• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Print Subscription
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Contact Us

DNC: A Magic Kingdom in the Heart of Philadelphia

August 25, 2016 by The Inside Press

Screenshot 2016-08-19 13.15.00

DNC.SusanHEADSHOTBy Susan Youngwood

Attending the Democratic National Convention reminded me of my trips to Disney World.

The choices were dizzying. Instead of deciding among different amusement rides, I had to choose which events to attend. The Women’s Caucus or the New York state delegation breakfast? LGBT karaoke, the Working Families Party or the Climate Hawks party (or sleep). It seemed that every hour there were multiple choices.

Both locations had long lines and shuttle busses. Instead of crying babies and toddlers having tantrums, the DNC had protestors decrying fracking and proclaiming “Bernie or Bust!”

Goofy shirts and Mickey Mouse ears are popular all over Disney world; the DNC featured a panoply of Hillary buttons, flag costumes and patriotic headgear (although these parallel universes merged when I saw a striking blonde lady dressed in a pale blue ball gown who looked remarkably like Elsa from Frozen).

Both the DNC and Disney are sheltered bubbles. The outside world fades away; at the DNC, everyone around you is a Democrat with similar beliefs.

Patriotism was palpable in Philadelphia. Speakers told us again and again that America is great, that the Democratic Party holds the key to the nation’s future success.

For years, Democrats have been the party of negativity, cataloguing the countries’ woes from income inequality to racism to global warming. All these issues were mentioned, but sotto voce. The main message conveyed optimism in what Americans can achieve–just like Disney is the happiest place on earth. The crowds loved it. Their enthusiasm was electric.

And then, there are the leading ladies. Disney has Belle and Ariel and Cinderella and Snow White. The DNC had Elizabeth Warren and Michelle Obama, Katy Perry and Meryl Streep, and the headliner: the presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton. Of course, Clinton defies the stereotype of a Disney princess. She doesn’t wear a sparkly dress or a tiara. She’s certainly not waiting around for a prince to save her.

After all the balloons and confetti falls, reality awaits. After a Disney vacation, dirty streets and unpleasant service providers are jolting. After the thrill of a convention, the crassness of everyday politics is just as shocking. Not everyone is a Democrat anymore.

As much as the convention was stagecraft, at its heart it is carrying out the promise of our Constitution, written 229 years ago. The peaceful change of power in a democracy. Our nation’s first black president passing the mantle of power to what could be our first woman president. That was historic.

I shared that history with some Chappaqua residents who traveled to the convention–their stories are on these pages.

Susan Youngwood is a writer, editor and graphic designer who has been watching political conventions on television since 1972. 

Filed Under: 2016 DNC Tagged With: Disney, DNC, Hillary Clinton, Magic Kingdom

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • On August 4th: Opportunity for a Second, First Dose, On-Campus Monkeypox Vaccination Clinic
  • Westchester County Heat Advisory
  • Caramoor’s Fall ’22/Spring ’23 Season Offerings: Save the Dates and this Handy Guide
  • A Summer Celebration for Holocaust Survivors at Young Israel of White Plains
  • Pro-Choice Community Express Fear, Outrage & a Call to Action to News of Roe v. Wade Being Overturned
  • Chappaqua Teen is a Recipient of the 2022 New York State Senate Youth Leadership Recognition Award

Visit Our Sponsors

Wallauer
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
Houlihan Lawrence – Pleasantville
Caramoor
William Raveis – Chappaqua
William Raveis – Armonk
Northern Westchester Hospital
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Compass: Aurora Banaszek
Houlihan: Kile Boga-Ibric
World Cup Gymnastics
Raveis: Sena Baron
New Castle Physical Therapy
Westchester Business Center
CareMount Dental

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Armonk Inside Chappaqua Inside Pleasantville

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2022 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in