For some unknown reason I haven't received any mail from the PA group for at least two days; which is disturbing because this is a very active group. I've already checked my group mail settings and made sure I hadn't accidentally blocked the address while deleting messages. Also, I reported the problem to the website administrators this morning.
But, the bottom line is that I MISS YOU PA!! Please send me a message through the group, and if I don't respond by 10:30 a.m. today, please send it off-list to blturner0311@sbcglobal.net. I'm really trying to figure out what happened.
Thanks
I get many, many e-mails through the listservs that identify a lot of anxiety, anger, sadness, and frustration. I share all of those emotions with regards to the last couple of weeks in political news coverage. Yes - it is apparent that the race is now focused on being divisive. Even if this is not a deliberate strategy from the Hillary camp, the news media have taken hold of any and all conflicts (as it usually does) and magnified them until they appear to be major crises.
Please stay encouraged, fellow Obama supporters. Every day, I remind myself that politics, race relations, social inconsistencies, educational disparities, and economic distress have become an everyday part of existence in this country -- and those issues are far more relevant to one group over another group depending on personal circumstances. It is sad that this country is not where we want it to be. But I also remind myself that this is a MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE!!
We are the grassroots part of this campaign, the ones who make a difference in the face to face contact with those who are still trying to decide which candidate to support. They are our friends, our family members, our coworkers, our neighbors, and our business associates. They deserve our most optimistic and enthusiastic interaction so they also will understand that it really is time for change and that WE CHOOSE to be agents in that process.
So, while there is a time and a place to release our frustrations (and I'm one of those who feels it's okay to vent on our lists), each day I renew my determination to find ways to reach others, to show my dedication to making our candidate the President of the United States of America, and to reinforce my commitment towards being involved in changing the tone of this country.
Being part of this MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE is something we choose to do. I just wanted to thank and encourage anyone who might be stuck in a moment of fatigue and frustration. Life is made of special moments - this one will pass and a brighter one will arrive.
Good luck in all of the states as we finish the primaries, look forward to Obama receiving the nomination, and jump into preparing for November.
Hello Everyone
I'm sending this information to groups in IN, FL, MI, and NC because your primaries/do-overs will happen within the next couple of months. You'll notice that these messages were originally sent to PA, but I believe they can be useful elsewhere. I'm from Columbus, OH and had many concerns/tips regarding outreach strategies and voting night war stories that I wanted to pass along. I didn't sign up to receive e-mails for now because I am currently bombarded with PA messages. So if you'd like to respond, please respond on the blog.
In addition to what is here, please check out my personal blog page "Opinion in Ohio" for issues we experienced with reaching college students and other groups.
I'll apologize in advance for the length - but I'm copying data from several emails so I won't have to make multiple posts. This post covers three topics: Voter Protection, Canvassing Safety, and ways to support volunteers if you can't personally canvass/phone-bank. It's my sincere hope that it will help in some of your preparations.
Good Luck,
Brynette
# 1 = REGARDING VOTER PROTECTION:
In Ohio I was a Voter Protection Observer on election day and was absolutely APPALLED at the lack of knowledge of my poll workers. Some of our state laws and procedures had changed - and from the Precinct Judge on down the line, NO ONE understood how to comply with those changes. Many mistakes were being made. I don't know whether the officials were improperly trained or just didn't pay attention to this year's training because they thought they already knew everything based on having worked the polls before. All of the officials at my location had been poll workers for at least the past three years and were very complacent.
My greatest concern is that a lack of knowledge and/or concern caused several people to be forced into provisional paper voting rather than casting a vote on a machine so it would be counted that night. I can tell you that the campaign is VERY concerned that the use of provisional ballots is minimized. They should not be used just because the workers are too unconcerned to assure people's rights are protected. We had nearly 17% casting provisional ballots - and some of those were unnecessary. In Ohio, provisional ballots are not included in the vote count until 10 days after the election and therefore affect the vote totals on election night (which is when the race is being called for one candidate or another).
An additional situation later reported to me is where multiple precincts were assigned to one location. Historically, each precinct was assigned its own machines so vote totals were automatically captured by precinct. This time all machines were shared and it was the responsibility of the poll worker to input the appropriate precinct number for each voter. There is no way to immediately confirm that a person's vote went to the correct precinct. Any errors would only be corrected after the poll rolls (books with signatures) is reconciled in the days/weeks after the election. This could possibly create a situation where Obama loses one precinct and wins another by a large margin because the precinct numbers were incorrectly input, when in reality he won both precincts.
I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO VOLUNTEER TO BE POLL OBSERVERS. In Ohio you could still participate without being a lawyer or law student (I'm a stay-at-home mom). I don't know the guidelines for PA, but only registered voters or Ohio attorneys can be Voter Protection Observers inside of the polling locations. So go ahead and respond when the campaign sends out those emails. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE consider becoming either a poll official (if there is still an opportunity for you to go through your county's training) or an official observer through the campaign.in Ohio, Out-of-State volunteers and lawyers were also recruited but had to remain outside of the polls' no-campaigning zone (which is 100 feet from the entrance). We need YOU to make sure procedures are properly followed.
We had three buses of black students from Howard University sent to canvass an upper-middle-class predominently white suburb of Columbus. Conversely, we had all sorts of middle-aged, middle-class white volunteers from surrounding states canvass a lower-income to low-middle-class black area of the inner city.
Both groups reported unpleasant racial incidents from being called derogatory names, to having doors slammed in their faces, to having guns pulled on them. It's critical that this possibility is minimized in other states. We not only need to make sure our efforts can be effective in reaching those undecided voters - we MUST make sure our canvassers are safe!!
Whoever is coordinating the volunteer efforts for out-of-state participants really need to talk to local people about where to place what types of volunteers. This is especially possible when you know ahead of time that bus-loads are coming from a specific college or from an inner-city area. And it's also possible to redirect people when volunteers arrive at HQ and are told to report to satellite offices for the canvassing efforts. Another concern was that hispanic neighborhoods were not identified and therefore the skills of bilingual volunteers were not maximized.
For many people, RACE STILL MATTERS. It would be nice to think that just because all sorts of races support our black candidate that the rest of the country will listen open-mindedly. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to release their race-based views. Those are still people we need to be able to reach and attitudes we need to be able to anticipate. We can do this better and smarter, learning lessons from each preceding state. Just keeping it real!
I'm from Columbus, OH and one thing I was able to do was take food to the HQ offices a couple of days per week because there were tons of out-of-state volunteers working long, long hours especially those couple of weeks before the primary. Volunteers were still going door-to-door on election day.
With the exception of paid staffers, these people come from all over the country at their own expense to help turn each state for our candidate. They spend HOURS at a time inputting data, making/answering phone calls, putting together canvassing packets, etc. I can't even name the many roles they performed in Columbus, OH. We were asked to provide lunches for 10, 20, 30, or 40 and/or dinner for 20, 40 people. Our HQ had one person designated to coordinate food contributions so that all the meals wouldn't arrive on the same day; and he did a wonderful job.
The staff and volunteers consumed cases of water every day because they also attempted to provide water to those volunteers who were working at our phone banks at satellite locations, so there is no way to give too much water. Cases of canned pop/soda were very appreciated and all flavors were provided - but often there were not enough diet varieties. Additionally, individually packaged nutritional snacks really helped (like the kind we put in our children's lunches). And small bottles of juice/punch was an additional way to provide some vitamin C to help keep them healthy. Keep in mind that there will be some vegetarians, and meatless dishes also will be appreciated.Local people, especially those of us who might not have the time/ability to spend hours phone calling or going door-to-door or helping out at headquarters have this as another facet of supporting the campaign.
If you can't or don't cook, other products are also always needed because sometimes the cooks forget to bring them (bowls, two sizes of plates, cutlery of all types, cups for hot drinks, napkins, paper towels, serving utensils, sweeteners, salad dressings of all types, other condiments). It helps but is not necessary if you provide a way to keep hot items warm; just label your crock pots, etc., and return to pick them up later. Providing snacks/meals/drinks allowed people to keep working without having to stop to find food. Below are some ideas of foods I took or saw.
Individually wrapped sandwiches, sandwich platters, meat trays, bbq pulled pork/shredded chicken, sliced ham, sliced turkey, salads of all types, crock pots of soups of all kinds, seasoned green beans, casseroles, vegi platters, cheese platters, dips/spreads, crackers, pretzels (those large jars work well), indiv bags of nuts/sunflower seeds, cookies, granola bars, breakfast bars, trail mix, muffins, bagels, and fruit/fruit salad. Panera Bread will prepare "coffee totes" that you can drop off at the offices (they include cups, stirs, creamers, sweeteners). Possibly other restaurants where you live will do the same. And many food places will deliver in case you want to provide a hot lunch but will be at work or a hot dinner but have other family committments.
With the PA election still several weeks away, perhaps some of you will cook food ahead, freeze it, and have it ready when those out-of-towners flood the state for the final GOTV push.
I am going to apologize in advance for the length of this post. As everyone knows, we had a hard-fought contest in Ohio. Despite the outcome, the lessons-learned are critical. I'm from Columbus (Franklin County) where major canvassing initiatives were focused and I have a few comments/tips for canvassers that will be going door-to-door in other states.
(1) Several out-of-state volunteers were bilingual and requested to be placed in Hispanic precincts for the canvassing. However, the local HQ had not effectively identified those areas. Within my staging location, identification was based on my personal knowledge (as a local resident), which is extremely limited. This situation should be addressed well in advance of the statewide GOTV canvass.
(2) Exit polls indicate that 19% of the voters were undecided and made up their minds in the three days prior to the election. Among those, Hillary won overwhelmingly. A large portion of these voters were 60+ and/or women. In Ohio, I did not see a concerted effort to focus on the 60+ crowd within my county and the church-based organizing was inadequate and/or last minute.
(a) Many older voters are church goers, and I believe a larger focus on church groups would improve the campaign's success with the 60+ demographics. Some older voters requested local call lists because they didn't want to make a lot of long-distance calls or don't have the ability/desire to use the computerized phonebank. Efforts should be made to work with senior groups to provide lists (possibly from the unsuccessful walk-list canvassing packets) so these can people call local residences. Also, churches could be contacted so that supporters can phonebank from their church directories and reach other senior churchgoers with common concerns and/or perspectives.
(b) Additionally, women have specific issues other than security - such as healthcare and education and economics. If we can get our direct contact with them to focus on these more personal issues we could have a stronger chance of convincing them that our candidate is a better choice. This requires some concrete knowlege about what issues affect each community; and it is CRUCIAL for local volunteers to convey this information to out-of-state volunteers so that efforts can more be productive in each region. It is also EXTREMELY helpful for canvassers to take "position papers" with them in order to illustrate that our views are based on information rather than our personal opinions.
(3) Republican voters in southeast Ohio have started bragging that they voted for Hillary just to make sure she is the candidate against McCain. This was reported to me by people who live there. So -- our campaign MUST focus more effectively at getting a solid grip on the Independent and undecided voters who will not have allegiance to the republican party in the fall. Had we anticipated this in Ohio, perhaps we could have gained more ground with the 19% who decided their votes at the last minute and that would have countered the republican strategy.
(4) Many college students didn't realize they could vote early and/or didn't think they could vote at all because they are away at school. College students should be encouraged to vote absentee OR to go home and vote EARLY in any state where early voting is an option. It is CRUCIAL that the GOTV efforts on campuses try to have students fill out the absentee ballot requests and immediately hand them back to the GOTV volunteer so we can assure those students get their ballots. Additionally, some students thought they could only vote at home and did not know they could vote provisionally wherever they attend school. Please have the campus organizations stress these issues.
(5) Does your state allow 17-yr-olds to vote in the primary if they will be 18-yrs-old by the general election? We did in Ohio, yet my poll officials were not properly trained and insisted that those voters could only vote for the issues and not for the candidates. That was totally incorrect. We do not want a student disenfranchised because of inadequate poll-worker training. Please make sure you know the election laws in your state and communicate that to high schools and parents so everyone can make sure those 17-yr-olds get the opportunity to vote correctly.
(6) Visibility is important. Our local offices restricted people to taking one or two yard signs (and I'm sure there were reasons behind that). But that meant less easily visible support for our candidate in the weeks before the election. We even had a LOT of yard signs still in our satellite office on the Friday before the primary when those could have already been out in the communities prior to the large canvassing push. It might have helped if people could see their neighbors support for our candidate. Also, I did not notice any of the canvassers taking yard signs with them to request supporters place them on their property, and I'm not sure why this was not thought about.
I plan on continuing my efforts to get Sen. Obama the democratic party nomination, even though our primary has come and gone. Many people came to Ohio to help us and it's wonderful that the states are banding together to push along this movement. Let's all remember the fight is not over yet; we simply need to reevaluate and revamp and renew our efforts. Good luck!!!
All of my campaign experiences since last weekend have been wonderful!! I'm sooooo happy that my views of last Saturday were just as people stated - a bit of disorganization resulting from the influx of new persons into the local area. THANKS sincerely for your responses, compliments, and advice.
Let me tell you what has happened. The newly-opened eastside office needed someone local to man the fort while the field organizers were at a meeting for several hours. Then the staff was very receptive to the ideas me and other area volunteers have for more effectively reaching our neighborhoods. Then there was the swift request for local volunteers to help with the rally for Sen. Obama that went out to the local groups. Then there are the phone calls I'm receiving on a daily basis with requests for me (or any other volunteer) to assist with the opening of more field offices, supplying needs for this upcoming weekend's GOTV efforts, and providing assistance at local election sites. All-in-all, there are no shortage of opportunities to be involved and no one is being pushed aside or undervalued. It's just the opposite: now that there is a larger campaign staff there are people to contact those potential volunteers who signed up but hadn't yet been called, to set up more neighborhood sites, and to move us forward at a faster pace to match the urgency of the March 4th deadline.
Wow - this is one time I don't mind having gotten it wrong. And I'm really glad I didn't disconnect when I was feeling frustrated. I'm glad I continued to work for my own agenda (which is to support Obama); and that's something I might not have done without the input from those of you who posted comments about my prior blog. Thanks - I'm fired up again!
I sincerely hope my experience this weekend is an isolated situation and that others are not feeling the extreme frustration I feel right now. I understand that there are people (locally and from other states) who have been involved in the campaign for a very long time, who know what to do and how to get it done, who already have their assignments and their procedures. But, since the Obama campaign keeps encouraging more local people to get involved, I really expected it would have opportunities for whatever assistance could be offered by those of us who live in this city.
I only recently became active in the Obama campaign after having attended an organizing meeting on Feb 13th. Of course the energy and enthusiam were amazing!! I immediately began getting involved by passing out information at my school, getting permission to host a large canvassing event from our school building on March 1st, attending and helping out at Michelle Obama's rally, and assisting at the Columbus HQ open house with the "What An Obama Supporter Looks Like" project and by making signs. Then I started coming to the HQ nearly every day; dropping off snacks, fixing lunches, answering the phone, helping with walk-lists. I let everyone know that although I cannot make the time commitment required to be a GOTV Captain, I'm available some hours during every weekday and on Saturdays - I'm willing to help as much as possible with the time I have available. And I was soooooo excited to know an office would open in my neighborhood on the Eastside. I even went the day ahead to see if there was anything I could do to help. I felt excited, encouraged, and energized by the opportunity to participate.
THAT GOOD FEELING CHANGED ON FEBRUARY 23rd AT THE OPENING OF THE COLUMBUS'S EASTSIDE OFFICE.
I was told to arrive between 9:30 and 10:00 because people would be arriving to start canvassing @ 10:30. I had been told the night before that my help would be useful in keeping things coordinated. When I arrived at 10 - the entire office was full of people, canvassing teams and drivers were being paired to go out, and there was nothing for me to do. I tried to put my name on the list of drivers for the afternoon and was told all of that had already been coordinated by the Columbus HQ. I asked the two people running the office how I could help and got shrugs and "everything seems to be going all right for now".
How is it that out-of-towners can canvass my neighborhood but I can't? I discussed ahead of time (and wrote my name on) the "turf" I wanted to tackle while I was separating walk-lists. I was without a car for the first couple of hours; but once I got my vehicle and was prepared to start canvassing, I was asked to transport other canvassers (from out of state) but was not given a partner or a walk-list so I could also participate in the canvassing of the area of town where I live.
So, I dropped off one of the several teams that needed transportation and came back to be told there were no other teams to go out. I took people to the SEIU phonebank location and then stopped by the downtown HQ to see if there was anything to be done there. A wonderful woman who has been working hard for the local campaign for many many months told me that since the out-of-towners have arrived they are pretty much in charge of the campaign and there is no space now for me to do any of the things I'd done there for the previous week. In other words - thanks but we don't need you. Aren't we launching our largest canvassing initiative next weekend? How is it that there is no room for local people?
I keep getting asked to do phonebanking. From my perspective, that's a perfect assignment for people who are mobile but don't have a computer or people who are here from out-of-state with no transportation; you can put them in a room for hours and not have to worry about it because they have no other local commitments and aren't adjusting their daily lives to accommodate the campaign. If phone calling is what I choose to do, I can do from my home computer while my dinner is cooking or my child is watching television. I am a single mother who is taking time away from my child to participate in this campaign and it's important to me that my time is not wasted and my efforts are as productive as possible. I don't need to go to the SEIU phone bank on the opposite side of town and away from the other important elements of my world in order to make phone calls.
How is it that those of us in the community cannot be allowed to do what we are able to do? We've been asked to coordinate our own initiatives, but when we ask for support, we're treated like individuals rather than organizers. One local grassroots organizer wanted 50 signs to place in eastside locations to create visibility in our neighborhoods and was initially told she could not have them. I asked for 10 signs to distribute to teachers at my school who live in a wide variety of neighborhoods where there is almost no visibililty, and I was told I couldn't have them. I did receive 5, but how many other independent organizers are being told to support the campaign without any support from the campaign HQ? Does anyone at HQ recognize that there are thousands of supporters who don't have the time or ability to come get their own sign but are overwhelmingly willing to place one in their yards? Your independent grassroots organizers are attempting to promote that visibility, the same as we do in local elections when people knock on doors asking if their candidate's yard signs can be placed. And with the millions of dollars being donated to the campaign on a weekly basis, I find it hard to understand why the resources are being rationed (yard signs, bumper stickers, buttons, etc.).
Why is it that we aren't trusted to know what's needed in the areas where we live? This campaign keeps asking for grassroots ideas so it can be effective in targeting the concerns of the local areas. My ideas came from my friends's concerns and questions that I was asked by people who called the toll-free line at the downtown HQ - yet, no one is helping address what has already been identified.
(1) I asked whether we could have separate walk-lists for people who only want to canvass the streets around their homes (some of whom are elderly or have health issues but want to be involved). My request was based in a desire to not waste resources by having individuals duplicating the efforts of organized canvassing teams and freeing those teams to be used elsewhere. I was initially told it could be done - that specific walk-lists could be printed for those people, and that printing those lists would prevent a duplilcation of efforts from other individuals vs. organized canvassing teams.
(2) I asked whether we could provide phone lists to people who have dial-up services and cannot be on the internet and phone at the same time, who don't have or can't use their cell phones to make calls, for people who only want to make local calls, or for people who want to call but have other family commitments that prevent them from being away from home to participate in hours of phone-banking at the established campaign location. Many of the people I spoke with cannot get to the SEIU location. Is their willingness to contribute unimportant?
(3) Does HQ understand how many people over the age of 50 are Obama supporters but don't have access to or are not comfortable with the computer? There are issues affecting that population that can best be addressed within the demographic group, the same group who does not share the campaign's reliance on technology. Those people who are willing to reach out to strangers and to discuss issues in the way their age group conducts conversations should be given as much assistance as possible. The 60+ age group is large and powerful.
On Friday, I was told to create a "take-home" form for walk-lists and phone-lists for people in the situations I just described; and the form would provide a way for grassroots organizers to follow up with those individuals to retrieve their results. However, on Saturday, when the eastside office was opening, I was told those initiatives are not okay because another precinct captain might not appreciate our district taking homes away from their canvassers. It amazes that it the precinct/district turf carries more weight than people hearing from friends and neighbors in a way that will be exponentially more effective.
(4) I've talked to people who were not even going to vote until I explained Obama's position on issues that are relevant to the life-conditions on the east side of Columbus; issues that I know and live with and that are relevant to them. In my phone calling and face-to-face contacts, Columbus still has a lot of undecided voters. They don't necessarily trust what is on the news or in the speeches. They aren't going to read the Blueprint for Change with its 64 pages and tiny font. They are waiting for people in this city, in their neighborhoods, in their schools/jobs to convince them that their vote is best spent on Obama. And if that contact does not happen, Obama will not get their votes!! You are going to need people like me who just got on board and people who are still making up their minds to convince others with like-minded hesitations.
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AND THEN THERE IS THE LARGER PICTURE: Who is going to deliver our neighborhoods for Obama in November? This campaign is not just about the primary election, especially when we believe Obama will win the democratic nomination. I fully understand and appreciate the sacrifice and energy people of people coming from other areas of the country to help with the Ohio Primary. I thank them, BUT we Ohioans have to be able to continue and grow the enthusiasm for Obama in our state. Where is the effort to incorporate local volunteers who just got on board to learn what needs to be done or how to do it for the next 8 months? I hope HQ keeps in mind that in November, all of those out-of-towners who are coming in busloads to do what we should be learning to do with them will be at home working to bring victories in their states. Contrary to what some people might think, this is not an issue of territory or ego - it is an issue of effective inclusion. How will our state organizers keep the momentum going when the out-of-towners leave unless we feel we have been sufficiently integrated into the campaign process?
I've already received permission to use my daughter's school for campaign events and it's being considered as a staging location on March 1st. Yet, I am worried that neighborhood residents who show up and are not given anything to do might feel they are left out of this cmpaign. If they are treated as if their sacrifices of time/energy are not as valued as the efforts of out-of-towners who are allowed to canvass, they probably won't come back to participate during the rest of the year. AND they won't help to get out the vote for Obama in November. I've been involved with community events, school events, and parent organizations for the past 15 years in these same communities; and I know how difficult it is to revive a damaged willingness to particpate. The very last thing I want is for people to feel as I'm starting to feel: if you don't need us and don't want our input, then don't ask us to waste our time.
In reality - this doesn't seem to be OUR campaign - it's the staff's campaign and we (non-staff locals) are treated as only it's servants. Our efforts don't seem to be appreciated when they don't fit into the perspectives or categories already created within the campaign. That's not a good feeling. Yet, Obama is supposed to represent and respect the input of the grassroots participants as much as that of his staff.
You wouldn't know it by what I've encountered over the past couple of days.
A wonderful situation is occuring in my home that I'm sure is being experienced in homes all over the country. I am 46, my oldest daughter is 19, and my youngest is 12 - and despite all the issues on which we naturally differ because of our ages, we are 100% united in our support for Barack Obama.
It's amazing to have my youngest child discuss politics and hold her ground against the viewpoints of people two and three times her age. She listens very carefully to the debates and the rallies, and she has processed what the candidates say (and don't say) to form very her strong opinions about what this country needs and who is best suited to provide it. She even talks back to the television when people are saying things she feels are untrue about Sen. Obama, or when they take over the YES WE CAN chant and revamp it into "Yes She Can", or when the various political analysts try to minimize the significance of Barack's endorsements while they continue to announce the endorsements won by other candidates. This election is relevant to her because she sees first hand the impact on our family of lost jobs being replaced with lower-paying and temporary positions, uncertain finances because of rising grocery and fuel costs, unanswered questions about how to prepare for the future because college is so expensive, struggles with getting a good education while using out-dated and worn-out textbooks that make it hard to excel when you get to college, or the pressures of having ongoing health-care costs impact whether there is enough money for clothes or entertainment. She knows that things MUST change in order for her to have the opportunities she wants in her future - and she doesn't believe people who have already had lots of years in Washington have any reason to change the things they've already gotten used to. And as an eighth-grader, she's sometimes frustrated that her friends have no awareness of what's going on in politics - and this "child" is looking forward to going with me to rallies and helping my efforts to get votes for our candidate.
My oldest daughter became interested in politics years ago when I made her watch the election-night results of the stolen presidential race that seems to have happened so long ago - and when she came home from school every day wondering whether Al Gore had finally been given the victory only to have the recount go on and on and on. She marveled at the re-election of the man we affectionally refer to as "The Idiot" and vowed that she would never be a person to neglect voting on something as critical as who gets to decide the course of our country. And her career goals are built on her fundamental belief that a lot more can be done to equalize the quality of education and healthcare services given to all ethnic and economic segments of our society. This is the first presidential election in which she will vote - and she is FIRED UP for Obama! She's away at college and not only has she made a financial contribution to the campaign, she's purchased campaign items, set up her own page at my.barackobama.com, and is joining a grassroots planning group in the city where her school is located.
The emotion and enthusiasm in my house is certainly being echoed all around this nation as many other families wake up to the fact that this is more than an opportunity to make history by electing an African American (or a woman) to the White House - it's an opportunity to correct a national atmosphere that has discouraged and dismissed too many people for too long. The optimism and energy I see in my children is not just based on wishing things were better; it's based on seeing someone who represents a philosophy of change and an achieveable approach for making it happen. They inspire me to set an example for them of being willing to put my time and efforts to work in support of our candidate, to do all I can in addition to simply casting one vote. Barack Obama inspires them to care about issues older people have learned to ignore and just live with; and while I have always held very strong political opinions, I have never become active in a campaign until now. I am doing this as much for their faith in the future as for my confidence in Obama.
I pray that every household sees that same spark in Obama, pulls it into their hearts, and watches it grow in the hopefulness of our future - in our children
The National Organization of Women has endorsed Hillary Clinton. Tuesday, it's New York chapter stated on a national news program that it was upset with Sen. Kennedy's endorsement of Sen. Obama; that since there is a viable female candidate for president, women need to rally around her - that she will be the only candidate to keep her promise to wake up every morning with a personal agenda to help the plight of women and children. This representative of NOW implied that despite Sen. Obama's strong record on working to address those very issues, he cannot do as well as a woman in protecting our interests.
As a an African-American woman and mother, I am livid!! Does NOW think all women should vote for Sen. Clinton simply because of her gender? I won't vote for a candidate because he's black and I won't vote for a candidate because she's a woman. Is it NOW's position that I should choose between my race and my gender? Does supporting Sen. Obama make me less of a woman? I feel insulted by anyone whose position minimizes the validity of a candidate's record, perspective, and national agendas - and NOW does not represent me!
I feel doubly insulted by the media personality who let that comment pass with almost no fuss. A huge amount of effort has been directed at not having Sen. Obama perceived as the "BLACK" candidate because the media feeds on such "negative" segmentation. Once he chooses to embrace the acceptance from the African-American segment within our society (although we are rightfully proud of his accomplishments), it won't be politically okay for him to be perceived as more than "black". The press has made a point of reminding us about that taboo. But apparently, Sen. Clinton can be allowed to embrace those who celebrate her gender without being limited by that acceptance. WOW!! We certainly still live in a society of inequality where sexism is more acceptable than racism when neither should be tolerable.
This situaion is a classic example of the divisiveness that shows why our country needs to change! We truly need to start thinking of ourselves as a coalition instead of limiting ourselves to confining labels. I'm not naive enough to believe that Sen. Obama can affect this change alone in his position of President - but his enthusiasm and leadership will move us in the right direction by helping all of us to remember that we are more than any label - that we can work together based on our skills and not our differences. We don't have to choose which part of ourselves is more acceptable. I truly believe his leadership will bring the next step in our society's evolution towards equality and tolerance. He represents a beacon of hope for a better future; a light that many of us have feared passed us by as we watched our country move away from the civil rights movement of the 1950's and 1960's towards creating more and more sub-cultures. He is reviving the dream of inclusion for everyone.
It's critical that we dispell this notion that women will be best served by Hillary Clinton!! That's as ridiculous as saying African-Americans will be best served by Barak Obama. Those are not relevant distinctions or comprehensive identities. We need to aggressively sell Sen. Obama's record on all social issues so that EVERYONE can know he is the best candidate for the entire nation.
The Ohio primary is a month away - and we have a LOT of work to do. Let's get out the relevant information and make sure people are aware of the importance of the Primary Election.
