Day 1 — Democratic National Convention

Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention was a rager — a star studded line up of speakers who had the audience crying, laughing, and on their feet a lot, clapping and cheering. People didn’t expect they’d get so emotional but they did and now they’re feeling hungover today. These things are usually very boring, and only fun for those who are lucky enough to get to attend, but this one was attended by millions via YouTube and CSPAN. Everybody had a great time. We’re coming out of our holding cell at the same time, and it feels great.

Democratic superstars spoke. Hillary Clinton couldn’t start her speech for several minutes because the crowd was throwing her so much love. This woman took so much shit from the Republicans, for decades, won the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election, endures nonstop hatred by misogynists and she still stands. If it weren’t for her, there’d be no Kamala 2024. Everybody there knows that and loves her for it. Many of those in attendance campaigned really hard for her and were sick to death when she lost. They lost, too. What a long, freaky, shitshow the past 8 years have been.

Congressman Jamie Raskin spoke looking really healthy and steadfast in his resolve to beat Trump. Cancer, his son’s suicide, and the insurrection all happened around the same time for him but he’s still standing, tall and strong. He encouraged people to show up to vote in numbers too big to dispute so that Trump and his “kangaroo court Supreme Court justices” can’t try to steal any votes. Senator Reverand Raphael Warnock from Georgia used COVID as an example to show why we need to care about each other. “A contagious airborne disease means that I have a personal stake in the health of my neighbor. If she’s sick, I may get sick also. Her healthcare is good for my health. I’m just tryin to tell ya we are as close in our humanity as a cough.” He took offense at Trump using symbols of faith to get people to hate each other. He took the crowd to church when he said that we’ve got to stand together, organize together, pray together, and work together to heal the land and elect Kamala Harris on November 5th. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez got the crowd worked up when she talked about workers because they’re all workers. There weren’t very many billionaires at this convention. Rising star Congresswoman from Texas, Jasmine Crockett, shared an intimate story of Kamala Harris where she confided in her her her doubts and that she may have made a mistake by running for Congress because it’s impossible to work with Republicans. Kamala hugged her and gave her the pep talk of a lifetime. If the most powerful woman in the world can’t pull your head out of your own ass for you, nobody can.

A married couple spoke about losing their baby in utero and being sent home from the emergency room twice because the pregnant mom wasn’t “sick enough” for them to legally perform an abortion. The husband said Trump’s abortion policy isn’t just a woman’s issue. On the worst day of his life he was confronted with not only losing his daughter but he almost lost his wife, too. The Republicans almost killed her.

Abortion activist Hadley Duvall spoke about how grateful she was that abortion was an option for her after her stepfather got her pregnant at age 12.

First Lady Jill Biden spoke about the different times she has fallen in love with her husband throughout their married life. One such time was when he decided to pass the torch to Kamala. She said, “We are all a part of something bigger than ourselves.” Then their daughter, Ashley Biden took the stage to introduce her dad and make him cry.

Everybody leapt to their feet carrying the same sign, “We love you Joe” when he walked out on stage. They gave him a standing ovation for over 5 minutes. The crowd was applauding his lifetime of public service, his leadership, his selflessness, and for saving us from unimaginable darkness.

Biden made a great speech and defended his record which is good because the press hasn’t and won’t. History will, though.

Joe’s love for his country really shown through in his speech. He said, “I love my job, but I love my country more.” He’s relinquishing power just like George Washington did because that’s what’s best for the country.

He ended his speech with, “America, I gave my best to you. I made a lot of mistakes in my career. But I gave my best to you.”

And that was just the first day.