Given the attacks from the RNC, I think all of us could use a little primer on what Obama's time as community organizer actually looked like. Just last week I mentioned to my wife that I wouldn't be surprised if they attacked that part of his bio due to lack of specifics. Well, it seems the McSame camp vetted this part of Obama's bio about as well as they vetted Sameness McPalin.
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So what exactly did Obama do as an organizer? There's a great US News article about his very topic.
In 1985, he moved to Chicago to work with local churches organizing job training and other programs for poor and working-class residents of Altgeld Gardens, a public housing project where 5,300 African-Americans tried to survive amid shuttered steel mills, a nearby landfill, a putrid sewage treatment plant, and a pervasive feeling that the white establishment of Chicago would never give them a fair shake.
What's funny is that the resmuglicans think government sponsored programs are likely to result in laziness and a lack of motivation. They think people getting a little helping hand will get used to the free ride and never lift themselves out of the hole they are in. Well, in Obama's way of organizing, that was never a problem. You see, he likes to push people to achieve.
Obama was a stranger to the area but caught on quickly by showing humility and a strong work ethic. "We knew what was wrong in the community but we didn't know how to get something done about it," recalls Yvonne Lloyd, 78, who worked with Obama. Obama insisted on "staying in the background while he empowered us."
And what did he get done? Well, he didn't have the benefit of millions in government earmarks like Ms. Palin in Wasilla, nor did he have the benefit of millions in oil money from the state's riches, but he to was able to get things done - not by fiat mind you, but rather through others when nothing more than encouragement and persuation would work.
By Obama's own admission, there were few big victories. But whether it was getting the city to fill potholes, provide summer jobs, or remove asbestos from the apartments or persuading the apartment managers to repair toilets, pipes, and ceilings, Obama encouraged residents to come up with their own priorities with the gentle admonition: "It's your community."
Perhaps his most confrontational effort was to pressure city authorities to remove asbestos from the apartments in 1986. When the on-site manager didn't take action, Obama nudged the residents into confronting city housing officials in two angry public meetings downtown. These generated "a victory of sorts," Obama said later, as workers soon began sealing the asbestos in the buildings. But the project gradually ran out of steam and money.
So that's what Obama did as a community organizer. He helped people help themselves. He helped people build a better community for themselves. He provided job training and leadership development.
Was it earth moving? No, and Barack admits that. But while Palin was building a sports center few wanted, leaving her town with mounting debt, and trying to fire the librarian, Obama was learning how to lift people up. How can you criticize that? Really?
While McSame was hitting his stride as part of Washington's elite in the senate, Barack was working the streets and getting to know what some of the most disadvantaged have to deal with every day. John McCain would do well to understand the struggles of real Americans rather than rant on and on and on about his own struggles. Poor form really. But, that's the way the resmuglicans work.
As BooMan so eloquently stated, it really comes down to the fact that the resmuglicans hate poor people and would rather not have to see or hear of them.
I used to be a community organizer and my old profession came in for some open derision and scorn tonight from both Rudy Guiliani and Sarah Palin. That's okay. I don't mind. I actually kind of welcome being singled out for special abuse. It validates everything I do, and have done, in politics and in poor urban communities. These people hate me and they hate the poor people I helped. I understand. I already knew that. I've spent a good part of my life trying to argue that case to people that were not convinced. "They hate you", I said. Many couldn't quite believe it. During the primaries I looked at Team Clinton and I told the denizens of the blogosphere, "They hate you." Many were not so certain.
Guiliani and Palin did me a favor tonight. They came right out and told us that they hate community organizers and the people that they serve. Good. Now I'll have a much easier time making my arguments about that point in the future.
So where does that leave us? Well, I suspect that the Obama campaign has a counter move ready for this. As soon as the dust settles, I expect them to make their case in a calm and cool way without reflecting back the hate so scornfiully thrown in our direction. Why? Because that's what new politics looks like and that's what Barack represents.
For the rest of us...time to get back to work knocking, calling, registering and donating. Come on...you know you want to do it. Click the link and give a few bucks! Time to get back to work!