Jamie Raskin’s recent visit to the college marked this year’s installment in the important Roger S. Aaron ’64 lecture series, a tradition dating back to 2014. This series is dedicated to bringing speakers to campus who have significantly contributed to the study of law, justice, ethics, and public policy.
In contrast to some other speakers hosted by the Rockefeller Center this month, Congressman Raskin took a decidedly assertive approach in his presentation. The title of his speech, “Who Will Rescue America?”, set the tone for a thought-provoking discourse. Raskin placed the responsibility of safeguarding democracy squarely on the shoulders of young people, emphasizing the crucial role they play in ensuring the nation’s resilience against the various threats it has encountered in recent years. This speech seemed less like the typical pandering seen in speeches to college students and more of a genuine plea.
Indeed, Congressman Raskin’s speech was a refreshing departure from more formulaic and press release-style addresses. Raskin captured his audience’s attention with pointed remarks directed at his political opponents, and he made periodic efforts to seem witty and rouse the audience. Apart from taking time to describe himself in terms I mentally translated to “raging Democrat,” he otherwise stuck to describing the issues as he perceived them.
The timing of Congressman Raskin’s visit was notable, coinciding with the politically charged atmosphere in New Hampshire two weeks before the January 23 primary. Quoting Thomas Paine, Raskin urged the audience to recognize what he called a pivotal moment in history, emphasizing the need for all young people to actively engage in the political process. He also used this opportunity to plug his Democracy Summer Initiative, calling on young people to understand current events and to actively participate in shaping the future.
Raskin’s discussion of the threats to democracy extended beyond the conventional anti-Trump rhetoric often associated with left-wing leaders. Drawing on his background as a former history professor, Raskin provided historical context to underscore the gravity of the challenges that he said face democracy. He drew parallels between the January 6 rioters and the 1861 mob outside the Capitol, highlighting the significance of the latter having been prevented from entering the Capitol. While Raskin has been a prominent critic of the January 6 attack in his role as a House manager during President Trump’s second impeachment trial, his argument at Dartmouth transcended a simple “vote against Trump” narrative. Instead, he emphasized the need to reignite passion for democratic ideals and the imperative to establish a government that he thinks is truly representative of its people.
Raskin worked to frame his argument from a constitutional perspective, pointing out that amendments have historically been passed to expand access to democracy. He highlighted incremental progress, from expanding access for all races and genders to eliminating poll taxes. Notably, Raskin described Trump’s actions on January 6 as a symptom of a larger problem: a backward slide in democracy. While acknowledging Trump as a public face of this issue, Raskin underscored that the problem was far more profound and extended beyond individual political figures.
Rep. Jamie Raskin clearly intended his lecture at the College to serve as a catalyst for thought and action, as he urged young people to recognize their role in preserving and enhancing democracy. Overall, his plea for civic engagement and historical understanding was surprisingly nuanced.
Raging a-hole is more like it.