David Masciotra
David Masciotra - Author, Blogger, Columnist
Working On Our Dream
Just turned 25, David Masciotra is the author of Working On A Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen, a political columnist, blogger, and cultural critic. He writes and talks about topics as diverse as public policy, popular culture, and everything in between, striving to make connections between these seemingly separate fields in order to illuminate fresh perspectives and introduce new insights.
His first book, Working On a Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen, uses this approach to analyze the music of Bruce Springsteen from a sociopolitical angle. Masciotra shows how Springsteen’s music darkly comments on the increased isolation of Americans, and calls for a return to community living and values, based on compassion, empathy, and tolerance. He illustrates how Springsteen has forced listeners to wrestle with the facts of rising poverty rates in the world’s richest nation, of wars with questionable justification, and of the continued mistreatment of racial minorities, arguing that Springsteen does this by emphasizing the suffering that everyday people – usually ignored in mainline political discussions – endure on a daily basis.
By using Springsteen’s life and music to shine a light on the dark recesses of America’s most important political and social trials and conflicts— race, religion, and working class hardship — Working on a Dream connects readers with the power, purpose, and promise of Springsteen’s extraordinary and enduring music. The book is a unique blend of musical analysis, political commentary, sociological observation, and cultural criticism.
Masciotra has written for several Chicago area newspapers, Z Magazine, the Catholic Worker, the Humanist, the Daily Yonder, PopMatters, and the Washington Post book blog. He writes with thoughtful passion on country music, Edward Hopper, George Carlin, education, and the entire gamut of political issues, including foreign policy, urban decay, rural communities, and domestic politics. He has also become a fiery advocate of “combative” and “progressive” spirituality, which furthers the uniqueness of his message in an age where “new atheists” battle it out with “Christian conservatives.” While consistently a voice for love, service, justice, and equality, he surprises those on both the left and right with his unconventional viewpoint and unpredictable analysis.
David lectures at universities, bookstores, and political rallies with a style that is energetic, enlivening, and engaging. He has been speaking out since his early days as a campus organizer, working with Citizen Action, one of the nation’s largest political advocacy organizations.
At only 25, he is one of the most exciting voices emerging in the American political and cultural landscape. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, and a Master’s Degree in English Studies and Communication from Valparaiso University.
After hearing Masciotra speak at a recent book event, author Ben Tanzer said, “At times David Masciotra is a holy roller preacher, and at other times he is a rock star, but at all times he is a progressive's dream, bringing the fire and the passion whenever and wherever he speaks.”
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