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Marisela Urbina (North Aurora, IL)

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18 year old college student engages in politics for the first time, Obama single handedly motivates this change.

one last thing-

By Marisela Urbina - Feb 13th, 2007 at 3:22 pm EST

Also listed in: 4 groups

Just a quick post, I came across and read this post : Link and it reminded me of one major turn off from the rally, my response....

You know what, Id hate to agree with you but it's true. At his rally in Chicago there was a gospel choir singing before he came out, and my friend who is Muslim noted feeling a bit excluded, like this campaign no longer was investng efforts into his vote simply because gospel music was not a part of who he is culturally. It is sad to say that a bit of Barack's (as an entity not necessarily a person) gimmicks (so to speak) are starting to show, this does not mean I do not FULLY support Barack, because I do.
I am simply saying maybe his campaign manager should take a look at what all these subtle gestures can be translated into in terms of voter turn out, because there is certainly an element of exclusivity and it's not a good thing.

And... really, I don't mean to be critical or rude per se, I just want Barack to be understood as a man who is open to diversity, because I am confident in that he actually is. I just want him to do well and be our president!

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The Rally; my thoughts

By Marisela Urbina - Feb 13th, 2007 at 1:15 am EST

Also listed in: 4 groups

Yesterday, Sunday February 11th I had the opportunity to see Barack speak, and rally for his campaign. His relatively short time on stage was spent reviewing some of the issues that are most rellevant as it were to the election and his campaign. It was great to be in the his presence and to hear his words through something other than a pair of computer speakers. While Obama seemingly re-capped his stances on many hot topics I was able to identify exactly all the reasons for which my vote truly belongs to him. Being a college student my focus is primarily on the education system. It is so corrupt and bias I am overwhelmed with concern for it's wellbeing, that being said Barack left no doubt in my mind that his presidency would address this issue head-on. Secondly I feel that social security is an issue that must be addressed, Barack has never spoken about social security in depth but he has successfully mentioned healthcare which can closely tie in to a general theme of taking care of America's citizens. And obviously, pulling out of war is a top priority.

However, to be perfectly honest... being around such a political enviroment was not as much of a pleasure, and not very reassuring at all. I was upset about the level of trickery, I felt as though I was just an extra in a movie. People were made to sit behind Obama for the best photo-op, despite the fact that clearly the people in those seats would be confronted by Barack's backside throughout the whole addressing, suggesting that although these audience members might not get a clear view of the event, 'hey maybe their faces will be plastered on CNN.com tomorrow!' I'm sorry but I'd rather focus on Baracks ideas and articulation, not the cameras. I was not there to meet the press, or be a poster child for political activism, I was genuine. I was there to create a better foundation of understanding for Baracks presidential campaign. I'm starting to think the political world has no room for geunine intentions, this doesnt' mean I don't believe in Barack. I understand that he has to play the game in order to get to the oval office... because hardly anyone in this world is aware enough to acknowledge its existance anyway, they are too far consumed by the commotion of it all. I just hope that Barack plays the game, and never gets played.

Call me hypersensitive or overtly analytical but I interpreted the "backs-to-Barack-faces-to-cameras" movement as a silent hierarchy of the issues at hand. It was as though my support for Barack did not matter simply because it was not being acknowledged by the media, and since the media is virtually the only communication tool for the outter world (including this very website, CNN, ABC, you name it...) about the event, i quickly became invisible. Out of (camera) sight? Out of mind. My section did not recieve posters, but guess what? Barack faced my way. I was not in the background of a picture of Barack at the event, but guess what? I was able to actively listen and tune into what was being said. But none of these positive notions were respected whatsoever. Politics are a scheme, we are pawns in some elaborate game of chess, but if I am going to play this game I'm going to study it, and work on my skills. I'm going to make this vote count.
Overall, I felt lucky to be there and sometimes a certain buzz of excitment would hit me and suddenly it'd feel as though being there made me part of a greater change, something I could only hope to see develope in its entireity. Some sort of history.

Also, I took some pictures so let me know if you are interested in seeing those!Thanks for reading,Marisela

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Obama not Bombs

By Marisela Urbina - Feb 10th, 2007 at 9:45 pm EST

Also listed in: Chicagoland for Obama 2012 | Dupage for Obama | Illinois Students for Obama

A couple things regarding Baracks campaign are creating change in my life. This change is welcome... I am fresh out of highschool, going into my second semester at a local community college. My college serves me well and generally speaking the institutions I have attended since youth have served me well, however living in the second largest city in Illinois has allowed me to see the partition that exists among the education system. This is disheartening and I yearn for change... no, really.. it sounds overtly emotional but I can not explain the way I feel when I see the poverty and the lack of education that seems to be an unfortunate effect of said poverty. I do not want Barack to eliminate all this pain, yet rationally speaking I feel as though Obama could be the one to gather and organize myself, and others who percieve the world around us just the way that I do. So that we can impact this nation. Goverment and politics never interested me previous to Barack entering the scene. A senator in Illinois, his policies and legislation basically mirrored my personal beliefs. I did some research and felt a sort of kindred spirit. Barack seems to be a very wise human being with compassion and power, and his presidency would be a dream come true. I could only ever hope that my first time placing a vote geared towards America's presidency can be a vote for Barack, Obama until today on Saturday, February 10th Barack has announced that this is indeed the way things will be. I wanted to go see Barack speak in Springfield today but I was not able to make the small-sized road trip because I have English class on Saturdays. I went to class and the topic of Barack becoming president surfaced. My professor ever so simply said "You know, I kind of fear for Barack if he were to become president, because I can see an assassination becoming a real issue" immediately my heart dropped. The injustice is overbearing. Barack has become a figure head for hope in my minds eye, he is able to be a Politician for the people and without him I would lose faith in the American Government. A fellow student immediately replied with "I could see that becoming an issue even before the election". I've taken an introductory Sociology course which changed my life, and continue to study the field of Sociology the reason these things intertwine is because Sociology taught me to evaluate the world the way it IS, not the way it would be if racism, AIDS, poverty and war were to magically disapear and so on, but the truth is... I live in America, and despite this lands abundance of opportunity- there are still many limitations hanging over our heads, and because of this given, there are people who feel that Barack as a man of color may not justifiably be a suitable President. I say that is BULLSHIT. Barack could be a white man named John Smith and this whole country would vote for him. This injustice is the bane of my existence. Racism is supposed to be a thing of the past but the same can not be said for the Southern region of the United States, the home of many voters. If this man were to be assassinated I will throw my hands in the air and give up the fight, I will give in to all of the pessimist who surround me... and I will acknowledge that the human race is one big disapointment. I will cry because right now I fully believe in the human spirit and when I think of people such as MLK, and Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, my faith is uplifted and enriched, and it is people like this who allow me to keep faith in the human race, it is people like Barack Obama.Lastly I would like to express my great enthusiasm because tomorrow I will be seeing Barack speak at the UIC pavillion in Chicago with a friend. We both look forward to hearing Barack, and I'm even hoping to meet him!I don't know that anyone will read this, and I understand that there probably wont be many young people actively engaged on this website, but I can honestly say that I wish there would be. I wish America's young voters could understand the importance of interaction and information. I am not alone, but I am not accompanied by nearly as many as possible.Until next time, Marisela

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