Using story and symbol to unify diverse groups
Read moreIt remains somewhat disheartening for me that President Biden appears not to be reading this blog. Worse yet is another possibility—that he is indeed reading what I write and simply choosing to ignore my advice. In all seriousness, though, I recall writing last time that the president would do well to avoid broad generalizations that risk alienating large portions of the electorate.
A type of discourse Joe Biden should avoid
Read moreAfter the last post, it was gratifying to receive so many favorable comments about my views on Joe Biden, his potential use of personal stories, and the hope that he might encourage some form of unity in America. Today, since a number of people requested I do so, I continue to weigh in on the new president’s discourse. More specifically,
Our world now needs stories of inclusion and unity
Read moreIn the last post of 2020, I remarked that Joe Biden had positively impressed me with a powerful personal story during his first public interview after the election. Indeed, that autobiographical anecdote—one of the very few I have seen from the president-elect, left me hopeful that he would continue to use this device after he takes office on January 20.
A veritable story of identity from the incoming president!
Read moreLast time, I stated that I had not seen any true examples of “leading by autobiography” on the part of Joe Biden. While the president-elect did tell some personal anecdotes in the closing weeks of the campaign, I did not observe any attempt to use such tales as instruments for explaining the origins of his core values and beliefs. Then,
Is Joe Biden better than Hillary was at telling stories of identity?
Read moreRecently, a fair number of people in my world have asked about how I now see Joe Biden’s use of personal stories. Some were quick to point out that the president-elect had indeed put some personal detail into his public discourse, particularly in the final weeks of the campaign. For example, he told of growing up in a working class Pennsylvania neighborhood.
What kinds of stories can Joe Biden use now?
Read moreSince our last post, it has become clear to nearly everyone that Mr Biden will soon be president. This election result brought forth a number of compelling questions from my readers. One of these was from someone who asked if I thought stories of identity would remain a useful tool for a man moving from candidate to president. Another person