President’s Day

Those of us volunteering for the Obama campaign in Western Pennsylvania know that there is no guarantee that Senator Obama will ever stop in Pittsburgh. We are all pulling together to create community events that will engage a variety of demographics and even the arts, and we hope that leads to a positive energy that empowers Pittsburghers. Pennsylvania will be one of the last big primaries after Texas and Ohio (March 4th), and although we can hope that Barack Obama & co. make a pit stop out our way, those decisions are made only days prior.

To celebrate President’s Day I persuaded an apolitical friend to take me to Youngstown State University for the Obama rally. I had very much wanted to go, and thought I had to work but my office surprisingly got the day off. Even after that fortune it seemed no one from the Pittsburgh for Obama group could go out to YSU, but a friend came through at the last minute!

It was anything but disappointing. We arrived at 11:30 am, doors opened at noon. It was non ticketed, but they had to keep count, so people were just amassed around volunteers who had sign-in sheets (just to get volunteer info, really). Thousands of people lined up the length of campus. Luckily, we got in promptly, decided to stand up near the stage opposed to the bleacher seating. Why would one rather sit up in the bleachers opposed to on the gym floor front and center? Well, it was a 2 hour wait; but it was well worth the wait.

Obama shared rhetoric pretty similar to his last few speeches, all inspiring yet stern and specific about why and how he plans to provoke true change. I didn’t even realize how thorough it was until people started asking me about it… I realized he covered all his bases. Here is a bit of his “Keeping America’s promises” speech.

Rallies are no place to become politically educated. It’s like stepping into a megachurch and seeing a euphorically energetic congregation chanting and cheering; it can seem dogmatic and cult-like with no context (bad example?). So while the energy at these rallies are through the roof, and speakers like Obama outline their platform with eloquent proverbs and points of action, of course it doesn’t provide context. Which is why most people go to rallies with their minds made up, just like the Senator goes on stage already knowing what he stands for. Otherwise, its easy to criticize the energy purely as charm and rhetoric with no substance.
However, I happened to go with a friend who really does not buy into the importance of the national political process; the entire car ride there it was an on going discussion. I hear it a lot, and I understand people not being into ‘politics’, but I don’t understand not being inspired by the human spirit. In any case, my friend left saying that the messages seemed authentic and were pretty convincing. I still sent him a Hillary speech just for some perspective; errr for the kids reading at home, don’t just watch speeches, read third party articles and look at the political records too.

So, here I am, a bit tired and disheveled,  but supporting Obama no less!

Cheers & L’Chaim

“It’s cool, we get it,you’re not racist; just the people who put you in office are.”

“You’ve got conservative whites here … who are not ready to vote for an African American candidate. I believe, looking at the returns in my election, that had Lynn Swann been the identical candidate that he was — well-spoken, charismatic, good-looking but white instead of black — that instead of winning by 22 points, I would have won by 17 or so. I think there was that factor there. And that exists, but on the other hand, that’s counterbalanced by Obama’s ability to bring new voters into the electoral pool.”

- Gov. Ed Rendell on the majority of Pennsylvania constituents

My response posted to the article when it ran in the L.A. Times:
“No matter how true or untrue the governor’s assessment of his state were, it is that exact racism and flawed political mentality that we are rallying to change. He is practically condoning it by suggesting that his decision to endorse Clinton was influenced by this ‘reality’.
I don’t know about the Governor but when I vote on April 22nd I’m going to pick the candidate that is a catalyst for change, not one that simply reinforces where America stands. If I were Hillary, I would be offended to take votes simply because I am white.
Obama does not just bring ‘black voters’; he brings Independents (I just transfered to Dem for the PA primary), new voters, Republicans (RepublicansforObama.org), and those who have been politically apathetic for the past 8 years…” There was a closing, but that sums it up.

 

Governor Rendell offered a semi-rebuttal in the Post Gazette today, which was also disappointing…

In any case, Governor Rendell at this point is essentially whining and still defending his comments as ‘honest’. Pollsters can say that there has been racial affect, although to what degree is unknown. As a Governor, to simply say that your constituents tend to reject the Black candidate is virtually condoning it. If he meant to lament the fact, as a public figure he should have finished the thought “That is an unacceptable mentality that continues to hinder the government process.’ Perhaps he does not agree with the latter part of that statement, but again, that is in line with defending this entire viewpoint. He should have either been more tactful in his statements, or at least clearer; I can’t possibly imagine how he thought Pittsburghers would just let that go.
Governor Rendell’s entire defense and mentality is just another reason I am voting for Barack Obama; the last thing anyone needs is politics as usual… my next political rant will be about how the superdelegate situation is equally as frustrating.

 

Cheers & Happy St. Valentine’s Day

Pittsburgh A’happenin

There are so many events out there. For those of use well-connected or at least wanting to be, we know about them, yet even better, those that are motivated actually attend, and if one might be of the super-breed, they organize and participate. This week I was on the second tier of that scale, but still met some cool people and found some cool stuff.

I finally made it out to “I Made It!” (no pun intended?) at the Union Project in Highland Park. It’s basically like the Handmade Arcade every month or two; DIY vendors with crafts, jewelry, and clothes pack into the beautiful great hall. Just walking around seeing the unique, one-of-a-kind pieces is enough to make you drool.
I fortunately stopped myself from buying something from every table, for my wallet’s sake, but did pick up a fantastic pillow-case style dress (made from the same cotton a Hanes tee is made of) from Jet Boy Jet Girl, and adorable hand painted dragon earrings from Birds of a Feather.

Other vendors I urge you to check out:
The Plum Crazy Tree Great kitschy accessories
Maggie Craft (page isn’t finished yet)
Robsmig Crafty earrings that are as light as a feather!

There were so many more,( including Party In My Pants reusable menstrual pads!) and you can browse the list at I Made It’s Myspace page.

While I not only believe in supporting local, independent vendors, I am trying my best to be an active citizen this political season… beyond my daily NPR and CNN indulgence.
I had three Barack Obama events (my candidate of choice) this week: A Super Tuesday Watch Party, Allegheny County Democratic Endorsement Meeting, and Democratic Volunteer Party.
Suffice it to say that I only made it to the Watch Party, due to my car failing at a time needed most!

However that event went well, and John even made me a homemade Obama tee shirt, since the official shop has everything on back order. About twenty of us crammed into the intimate upstairs of Doc’s Bar & Restaurant in Shadyside. We signed petitions, met friends of friends, wore buttons, and cheered every time they showed Obama’s numbers (and probably each time they said his name, after a few drinks). People generally associate these events with just politics, which is a highly demon-ized word, but the more I go to meetings and events to support Obama, other themes seem common: people excited about change, who feel empowered, want to feel unity, support loved ones (which is why John tags along with me), wanting to understand the process, or people who are interested in the community energy at each event.

Upcoming events and issues:
-Valentine’s Day
-Party at Belvedere’s for Ass Dragon… something or other
-BlogFest!
-Britt Neff’s birthday

Support a sister; subscribe to a blog, vote Barack.

The South Will Rise Again!

I try very hard not to be biased at the beginning of every political season; people say they try to do this, but it is pretty hard to lay out your views both subjectively and objectively without letting irrational emotions get in the way. I believe emotions are a factor but like I said- irrational emotions need to be checked. On top of that, yes I write off those that identify themselves as Republicans because I know factually I do not agree with their party platform. But hey, I still read up on each candidate, even Mr. Huckabee, and those who drift from the platform such as Ron Paul.

So, when I defend Barack Obama, it has nothing to do with endorsements or disdain for opponents. While I am volunteering for his campaign, I’m not going around asking people to vote for him; I spend the majority of my time discussing the dynamics of the entire race, how to get registered, switch parties, etc. I try to be open minded, and understand people come from different places, but here is something I’m sick of hearing:

“I’m not racist, but I’m not sure America is ready for a Black president.”

If you are a female, and a man tells you “I don’t think America is ready for a female president”, that sounds pretty fucked up, doesn’t it? Yes, “black” is a social and cultural notion, but as many analysts will say, Obama relates to his “blackness” in his own way that is relevant to his multi-cultural upbringing AND he is just as white as he is black.

People who are not voting for Obama because they ‘don’t think America is ready’ are on-par with the people who have casted him out because of his race.

You and I are America too, and I refuse to let the fear, ignorance, and hatred of a few people in Middle America (that also elected Bush) override what I know is right. As for the white elephant in the room, Mr. Obama and his family have already considered the harsh reality that these people exist and there might be an attempt on his life. Lord knows we hope this never ever becomes a reality, but Obama understands that not everyone might be ‘ready’, but it’s worth the risk, and this isn’t about him, it’s about all of us.

I guess it’s a lot easier to act on fear, but I really don’t want to be one of those people.

 Cheers