For Those Who Come After

“For those who come after.” These four words echo throughout Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the popular role-playing video game released this past April. At first glance, it’s a thrilling tale of a brave group on a quest to save their people; but deeper down it’s a meditation on legacy, collective responsibility, and hope for future generations. These very same values are at the heart of our democratic ideals.

For those unfamiliar with the game, each year a mysterious figure known as the Paintress causes people above a certain age to vanish. In response, the citizens of Lumière send expeditions to stop her. The 33rd expedition, which the game follows, is acutely aware of the failure of the previous 32 expeditions, and yet they go. Why? Because someone must. Because what we do now matters for those who come after.

Democracy is built on this same ethic. It calls us to look beyond our immediate self-interests and act for the common good. Whether it’s safeguarding civil rights, protecting the environment, or creating a more just society, progress requires us to come together, each generation stepping up to carry the burden of collective responsibility.

In Expedition 33, each journey builds on the last. Even when missions fail, they leave behind knowledge, maps, and inspiration for those following in their footsteps. It’s not so much about immediate victory, but the continuity of effort – the idea that even a seemingly doomed expedition can help pave the way for eventual success.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because it mirrors our own reality. Progress in our world is often a relay race between generations, a baton passed across time if you will. Think of the movements for civil rights, women’s suffrage, and environmental protections – none of these were won overnight. None of these were won by a single person championing the cause. Each generation builds on the struggles and achievements of those who came before, carrying their legacy forward so that those who come after can inherit a better world.

This vision aligns with our core democratic values, which includes a belief captured by Democrats 101: a just society … as long as it takes. It’s the commitment to putting in the work, even when the immediate success isn’t guaranteed. It’s recognizing that the seeds we plant today may only bear fruit for those who come after us. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 captures that spirit in a beautiful, haunting way. With stunning visuals, innovative gameplay, and characters grappling with fear, failure, and purpose, the game becomes more than a fantasy; it’s a reflection of our real-world struggles and ideals. It’s a reminder that even in darkness, we continue to push forward, because we believe in the light to come.

So what can we do right now, for those who come after?

• Show up to social hours and community gatherings.

• Show up to protests and marches for justice.

• Sign up to be a precinct chair or help with planning events.

• Volunteer for a campaign.

• Run for office.

• Like, share, and amplify the work being done by others.

Whether you have five minutes or five hours, there’s something you can do. There’s always something we can build together.

We are not powerless. We are not alone. We are part of a long expedition of people who believe that a better world is worth fighting for. And like the heroes in Expedition 33, we may not see the finish line — but we keep going anyway.

Because that’s what it means to believe in democracy.

Because that’s what it means to fight for those who come after.