The Hub of Democracy

Last month, when the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced its top ten choices for the location of its next national convention, it was heartening to hear that Boston had made the cut. Boston is a city that brings together the unions, students, traditional liberals and immigrant base that the Democrats need to win in 2004.

The DNC requires a city that can handle 50,000 visitors. Although Boston is one of the smaller cities on the top ten list, it can most certainly handle that many convention-goers. While some may complain of Boston’s traffic, the city is highly accessible by foot, subway, and bus. The MBTA provides easy transportation between all areas of the city and its suburbs. Aside from New York and Chicago, none of the other cities can boast of such reliable and well-used public transportation.

In addition, the DNC requires a suitable convention center. Boston will deliver with a brand new convention center that will be completed in 2004. Plans for hotels, restaurants, and other service-oriented industries should turn the surrounding area of the South End into a comfortable setting for conventioneers.

Meanwhile, it has been suggested that the host city “must be committed to fairness and inclusion, have a strong union presence and have a history of respecting workers’ rights.” As a Democratic stronghold, Bostonians have a tradition of supporting worker’s interests.

But these criteria give a rather limited picture of what an ideal host city should be. Character must play an important role in determining the convention’s location. Unfortunately and unfoundedly, Boston is often considered a stogy, old-fashioned and old money town. This could not be further from the truth.

Boston, rather, represents the way in which our whole nation is changing. As seen in the last census, the minority communties in Boston now make up the majority of the city’s population. Of course, there are many such cities in the U.S., and even though minorities outnumber whites in Boston, they are still underrepresented in the city’s business and political leadership. More obvious cities like Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles are recognized for their changing demographics, but Boston still faces challenges in fully embracing its minority residents.

How to change services and institutions to represent new people and new problems is a challenge that the United States is only starting to see on a national level. Boston faces this challenge everyday. It has a legacy of revolution from the Adams to the Kennedys, and is rightfully proud of its bold action against antiquated ideas. As Boston faces its future of cultural and religious diversity, so does the nation. No city can surpass Boston in its willingness and success in seeing beyond unfair boundaries and creating working solutions to evolving problems.

It has the further benefit of being America’s unofficial college town. The enthusiasm, excitement, and energy that 250,000 college students will bring to a national convention is one of Boston’s largest assets. There can be no better way to show that politics is important to youth than by actually utilizing the greatest resource available in Boston–its bright, young students.

If the Democratic Party wants to capture the swing votes in 2004, it must recognize the importance of incorporating varied interests in politics. Immigrants, minorities, young people and soccer moms are no longer automatic votes for the Democrats. In choosing Boston to host the convention, the Democrats would usher in a new era for their party.