Yesterday was canvass across america, a grassroots event that requires the signitures of a large number of American Citizens who are for Health Care Reform. This blog is about my expierence as part of this small group in Henderson, Ky.
I have been a member of My.BarachObama.com since right before the election was won. I was hopeing to be able to help with the campain, in some small way. However, nothing materialized out of my involvment with this site until yesterday, 7-25-09.
I checked the website (which I had come to do only sporadically) and for the first time seen an event that was actually in my location! So I called the contact number listed on the website and was connected to a Mr. James Glenn. James was ablt to tell me a few things about the event, but was unable to give me any specifics because he was the organizer for the whole state. Getting in touch with a local contact proved to be an impossability before the event, so I decided to just drop by.
I arrive at the library at 2:01p.m., only slightly late. In my mind images are invoked of a thriving group of volunteers assembled somewhere in the Library in a large group. A small but veritable Army of citizens who are ready for their voices to be heard. People who are emotionally Charged and empowered by their collective efforts to cause Change in america. I imagine a motley group of diverse races and class's, uniting to a common cause of bringing healthcare to everyone, to Investing in the people with who'm we share a common weal as well as a common destiny. These are lofty preconceptions that I assumed and conjured up in the mist of my mind.
On entering the doors of the Public Library I see an older man about the age of 50 or better. He is clothed in jeans and a black T-shirt that features Barach Obama and holding handouts that contain information about the 3 core principles of our proposed HealthCare plan. "Are you with the Organizing of America, Barach Obama Health Care Group?", I ask him. He looks at me and says "yes". " How many people are here or are coming" I ask. " Just me and you" he replies...
It turnes out that because of the possability of rain that most people decided not to come at all. So we decided to simply stand in front of the Library and speak to people as they came in or out. I'd say the number of people who responded positivley was pretty much equal to those who responded Negatively to our promptings. Even with even numbers, a lot could be gleaned from the types of people and the way they responded. By far the most likely to sign the petition where the Poor, African Americans, and the Elderly. Those that responded rudely or negativley where more likely to be getting out of a Jaguar or other expensive vehicle, Or expressed in some way that they where Christian,.
This last assertian, that Christianity = Republicanism= opposition to Healthcare reform is one I'm sure everyone has heard at sometime this year ( If you say, click past FOX news just for a second!) . Now it turns out that the organizer of the event, who was with me, was an ordained Minister of an Evangelical Church, as well as a Former Veteran who can't even get affordable healthcare through the V.A.! His dynamic with the public was interesting, because he himself contradicted many of their assumptions just by being who he is.
After collecting the signatures I went home. I am troubled that only 2 people showed up to collect signatures, and I hope I can attract more volunteers to help-out with healthcare. I can choose to look at the small numbers and see the premonition of failure for this Health Care proposal or I can choose to continue to invision the Mob of eager participants that I seen in my mind, and help to Make that dream a Reality.
I know healthcare is so important, that reinvesting in our people is what we need to do to truly build a nation that is united. We need to realise that we are all connected in myriad and diverse and even mysteriouse ways, and that by helping others, we are also helping ourselves. Hopefully more will come to see this Holistic Vision, and join in the movement to realise it.
Thank you
Wesley Suton
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