This is a diary that's more like...a diary, if you know what I mean.
Today was a significant day in the Democratic contest for the presidential nomination. I learned something important today about Senator Clinton. And I learned something today about the state of the Democratic Party that I'd like to share with you.
Let me explain...
"hate speech"
First, I think the news today about Senator Clinton's stance on the Trinity United Church of Christ and "Hate Speech" was revelatory.
I had never heard a politician call for a mass walk out from a church before, especially one that was known up till one month ago mostly for its Pastor's commitment to serving the people of the South Side of Chicago and a resolute commitment to the poor including those with HIV/Aids. But that is exactly what Senator Clinton did today, characterizing Trinity United Church of Christ as the locus of "Hate Speech" on a par with Don Imus.
That taught me something about Senator Clinton and the state of the Democratic Party. Rather than dwell on that, I'd like to share with you what I did in response to that and what I learned from that experience.
::
speaking out
Previous to today I had limited my calling to my direct elected officials here in California. I had called my Mayor, my State Assemblyperson, my County Committee members, my Congresswoman and my Senators. Today I did something more.
I went to this list and I google searched the Washington D.C. numbers of the Clinton endorsers by entering two things: "their name" + the word "contact." And then I spent the afternoon calling the Hart Office Building in Washington D.C. When I called I was polite, respectful, and to the point.
I said that I was calling from Oakland, California. I said that I was not a constituent but that I had a very brief piece of feedback I wanted to share. I did not mention the name of either candidate. I simply told the story of my neighbors, white, black, Latino and Asian and the school across the street.
The school across the street had, for years, been predominantly African-American like my immediate neighborhood. 40% of African American children in the United States live in poverty. Oakland is no different. The story I shared was how a band of parents, white and black and Asian and Latino had adopted that public school across the street and worked to invest in all its children and teachers and to integrate it. Little by little, parents in my neighborhood have done just that, benefiting every last child at that school whatever their background or heritage.
And then I said. That's my point.
There's no place for racial divisiveness in America. We don't have time for that. Racial divisiveness is not a value we can afford as Americans or Democrats in 2008. And, in my view, we have a choice as a nation whether we are going to come together or whether we are going to let racially divisive language and political games tear us apart. Every last person I called in the Hart Office building today got my point. I did not mention a campaign or candidate or controversy.
I shared a story and I was heard by people who were receptive...because, fundamentally, on some level, they know the truth of that basic point. That's where we are as a Democratic Party in 2008. The choice is clear. Maybe you have a story of your own you want to share. Positively, politely, succintly. If you do, and follow the technique I used above, I'm sure that your voice will be heard.
::
Skinny but Strong Project
On that note I have one query I'd like to make.
I am interested in hearing from local activists who are organizers or interested in becoming organizers who might be interested in a project I'm starting around these issues: local progressive activism, and multi-racial and multi-income coalition building.
Basically I am looking for local progressive activists interested in organizing and network building. If you are interested email me at:
kidoaklandactivism@comcast.net
And put "Skinny but Strong" in the SUBJECT LINE of your email.
Basically, what I need is:
your name
your handle
your city and state
an email address you wouldn't mind using for a listserv
a couple sentences about yourself including any local organizations you belong to
Like I said, at this point I'm looking for organizers, preferably people who have been involved in the Barack Obama campaign as unpaid volunteers in some fashion or are involved in a progressive organization of some sort, but everyone is welcome. I mean that. The key component is a commitment to local progressive organizing. People from diverse backgrounds and regions and communities are particularly encouraged to respond. Red States, rural areas, cities, suburban sprawl. You get the picture.
If you are interested I would love to hear from you and include in the process of sharing some of my thoughts for this upcoming project.
Thanks
Paul Delehanty
kid oakland