Good afternoon,
I just wanted to get active again with my blog, and I wanted to find out if anyone out there is interested in helping me to learn what is going on in Alaska with Organizing For America. I am pretty sure there are things happening...
I am eager to get involved here again continuing all the great work that we accomplished together.
What's going on where you are?
Please leave me a comment, or send me an email to get.at.jonathan@gmail.com.
Talk to you soon!
Jonathan
Well, it has been a while since my last post. Sometime before I entered the twilight zone...
The last thing that I remember is watching Barack Obama's transcending speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. I do remember shedding tears, wishing that I could be sharing that moment in history with my father.
I called him right afterwards, blubbering just a bit. you see, that Thursday night, for my family, represented far more than just a historic moment on a presidential campaign. It represented a passing of the torch to a new generation; my gneration. Me.
My grandfather was the president of the Congress Of Racial Equality (C.O.R.E.) in the Bay Area and as a union representative, veteran and community organizer during the Civil Rights movement he started a family story that continues with me.
I have watched my dad many times struggle against the often invisible forces of race that are still at play in this nation, and in many cases I saw how his own perception of himself in the world exacerbated the feelings of exclusion rather than inclusion; the feelings that we were expected to work harder and be smarter than others just to keep up. I now know that this inner drive that pushed my father to work harder and expect more of himself and his family is exactly what keeps me reaching higher.
When Barack remarked in his 2004 Convention Speech about him being an example of how being a black kid with a book can be a good thing, and that you don't need to feel bad about being that kid, I knew that we were on the same page.
When Barack spoke about how his improbable journey was the result of people along the way that gave up something to help make sure that he could be standing there speaking, I knew that he was talking to me. My journey is improbable too, and my seat at the table these days is a result of others helping me to get there.
When Barack spoke of the dream that Thursday night, I cried along with millions of others. For me though it was the realization that from that moment forward there was no going backwards.We nominated the best man in the country to be our president and he was just like me! That is an incredible feeling. The work of my grandfather and the perserverence of my father to get me here was validated that Thursday night. The tears and sweat, the self-doubt and self-empowerment--all that--changed forever.
It is hard to speak about that night without getting the chills. I still get the chills when I watch that video produced by Will.i.am (<a>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY</a>) it takes me right back to that moment; to this collective moment that has been the last three years that I have been working as a community organizer for one goal--to say on November 5th, 2008 YES WE DID!
Dillingham is a small fishing village on the Nushagak River, right on the edge of Bristol Bay. Currently there are numerous challenges facing the community, from alcoholism and family violence to the very real threats to the subsistence lifestyle practiced for milenea. I landed in town a few days before the controversial vote on Ballot Initiative 4—the Clean Water Initiative was to be decided at the ballot box. The energy and tension was high and everyone had Pebble on the brain.
I landed early in the morning, bringing the sunny weather with me from Barrow. They tell me that is it a good omen that everywhere I have been, the weather has been sunny and warm—a warm welcome for Barack Obama!
The minute I stepped outside the terminal the no seeums pounced on me and, having no real previous experience with no seeums, I learned quickly why they are more annoying than mosquitos. You cannot hear them buzzing in your ear. You can’t hardly even see them buzzing period. You know it though the minute they chomp into some exposed part of skin. I am still amazed how such a small insect can take such a bite out of ya. These buggers were everywhere in Dillingham—and even window screens were not enough to keep them at bay.
Somehow, I felt at home in Dillingham. I think that life in the Bush is growing on me. Maybe it is the slower pace of life, after living in the hustle of bustle of Anchorage, and working in the political world where there seems to be no off position to work—it is a lifestyle in and of itself. I felt very relaxed and at home in the small community of only a few thousand where people know one another. I guess I am a sucker for village life. I love the closeness and feeling of being truly connected to others that comes with life in the village.
I did not get this finished, but I wanted to share all that I am writing anyway…
My first trip to the top of the world was, to say the least, eye opening. Barrow is about as far off the road system as you can get in Alaska. The largest of Alaska’s Inupiaq villages at about 4,000 people, Barrow is a very interesting mix of western culture laid over an Inupiaq lifestyle that still includes hunting bowhead whales, seals and caribou—being the primary sources of food. Perhaps the best illustration of this precarious juxtaposition of cultural influences: I was walking over to the AC (local general store) and a big ford truck pulled into the parking lot. The door opened and Toby Keith came blaring out from the trucks sound system. A young man in a traditional kuspuk jumped out and hollered at someone in the parking lot—in Inupiat. Country music and Inupiat—two things that I did not expect to see together…
One of the first things that we did was get some grub. We hit the Northern Lights restaurant—Chinese and American cuisine. As we shared a meal with one of Lena’s cousins who was in Barrow as a teacher, we talked to her about the realities of the energy crisis in Rural Alaska. She had been living in the village of Ruby in the interior where fuel was even more expensive than in Barrow. She also started talking about the challenges of teaching in a community like Barrow. Some of the biggest challenges were not the kids or the culture—the biggest frustration as a teacher in the Bush is No Child Left Behind, a broken system that tears apart an already fractured educational system throughout Rural Alaska. She talked about the 55.5% graduation rate that schools had to demonstrate as one part of reaching the AYP standards set by the law. In Rural Alaska, some high schools have a senior class of 2. Guess what—one student fails, has to leave school for family reasons—and now the school has a graduation rate of only 50%, 5.5% short of AYP. This leads to schools that regularly miss AYP and lose funding based on this “lack of performance”. Furthermore, 3 years missing AYP and the entire teaching staff at that school are required to move to another school. The lack of continuity makes it a challenge to connect with students, many of whom have unique learning challenges—and in my opinion tells these students that if you cannot perform we are gonna take away your teachers, making it even harder for you to perform adequately in the future. It was a very interesting discussion, and when I mentioned that Barack Obama knows that there are no “one size fits all” solutions to challenges of life in Rural Alaska and that he wants to reform NCLB to make it fit certain on the ground realities—she smiled and said something to the effect of “it’s about time someone realize things are just different here”.
Jeff Giertz, Lena and myself spent the late evening driving around in a borrowed truck, Lena our tour guide, as she lived there for several years. I stood in the bed of the truck, video camera rolling. The air temperature was something like 38 degrees when we got off the plane earlier in the day—so you can imagine how friggin’ freezing it was standing in the back of the truck…but I loved it. It reminded me that I really am a country kid who was reaised in the city.
We drove down past NARL, the Native Arctic Research Laboratory, and we stopped right next to Barrow’s blue-turf football field—the furthest north turf football field. It looked a little out of place, on the edge of the Chuchki Sea, but I had to smile thinking how fun it would be to strap up and play one more football game at the top of the world.
The “sunset” was incredible. It barely set, but we were treated to a sunset that lasted almost an hour as it took it’s sweet time setting, dropping just below the horizon and the sea ice—some 200 miles off in the distance.
Jeff jumped out of the truck and started snapping pictures as I let the camera roll. Curiosity got the best of him and he walked to the edge of the water to dip his hand in. I followed, but got caught by the surf and ended up wet up to my shins. Yep folks. That water be frig-id!
We spent a few minutes talking about how cool it was ther we were, in all reality, probably the first campaign staff from a presidential campaign to every visit Barrow, Alaska—the northernmost edge of the United States. At every turn, this campaign is making history and allowing others like myself to be swept up in the magnificence of it all.
Our entire trip to Barrow was memorable. Lena and myself met with seniors at the Senior Center. I say “seniors”, but the appropriate term is elders. The entire meeting was conducted in Inupiat and Rex Okakok was our interpreter. Rex, a retired whaling captain, was making his final plans to head south to Denver with his family for the National Convention. We spoke with the elders about Barack Obama and why we are in Barrow. They too were surprised to learn that a candidate for president had sent people to Barrow to talk and listen to their concerns.
This is no small issue. Every day I am surprised by how much it means to people to just know that someone is listening. That come what may, the next President of the United States will have a little more understanding of life in Barrow, or Akiak, or Dillingham.
We did so much in Barrow that is seems difficult to write eloqurntly about everything. Most significantly for me though was the Obama rally and potluck that was organized. We had over 60 people in attendance, and everyone was excited to be participating in an event such as this—to send a message that even in Barrow people are Fired up & Ready to go!
People always remark on Barack Obama’s ability to connect with new voters across all sorts of political lines and levels of engagement. What I saw in Barrow was no different: lifelong Republicans, elders who had not voted in decades, young people chomping at the bit to be able to vote—for Barack Obama! I have worked in politics as an operative for several years and it is often easy to forget that there is a huge percentage of people living right in my own community, and in almost any community—who do not feel compelled to act upon their right to cast a vote and to be heard. It is a bit of a shame that conventional politics conditions operatives like myself to focus all our efforts on people who will or may vote, essentially marginalizing those who for some reason or another do not vote. Politics, like life often comes across as a market-driven system governed by supply and demand rather than an inaleable responsibility to engage each and every person at their level, and on the other hand to use that right to vote in a manner that recognizes the contributions of the people who take the time to bring the system to you.
Barack Obama gives me hope because his very candidacy is getting at that point—that no voter is less important-that every voice is essential if, as Dr. Martin Luther King says “we are to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood”.
Now more than ever we need you, in every corner of this great state, to take action.
Do not believe the hype. We know that the change that we have worked for is within our grasp and we must fight harder than ever to deliver the promise of a new direction for America and Alaska.
Please feel free to call me at 677-6052 if you have questions or if you are, like me, more determined than ever to show the world that Alaska is ready for change--not more of the same.
Jonathan Teeters
Rural Field Director
Alaskans like you have helped build one of the largest grassroots organizations in Alaska's political history.
Together we've brought Alaska back into the national political scene by opening up offices and canvassing in places too often ignored by political campaigns.
Now, we're about to go a step further. This Wednesday, August 20th, we're kicking off our Rural Alaska Tour.
Campaign for Change staff will be traveling by plane to seven locations throughout the state, holding a kickoff rally and potluck at each stop, and bringing Barack's message to parts of Alaska that have never been touched by a political campaign of this magnitude.
Find out more about this tour of rural Alaska and spread the word to your friends.
The Rural Alaska Tour will organize rural Alaskans and bring this Campaign for Change to folks that have been traditionally left out of the national political spotlight.Barack understands the challenges that rural Alaskans are facing every day -- high gas prices, access to quality education, and affordable health care.
But it's up to us to build a movement that reaches every Alaskan and makes sure Barack's message of change is heard.
To do that, it's going to take all of us, working together in our communities.
It's up to you to spread the word and let people know that no Alaskan will be left out of this process.
Learn more and tell fellow Alaskans about this tour.
Growing this movement for change will require us to bring new people into the process and to give voice to all Americans. We can't do this without you.
I am a pretty cool, level-headed guy, but i gotta admit that I have a pretty serious case of the Barrow Butterflies. I have been on lots of trips to different places in Alaska to organize Democrats; Fairbanks, Juneau, Kodiak...well actually, that's about it, but I have done the Fairbanks/Juneau gig numerous times.
Anyhow, there is a certain level of seriousness to this trip to Barrow that just makes me feel nervous. Maybe it is that I will be more than 1,400 miles from my base of operations, knowing that if we forgot something or if anything goes wrong--too darn bad. Maybe it is that I am headed to the heartland of the Inupuat people, whaling country, and a culture that is vastly different than anything i have experienced before. Oh well, at least I am brown! Maybe the butterflies are from the fact that there will be a reporter traveling with us in Barrow who will be watching and writing what we do. The last time I was in the New York Times I caught mad flack from the DNC for being real and such.
Yep. Organizing at the top of the world has it's inherent challenges.
I am excited by the fact that I have been working for the DNC for almost 3 years and this is the first time I get to go waaaaaaay out.
Lena brought in muktuk (whale blubber with a nice thick hunk of skin attached). Mmmmm. Kinda. with salt it ain't that bad, but the aftertaste--like licking the inside of a container of herring bait, or like really fishy sardines. Much like deer or elk, you can tell what those whales spent their time eating.
Now I can say with a straight face that I have eaten muktuk!
More fanciful tales of a traveling Democrat in a few. Now it is time to get on the plane.
Peace out.
Today is Sunday the 17th and it is about to tick past the noon-hour.
The enormity of what it is we are in the process of undertaking is really setting in--and there are so many places where wheels could get stuck, or even derailed.
We have an ambitious schedule that takes us to Barrow, Kotzebue, Nome, Bethel, Dillingham, Kodiak, Cordova, Yakutat andHaines...for round 1!
Between all three of us working on Rural Alaska we will hit a majority of the large hubs in the state, engaging the public via rallies & volunteer orientations, one-on-one meetings, and maybe even some drumming and dancing at the evening events!
This is shaping up to be a dream come true, really. After all the logistical headaches and challenges that come with coordinating events and travel in the Bush, it will all be well worth it once we get the wheels up on the plane to Barrow, realizing full well that we can't go back from there.
I am looking forward to keeping you all up to date on our travels and or mission to take Barack to the Bush. We will have video and pictures of our interactions.
See ya later!
My first organizing trip with Barack Obama’s Campaign for change began as many trips in Alaska do—in a small 20-seat twin engine turbo-prop. Let me tell you—my 6’3 315lb frame, as you can imagine, is not easily folded and twisted into a small…no tiny plane—but by this time I am getting used to it. The planes are only going to get smaller the further I get off the beaten path; I can’t wait!
Rain and wind pelted the small plane as we got to altitude, and our co-pilot was gracious enough to warn us that it was going to be a little bumpy going up and coming down. Hmmm, not what I really wanted to hear before the wheels left the ground—but after he turned around and grabbed the yoke I knew that he was in it for as much as I was—and I quickly fell asleep.
Flying in Alaska is an amazing treat, no matter how often you do it. When I awoke from my short catnap I looked out the window to see the green expanse of interior Alaska extend to the horizon, in every direction braided rivers reflected the blue skies breaking above, contrasting the green velvet below.
Almost imediately after hitting the ground, after refilling my caffeine tanks, I was whisked away by my friend Mike to meet with elders in the Fairbanks Native community who are connected throughout all the Interior Villages. It was an eye-opening whirlwind, and after 4 hours if impromptu meetings and hand-shaking I was left asking myself some big questions, and feeling good about the ones that had just been answered by the folks I met with. Most of all, I came away with an increased appreciation for everyone before me who has organized statewide campaigns—for candidates or issues—in rural Alaska.
Shortly after my morning of meetings I was able to pick up the old dodge pickup that would get me around during my visit. Now, this is the same kind of truck that I always wanted as a young man, so I took to the truck like a fish to water. I decked it out in First Americans for Obama stuff and hit the road, chug-a-luggin’ along. I felt like a Farbanksian in no time, as small cars and timid drivers moved over for the 12 miles per gallon Obamamobile.
On Saturday morning I accepted an invitation to join the Interior Democrats and volunteers from all the other candidates in the Golden Days Parade. I have not marched in a parade since I was 5 and dressed as a Care Bear, so I was cautiously optomnistic that it would be worth my time. It was!
I joined a grop of 78 Interior Democrats and candidates for the parade, but not before having plenty of time to snap some pictures of the fun before we hit the streets.
The parade route was packed with local Fairbanksians who turned out for the small window of sunshine that greeted us, and for the candy. Next to Halloween, I think that the Golden Days Parade is the next biggest sugar consumption time for children in the Golden Heart City!
Along the route I carried a sign with Obama and First Americans for Obama rally signs on it. Now and then I asked those on the route if they would take a picture with the signs for my blog and many people jumped at the opportunity, including my friend Sarah. Now, for just a little background: Sarah left Anchorage over a year ago for the Peace Corps in Vanuatu in the South Pacific. I recall getting periodic myspace updates on her experiences there—so I thought that I was trippin’ when I saw her waving back at me from the bed of a truck parked along the parade route. Nope, indeed my friend who was in th South Pacific just a few days prior was indeed enjoying the parade with her family along the route. She was in town on account of a death in the family and was headed back to Vanuatu in a day. Wow…small world. I was sure glad to see her. Sarah has worked with me in the past to connect young Alaska Native leaders to opportunities in politics, and I am sure missing her now.
Later that afternoon after the parade and a delicious pit-stop at Big Daddy’s barbeque joint fill my BBQ tank, I went to the World Eskimo Indian Olympics (WEIO) with the Fairbanks Regional Field Director Brian McGrane.
I had a great conversation with the former Mayor of Wainwright. He is the owner of one of the stores there in Wainwright and we talked about village politics and organizing in Inupiaq Country. I hope that he will help make this campaign a success on the North Slope. We both agreed that this campaign offers and excellent opportunity to enagee the next generation of young Alaska Native leadership who are ready to lead Alaska into the next 50 years of our future.
Finally, as I was talking to my friend Lena who was at WEIO when I heard that more men over 150 pounds were needed to help with the Mens Final Blanket Toss. I looked quickly at Lena and she looked back with the affirmitive indication that indeed—I could go help throw the competitors up in the air. My feet made haste and I found my position around the heavy hide blanket. I think it is probably caribou hide, but it could be moose. Either way it is a lot of hide and it is really durable. I called to Brian who was in the stands watching, and with only a few points and yells I got him to come down and help too.
This was one of those “only in Alaska” experiences, and I am glad that I had a chance to participate and to share this with Brian who is much newer to Alaska than I. He remarked that it was a great experience too and he was glad that I pulled him down there to participate.
My visit to Fairbanks ended on Sunday with the first Camp Obama training, and I knew that we were on the right track with this campaign when I saw over 20 great Obama supporters spend a solid 6-hours learning the Tao of Obama. Getting anyone in Fairbanks to stay inside on a moderately nice summer day for even a few hours is a challenge—so we must be doing something right!
Slowly, the chairs around the table began to fill up with inquisitive faces, not sure just what they were about to receive.
After a brief welcome to set the context for the meeting, everyone around the tables introduced themselves and spoke of why they decided to attend the meeting and just what about Barack Obama inspired them.
most definately, it was a good group. I was told that this was just the type of group of people that are meeting around tables and living rooms in every state across the country. We had a woman who thought that Hope & Politics were inexorably and irreparably separated. She had given up on the thought that one person really could make a difference still. Another young woman talked about her hero--her grandmother, who has been a lifelong Democrat for as long as she can remember. Her grandmother proved to her day in and day out that one person really can change the world around them. We had a person who has watched time after time as political promises to Native Peoples turned into talking points to get elected. He was there to see if what he had heard about changing the system of politics in this campaign really were true.
to be continued...
