Sweet Dreams in America

Book excerpt: What does it mean to be an American during this time of ongoing challenges of race and sex discrimination, of violence and gross disparities in economic opportunity? And where are the activists who traditionally rallied against the ills of America--the democrats, progressives and leftists--to seize upon these enemies? In Sweet Dreams in America, Sharon Welch charts a way for people in power to inspire others and themselves, even if the goals of a gradually improving society and of achieving social justice seem illusory. The author links political work to spirituality, showing how we can channel the sense of being connected to forces outside ourselves to a larger good.