Senator Cory Booker’s new work, *Stand*, isn’t a political manifesto, but a deeply personal call to rediscover the virtues that bind a nation fractured by division. It’s a journey through American history, not to dissect failures, but to unearth moments where the country lived up to its highest ideals – and a challenge to do so again.
Booker doesn’t offer policy prescriptions; he offers a framework for how to *be* American. He identifies ten core virtues – agency, vulnerability, patriotism, truth, humility, community, creativity, perseverance, grace, and vision – arguing they are not relics of the past, but essential tools for navigating the present “crisis.” Each chapter isn’t a lecture, but an exploration, weaving together historical narratives with intimate reflections.
The book reveals a surprising source of inspiration for Booker’s own commitment to standing up for his beliefs: a record-breaking, 25-hour speech on the Senate floor. He recounts how a direct challenge from a constituent in Newark – questioning his commitment compared to his earlier, more confrontational days as mayor – sparked the extraordinary act of defiance and vulnerability.
That speech, eclipsing the previous Senate record held by Strom Thurmond, became a symbol of something larger. Booker shares a particularly poignant letter from Thurmond’s biracial granddaughter, Wanda Williams-Bailey, who saw his filibuster not as an echo of Thurmond’s obstruction of civil rights, but as a “rally cry for unity and compassion.”
Booker tackles the fraught concept of patriotism head-on, lamenting how it’s been twisted into a weapon, even displayed as one during the January 6th insurrection. He argues against a blind allegiance, defining true patriotism as a love for country strong enough to demand its improvement – a lesson instilled in him by the late Senator John McCain.
McCain, a Republican, challenged Booker to be a “statesman,” not merely a politician, urging him to ground his principles in ideals, not party lines. Booker recalls McCain’s courageous “no” vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act as a powerful example of this principle-centered patriotism – a willingness to stand against his own party for the greater good.
The confirmation hearings of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson serve as a powerful illustration of perseverance. Booker describes the “ugly” attacks Jackson endured, yet highlights the quiet dignity and unwavering resolve she displayed throughout the process. He recalls a moment of unexpected connection with Republican Senator John Kennedy, who admitted being moved by Booker’s words of support.
Booker shares a deeply personal anecdote about a request from then-Vice President Kamala Harris to write a letter to a young girl about Jackson’s nomination. He confesses to initially delaying the task, finally completing it within the pages of *Stand* – a testament to the enduring power of hope and inspiration. His message: respond to adversity with grit, grace, and above all, love.
Beyond the political arena, *Stand* delves into Booker’s personal life, revealing his father’s battle with Parkinson’s disease and his own struggles with mental health following a traumatic shooting he witnessed in Newark. These experiences aren’t presented as vulnerabilities, but as demonstrations of the virtues he champions – courage, humility, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
Ultimately, *Stand* is a book about reclaiming the best of America, not through political maneuvering, but through a renewed commitment to the values that have always defined its promise. It’s a call to action, not to take sides, but to *stand* for something bigger than ourselves.
