Since the 2006 midterm election, one of my personal political activism endeavors has been to create political business cards to give the out to people. It’s just been my thing to do to help spread the word, spread solidarity vibes and try to build awareness and enthusiasm. Some people make calls, some people write postcards, some people hand out official campaign materials, some people knock doors … doing this has always been my niche, my comfort zone.
This is my latest creation. I kept it a positive tone. A lot of words in a small space but still readable. I like the business card size rather than a big flyer. It’s discreet and people can easily stick it in their pocket or if they do trash it, it isn’t as much waste or litter. The card itself is high quality, with rounded corners and a coating so if feels great to the touch and is sturdy not a flimsy card stock.
You might not see it in the photo, but as with all the cards I have made, I have the link to Dailykos on it, MSNBC and SiriusXM Channel 127 Progressive Talk Radio.
I only ordered 2,500 to start but if I can get my momentum going and get handing them out in batches, hopefully I can make another order of 5,000 more in another week or two.
I always carry about 50-100 cards in my purse. (Plus another full box in my car.)
Last night was a great example of how I give them out.
My husband and I went out to dinner, outdoor dining on a covered patio in the Norcross area of metro-Atlanta. Our waiter, a young African American man, was phenomenal and we struck up a report throughout our dinner. We were the last table leaving the patio so he wasn’t busy at the moment, after I boxed up our leftovers, I pulled out a couple cards.
I said, “I don’t want to be presumptuous but can I give you a couple of these Biden Harris cards, we are trying to help get out the vote to elect them.”
He took the cards, looked at them, and was incredulous as his face lit up, “Biden Harris? Yes! Of course! This is so awesome!”
He was so genuinely happy! I asked if he wanted some more to give out to people he knew and he said of course, so I gave him the whole stack that I had on me.
We then proceeded to talk about politics. He shared that he wasn’t well informed so we shared our excitement about Jon Ossoff running for Senate in Georgia and the possibilities we can get Rev Raphael Warnock as a Senator too. He was amazed. He had never heard of either of them. I went on to talk about other Senate seats in reach in SC, NC, MS, TX … it was a great conversation and he was soaking it up like a sponge.
He said we inspired him to want to get more involved and was so thankful and appreciative that he asked to shake our hands despite COVID.
It made my night. His reaction is why I do this.
To try to engage people that might not otherwise be fully engaged or to reinforce to folks that they aren’t politically alone. I know that as a white woman, I look like a typical Trump supporter and honestly its embarrassing … so it’s really nice to hopefully, pleasantly surprise people.
I also decided to put a Biden bumper sticker on my car.
Of all things, my ex-husband gave it to me. He ordered a set before Biden announced Harris as his running mate. I’ve always be scared about road rage, harassment or vandalism from the rabid Republicans that surround me but I am done giving a shit. There is way too much at stake.
Now I need to order a Biden button and hat. That way when I wear them out in public, when I get compliments I can give those folks a stack of Biden Harris cards for them to pass along. I am sure I will get hateful looks and vile comments too but I am just done caring.
My husband is Puerto Rican and is texting in Spanish to folks in Florida for the Biden campaign. We are doing more than ever before because everything is on the line. He is helping me be better about dealing with haters and not caring. (I always take “rejection” and negativity so damn personally.)
I encourage everyone to do something more than they did before. It’s really rewarding and makes me feel less scared.
Let me know if you would be interested in some #BidenHarris cards to hand out and I can mail a stack your way.