I don't need to tell anyone that we in the U.S. are engaged in a landmark Presidential election. I have been following the news, feeling alternatively very hopeful, very angry, and very worried. Since last week, I decided that sitting on the sidelines and wringing my hands wasn't enough. If there's to be a change, it has to come from the bottom up. We're the ones that have to get engaged. Get our hands dirty. Come out of our comfort zones and talk to our friends and neighbors and complete strangers. So I've been volunteering my time at the local Obama campaign office here in my small VA town. After work, on weekends, any block of time that I'm not at work or school. And while I know that I won't single-handedly change the course of the election, I know that I'm doing a small part to help. I might just be doing data entry, talking to people as they come in the door, organizing groups to knock on doors or answering the phone. But when you take a few people and put them together, they can make a difference. Let me tell you how uplifting it has been to work alongside people in my city that I would have never met. The little white-haired grandmothers who grew up under segregation and never would have dreamed to see this day. The blue collar worker who just came from a long shift of work. The white collar worker who comes in to volunteer hours after a 2+ hour commute back from D.C. High school students coming in to man the phone banks or tally data. Black, white, young, old, rich, poor, right and left...they're all there. We're all in this together for each other and for our community.
So while I promise not to turn this blog into a political zone (frankly, I'm not all that eloquent and prefer to squee over books anyways), I probably won't be posting a whole lot for the next 40 days. I've got work to do! :-)
11 comments:
sula, will you be my girlfriend??
You're doing good work, my friend. I think it's important, no matter what side of the aisle you're on, that you take action for causes you believe in.
You and I are on the same side on this issue. But it's important that we support those who will work toward our shared vision of the common good.
I'm really proud of you, girl!
Yay Sula! I can't think of a better thing to be doing. Good for you.
You and that picture make me very happy.
Good for you Sula! :D
While we evidently don't share political views, I nonetheless can tell how energized you are to be doing something you believe in.
Be proud of yourself!
Thank you for engaging in the democratic process--regardless of political leanings, we need more citizens to participate, otherwise it's meaningless.
Three cheers for you Sula!!! My heart is full with this post.
Good for you, sula!!!! You're doing a fantastic thing! =)
I wish more people treated election season as a period to learn more about politics and volunteer in the community. The more people like you volunteer, the fewer disengaged and disenfranchised voters there will be.
I applaud you, envy you a little, And am also proud of you. Good work. Very good work.
I just came back to give you my hearty and continuing support. Yay Obama! Yay Sula!
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