A bitch has been working on several campaigns and I am tired as hell!
I've canvassed...phone-banked...blogged...rallied...and there is still so much that needs to be done.
Pause...consider...continue.
Yep, 'tis time for a pre-election Bitchfirmation!
Ahem.
When we're called un-American for doing what this nation's founders did by calling out bullshit and questioning those elected to serve us...
When we're called socialists by people who couldn't define socialism without a Google search an the assistance of an online dictionary if their herd mentality-based lives depended on it...
When they drop dollops of hate in the comment section of my blog as if I've lived damn near 36 years...all of them black...and never been called that shit before...
When they hang up the phone, slam the door or walk away rather than listen and debate...
For all the drama that accompanies campaign volunteering and activism in general...
Go on, y'all!
Go on with your badass volunteer, activist and advocate self!
Because living your values is not copy-writed by any political party...valuing family and community is not the sole property of social conservatives...and patriotism doesn't reside exclusively within the GOP.
Be vocal...because the blood, sweat and tears of millions were shed so that we can do just that.
Be proud...because part of being patriotic is the expectation that we the people speak truth to power.
And be fierce...because all that drama and more is why they call this a struggle.
Yes, I don't know about y'all but I needed that.
And now?
Begin again...
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Awesome. I did need that.
So true. Every word. Thank you.
Thanks for that Sharkfu! I'm phonebanking for Obama tonight. Cold calling people is NOT my favorite thing to do, so I appreciate the inspiration.
As an activist/student/worker at co-op in a hostile university campus I want to say: thank you.
It's words like yours and people like you who inspire me to keep doing what I do regardless of criticism, mockery, and even threats against my well-being.
Now I have my batteries and spirit fully recharged!
Yes! Thank you.
Thank you!!! I've been working my butt off on the No on Prop 8 campaign in California while trying to balance my senior year of college and other work commitments. I've been drained the last couple days but I needed that encouragement. Thank you for articulating what I could not.
loves a bitch
driving out to Pa to canvass on Nov. 3rd, who's with me, babies?!?!! wooo
I am a mother of two who, as my mom always defined it, is "paid to work" (she found the term "working mom" completely non-descriptive as all moms work). My husband's schedule is every which way (he's a firefighter) so I thought I'd have a hard time being able to commit blocks of time to this election. My kids are 8 and 4.
I have my lawn sign up. I have my tshirt. I have phone banked from the local Obama HQ 20 miles away. My kids have waved me goodbye and known that I was "helping Obama" (their words). I feel that I am setting a good example for them. I am hoping that seeing this goes into their minds as an I remember moment.
There is also an option on the Obama site that allows you to phone bank from home. My house is too nuts for that.
There are many ways to help and this campaign more than any I've seen offers lots of ways for people to connect. I abhor cold-calling but make it count toward your do one thing that scares you every day and you'll be emulating Eleanor Roosevelt.
I told my kids I would never forgive myself if I didn't try to help Obama win this election. Take some control. Sign up to help! If you are low on dollars you can contribute time and effort!
Shark-fu,
Every once in awhile, I'll be meandering downtown (I'm a MetroEast girl at the moment. Job, and all), and I'll think to myself (and on one occasion aloud to my husband), "Wouldn't it just be awesome if I ran into shark-fu, and I could thank her for everything from activism to blogs to truth?" Which is really funny, given the anonymity of the internet and unlikelihood of it all (husband also pointed this out to me after wayward aloud thought).
It never occurred to me to leave it in the comments, where it may possibly be heard and appreciated. And to all the Feministing contributors. You all have made this election, all the activism, the movement, and life in general far more engaging. Thank you for that.