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 essential virtues – agency, vulnerability, patriotism, truth, humility, community, creativity, perseverance, grace, and vision – and argues these are not relics of the past, but the very tools needed to navigate the present “crisis.” Each chapter is a compelling exploration of one virtue, illuminated by historical examples and Booker’s own experiences.
The book reveals a surprising origin story behind Booker’s historic, 25-hour Senate speech. It wasn’t a calculated political move, but a response to a direct challenge from a constituent in Newark, questioning his commitment to the city he once led as mayor. He stepped onto the Senate floor, intentionally exposing himself, and discovered he wasn’t alone in his desire for change.
That act of vulnerability resonated far beyond the Capitol. Booker shares a particularly moving letter from the biracial granddaughter of Strom Thurmond, the senator who once used a lengthy filibuster to obstruct civil rights legislation. She saw Booker’s speech not as a mimicry of Thurmond’s tactics, but as a powerful symbol of unity and compassion.
Booker tackles the fraught concept of patriotism head-on, arguing it’s been distorted and weaponized. He points to the January 6th insurrection as a stark example of “false patriotism,” and challenges Americans to reclaim the true meaning of loving their country – a love that demands honest self-assessment and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
The late Senator John McCain emerges as a pivotal figure in Booker’s understanding of patriotism. McCain urged Booker to be a “statesman,” prioritizing principle over party. Booker recalls McCain’s courageous “no” vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act as a powerful demonstration of loyalty to ideals, even in the face of intense political pressure.
The confirmation hearings of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson provide a powerful illustration of perseverance. Booker witnessed firsthand the “ugly” attacks leveled against the first Black woman nominated to the Supreme Court, but also observed a quiet dignity and unwavering resolve that inspired him. He recalls offering Jackson a simple message of support: “Don’t worry, my sister, don’t worry. God has got you.”
Booker shares a poignant anecdote from behind the scenes of the hearings, revealing a surprising moment of connection with Senator John Kennedy, who admitted being moved by Booker’s words. He also recounts a request from then-Vice President Kamala Harris to write a letter to a young girl, expressing the significance of Jackson’s nomination – a letter Booker finally penned within the pages of *Stand*.
Beyond the political arena, *Stand* is deeply personal. Booker bravely opens up about his father’s battle with Parkinson’s disease and his own struggles with mental health following a traumatic experience witnessing a fatal shooting in Newark. These intimate reflections underscore the universality of the virtues he champions.
Ultimately, *Stand* is a hopeful book, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and a call to action. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the virtues of agency, vulnerability, and perseverance can guide us toward a more just and compassionate future.
