As the Trump Administration keeps their campaign promises, slashes jobs, and puts marginalized communities on edge, those of us who are social-justice-minded continue to wonder about Democratic leadership’s next steps.
Though there are a few standout members of Congress who’ve continued doing necessary work to keep our communities updated and protected, the party’s general response has been reactive. Their lack of leadership just makes us more stressed out. That’s probably why it’s important for us to pay attention when to the hopeful moment.
On April 1, Senator Cory Booker gave a marathon speech lasting 25 hours and 5 minutes. Before then, the longest-ever speech on the Senate Floor was from South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond in 1957. Cory Booker’s filibuster lasted 24 hours and 18 minutes, and he railed against legislation for Civil Rights.
Notably, Sen. Booker opened and closed by quoting Civil Rights activist and member of the House of Representatives John Lewis. Senator Booker’s speech inspired many, got the world’s attention, and engaged people who might not otherwise pay attention.
Here are a few takeaways from his speech. We hope they inspire you to take action at a more local level and that Senator Booker’s speech inspires more action from our elected leaders.
Preparation and Teamwork
Senator Booker was well-prepared for his marathon speech. Throughout the course of the 25+ hours, he looked through binders to stay on track, provide us with useful statistics, and segue between multiple topics.
From maternal mortality rates to the economy to recent failures in the Senate to protect American communities, he looked at almost every critical facet of U.S. policy. But his binders didn’t just contain statistics or policy briefs, they also included comments and letters from the public, which he read, sharing people’s concerns on the Senate floor.
It’s clear that Sen. Booker’s staff worked hard to create the materials needed to keep the speech cohesive and informative.
Keep Your Mind Strong and Focused
We don’t think of Congress as a physical job, but standing for hours on end is strenuous. Sen. Booker went on the record and mentioned that he dehydrated himself and stopped eating to avoid taking breaks.
He was also present during Sen. Chris Murphy’s 15-hour filibuster in 2016. Sen. Booker, his staff, and allies took the lessons they learned during Sen. Murphy’s filibuster and applied them to this 25+ hour speech.
Very few of us will find ourselves in a situation that requires standing in front of the world for an extended period. However, we can learn to stick to our why, take disciplined steps to reach our goals, and learn from the journeys of those who’ve come before.
Strategic Performative Actions Can Reinvigorate Minds
Quite a lot of critics felt Sen. Booker’s marathon speech was performative. However, well-planned, performative actions can be helpful and worth trying. There’s so much reporting on all the ways Trump’s choices are hurting marginalized communities. Sen. Booker’s speech, at the very least, provided something different for us to focus on – and even a sense of relief.
Some of the best moments were when he read letters from constituents who voiced their fears, wishes, and suggestions for both him and the current White House administration. These letters gave a voice to those who couldn’t be physically present and gave him an excuse to address issues such as a recent vote on overdraft fees, the closure of rural Social Security offices, and more.
Starting is What’s Important
I’ve struggled to start on things that matter to me, and that includes finding ways to get involved. It’s encouraging to see how Sen. Cory Booker’s filibusters were well-received, fostered a sense of inclusion, and provided critical language about what actions we and our elected leaders can take. Sen. Booker’s speech was a much-needed step in the right direction, and I hope to see more of this from other leaders as well.
