Community organizing has taught me so much and it’s given me a renewed purpose. Leading people is one thing, but learning to empower others to stand themselves is something else entirely. I've been in front of groups of people my whole life. This has been something so much more. It’s more than being a good boss, more than being a good teacher, this is being a good citizen, a steward of the future.
We are at a cross roads in this world. Like all of us I think about the future. I look into the eyes of my beautiful son and I dream about his world. That world could be one of two very different visions. I can see both in front of us. Which will it be?
I remember holding his little toddler body after his spinal surgery. He was fragile and groggy. His arms dangled against me helplessly. I remember his little heart beating in my hands. I felt so clearly then, like I have in other flashes of time, his very life was my responsibility, no, my purpose. That was a feeling of such gravity and powerlessness as he lay so ill.
I think of all the families that don't come through what we did. I think of all the families who don’t have healthcare at all or the transportation to get 70 miles to the best doctors. What if that had been us? What about all the children that don't return helpless and groggy to their parents? Who fights for them? Why hasn't the battle been won? It’s amazing how injustice can be so apparent and yet be so unsolved.
I knew then something had changed. I had all the energy I needed inside of me. All I had to do was stand up. So, I did. Along the way I have learned more than I hoped. Barack is right. We all want basically the same things. We all know that. We just have different ideas about how to get there.
So, as I see it we have two choices. We stand around and discuss, or even argue, about how to make things happen or we step up and we do it. I've always been a do-er. I'm not one to stand around and wait for something to save me. I can do the saving. We all can. You can.
That's just one of the reasons I keep going. Americans deserve Universal Healthcare. I am out supporting the budget because it lays the ground work to accomplish just that.
Responding to Obama Nation!
I sent this out to day to the Editors of major newspapers across the country. Check it out. You should fight back too!
I want Americans to understand powerful forces are at work to keep us divided. We know from our great history the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Yet, the politics of fear continues to be used by some to ensure the survival of their agendas.
So, we come to Obama Nation by Mr. Corsi. This book is no more credible than any of Corsi’s other rambling manifestoes. These debunked attacks on Obama are regurgitated by the same man who wrote books alleging that Bush is dissolving our borders, that oil is inexhaustible, and that our government plotted 9/11.
In fact, Mr. Corsi is so bigoted that other hatchet men can’t stand him. Even the manipulators from the Swift Boat smears in 2004 kicked Corsi off their publicity tour because of his public statements of religious intolerance and blatant bigotry.
Americans should know that Mr. Corsi is no journalist. I will not sit by while fear and hate spread yet again. Simply repeating lies over and over will never make them true. Not while I have a voice.
I am extremely happy to have participated in our first truly successful voter registration weekend! With 20 volunteers we hit 10 locations (primarily on the Northside of the city). We came back with a total of around 70 registered voters and way more new volunteer sign-ups.
With our National Campaign staff here to support us we are really beginning to get things accomplished! Sam and Jared are really getting us going and I am grateful that we have their help. Our new field office too is a tremendous help (617 S. Portage Rd, near Crosstown and Portage))! I know that going forward we are going to be able to accomplish so much and make history together. Ahhhh......
So I am learning about grass roots organizing alright. I had a VFC event planned today with a respectable 13 volunteers signed up! I went out and bought materials and stressed about whether I would have enough registration forms. As usual, I was running later than I like but I arrived at the meeting location at 10:55 and we were supposed to meet at 11. Phew!
Then I stood there.
20 minutes later I was still standing there. Eventually, someone came up to me. It was an observer from China who had signed up online. He was sent by the State Department to watch democracy in action. His translator asked me about my thoughts on Barack and why I was working for the campaign. I explained but felt down h
I was about the give up. Me in my Obama shift with all of my forms, clipboards, pens and signs. All dressed up and nowhere to go. Then Wendy, Brook and Noel walked up.
If you are a member of Northstar and you are going to be helping us with our community work why not make your next campaign contribution in the Barack Obama store? You can purchase items that we can use in rallies and registration drives (likes stickers, banners and rally signs). You could increase Barack's visibility (what about a cool Barack T-Shirt to sport around town). Show everyone your support (like an Obama bumper sticker or a yard sign).
PLUS - 100% of funds spent in the store are considered campaign contributions and go directly to helping Barack win this fight!
Just a thought!
It is finally time for the boots to hit the ground here in Michigan and we are ready to do our part here in Kalamazoo! We have room for people with all sorts of abilities and availabilities. If you can help a lot or even just a little we would love to have you on board!
We will be working hard to register new voters and helping to make a difference in this world. Yes we can be part of history. Yes we can win back the White House and yes we can help Barack Obama be the next President of the United States! Please join our cause!
State Campaign Leadership and MI supporters:
The Michigan grassroots movement needs to get up, get energized and get moving! We have one critical and absolute truth staring us down right now.
We will soon be fighting in the general election and we will need to mobilize an even stronger ground campaign then we would have needed in the primary. You see, Michigan is going to be absolutely critical for winning the Presidency. We are failing to see that we will be only ONE of two states in the entire union to not have real campaign offices and ground campaigns already up and running with a "practice drill" like a primary already pulled off!! You see, every other state has had a ground game because they had a primary or caucus they had to fight for.
Look folks, we need to understand there are a lot of Republicans and Clinton supporters in Michigan. This will be a tough state in the general election and we need to get meeting and talking and having a visible community presence all across the state ASAP!
Please join me and call for it. This local work should continue with the work we have been focused on (phone banking upcoming states, travel, etc.) But we have a ton of work to do here as well. We are neglecting the movement we must be building here in Michigan. We can not wait for the National Campaign to give us direction! Do you think Alamobama in TX (a huge and strongly organized grassroots group) just waited around for someone to say to them, "Hey maybe it would be a good time for you to organize some stuff."
NO! They were out pounding the pavement a full year before their primary.
Now I can only function locally in Kalamazoo - but the rest of you, across the State, it is time to start going!!! Post your events- how about a Barack Book discussion at a coffee house, a door to door drive, an Obama food for the needy drive, phone banking parties, yard signs or whatever you can do! Get out there!!
Kzoo folks.... who is down to restart local group meetings and does anyone have a location idea you were already using when meetings stopped? I am ready to create some activities but would love to find some real connections - how about you?
Because after all not only can we do this, we will do this. We can be optimistic and excited because we do have a great role to play in Michigan. But please see that it is vital that we start that role today.
I mean, I have only seen two Ron Paul signs in kzoo and none for any other candidate! We need to see Obama, Obama, Obama!!! I want to yell it to the sky. Have a great night all!!!
---Jen Strebs
