From the assault on women’s reproductive rights and climate change denial to endless war and the New Jim Crow, it’s hard not to be disillusioned. The situation is demoralizing as it is destructive.

But recently there are signs of intelligent life.

Take last week’s mayoral election in Chicago. By all accounts, incumbent Rahm Emanuel was a shoe-in. After all, “Mayor 1%” raised nearly $16 million, more than four times his challengers combined. Nonetheless, a coalition of working and middle class voters thumbed its collective nose at Emanuel, and his politics of privatization, to force a runoff vote in April.

In a few weeks, Chicago may join New York as a major American city with an avowed progressive in City Hall.

Last week also saw a historic ruling by the Federal Communications Commission: one that ensures an open Internet and, equally important, defends the rights of local communities to build municipal broadband networks.

The cable and telecommunication industry will, no doubt, challenge the FCC’s regulations in the courts. Nevertheless, the FCC’s support for net neutrality is a major victory for progressive politics.

Closer to home, pupils across Indiana are opting out of ISTEP: a standardized test that stresses out students and teachers alike; distorts school curricula; and reduces education to a dubious exercise in work force development.

Growing resistance to standardized testing is a welcome sight to this educator’s tired eyes.

Who knows? Despite long odds and a stacked deck, the United States may be on the cusp of progressive renewal. Call this what you will: wishful thinking or political naiveté. Either way, it is refreshing to see signs of intelligent life.

Sources

Goodman, Amy. (25 February 2015).  “Could a Former Activist Unseat Mayor 1%? Rahm Emanuel Faces Chicago Runoff Despite Vast Outspending.” Democracy Now!  

Morello, Rachel. (25 February 2015). “What Happens if Kids Opt Out of ISTEP?” Indiana Public Media.

Ruiz, Rebecca & Lohr, Steven. (26 February 2015). “FCC Approves Net Neutrality Rules, Classifying Broadband Internet Service as a Utility.” The New York Times.

Vara, Vauhini. (28 February 2015). “Why the FCC’s Municipal-Broadband Ruling Matters, Too.” The New Yorker.