Every year, at Netroots Nation, a large group of the Daily Kos family gets back together, talks about the pasts, celebrates our wins, mourns the losses, and prepares for the new year. This year at Netroots Nation was especially difficult for many as two icons, rich with friends and connections, passed away, leaving us to mourn their loss and celebrate the joy in our lives they left behind.
For members of this community who knew Joel Silberman and Sean Wang — BruinKid on Daily Kos — there was sadness for their loss, but joy in telling their stories of the way in which their kind spirit and warm, generous approach to the world reached all of us and made our community as a whole better.
The tough reality of the human existence is that as we grow older friends pass away, allies and family change, and we are left with their story. Some find this depressing. I admit, I have always found it motivating; that in the end, it is the story of what we did in our life, the people we touched or change, the memories we leave behind that make our mark in history.
Joel and Sean certainly left behind large shoes to fill for their activism and kindness.
Many of us knew Joe for his work to train up, to guide and support candidates, and to build channels of communication among Democratic progressives. We also knew Joel for his warm smile, big handshakes, and hugs, and his cheerful attitude at that greeted thousands over the years at Netroots and to training sessions.
To mark his passing, the Joel Silberman Fund was created, not just to keep his memory alive, but to keep his work ongoing.
For the Daily Kos Community, and for the event as a whole, the loss of Sean Wang brought forward tears, funny stories, memories and kindness about how a member of this community, a longtime commenter and diarist, a brilliant mind and good friend, had impacted us all.
Sean Wang left us far, far too early. The memories he left behind, however, cast a shadow far beyond the Daily Kos caucus, pictured above. At this year’s pub bowl quiz, Sean, who had been a teammate of mine many years, was honored with the opening category attached to UCLA, his school, and his passion.
As we move toward our fall elections, C!U!A! will focus more directly on the efforts of volunteers, our service to the community, and our role in connecting, uniting, and acting to help others.
There will always be loss; there will always be a period of grief and sorrow. But, there are also opportunities for joy. Those who knew both of these men know that nothing can better honor their life’s work than a continued commitment to our service in our communities and our efforts to volunteer. Well, and to root for UCLA now and again and enjoy the beauty of a butterfly and nature when you can.
To recap Netroots Nation, below are some of the video streams featuring Daily Kos writers: