This diary is only intended to start a conversation. I'm condemning no one. I only want to report my observations of an evening at a Democratic fundraising event for a local charity this evening.
I went out tonight to a Young Democratic fundraiser for a local charity. I will try to keep both organizations nameless because I don't intend to besmirch the intentions behind the event. I only report my experience this evening and my personal emotions associated with it.
I arrived at the bar this evening for this event a bit early. It being the far side of town from me I rode my motorcycle over through traffic on one of the first relatively comfortable evenings of what appears to be an approaching spring. Having walked through the area I knew generally where I was heading but still ended up walking 6 blocks around the way to find a bar two blocks from where I parked my bike.
I went in early and sat at the bar. I picked a spot near the beer taps so I could face what would be the stage and hoped I would not be reached over for drinks. Wrong.
The first group to position themselves to my right, noticed I had a nametag on and turned their backs to me. The group to my left were locals there to watch the hockey game. Isolated between I thought "Ok, I'll turn the chair back to the bar and try and engage people in conversation."
Here's where I likely give away the identity of the event:
It was a date auction of young Democrats to benefit a local food chairity organized by a relatively well known Obama FB Group. Young democratic singles working to do good things.
Here the reaching over me begins. Even though the beer taps effectively barricaded the bartender.
So I'm surrounded by guys as I'm turned toward them, using body language to show I'm trying to engage others in conversation.
I'm ignored and walled in by boys clamoring for beer.
When I joke that I come to a date auction and I'm surrounded by dudes...they don't get the polite hint.
Two men on the auction block push to either side and leave me hemmed in by two in suits (I rode...I looked nice in a black button down, black leather jacket and jeans...) and a female participant begins to introduce herself to the three of us...yet looks only at the two "gentlemen" in the suits standing in front of me. Looks twice at me and starts her schpiel.
"I work for an arts nonprofit in town. The date you'd be taking me on would be to the local theater and out for drinks on nearby "Restaurant Row." I do some acting myself..."
I interject (theater undergrad)...she looks at me, looks back at the two in suits and keeps talking (I haven't done any lately but I've worked locally 5+ times).
Chit chat...bid on me...blah blah blah.
She walks away.
Guy #1 - "Not bad. Kinda tall. What do you think?"
Guy #2 - "I'm the one lying about being here...but nice." <Hands motion Chest - Hips - Waist>
Guy #1 - Laughs "She was tall."
Guy #2 - "I wouldn't know what to do with it." <Hands motion - on boobs, then ass>
Guy #1 - Laughs again.
I think "These are young Democrats?"
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Problem 1 - Objectification.
This is a charity event and young professional "Democrats" objectify the participants?
Is a charity date auction fun or is it demeaning? The event took on a tone that I was unwilling to continue to participate in at that point.
Problem 2 - Objectification for Charity
Yes. The event was for charity and by no means were these two douchebags representative of the entire audience. But auctioning off dates?
If we're honest with ourselves...isn't this a form of pimping?
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I was pretty disgusted. I finished my drink. Tipped the bartender and walked out and bumped into the former DNC Chairman and past candidate for VA governor who was himself an auction "prize package."
Auctioning off access...again, I knew what I was getting into, but having heard what I just had it again struck a questionable chord with me.
I left. At that point the evening had taken a sour turn. I doubt the event is even over at this point...but my questions remain.
Is this what we stand for?