On the morning of July 3rd, I left my home in DC, my dog, and the DC Chapter (where I serve as Chair) to spend the better part of the month on the road to run the seminar on American politics and the 2016 election I lead in my day job. First, I’d head to Cleveland to run our program at the Republican National Convention, then I’d join others on my team at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Four weeks into July, the Republican National Convention is concluded and Trump is the official nominee of the Republican Party. Hillary Clinton has named Tim Kaine as her Vice Presidential running mate. Senator Bernie Sanders has issued a ringing call for unity and action to address injustice, inequality, and environmental degradation. And on Tuesday, Hillary Clinton was nominated by delegates to the Democratic National Convention. It’s been a busy four weeks, both in my work and as a participant observer in this exciting chapter of American politics.
Now in Philly, I’m taking a moment to escape the heat. It’s 94 degrees outside, so shade and a cold IPA are a welcome break and a perfect way to reflect on these past few weeks.
Leaving DC, I was as prepared as I could be for the time I’d be spending at the national conventions in Cleveland and Philly. What I could have never prepared for was the stark difference between these two conventions and the incredible difference between the candidates, their values, and their vision.
Cleveland is a beautiful city, convention goers were greeted with open arms and grace. I’d love to visit this city again. The mood inside the convention hall was different. No measure of welcome could make up for the concerning rhetoric of Mike Pence, Donald Trump, and all those speakers who stood at the podium and shared a troubling vision for an America where inequality, prejudice, and anti-environmental policy are the norm. Not once at the RNC was the clear and present threat of climate change taken seriously, there was no mention of environmental justice, no call for clean air and water, and no path discussed for building a 21st century clean energy economy.
In Cleveland, at the Republican National Convention, I was afraid--full of apprehension that this generation, my generation, and all those to follow might be overcome by the swirling currents of fear. I was disturbed that there was no plan to advance an inclusive society, find climate solutions, and address environmental injustice and environmental racism. I was, and still am, concerned that Donald Trump, Mike Pence, and the dangerous worldview they share may prevail if we do not come together as environmentalists, progressives, and as a human community in this test of our democracy.
In Philly, the mood is different. Across the city and in the convention hall, calls ring out for social and environmental justice. From the moment I arrived, I’ve been overwhelmed by a common vision for a more equitable, just, and fair America. As an environmentalist, and as a progressive, I feel as though I’ve come home--I’m having conversations that focus on bold solutions to climate change, how we can tackle toxic pollution that haunts our communities (underrepresented, marginalized, and low-income communities in particular), and how we can ensure that we keep dirty fuels in the ground where they belong.
On the floor of the convention and out on the street, I see a political revolution taking place--a primary process that has resulted in the most progressive platform ever put forth by a major party, a campaign that has focused on addressing inequality head on as opposed to sweeping it under the rug, and a dynamic and energetic movement united in a call for action on climate and environmental justice.
Distilled to its purest form, the difference between the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention, between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, is love. Until now the campaigns have focused on the policies and people that would define and stand in the 2016 election, now the focus is on the values that define this moment. At the convention in Cleveland, it was fear. At the convention in Philly, love wins--love for people and planet.
We’ve got work to do, and if we come together, unite together, and work together--I believe that we will win.
Matt Gravattis the chair of the Sierra Club’s Washington, DC chapter, where he leads efforts to protect the environment and advance sustainability in the District of Columbia. The chapter’s work focuses on expanding access to clean and renewable energy across the District, reducing waste, increasing recycling and composting, and ensuring healthy communities through improved access to high quality public transit and smart growth. Through community organizing, public education, and advocacy, the chapter leads community-driven efforts to make the District a better place to live, work, and play, and amplifies the voices of District residents seeking bold action to address climate change. He also serves on the Sierra Club’s National Political Committee.