impact.
A point worth noting is that not all of Williams’ views align with the liberal mandates. Only the initial intents of movements like BLM and #MeToo resonated with him, upon their shift into radical narratives, he conveyed his disappointment. When rules of law are overshadowed by ideological stances, as seen with NPR’s 2020 interview, it becomes a cause for concern for any reasonable American. Rough stances such as these have only fostered disillusionment and driven people away from the Democrats.
While Biden seemed to grasp the ramifications of defunding the police, his feeble stand against it didn’t do much to change the narrative driven by left-leaning activists. In retrospect, his soft stance and Kamala Harris’s silence only seemed to solidify the impression of Democrats as a party willing to forsake law and order for political correctness.
Perhaps most telling of Democrats’ detachment from mainstream America is their insistence on reading all discourse through the lens of identity. This echo chamber behavior ruled by identity politics inevitably had a political cost, as seen during the Harvard racial preference case. With the Biden administration prioritizing the well-off minority families over the working class, it’s no surprise that the Democrats found themselves losing touch.
In the aftermath of the 2024 election, it was puzzling for liberals to see Trump gaining strength amongst non-white voters, reducing the racial polarization witnessed in previous elections. While economic (inflation) and social issues (immigration) contributed to Trump’s victory, the Democrats’ cultural disconnect was a critical catalyst, resonating heavily with Williams’ critique.
As the Democrats face their moment of truth, Williams’ ‘The Summer of Our Discontent’ is a must-read, acting as a mirror reflecting their inner turmoil and outward disconnect. They may source some satisfaction from standing morally superior to Trump in the context of racial discussions, the caution from Camus rings all the more true: Morality doesn’t equate to good behavior.
As the political gear grinds, the Democrats need to pay heed not just to the right, but also to voices from within their ranks voicing discomfort with their strategies. Williams’ articulate critique of the left’s extremes is a starting point. Detached theorizing without considering the actual needs of Americans isn’t going to help their cause; the wake up call for Biden, Harris and their fellow Democrats is due.
A shift from radicals to policies addressing the needs and fears of the average Americans is imminent. Whether it’s backing legitimate movements like BLM and #MeToo, upholding law and order, or remodeling the narrative of identity politics, a major course correction from Democrats is expected. Only then can they prevent further ‘summers of discontent’, and maybe reclaim some of the grounds they’ve lost to Trump and his ilk.
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