The Road Is Open Again!

When I get an earworm, you get to share it. The Plot Against America, the new HBO series, begins with this Depression-era song, “The Road is Open Again.” This short film like those shown in theaters at the time is hopelessly sexist and blatantly political, but, having taught this period in American history for so long, I love it. The actual song begins at 4:10 and the sing-along at 5:10. Washington, Lincoln, and Wilson are suitably tri-partisan by affiliation, if not by what they explain in this little Hollywood drama. (You may be able to watch the whole series for free; this is what I got when I googled it)

May you feel as happy as I because, by the time you read this, the United States House of Representatives has passed the Senate relief bill, and the President has signed it. The Senate vote was unanimous and therefore bipartisan, so I do not see this as a political statement. I hope the House vote is similarly supported.  

But the above is focused on America. The Women’s Ordination Worldwide Zoom on Wednesday reminded me again that our movement is international. Here’s a link World Day of Prayer for Women’s Ordination 2020 if you were unable to be on the call. It is my hope that those of you from all these other countries also are seeing some measures to relieve the suffering caused by the economic consequences of the corona virus as well. Relieving the suffering of the sick and dying, the isolated and the fearful, is more difficult than stimulating the economy.

But I’m not going to write about that, either. I think I am so cheerful because, like a couple of NCR writers, I was having a grumpy moment. In fact, that was the original title of this post.

Take Michael Sean Winters, for example. I could use the old joke – please – but I won’t. ‘Give me liberty, or give me (grandma’s) death!’ is a very political article and very American, I must acknowledge. But he gets to the real point of all our isolation: it’s to save the lives of the most vulnerable. Staying inside or at least apart is a moral issue; we must protect others as we protect ourselves. Winters gives you a couple of earworms, too.

Hug Jamie Manson, please – but virtually! In another political and American article, Manson goes on about cult leaders. We do live even more in our bubbles, now, but can we feel hope in the scientist of the moment, who grew up Catholic? The NIH has posted a charming interview about his early life and work, which details his Brooklyn roots and Catholic education. With Fauci and Nancy Pelosi and Andrew Cuomo, we have another variety of Catholics and former Catholics in public life than some of those we have seen in recent years – another American political comment. I’m sorry. My faith right now has to be as much in the politics of the moment, which has allowed these leaders to achieve a bipartisanship I want to cultivate.

Let me leave the US again by circling to Sheila Peiffer’s excellent post this Thursday, which arrived as I write this. When this worldwide crisis of health and economy subsides, our responsibility to affirm women’s equality will continue – continue – continue, to echo the WOW service. And who knows what the results will be when we have allies like the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres? The road is open again!