Under the baobab: Labor Day marks kickoff to critical campaign season

President Joe Biden is in town.

He is in Pennsylvania for the third time in a week. He is addressing the Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade, the second largest Labor Day Parade in the country and one of the most important. Many of us here are union members. Jo and I are or have been members of a half dozen unions: SAG-AFTRA, AEA, IATSE, PSEA, UFW and a few other professional associations. We are proud of our union affiliations and the role unions have played in protecting the rights of workers. Unions helped build the American middle class. Today, union membership is low but growing in response to various economic crises, including the growing wealth gap between the 1% “haves” and the 99% “have-nots.”

Labor Day is about halfway between the Independence Day and Election Day. In even years, it serves as the traditional kickoff of the political campaign season. This year our democracy is in severe crisis. President Biden said, “MAGA forces are determined to take this country backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry who you love.” The problem is many question a shared core value of our democracy, “the majority rules.” They doubt the authenticity of Biden. His presidency is based on the majority vote as legitimately articulated and authorized by the 2020 election.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a registered Democrat. I am proud of that affiliation. I have voted for a few Republicans during my life when they appeared to be the better public servant. But, in this column I will not, nor can I, endorse any party or candidate. I consider The Baobab to be an open platform of ideas that are grounded in truth and commonly held core values.

In the coming midterms, our cornerstone state will be a major key to the future of our democracy. The governor’s race presents a choice between a long-time public servant and a man who was actively present at the January 6 rally and insurrection. The Senate race will be essential to determining whether Democrats will continue to control the Senate and its committees. The down ballot races for state legislators will determine whether there will be any checks and balances to those who might seek to manipulate election returns for the benefit of their anointed leader instead of the elected choice of the people. What happens, fellow citizens, will be in our hands on Nov. 8. As President Biden said, “For a long time, we’ve reassured ourselves that American democracy is guaranteed. But, it is not. We have to defend it. Protect it. Stand up for it. Each and every one of us.”

Vote as if your life depends on it. It does.

In the community

Welcome back PSU students, staff and faculty.

Congratulations to Coach Franklin and the Nittany Lions football team for their upset victory over Purdue in West Lafayette. Sean Clifford threw for four touchdowns and scored another on the ground.

Kudos to the MLK Plaza Committee and the Borough of State College for a successful commemoration celebration of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It also presented an opportunity for the community to say farewell to Prof. AnneMarie Mingo.

There was a world premiere of “aMUSEment, Play in the Workshop, the story of Vernon Garbrick,” conceived and written by Julia Spicher Kasdorf, with songs by Bruce Trinkley, music by Kevin Sims, film by Pearl Gluck, the late Curt Chandler and friends.

The School of Theatre brought back Sneak Preview at the Playhouse which introduced audiences to actors, directors and designers of upcoming shows.

Tierra Williams and Latisha Franklin held their second annual Black2Reality Vegan Feast at Websters Bookstore.