My Conversation with Carleigh Beriont

Happy 4th of July! I know that for many readers, the passage of President Trump’s signature bill into law makes feeling celebratory a lot tougher. I share the concern of many, many people across the ideological spectrum about the wide-ranging impacts of this law, particularly to the accessibility of affordable health care to millions of the most vulnerable among us.

In my conversation with Carleigh Beriont, one of the Democratic candidates for the open seat in New Hampshire’s highly competitive first congressional district, we get into those sprawling, looming consequences. We talk about what Democrats should be doing during this time of Republican trifectas at both the state and federal level, and how she hopes to find her distinct voice in this quickly-expanding primary field. You can watch it here or on my YouTube channel. You can also listen to it while driving to or from your town’s parade today at iTunes or Spotify (please subscribe when you do!).

One last thought: Beriont mentions that she is starting her July 4th holiday as a candidate in Portsmouth’s Strawbery Banke, where the annual naturalization ceremony will take place this morning. I’ve had the honor of attending that ceremony as a Portsmouth mayor, and it is inspiring.

But I’ve had the even greater experience of attending my parents’ naturalization ceremonies. They are immigrants from Quebec, and became naturalized about 20 years ago. If you are like me, and have the privilege of being a native-born American, please attend a naturalization ceremony at some point. It is remarkable to see the pride, joy, and appreciation for the uniqueness and greatness of America through the eyes of our newest citizens.

For my father’s ceremony, he was actually asked to stand in the front of the room, alongside a woman from Africa also being naturalized that day, to lead the group in reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. There were almost hundred people taking the oath that day, representing over 40 countries. At the end of the ceremony, when the group says the Pledge, it starts like - to be honest - a hot mess. The different accents, cadences, and proficiencies in English make the Pledge’s recitation difficult to understand.

And then, almost magically, it comes together.

Within about eight words, folks figure out the cadence, get their nerves out, and it becomes harmonic. By the end - with liberty and justice for all - it is perfect, and if you’re not crying, you’re not breathing.

It obviously doesn’t always go perfectly well, but at our best, this is America - a collection of hundreds of millions of people from different parts of the country and the world, different accents, religious beliefs (or none at all), political views, socioeconomic backgrounds, and more - tied together by the promise of what America can be.

The people Carleigh and many others will see taking the oath of American citizenship have often gone through a lot to get to today. They believed it was worth it, and they are right. For those of us fortunate enough to already be here, we have the opportunity to take the promise of America that brought them to today, and help bring us closer to making it a reality.