Roosevelt House

Roosevelt House, originally uploaded by ridavio.

The final pride event of the season happened at Roosevelt House. It was a moving experience that morning in this house. 

This pair of townhouses was the home of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and their mother Sara, in New York City. They have just renovated it into an amazing space for their institute and there is currently an interesting exhibit of photographs from the Great Depression and the New Deal.

As I looked at all the memorabilia in the library it struck me how radical Roosevelt was, but then looking further at the photographs from that era I realized that his approach was simply that of a man caring for and doing something for his fellow man. He was creating policy for citizens and human beings in need and a country desperate to finally move forward. I like the title of the exhibition: Picturing Policy: Reimagining Government in the New Deal .
It's helpful to think of a country that pulled together and sacrificed at one time to win a war and recover from economic catastrophe. I don't understand this current zeal to cut deficits at all costs, I don't understand this constant moaning from people who don't want to pay taxes. We have become such a narrow country, with such a small vision for the future. We have become a country where taking care of our citizens is a radical idea.

As Dr. Warren mentioned, ten years from now they will be saying, 'What were they thinking?' although she was referring to the Hunter students the Institute will educate on LGBT policy issues. Let's hope some future leader will be able to re-imagine policy in a world that values humanity over profits and budget deficits. I'm glad someone is working toward that world.