I have a confession to make. A confession that I'm ashamed of and that I know, if it weren't for the spirit and drive of my fellow Americans, a confession that may have ruined our journey, our promise, and our nation.
My confession? Is simply this, I've been on vacation since the election, and I see now that I couldn't afford to take one. The fate of this country, the state of the economy, and fighting the opposition to change is too important for any of us to take a vacation.
I am so proud of those of you who have not. Those of you who realized that in order for President Obama's agenda for change to come to pass, he needs all of us and he has needed all of us. Yes, I've signed petitions to senators to vote "yes" on the last two budgets, but through a simple email. I've read the reports and debated with friends, but there was so much more I could have done. Attended meetings, or made calls, send emails, and knock or doors, but thank God for the statement that President Obama uttered on more than one occassion, "I am my brother's keeper." All of you have kept me and helped to keep our promise, and now I'm back to join you and replace those others that may make the mistake as I have in thinking that our job is done. YES WE CAN!
I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Though meteorologists called for gloom, the sun peaked its head through the clouds and happily exposed itself, lifting my spirits as I called my two Republican friends to help me set up. Belle, Karen and Jen, two of whom had voted for George Bush, were on their way to my house to help me Unite Americans for Change. We set out shrimp cocktail and croissant sandwiches along with an assortment of sodas, and breathed a sigh of relief as we finished and the doorbell rang. At promptly 12:00 p.m. guests came rolling in, with big smiles and hellos, and even a few "YES WE CANS!" I put on a DVD of Barack's speeches while we ate and got to know one another. It's amazing what happens when people actually stop and take the time to say "hello" to their fellow American. Next, I told my story of why I am supporting Barack and Ryan (an Obama fellow who helped to run the event) shared his as well. We then let all who attended share why they were here. We were a group of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Catholic, white, latino, and black. Asians, sports fans, CEO's, and line workers.....Americans. Americans who all sat inspired and ready to get this country back on track. An investment banker at Merrill Lynch, who said he came because he was interested, but not a supporter, yet by the end of the meeting, he signed up to volunteer for Obama! A Republican who was worried about taxation from Dems, who stated that all her life she had voted 'Republican' yet after learning the truth on Obama's taxation policies that she would change this year. A Hillary supporter, as passionate about Universal Health Care as anyone I had ever met, who came because she believed that Obama would finally be the one to deliver it. From those who have been with the movement since Obama's Senate run in Chicago to those who just signed on with movement; through all our differences, sitting in my basement and out on the patio, there was so much more we had in common.
Obama's ideas for our country and message to Americans are attainable, doable, common sense policies that I know will help to turn this economy around. When people stop to listen and learn, not just vote a party, but voting from knowledge of proposals the choice is clear. We learned this day that your options this election are Obama's policies of new ideas to lower taxes for the working American, health care for every American, new jobs through energy independence. Or John McCain's policies that are the same Bush policies that have and will continue to destroy our economy, obliterate the middle class and increase poverty levels and therefor crime, while selling our country to China and Europe. As I said before, the choice if very clear for anyone willing to listen. Americans came to my home, every religion, race, class and age. They came to unite to make our country a better place for us and our children. Together we will.
I'm encouraging everyone to sign up to host a Unite for change event if there is not one in your area. If there is, then please, if you're available on June 28th, make it a priority to invite your neighbors and friends and attend an event near you. You don't have to be an Obama supporter to attend, so encourage everyone you know.
We're hosting an event and inviting the entire city of Grand Blanc to attend. We're printing up fliers and getting the word out on the radio stations. So if anyone in the Grand Blanc area community wants to get to know their neighbors join us on June 28th! We look forward to seeing you!
**PHOTO ON MY PROFILE**
Well, last Sunday me and about 30 other Americans joined together to seek the truth about Obama's church. We decided that we would not be lead by a biased media and see for ourselves what Trinity United was like, and I must tell you that I was very surprised.
We met at my home in Milwaukee from 8 a.m to 9:45 a.m. to leave promptly at 9. Mary Beth arrived first. An older white women, about 50 with gray hair and a cheerful smile she walked in the door proudly wearing a "got hope?" pin in blue and white that highly contrasted her dark sweater and beige and brown shawl. She gave my husband and I a big hug and hello and told her story.
"I am so excited you guys put this event together! she exclaimed. I have been wanting to visit the church but was afraid to do it on my own, this is going to be so exciting. In the beginning I was an Edwards backer, but when he dropped out, I switched to Obama. And now, you couldn't get me to vote for anyone else! she went on. Hillary has gotten so negative that whenever I hear her I just have to turn the channel! Obama has us joining together and he just makes sense!"
Soon after we were joined by about 20 others with their own similar stories and we were set to begin our journey. On the way down we stopped to pick up Glenda who parked in a carpool off the highway. She jumped in the car with a huge "YES WE CAN" and we all chanted with her as we rolled on toward the church.
Judith, who drove in from Minnesota to join us arrived at the church with Valerie and her husband (catholics who had never really felt comfortable in any other type of church) early. They let the church know that we were coming and they sectioned off three rows for us to sit. Upon exiting the highway and approaching the church the first thing I noticed was the abundance of traffic. The parking lot was full and cars were aligned for a least a 1/2 mile in all directions around the church. My husband decided to let us off at the front door and he parked the car. We walked up to the door and a gentlemen opened it for us while saying welcome and "God Bless You."
The contrast between what the media portrayed and what we saw and felt was so stark that it almost seemed as if the people reporting the news were mad. The insanity of the media's perpetuation of the church hit us solidly in our spirits and we walked through people rushing to find seats in an already filled to capacity sanctuary. Even in their rush no one was to busy to lend a smile or a "God Bless You" as they passed us by. Excuse me, a young black gentlemen said, are you the group of 30, "Yes, I said relieved that I didn't have to choose a random person to ask where should we go, "we have saved seats for you!" he said smiling. Just then, Judith came out of the church.
After our group found parking everyone joined us in our reserved seats. Service started with singing. They sang a song of praise in the typical gospel fashion that moved everyone to their feet. The energy was undeniable and our entire group, with or without rhythm were standing a clapping along. Then, they started the Lord's prayer. We watched as the entire church; young and old, blacks and whites started moving across the aisle to join hands with their neighbors across the aisle to say the prayer together. We joined in. This Sunday happened to be a "youth service" so we were lead by a child not older than 7 years old who recited the words with the confidence and clairty of an adult. I cried. Next a performance from the choir and modern dancers. Next, another group of very younger performers who sang "Africa is my friend, it's where I got my hair" in voices of 4-6 year olds who were exclaiming pride for their looks and heritage. It was beautiful.
It surprised me when Rev. Ross announced our group and we all stood up to a round of applause! There was also a church from Wisconsin there as well as a student group all the way from Germany!
Mary Beth was so moved and so excited she started hugging her neighbors while we all giggled. It was a joyous service, filled with hope and love and pride for oneself. At the end of service we wanted to take a picture in front of the sign, a young man stopped and joyously took pictures of us using 4 cameras without a single complaint. The people of Trinity are wonderful and I've seen it first hand.
-Kenya Bell
COMMENTS FROM OTHERS IN THE GROUP
JUDITH PENA'S EXPERIENCE
I am lifted!! He has moved me just like many other American's! There is no other person for this Country! It was Saturday, March 29th, about 12 noon. I was sitting at my computer reading through the blogs on Barack Obama's website when I came across a blog that an event was being put together in Chicago. I read on and it was a bunch of people getting together to drive to Obama's church, Trinity United Christian Church in Chicago. At that moment I felt something, from my toes to the top of my head. I live in Faribault, Minnesota, it would be a 7hour drive. 5 hours later, this Saturday afternoon, I found myself on the road to Chicago. I checked into my hotel at 1 am. I got a wake up call at 7 to get ready for another couple that drove were so kind to meet me at the hotel so I could follow them to the church for the 11 O'clock service. I was trembling all the way with pure excitement!!! I thought to myself, I am going to Barack Obama's church! I am going to walk where he has walked, seen what he has seen, and possibly sit where he has sat. I couldn't believe my own self what I was doing and where I was. I walked in the church only to be greeted with the warmest people I have ever met, hugs, handshakes, smiles, warm welcomes all over the place! I didn't want to leave!! So, we all sat in a specific area that they had reserved for us, there must have been 30 of us. It was the best church service I have ever been too, seriously, I was clapping, singing, moving my body, laughing, smiling, and felt the presence of the Lord all throughout my body and soul. I can see why Barack would NEVER leave this church!!!!The service ended and we all were wished the best as we walked outside to get a group picture. I still can't believe I was there. I am going to go again, soon! Maybe one day when I go Barack Obama will be there and I can touch him for real instead of just being with his spirit. Barack Obama has moved me so much, not only physically to do the 7 hour drive to attend his church, but in other ways too. I want to know more about the world, I want to meet more people, I want to unite with every color, size, and personality there is in this world. Again, Barack Obama is moving me everyday and because of him, he has given me hope and I can see and feel it in many others. I cannot see any other person to lead this world then Barack Obama. I totally believe in him and his standards. He will unite the American people and there will be changes happening all over the USA. There is more then hope to this man, there is guarantee's, there is truth, there is a reason he came into this election race.......I truly believe it is an act of God.Thank you to Mr.& Mrs. Charles and Kenya Bell for creating this event and thank you God for allowing for my safe drive there and back home. I look forward to many more!! I love you guys!!!!Be Blessed Miss Judith Pena"YES WE CAN"Obama 08
VALERIE'S EXPERIENCE
Valerie
MARY BETH'S EXPERIENCE
This past Sunday I attended Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago with a diverse group of folks. I encourage you to attend a service at this church. Take a bulletin home and read about all the community support available at this church. As a result of the media the congregation are receiving hate mail and death threats. It is a sad state of affairs when the media is biased and doesn't tell the complete story. As a white woman, 60 years old, I enjoyed the spirit of Trinity. I heard absolutely nothing offensive. Although if I had walked in and walked out a few minutes later I could have misinterpreted the message. Not hearing the entire message. I took a bulletin home and have read and re read its contents. Maybe if you do this you will understand of what Rev White speaks. Please avail yourselves of finding the truth about his special church. Thinking people will never agree 100% with what a pastor preaches or the particular doctrine of any particular denomination. However, repeatedly showing Rev White in small snippets only encourages people to judge a book by its cover. Thanks to Charlie and Kenya to have the insight to sponsor an event like this. Warm hello to all the great people I met.
-Mary Beth
GLENDA'S EXPERIENCE
Proud to be part of this group and even prouder to be a Barack Obama supporter
Hope. It's what so many youth of today are void of. I see it in schools all around the country. Being educated isn't cool, being articulate is being a nerd. There are more middle schoolers seeking to be Paris Hilton or on American Idol than there are seeking to be an attorney or a doctor. Why? Because for many of America's youth these are not only unpopular careers, in many cases youth think they are unattainable careers. This hopelessness leads in many cases to taking or selling drugs. It leads to violence in gangs or teenage pregnancy and eventually jail or death. Hope?
This is a defining moment in America's history. It is defining because our children are the future of America. This moment in politics will be with us for the rest of our lives, just as JFK and Bobby Kennedy are with the generation before us. This moment is the moment of hope that is missing in our generation. This hope is the savior of the confidence of a young generation that when they stand up, when they fight, when they work, they are empowered and they make a difference. It infuses them with this Hope and screams that they MATTER. That they can change the world, one person at a time, and most importantly, starting with themselves. Hope.
