Evening:
Ok, now ya'll know I attended the kick-off for the opening of Obama Headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida Thursday evening. And I was cautiously optimistic to say the least...Ok, to be honest, I went into it with my fists balled up would be the more accurate depiction of how it went down.
My aim in attending was to be supportive---and to get some questions answered regarding issues of voter protection. So, I turned my car northward and headed to the 'hood.
When I pulled up, there was a lot of cars all donning Obama bumper stickers. As I tipped my way through the pot-hole filled parking lot pooling with water, I passed African Americans getting off work and white operatives donning suits hurriedly brushing past me on the phone. Upon entering the building, I signed in as a pleasant female volunteer made small talk and asked us to make donations in honor of Barack's birthday on August 4th.
As I mounted the stairs, the heat rose, the air tightened and the smell of bodies and food wafted down the stairs. As I entered the area on the third floor, there were wall-to-wall people mixing, mingling, smiling, anxious, snacking on refreshments, eagerly anticipating the kick-off activities.
After getting my bearing in the heat and crush of supporters, I milled about a bit and pressed my way onto the back to the room to find a cool spot near the window and chatted briefly with a sister-volunteer working the campaign.
Then, it happened: The program commenced. Here, it comes, I thought. Here is where the game plan is revealed...where the marching orders for the teeming volunteers are mapped out. Little did I know that my drive to the place would be longer than the program...by far.
Those gathered met various staffers, heard a senior citizen's testimony of why she's working the campaign and were assured by the regional director of the campaign's forthcoming success in Duval County. I grimaced and wondered how that would occur EXACTLY???
Afterwards, I stopped one of the lead organizers---an upbeat white male--- to share my concerns about voter suppression, voter intimidation and problems at the polls, but he assured me that all would be well...predictably, I remained unconvinced in the exchange. I then spoke with another representative---and African American female--- who spoke more candidly that there are some challenges to organizing in J-Ville, but that the campaign would do the its best. So, I consoled myself with the notion that I'd come, I saw, I supported.
I gave a last parting glance around the room absorbing in all of the enthusiasm and energy of the space...and departed. As I crossed the parking lot, I noticed a man standing outside of his truck scowling as he watched folks come and go in and out of the meeting. Now, he could have been hot, or tired or pissed off about some issue unrelated to this gathering...or was it the gathering that disturbed him...I could not be sure.
So, I drove home somewhat annoyed, but what was reinforced is that I do believe this campaign REQUIRES working in community and courage...cuz I do believe we gon' need to support each other as folks try to support Obama in Jacksonville---and beyond.
Be well!
---Nicole
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