If you want to say "Madam President" in 2017, go beyond your comfort zone in 2016.
On July 23rd, Michel Martin of NPR interviewed several Democrats before the convention. One of those Democrats was Gary Frazier, founder of the group “Black Men for Bernie.” During the interview Frazier explained why he, a black man, was not going with the flow with most communities of color and getting behind Hillary Clinton.
Frazier: "I think (Bernie) gets it, and so, for me, that's what began the process of getting on the ground and going all across this country into areas where we know that a status quo established, Democrats will not go because those are the folks who are not voting.”
I am a Hillary supporter through-and-through, but I knew at the time that Frazier had a point. I do a lot of voter registration work and I know that white voter registration volunteers, no matter how well-intentioned, don’t go to the “bad” neighborhoods. Too many times have I gone to Hillary Clinton campaign offices here in Florida and heard chirpy white organizers say: “Oh, do come on Saturday! We’re having a voter registration drive at the Farmers' Market.” Too many times have I, a middle-class white woman, been stopped outside the Publix Greenwise market by another middle-class white woman and asked: “Excuse me, are you registered to vote for this state?” Lady, I’m a middle class white woman driving a new ‘Prius!’ I'm walking into a Greenwise market! I'm gently examining organic fruit with my reusable tote bag at the Farmers' Market. What do you think? Of course I’m registered to vote!!! And if I’m not, it’s probably due to some “Crunchy Mom” paranoid life view that one polite woman standing outside an upscale market with a clip board is not going to alter.
If you want to register new voters who will turn out on election day, you need to go to the neighborhoods that, as Frazier put it, “Status quo, established Democrats will not go.” You know the neighborhoods I mean. The ones that all the white people tsk and shake their heads at. The ones that the local papers portray as some sort of American Aleppo. The ones where, when you mention them, other people say “No! Don’t go there! Gangs! Shootings! Your nice new 'Subaru' will be up on blocks before you even lock the doors!”
Go to those neighborhoods.
Go to those neighborhoods. Talk to people there. Register voters. Answer all their questions. Say “Please,” and “Thank you,” and “Have a nice day!” when you’re through. But go there. No Farmers’ Markets. No “Whole Foods.” No “Trader Joes.” Go to the neighborhoods in your community that are majority people of color and REGISTER VOTERS!
I can’t go there! Those places are unsafe!
You mean those neighborhoods where men, women, and children live everyday are unsafe? Turn off the damn news and actually GO THERE and see what’s happening. You’ll see children going to school. You’ll see people going to church. You’ll see libraries and post offices and gas stations and convenience stores and grocery stores. You’ll see neighborhoods. Regular neighborhoods with regular people.
Obviously take basic safety precautions like you would in any neighborhood you’re canvassing. Keep your cell phone on you at all times. Lock your car doors when you leave. Stay out of situations where people seem aggressive and hostile. Put on sunblock and a wide-brimmed hat because it’s August. Don’t canvass after dark. But other than that, do whatever you usually do when you seek to register potential Hillary voters.
But I’m white! People in those neighborhoods are black. It’ll be …. awkward.
No it won’t. I’ve been canvassing since 2004. It doesn’t matter what color you are. When you are out on a swelteringly-hot August day with your clipboard and a smile on your face asking people if they are registered to vote…. people appreciate it. Don’t harangue people obviously. Show respect. You’re asking for people to give you their time and attention despite your being a stranger. Nevertheless all people who see someone devoting time and attention towards GOTV are appreciative. I’ve gotten iced water in the “bad” neighborhoods. I’ve gotten offers to rest awhile in the air-conditioning. I’ve gotten a LOT of people saying “Bless you for what you do. Don’t worry, I’m voting.” It’s been great.
Does it really make that much of a difference?
HELL YES! YES! IT DOES! Too many times during this election do I see white voter registration volunteers returning to the campaign office disappointed…. holding as many blank voter registration forms as they had started out with. I’m the only one returning with five, six, seven filled-out voter registration forms. That’s because I go to neighborhoods where the majority of voters are people of color. Whenever I find someone who wants to register, I inevitably find five more people who also want to register. “Oh, can I get another form? My girlfriend also needs to register.” “My son needs to register. He’s upstairs. I’ll be right back.” “Hey man! You registered? This girls says she’s registering to vote!” Three hours later I return to the Hillary Campaign office with all my forms filled out, every time. Everybody else who has gone to upscale white liberal enclaves to register voters comes back disappointed. We can’t afford to waste our precious time in neighborhoods where people are most likely already registered.
Stay away from Farmers’ Markets. Stay away from “Whole Foods.” You want to win this election? Go to the neighborhoods that have been demonized by local media. Where people’s voices are most needed to be heard.
