12 Comments
User's avatar
Marcia Stepanek's avatar

Terrific column, Ken; thank you for the references to James Baldwin and the exploration of the "patriotism gap" (Teixeira) - there now needs to be a new leader, one who knows how to communicate the message in a way that can touch, move and inspire the disheartened over the din of the destruction;—one who understands how to find and climb (and be seated at) the digitized kitchen tables of today without waiting for a committee's OK or an A/B-tested invitation. Reforms are desperately needed, yes -- but made by those with the mindsets, skillsets and speed needed to help digital voices/crowds interact with traditional power in a way that gets us out of a posture of perennial protest and into a posture of state and local governance. Bulls in china shops will destroy everything if there's nobody there fast enough or strong and fearless enough to show them the door.

Expand full comment
Ken Fireman's avatar

Thank you, Marcia. I'm very glad you liked the piece. Gotta be a way forward ...

Expand full comment
Tom Billitteri's avatar

Thanks, Ken, for this illuminating column -- much-needed words of light and hope amid such dark times.

Expand full comment
Ken Fireman's avatar

Thank you, Tom. Strange times, for sure.

Expand full comment
Carol Eisenberg's avatar

Thanks so much for this column, Ken. It’s hugely helpful (and also affirming), to see the problems we are struggling with today in a historic context and to recall the remedies that were applied then to sometimes powerful effect. You lifted my spirits!

Expand full comment
Ken Fireman's avatar

Thank you, Carol. (All our spirits need a lift in these times!)

Expand full comment
Meg Fox's avatar

Brilliant and important, Ken. We need to reclaim our identity and our freedom of thought. We do keep coming around to these inflection points—moments of choice, of solidarity

Expand full comment
Ken Fireman's avatar

Thank you, Meg.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Eisen's avatar

Well said. We recently visited T. Roosevelt's birthplace in NYC and were so wishing we had a leader like him in our midst today.

Expand full comment
Ken Fireman's avatar

Thank you, Rebecca. We visited Sagamore Hill years ago. Worth a return visit. And yes, he was something else …

Expand full comment
Joe Winski's avatar

Another powerful, smart, alarming yet hopeful piece of writing by Mr. Fireman. Thank you, Ken.

Expand full comment
Paul Vitello's avatar

You are taking the very long view, Ken. It's probably the only reasonable way to remain optimistic. But boy I miss my inner Leslie Knope. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Knope)

Expand full comment