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No Better Place Than Here. No Better Time Than Now.

Rachel Bishop — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:24:36 -0500

I know I speak for many organizers when I say that, mixed with my feelings of pride and joy for the Egyptian youth who brought about Mubarak’s resignation today is a strong vein of...dare I say it? Jealousy.

I heard the big news from Egypt today when I was on a conference call with several leaders from different youth organizations, discussing our shared strategy on Jobs and the Economy. Suddenly, I didn’t want to be on a conference call discussing our organizational capacity. I wanted to be out in the streets. I felt like I was 13 again, blasting Rage Against the Machine and reading ridiculous anarchist blogs, itching to make something change, damnit, change.

Our most visceral desire as organizers is the rush that the youth of Egypt are feeling today: standing strong with your people in a massive crowd, knowing that the world will never be the same because of something you did.

A lot of us got that rush on the night Obama was elected, though it feels like a distant memory now. And our world did change that night. But we knew - as the youth of Egypt must surely know today - that we weren’t going to wake up in the morning to a bright utopian democracy. “There’s a lot more work to do!” we told each other cheerfully on the morning of November 5th, 2008.

We know that for every shining moment of perfection, there are hours upon hours of sitting around in conference rooms, bickering and creating charts and spreadsheets and wondering why the hell all these good people can’t just make things happen together. We experience failure after failure, but we know that when the time is ripe for change, all our work will come together in one shining moment and we’ll know that we were the ones who did it.

Sadly, the youth movement in America is acting as if our moment is past. We elected Obama and felt the world changing - we got the rush! But we’ve lost our sense of urgency around the issues we really care about, because they never seem to change. The White House is our White House now, and they still aren’t prioritizing the poverty and violence eroding our communities. They still don’t care about what we care about.

But because it is our White House we’ve gone soft. They’ll meet with us now, so we go to meetings. We forget that our power doesn’t come from the politicians at the White House, and it never, ever will, no matter who we elect. No matter how sympathetic the White House is to our issues, if they don’t get the sense that we will not go away, that it is easier for them to listen to us than to ignore us because we have the people and the people demand change, they’re going to enjoy the meeting, pat us on the back and head out to dinner.

30 years is a long time for nothing to change. The young people of Egypt weren’t waiting around for the right moment; they built and they worked so that when Change made it around the corner, they'd be ready and able to act.

I’m not going to ditch my conference calls and run out into the streets today. But I’m listening to that Rage Against the Machine song I blasted so often when I was an angsty 13-year-old, and I present the same challenge that it does:

It has to start somewhere.

It has to start sometime.

What better place than here?

What better time than now?

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - GUERILLA RADIO

ALL IS NOT LOST…MAINE

Joshua Fahiym Ratcliffe — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:40:01 -0500

When I was member of The Source Magazine, traveling across the country to interview celebrities or speak on panels was business as usual. Though some of the subjects I wrote stories on left a lot to be desired, it was the opportunity to visit a place I had never ventured to, was what got me geeked most times. Those same feelings occurred during my recent visit to Portland, Maine observing and volunteering around ballot initiatives for their November 3rd elections.

Sometimes small is better, and Maine, being the small state that it is (population: 1,300,000/city of Portland: 65,000), a constituent’s connection to their elected officials is more intimate than say, Brooklyn (New York), and the people of Maine appear to be more engaged in the political process around the issues that affect them. We in the big cities have so many distractions that keep us less abreast about the things that directly affect us on the daily, so its not hard to see why political apathy, even in some of the most cosmopolitan of environs, is so prevalent. But not Maine. Witnessing young people as well as senior citizens phone banking, canvassing and stumping in the cold was very inspirational.

The two major ballot initiatives The League’s Maine affiliate (shout out to Harris, Jenna, Katie and Hillary for their tireless efforts) got behind were TABOR/Vote No on Question 4 and the same-sex marriage/Vote No on Question 1 proposals. The “Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights” (TABOR) proposal may see on the surface as something that anyone would want to endorse right? But the bill’s aim (which was soundly rejected in 2006) was not one of “protecting citizens.” On the contrary, the proposed tax-and-spending cap would’ve had a reverse affect in the cutting of aid to educational institutions and other social services. The resounding defeat of this proposal spoke volumes that the people of Maine cherish their vital public services, and that to balance a state budget does not always have to include as a measure, making draconian cuts to qualify numbers.

The Vote No on Question 1/"Should Maine repeal the same-sex marriage bill?", was the ballot proposal the generated the most excitement throughout the entire state, one that brought to forefront, a voter’s deeply-held beliefs about the concept and institution of marriage and the role it plays in public life. To see the organization of supporters of same-sex marriages out in full-force was an amazing spectacle to witness. One would think that the fierce momentum that the “Vote No on Question 1’ers” had on their side would translate in the voting booth and produce a victory of historic proportions. However, unfortunately, it was not to be. The measure was defeated in a close election, 53% said “yes,” while only 47% voted no. What this means is that same-sex couples are not entitled to the same legal previsions attributed to heterosexual unions i.e. health insurance benefits, just to name a few.

To say it was sad day for the LGBT community on November 4th was an understatement. Here’s a community, tax-paying citizens I might add, whose rights (or lack thereof), as a result of their bi-weekly paycheck deductions to the Federal government and their respective states deserve more than just politically-correct lip service – at the very least. I think why to date, the issue of civil unions or same-sex marriage proposals continues to be defeated in states across the country is not only just the deep-seated convictions of individuals belonging to various faith-based communities. I believe it also an issue of framing. What I mean is that too many times, the human element is missing in framing these bills. If people were simply made to see the irrationality of having someone’s parents make decisions regarding their daughter or son’s health – when they live 500 miles away, instead of that person’s partner, as an example, I think we could be closer to gaining consensus on civil unions.

Taking a position on this particular issue is not in conflict with my deeply-rooted Islamic beliefs, because I know the history of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet constantly engaged in transactional relationships with tribes who did not believe like him and his emerging community of believers. And after the community reached the desired effect of that relationship, the Muslims who were soon beginning to outnumber non-Muslim tribes in Arabia, did not force their way of life on their neighbors they had contracts with. They ended just the relationship and went their separate ways. The Prophet believed that hopefully through his peaceful example and of his followers, that non-Muslims would come to accept Islam.

So to the people of Maine, keep fighting. You have a situation in your state that many of us residing in huge metropolises’ are envious of – direct access to politicians and politicians who readily make themselves to their constituents – and because of that relationship, change is on the horizon. Sometimes one has to take a step back, to make two steps forward.

God is the best knower and the final judge of all our affairs. By being just to all his creations is where I (and all) should hope to find his favor.

Equal Rights: A struggle to be seen not as Equal, but as Us

Moni'ca Brown — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:07:28 -0500

What are we first? Are we black? Am I black? Then a woman? Then gay? How do we define ourselves? Is it by the struggles we face? Whichever is most prominent? Whichever has been in place the longest? I define myself as a Black- Female- Lesbian, because I feel like that defines the order of my struggle.

For blacks, it took over 500 years to gain any measure of equality-- and we’re still fighting. Only the fight is harder now, because the fight is symbolic, it’s symptomatic; the fight is against the mind and the hearts rather than actual solid structures or rules set in place to confine and restrict us. I define myself as a woman second to that only because the Woman’s movement while at time’s paralleling the black movement, and perhaps being in spirit a movement that has been in place since the beginning of time, only gained momentum in the 17th century and is therefore a shorter movement of resistance. Women have always been beside Men, whether or not they were conscious of this fact. And still in this country the Women's Movement isn’t won. Women still get paid less, women are still seen as less. It’s just become harder to fight, because on the surface our first demands may have been met. Which brings me to the Gay Movement. Which is still in its infancy. And is met with resistance at every turn… and really looking back on the 500 years of struggle through being kidnapped, enslaved, segregated; looking back on the Women's Movement from 1698 onward, fighting for mainly women’s rights to property, their body, and finally the right to vote, that’s at least holding close to 400 years of documented fighting in its arms as well.

The Gay movement in America took its shape and form in 1924- the day many of the movements’ websites document as the official beginning- and that says a lot. Not even a century of active struggle is being documented here in the US… a movement in its infancy. We have a long way to go. The irony is not lost on me that these movements are larger than the timeline’s given them. Gay’s didn’t miraculously emerge in the 1920s. Women weren’t only repressed starting from 1600 and on. So what do dates matter? Am I defining my subcategories of how I fit into America based on how far we’ve gotten? How far we’ve come in the movement? I do not know. But I do know, that despite how far we have come as African American, Black, Negroes- the list of what is acceptable at what time in history goes on- we are still not equal. Despite the rights we have fought for, we still have so much further to go. As far as we have come as Women, Womyn, -however you choose to spell it- we still aren’t accepted as equal in mind, temperament, or status.

So knowing this my heart breaks after these elections when I read the comments of the people who are opposed to gay marriage and I know this one thing for sure. You cannot change the minds and hearts of the people who see you as less than equal. Change takes years. So even if we had won, looking at the comments that blaze up the blogs and articles on the issue, all I can see is how people are so divisively on one side or the other. Against each other. About my equality. As they have always been. So why are we so divided? Why are we so against each other? Why is Equality, something that purports to mean common ground, something that unavoidably causes such strong opposition, such a blatant parting of people?

It's at times like when I walk down the streets of New York holding the hand of my normal looking girlfriend, and she and I who look so young- so ordinary, we get unexpected smiles from older, middle class, moderate, Men, Women, Couples- Women with children. It's then that it dawns on me that they sometimes don’t realize we can be so normal. So like them. Just ordinary men women students who are just like them. And I think to myself, it’s not that equality is an impossibility, it’s that people have been lead to believe that we as “others” who are an “other” color, “other” gender “other” orientation, are somehow so unlike them as to be unrecognizable to them. Alienation has undone us. Our movement, so beautiful has often done us damage in its outlandishness. In our pride we’ve failed to come to a level of sameness that makes us so recognizable to those around us they can’t help but to see us as equal to them. They see us in this completely removed way, that enables them to deny us. As freaks, as outsiders, not as their children, their siblings, their friends. We are insulated, isolated, siloed . We are not of them, we have our own communities that don’t interact with them, so we have somehow forgotten that by not including them, we excuse them from seeing us for what we really are. A part of them.

These are the conclusions I always come back to. I see the anger on both sides, this refusal to find common ground, and know also that when I am tired and out of answers, history holds this heartbreaking answer to my most fervent and poignant questions for my equality in this country. With no mutual understanding and no common ground, even if we’d won in any legislative, or elective capacity, even if we’d edged out any electoral victories, what we would still lose inevitably, irrevocably, irrefutably is true equality. Because winning a vote for keeping Gay Marriage disbanned doesn’t change the minds of those who voted against it. It doesn’t make them recognize us- Blacks, Women, LGBT, Disabled, the list of minority groups goes on- as equal. We have to start changing minds and finding common ground there first. Or we will have “empty victories” that leave us with no leg to stand on. Derrick Bell in Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism, once stated, “For too long, we have worked for substantive reform, then settled for weakly worded and poorly enforced legislation, indeterminate judicial decisions, token government positions…If we are to seek new goals for our struggles, we must first reassess the worth of the racial assumptions on which, without careful thought, we have presumed too much and relied on too long”(Bell, 13-14). Bell’s revisiting of things that we gained and therefore lost in the Civil Rights movement carries particular poignancy for me this morning as I remember not to be too easily moved by empty shows or symbols of equality… or too easily dismayed by an electoral indication that proves what I have already realized. We still have so far to go.

History has shown again and again, that to be truly equal, we must be seen as equal. This isn't found in laws and legislature, but in the eyes of those who live next to you, walk beside you in the subway, on the streets, and stand next to you in line at the grocery store. Equality is having those all around you look at you and see You.

Immigrant Youth Speak Out For Equal Education

Jenna Vendil — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:45:23 -0400

Over a year and half ago, young activists and former students in the Portland public schools approached me about the challenges facing immigrant and refugee students and students of color in our public schools. I met with former students who had gone through the English Language Learners (ELL) track in high school who felt under-supported in their aspirations for college and families who weren’t receiving the proper notification that their kids weren’t receiving credit for the classes they were taking. I met with advocates who spent the last ten years trying to access data of dropout and completion rates based on race or ethnicity, gender, class year, and free or reduced lunch eligibility from the school department and State Department of Education, but told no such data exists.

As The League became more involved on the issue of educational equity, it became increasingly clear that young voices, especially immigrant experiences, had been left out of the debate around education in our schools. Many of the students I’ve worked with have the aspirations but lack the opportunities, resources, and support to be truly successful in school and in the community. These are the stories that need to be heard firsthand by our elected school officials and education leaders—a purpose shared by other advocates like the NAACP and Maine Civil Liberties Union who worked to organize the diversity panel last Wednesday at the Portland School Committee’s workshop.

The panel consisted of current and former students of Portland Public Schools - Jean Paul Kamanzi, Joseph Perez, Kelsey Phillips, and Alfred Jacobs – who spoke about their experiences in our Portland schools to illustrate the challenge and opportunities for educational equity. All students agreed that high school was an exciting time for them. Portland High School grad and Sudanese immigrant, Alfred described his experiences as a former ELL student who enrolled in college after high school, only to drop out of college because he felt ill-equipped and prepared despite having a high school diploma. For Jean Paul who also attends PHS, his frustration is that he’s not able to take more challenging classes in math and science because he is an ELL student. Joseph who was a successful member of the wrestling team when he attended Portland High but eventually dropped out, talked about how the only time he got to see the principal was when he got into trouble.

Our public schools are our most vital areas of investment—it has potential to be the greatest equalizer for our most vulnerable families. It's possible for Portland to become a model district in which all students are prepared to learn actively, think critically, and pursue even greater successes after graduation. We have the opportunity to provide the training, support, and tools needed for all our youth to be successful, productive members of our community. It’s not okay that our public schools fail to meet the needs of our young people.

With a new superintendent and a fresh School Committee, there’s hope for education advocates to participate in meaningful dialogue to reduce race and class inequalities in our educational system. Teachers and former community advocates have made equity and diversity a critical part of their work in education, but this work needs the increased support of the superintendent, school committee, and the principals. We look forward to taking the next steps needed to ensure all our students are learning for their future.

What Would Jesus Do… About Healthcare?

Hakim Bellamy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:03:15 -0400

Before delving too deeply into conjecture about what the “Son of Man” (Acts 7: 54-57) would do to...man, I must fully disclose my spiritual position for reasons of integrity, impartiality and intent.

I grew up in the church. Sunday schools, vacation bible schools, choir rehearsal, bible study, you name it, I was there.

As far as philosophy, I’m cool with all the precepts and commandments. Love the “do unto others stuff” Jesus was spittin’, as well as the “you are me, I am you, we aught to treat each other like God is within us” stuff he was livin’. I dig the parables that he spoke just as much as the parable that he was and all, it’s just the subjective interpretation of this man’s bible-ography that gets me all unsanctified from time to time.

What I said was, “To the opponents of healthcare I would pose this question, ‘what would Jesus Do?’” Then, I facetiously followed up with, “Probably write his Congressperson or Senator, of course, because we all know Jesus wouldn’t want any of his lil’ children to suffer, right?”

Suffer what, you may ask?

Suffer the “I got mine, you better get yours”, pay or die healthcare system in this country.

My opinion was rooted in the logic that Jesus wasn’t a “fend for yourself” kind of guy, so this American healthcare hustle that has been the pride and joy of the capitalist paradigm for big business and corporate government wouldn’t have worked so well for him, I imagine.

I remember him being more of a “brother’s keeper” kind of guy, dare even a “socialist” of sorts but that could be considered blasphemy in certain parts of this country where the far up in class and the far right in religion get “far out” together.

Thankfully, I have some super savvy cats in my Facebook blogosphere that keep me informed, and in this case, saved me from myself before I started prematurely shopping for a new brand of theology. Mountainair, New Mexico friend, poet and organizer, Vanessa Vaile reminded me not to count out the religious left. The Sojourners were founded in 1971 around an opposition to the Vietnam War.

Just like me, they probably surmised through common sense and a gander at a book or two in the bible that Jesus was more into resurrection than executions. Even as a death penalty “sentencee” himself. He didn’t have that sort of Twin Towers, retribution-type rage. Vanessa reminded me that the Sojourners dug that when they shaped their mission to articulate the biblical call for people of varying faiths to social justice, inspiring hope and building a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church and the world.

Vanessa also mentioned the Quakers.

I’d be remissed if I didn’t include the Quakers in the bean-spilling of my spiritual resume. I went to a Quaker school in South Jersey from 3rd to 5th grade. Sat in meetings of worship in a hall that actually still had trick doors, secret passages and tunnels that were used to assist escaped slaves during the Underground Railroad, at a time when a large number of Protestant ministers and Catholic Priest preached salvation on Sunday and practiced slavery and segregation Monday through Saturday.

The Quakers impressed me as a people of conviction who could not, in good faith, use misinterpretations of a book (“good” or bad) to justify war, slavery or heteronormativity. We are talking about a religious group with followers who founded Oxfam and Amnesty International here! Contrary to religious groups with followers that bomb abortion clinics and priests that touch little boys.

Now maybe I am getting a little too “finger pointy” for all my well documented, Church-grown training at the top of this piece. But I distinctly remember my old classmate Kristen Smith Jones reminding me that Jesus really wasn’t the Senator writing type back in the day. He was more of a table-flipping, money lender scolding kind of guy.

Perhaps these town hall peace disturbers believe that, in a way it makes them more like Christ.

However, Jesus was always on the side of the people (read “Jews and Gentiles”) not the pharaohs and the banks (read “Big Pharma and Blue Dog Democrats”). Fortunately, there are folks on the right that see the light (no pun intended). And I am not just talking about religion, I’m talking about the big and small business cats with half a brain that know that single-payer IS what’s best for their bottom line. This includes any and all businesses whose revenue is not partially derived from the healthcare shell game, meaning all those that do not profit off of illness.

Fortunately there are folks on the left, like Wendy Schultz (Assistant Producer and wife of Ed of The Ed Schultz Show) who commented: Hi Hakim, We agree with you and Ed will be talking about this today! The leaders of the Christian church have been silent on healthcare reform.....shame! Thanks so much for all your support....it means more than we can say! Wendy...& Ed (Received on 8/13/09, so check out that archived show at www.bigeddieradio.com)

Fortunately there are some good, liberal Christian folk on the left who subscribe to such teachings as liberation theology. This doctrine emphasizes the Christian mission led by Jesus’ example to bring justice to the poor and oppressed by way of political activism, just like he did.

Finally and fortunately, at least there are some good, insightful, level headed folks in the middle that can see the future of this wildly burning fire that is baptizing the healthcare debate. Mentor and mate, Gene Grant suggested that we are headed for a “correction” on who owns faith. Me, I pray for the best for every human being on this green earth whenever I raise a glass of fermented antioxidants and tannins (the red variety of course to combat heart disease) and speak the mantra “Salad” (Health). My preventative medicines of prayer and wine are not to be taken lightly in this debate where humanity and rationality both seem to be at a premium (Okay, no insurance pun intended, but it was cheeky nonetheless!)

Even gesundheit means “good health”, God bless you and me. As a matter of fact, God likely would like US to bless all of those without the good fortune to have “survival of the rich” healthcare.

Those zany liberation theologians consider sin the root source of poverty. However, the sin that they speak of is actually exploitative capitalism and class war by the rich against the poor. Yeah, so God bless US all and I’ll continue to pray for single-payer, universal healthcare. Neither because I am overly religious nor because I am a bleeding heart liberal. In fact, let me re-clarify my spiritual position so you get where I am coming from. I’m a liberal Christian or a “socia-spiritua-list” (Hey, I’m a trademark that.)

Why, you ask?

Because I am pro-choice and pro-capital punishment.

As soon as we can find an unbiased system that doesn’t disproportionately put people of color on Death Row and never executes an innocent person.

Maybe wishful thinking but I already know I have a long way to go before I am a moral authority on anything. However, some people on the other side of this healthcare debate can relate to that “eye for an eye” part of my psyche. In that case, I respectfully submit to them and our officials in Washington that we just want what you’ve got, an “I” for an “I” (Cause you’ve got great “I”nsurance plans so we’ll have what you’re having.)

So perhaps this appeal, that is aimed at the Christian/Evangelical right...yes, quite literally the proverbial “choir” that I am preaching to...will get a better reception than some of the emotionless, spiritually void messages have received to date. Because in a left leaning way I am like you. I am currently insured. I am a sucker for the Jesus story. I follow the same God he spoke of...for me (s)he just answers to a bunch of different names like Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah, The Most High, Universe, Higher Self and “dude” interchangeably, but always answers...maybe in silence, but always in due time.

That’s just what Jesus does. Now what would we do?

Maine League Helps Pass The Peninsula Transit Study!

Hilary Frenkel — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:00:30 -0400

The Peninsula Transit Study passed unanimously by the City Council tonight! After sitting through a very lengthy discussion about the difference between a liquor license and an entertainment license, and the policy that goes along with deciphering between the two, I thought we would never get to the vote. I did learn, however, that ‘Naked Shakespeare’ is simply Shakespeare without costumes and is not nearly as provocative as it sounds.

But alas, the time came for item 10 on the agenda and Felicia Teach, Hilary Frenkel and Stephen Scharff, all dazzled with “Pass The Peninsula Transit Study” stickers, made comments in support of the study. We reminded the Council that passage was great, but without implementation it meant nothing. They also heard about the strong need for better bus routes with more stops to accommodate people’s needs.

There was only one testimony against the study by a man who felt that the passage of the study would mean an effort to eliminate roads and all single occupancy vehicles (SOV’s).

When it came time for the Council comments, Councilor John Anton clarified that this study would do no such thing. It would simply level the playing field, giving no mode of transportation priority, but giving each fair and equal resources. And Councilor Kevin Donoghue eased our worries about implementation by giving examples of parts of the plan that have already been implemented. He also assured us that the Transportation Committee has already outlined their plan for the rest of the legislative year.

The Councilors all seemed quite honored to be given the opportunity to vote on this study. Councilor Dan Skolnik gave credit to The League of Young Voters for doing such great work on this issue. He also gave props to Councilor Donoghue for spearheading the committee and making this happen.

The victory is ours. Now we need to make sure the City is held accountable to the implementation so our win matters. Congratulations to all who worked so hard on this!

The Different Shades of Green

Steve Romain — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:14:34 +0000

At about 1 AM on Tuesday, March 3rd, I arrived back to my apartment in Brooklyn, New York. The weather was devastatingly frigid and I couldn't see my hands in front of my face - my bus had arrived really late on the count of a blizzard that attacked the northeast. As I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, sleep would not come easy. Even though I hadn't slept in about 20 or so hours and had spent the majority of my day trying to figure out how to get home, I was overcome with a sense of energy and passion that was instigated by the weekend I had just spent in Washington, DC.

I was in Washington for the Powershift 2009 conference, in part to act as a representative of the Brooklyn League and as well as an Operations representative, to help run the show in the background. I first became involved with the League in June 2008, as an intern in the Brooklyn office. Since then, I've grown progressively more passionate about the work we do. I had registered people to vote, gotten people to sign the PowerVote pledge to keep politicians accountable and become more vocal and politically aware. Old habits die hard, however, so I tended to approach everything I did with a touch of cynicism or apathy.

As you can see on the Power Shift 2009 News Post, many were gathered at the DC convention center to learn, work together and lobby congress on behalf of clean energy and a green economy. When we arrived at the convention center earlier that weekend, I admit, I was cynical. Perhaps it was because I was on a bus for four or five hours, but I found myself in doubt of what a bunch of kids gathered in a convention center, yelling about green energy could possibly do.

Moments later, I found my cynicism crushed by the power of inspiration. The first thing I did when I got to Powershift on Friday night was run to a speech by Green For All founder Van Jones, author of The Green Collar Economy. Van Jones is the first African-American environmentalist to have a New York Times best seller. Immediately following his speech, I knew that the mood of this weekend was going to be unlike anything I had ever felt before. Mr. Jones called upon young scholars of all different races to embrace the age they had been born into, bringing together those who had felt lost and lonely for so long to channel the pain in their hearts and allow it to manifest itself as passion for change. Like countless others, the anger, frustration and loneliness in my heart at the current state of the world drove me into a negative state of cynicism and apathy.

As Powershift continued, I started to see countless people, young and old, of all different races coming together for one purpose: to bring about broad change to protect the livelihood of future generations. The energy in the convention center was absolutely undeniable - I had begun to see the culmination of the goals of so many embodied each and every face that walked through the crowd. Individuals of every color, creed, gender identity and age were united in a sense of hope for the future and passion for the cause. The stereotype of 'privileged white folks' as environmentalists could exist no longer - at this moment, on this day, if your heart was beating and your eyes were wide, you understood. You got it. You were now part of a movement that could not be stopped.

On the final day of the conference, my mind wandered back to the opening speech by Van Jones. I began to realize as I sat there: the movement is now and I am a pivotal part of it. As a young American, I started to get it: we were born at this dramatic juncture for a reason. At this moment, we must all come together and transcend the outdated bartering lines of race and gender to encompass a grand vision of a better tomorrow. It is pivotal for us as Americans to channel the negative feelings we carry with us on a daily basis as a fuel for change in this country. It is only with a grander awareness of our national and local communities that we can join together and strengthen this movement.

Unity breeds strength, and strength is required in the fierce urgency of now. For the first time in our country's history, we have the opportunity to influence a dramatic shift from a historically destructive, warfare causing, dwindling energy supply to a technologically sound renewable technology that will consequently 'fuel' the country's economy. I am standing up for a better tomorrow. You, out there looking at your computer screen, listening to music and browsing through blog posts, have a fire in your heart that is unable to be put out. I am asking for you to embrace it and join me. Despite our differences in appearance, creed or gender, we must all come together to rally for the greater good. Together, we can ensure a future for ourselves and future generations. We have the power.

The Honeymoon's Over. What Do We Do Now?

Steve Romain — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:35:14 +0000

I live in a low income neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. While the popular attitude in my part of the city has been historically positive and hopeful, recently, the crisis has taken its toll. Every day, I make my way through the crowd, struggling to get a spot on the subway to go to work and school. I can’t help but notice that everyone around me is holding newspapers with big bold headlines:

“IT’S OFFICIAL – WE’RE IN A RECESSION!”

“BILLIONS LOST IN MADOFF’S INVESTMENT SCHEME!”

“UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HIGHEST IN 25 YEARS!”

The faces of the people reading it are always drawn in scorn and sorrow. While the newspaper rarely prints anything that is overwhelmingly positive, the dismal sense of hopelessness has taken over for many. It feels like every day, things are getting worse and we have no control over our lives anymore. However, it is always darkest before the dawn: we – as a community – can solve the problems that plague us.

Enter 99Problems.org: a project of our sister organization, The League of Young Voters Education Fund. The 99Problems team is working hard to develop an open forum for discussion and problem solving in communities across the United States. Each day, we highlight a problem that is affecting us, in a local or national sense, and action that is being taken to combat that issue.

Our content is firmly based on your voice: we want to know what is bothering you. We want to know why you worry about your future. We want to know what drives you nuts about your community. Is your school the pits? Is violence a problem in your neighborhood? Are jobs absolutely non-existent in your neck of the woods? Are you as mad as hell and you don’t want to take it anymore?

I am asking you to join us. Together, we can solve these problems that plague us and move swiftly forward to a better tomorrow. In unity, we find strength. And it is only with community strength that we can realize the dreams that we wish to achieve.

A little time now could be worth a lot of time later

Matthew Isgro — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:45:20 +0000

How old are you? Do you know how old your district's City Council representative is? One clue: the youngest is 30. And why do I ask? I have to answer that question with another question: have you heard of peak oil, or permaculture?

As young people, we will live with the consequences of peak oil and climate change longer than any older generations. So, technically, we are the greatest stakeholders. As a result, shouldn't we have the greatest say in how we deal with these problems?

Peak oil is a simple idea. In 1956, a geophysicist named M. King Hubbert predicted that 30 years (or so) after a region 'peaked' in oil discoveries (after the peak, the total discoveries of oil reserves will always be less and less as time goes on), it would then peak in its oil production capabilities. So, you start finding less and less oil, but it takes about 30 years for that to affect actual production and then the market.

'Hubbert's Peak' has been tested and proven regionally time and time again. In fact, those stories lead up to what we're dealing with today, which is a global peak in oil production. That is to say, global oil demand exceeds supply. The result is that oil and other fossil fuels (which includes natural gas, coal and uranium) will go through a period of very high-, low-, even higher-, a little lower-, even higher- and higher still-prices. What we've seen so far is the first high and now we're approaching the low. Supply and demand are playing a volatile game of tug-of-war which will ultimately end in a price for fossil fuels—and all that is derived from them—that is simply uneconomical.

Other indicators include a dramatic rise in resource wars, which we already see in U.S. vs. Iraq and Russia vs. Georgia (just look at these regions and their role in either producing or transporting fossil fuels). Because our food is now produced and distributed through a system completely reliant on petroleum (transportation, pesticides, fertilizers), that, too, is entirely vulnerable. Biofuels, also, represent a great threat so long as they actively compete for land (whether forest, grassland, or farm): over-dependence on biofuel threatens the both the climate and food prices.

Climate change is the most direct result of fossil fuel consumption, and it's the one that should concern our generation the most. Dealing with peak oil is probably the first great challenge we'll face. Climate change is certainly the greatest and most long-term.

Think of climate change like this. Our population started consuming a lot more energy—an exponential increase—after we discovered coal. The amount of fossil fuels we've consumed has always increased as our population and economies have increased (remember that economies need to grow). We know that the negative results from fossil fuel consumption lead to climate change (among many other problems), but now it's time to add some context for considering how fast things are going to move in the future.

It takes a pretty long time for the consequences to add up to a point where they can tip our entire global biosphere out of wack (about 150 years). The problem is, once we're at that tipping point, it's basically too late to avoid at least a lot of trouble. Things start changing really fast (like ocean currents, plant respiration, species survival, food prices, clean water, health care, etc.), and they keep changing really fast for a while until a final equilibrium is reached. This is when population size and energy/resource availability come back into harmony.

"That's a basic outline of some major players in a game that will challenge that you, me, and everyone else our age and younger for a long time.

Or will it be a long time? That's the most important question, because there are a lot of really great solutions taking place in our community and many others. They're all getting started, and they can make a huge difference, but it comes back to that matter of time. We're getting to the point where the typical, old-school pace of political change is not going to cut it if we hope to avoid the greatest catastrophes of these challenges, catastrophes which people our age will undoubtedly pay the biggest price for.

There are many in the community who want to do something new. We want to create a model for public process: how much influence and involvement the public has in government policy issues....like developing the Maine State Pier, for example. We want to create a system based on a bottom-up, grassroots approach with a specific emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Using this system, we'd like to develop a public vision of Portland's long-term, sustainable future, starting with the Maine State Pier.

We are particularly interested in new and creative solutions to some old problems. We're looking into ideas like Open Space meetings, Permaculutre, and Transition Towns for a start (just Google any one of these if you interested and you'll find plenty).

We're not yet sure on where we're going. We're not sure because we're waiting to hear from you, as your voice is most important of all to us. An older generation is waiting, also, to be inspired by your ideas and energy. We hope that you'll take the time to join us and share your voice. A little time now could be worth a lot of time later.

Now that the dust has settled, what can involved people do?

Katie Diamond — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:47:39 -0600

(originally posted at Portland Press Herald)

The election is over. Now it's time to breathe.

For a while, everywhere you turned, there was some reminder that the "Election of a Lifetime" was happening -- whether it was the constant TV ads, the Saturday Night Live skits, the overwhelming amount of campaign signs, or the multiple palm cards stuck under your door.

If one more person forwards you a YouTube video of a cartoon Obama dancing with a cartoon McCain, you might scream. But luckily, that time has passed. Your life can move on, and so can your e-mail inbox.

But there's a little bit of a "Now what?" feeling that hits post-election. All of this build-up about "change," or "oil," or "recession," or "insert-buzz-word-here" drains away and leaves a lot of questions without a lot of answers.

All this time and energy and money has been funneled into getting your attention for this one special day -- and now that it's come and gone, the television crews have gone home, and all that's left are the rusted wires from those pesky lawn signs.

The candidates have been elected, but the issues haven't disappeared. They never really will. That's the difference between electoral politics and issue-based politics. And that's the difference between the League of Young Voters and other PAC organizations -- the League sticks around and continues to make change.

It's a mantra we've been pushing for a while, but only in the wake of such an intense election cycle does it finally seem to be heard. After the 2004 election, the League refocused and reminded Mainers that we weren't -- and aren't -- temporary.

We've spent the past four years working on local campaigns, local issues, and local education. We will continue to do so, even though election season has ended.

If you picked up one of our voter guides, you probably noticed some reoccurring themes. For one, the League feels pretty strongly about electing progressive candidates -- but what does progressive mean to the League? Let me break it down for you.

The League is a pro-choice organization. To the League, being progressive means supporting a woman's right to choose; comprehensive sex education for all; a minor's right to access contraceptives; and funding for affordable, accessible abortion care.

The League is an environmental advocacy organization. Environmental advocacy can seem pretty broad, but here's how the League sees it: advocating for alternative transportation and safer bike possibilities; educating renters and home-owners about how to make their homes energy efficient; supporting the movement for green jobs; and supporting policy that helps Maine become a more sustainable state.

The League is a pro-education organization. This one's pretty obvious: the League helped support the passage of Opportunity Maine.

But to be more or less specific, being pro-education means working to engage high school and college students in their communities and promoting accessible and quality education for all.

The League is an anti-violence organization. We'd like to believe no one is "pro-violence" but it's a lot more complicated than that. Being anti-violence, for us, means being against the Iraq War and supporting initiatives to educate youth about everything from gun violence to hate crimes.

The League is a civic engagement organization -- in case you hadn't noticed. We work to engage young people in their communities, and we work to make politics accessible, relevant, and fun. Community and political engagement can be as simple as canvassing for the first time to running for office.

So what happens now that the Obama office has closed its doors, and the recycling is full of candidates' lawn signs? Now that the bumper stickers are officially dated, the propaganda posters can't be parodied anymore, and the smear campaigns are put to bed?

Now's the time to check out what the League is up to and get involved. There's no reason for all that passion from the 2008 election to dwindle away.

Prop 8: Equality is not Negotiable!

Ana Jimenez — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:03:54 -0600

My eyes teared up as I watched our president-elect, Barack Hussein Obama, make his acceptance speech. Like many I never imagined we would see a black president and here it was...Election Day…and WE DID IT! We elected Barack Obama!

I was euphoric but still worried about the damaging California state propositions like 4, 6, and 8. As I waited for the results I no longer worried about 4 & 6, but the tallies on 8 were depressing. The next morning, 8 passed.

The passing of proposition 8 did not make me sad; it made me angry. Angry that ignorance and hate won. Angry that we were voting on whether two people have the right to marry – who am I to decide that for someone else!

Now it is post-election, and there has been instant backlash around prop 8. Both sides of the issue are at a standstill. It is odd that some people against gay marriage consider it an extreme political view; how can it be extreme for people to be equal, to enjoy the same rights as their neighbors and the same ability to make their own decisions about the next phase of life with their partner. It is immoral to not give their union the same significance as the title of marriage.

I myself am a straight woman. I was raised Catholic with a traditional Mexican background, but in San Francisco, where we liberals are abundant. Unlike the typical female stereotype, I never had a picturesque view of what my wedding day would be like. I don't know the cut of my dress or how big I want it to be. I did not grow up day dreaming about my marriage at all. If anything, marriage scares me- I see its beauty but balk at the commitment and expectations. Growing up, every time I did something "domestic" like cook dinner or clean the house it was referred to as preparing myself to get married. In my rebelliousness, I would always respond "No, it's to prepare myself to be an independent woman!"

I never thought that marriage was a required phase in my life and still don't. If that is where life leads me, ok. But I have the choice, the RIGHT- I have the freedom as a straight woman to opt in or out of marriage. And it is unfair and unjust to not give everyone that choice no matter what their sexual orientation is. In 1967, interracial marriage was legalized – 41 years ago! It was every bit as deplorable to prohibit the union of two people from different racial backgrounds as it is to prohibit the marriage of two people of the same sex.

Love is universal – no love is second to anyone else's. Families are being created through these unions, and they are beautiful. They mean as much as families formed from "same sex marriages." The struggle by the gay community to receive the right to marry is a powerful sign of their commitment to our society, and opponents of gay marriage will never succeed in making gay marriage a 'political view.' It is a facet of humanity that can not be overruled.

He absolutely had to be a “Community Organizer”

Hakim Bellamy — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:00:43 -0600

My good friend over at SouthWest Organizing Project (www.swop.net), Tomas Garduno, articulated this entire article for me the eve of the election on VOTE LIKE A ROCKSTAR: The After School Special which aired on Channel 27. In talking about the work that SWOP does in the community, he said “Groups like SWOP have been doing the work in the community long before Senator Obama made it popular to be a ‘community organizer’”. In that one sentence he beat me to the punch. Not the punchline or the story line even, but the fist extended into the air as WE, the community organizers, stand and be recognized for the work we did to make this historic candidacy possible and the work we’ll continue to do long after Senator Obama is president-elect.

      What do I mean? I mean to say that the Obama Campaign was brilliantly strategized. Hats off to Chairman Dean, Axelrod and Plough! Their brilliance lies in the fact that they did not try to reinvent the wheel. At the same time, they did not parachute campaign either (as I might argue that the Republicans have been very effective at doing in the past). Meaning, they don’t just drop into your town every four years to stump issues and plant seeds of fear, desperation or misplaced nationalism. Only to ransom your vote and then leave right after they’ve won the race, never to be heard from again until the next election cycle…though they supposedly get regular input from their constituency in order to represent you? That was the old “successful” model, now reminisced as the “last campaigns of the 20th century”, while the Obama Camp has ushered in the “1st campaign of the 21st century”.

      How so? Because they were smart enough to realize that they needed to use people already on the ground in “real American” communities all across the nation. But these people already in the trenches and fighting the wars AT HOME, aren’t easily swayed by perfect smiles, shiny shoes and fancy-shmancy check signing pens. These people have a certain disdain for authority and government, who has often said they have come to “help”, only leave the place worse off than they found it (kinda like parachute campaigning). People who have already enacted change in their communities on a local level and have a history of holding public officials accountable. People who have already had change they could believe in, because they are the agents of change in their communities. They have seen it, lived it and on a national level, waited for it for a very long time.

        Why Obama? Because he is the first candidate that knows where we, these people, are coming from. He had to be one of us. He needed our buy in to give his campaign legs in the community and in order to get that, he needed us to believe. His story was one that folks in groups like SWOP, Common Cause, New Mexico Youth Organized, NM Hip Hop Congress, Young Women United and many others could believe in. Primarily because we lived it and we can smell when someone is falsely depicting or trying to capitalize off of our “everyday”. It’s like when you’re from the streets and you hear someone talking about said “streets” and three sentences in, you know for sure that they have never spent a day on the “streets” in their life. That’s not gangsta at all.

        Why has it worked? Because we already had networks established. We have our own grassroots ground games. We already cultivated an organized, informed and active base of citizens who will get up out their homes and do what it takes to carry their neighborhoods, communities, families and schools forward. Tapping into these networks was essential for the Obama Campaign to get to this point. We are the ones out registering the record numbers of voters, convincing our gang-banging cousins to register, walking our neighbors with felonies down the path of re-enfranchisement. We are the opinion leaders in our social circles and personal relationships talking the issues with those we care about because their future is important to us. And that carries more weight than billions of dollars in TV commercials. It means more when it comes from someone you have suffered side by side with in the same economically depressed neighborhood for the past 8 years than from someone flown in from Boston to canvas your block for the past 8 weeks.

The Obama campaign understood this. Why? Because Obama understands this and quite frankly, “birds of a feather…” So stand up and take your bow community organizers. No matter what race, sex or nationality you are, one of ours has made it to the eleventh hour of the presidential race because of you. Because of us. We’ve been the change we wanted to see in the world for some time and now, finally, the world is starting to look like us. Our work is not in vain, and as President –Elect Obama realized on November 5th, neither was his. And maybe, just maybe, you, me a Tomas will all have to get bodyguards and paparazzi protection because after Tuesday, it will be DAMN sexy to be a “community organizer”.

Yes, we can. Now, we must.

Rachel Bishop — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:21:23 -0600

Our generation is the most apathetic ever, and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is the world Mecca of indifference.

Or so I'd been told.

But last night after Obama's speech, the young people streaming out of election watch parties in my neighborhood didn't return home to their lonely loft apartments for a cigarette. They ran top speed to Bedford Avenue, where a crowd of hundreds quickly formed. A car parked in the middle of the street and began blasting music, while it's owners, all of different races, danced atop it shouting "We're all one!" My friends and I broke into a chorus of the Star Spangled Banner and the whole mob joined us. A drum circle formed, replete with bongos and congas, cowbells, and bagpipes, and I was picked up and tossed in the air as cries of "Yes we Can!" mixed with "Si Se Puede!" A cop car pulled up and the crowd tensed, until the two young African-American women officers that emerged began accepting hugs from all of us. Then, with cries of "to the park!" we paraded up Bedford, dancing madly and picking up stragglers until we reached the wide green field of McCarren Park to continue the party.

Our generation was never indifferent; we were sad. So many of us came to political awareness when the 2000 election sent us the message that "It's not going to be fair, and you can't win". No more. We can, and we did.

But back to Bedford Avenue. By around 2 AM, a different set of cops had showed up, and they weren't there to join the celebration. They had decided that it was time for the crowd to break up, and we watched with growing disbelief as people who were a little slow to get to the sidewalk or who were simply trying to cross the street to go home were hit hard in the face with batons. We left then, not wanting the memory of this epic night to be tainted by a confrontation with the police.

I'm glad I was there to see what happened, though, because it reinforced for us all that while today may be a day for celebration, our work is not even close to done. Police brutality in our city is only one of the many injustices which we must now dedicate ourselves to ending in the next four years and beyond. Having a real government in office means the change we need can happen, but not if we sit back and wait for Barack Obama to do it for us.

So let's get to work, Brooklyn. Let's think about why, as wonderful as the unity we displayed last night was, the beautiful streets and apartments around Bedford Avenue are mostly reserved for the white and privileged. Let's tell the next administration that we demand a just and sustainable economy by creating one in our neighborhoods NOW. Let's end rampant and destructive development, create green jobs, and implement sustainable energy practices. I'm ready to rebuild this country brick by brick, and I'm going to start right here in my beloved Brooklyn. Are you with me?

Yes, we can. Now, we must.

Vote for hope

Khari Mosley — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:29:17 -0600

originally posted at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Back on June 20, I endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president of the United States. At the time I was impressed by his ability to break through the cynicism associated with politics.

Today, I am awestruck by the degree to which Mr. Obama has been able to do this, but even more so by the way he has inspired a generation of young Americans often characterized as superficial, narcissistic or careless. The fervor that Mr. Obama has tapped among young professionals, college students, athletes and entertainers is remarkable. What I find especially moving is the enthusiasm he is generating among young African Americans, who often are stereotyped as hopeless or aimless, or thugs.

Barack Obama has re-discovered a so-called "lost" generation of inner-city youth who, through him, have re-discovered a sense of purpose in themselves and of faith in this nation.

My experiences with these young people over the past several months prompted me to write this final appeal to the American people, just two days before the national election, to ask you to join me in voting for Barack Obama on Nov. 4.

•

Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Obama could run; Obama is running so our children can fly!

•

This was a text message from a 19-year old single mother from McKeesport that I received at about 9 p.m. on a recent Friday night. It was my "aha moment," when I knew something truly amazing was happening before my eyes.

Suddenly I started to notice the young guys with the oversized baseball caps, low-hanging pants and colorful sneakers wearing Barack Obama T-shirts. At the corner store or the club I found myself talking politics with people who had never watched a political debate prior to Sept. 26.

Soon I met an incredible group of young people doing voter registration, knocking on doors and making phone calls to get out the vote. This inspiring group includes teen-age mothers, Job Corps students and the formerly incarcerated. Most will admit that this will be the first they vote. Many were not registered themselves until this month and never cared about politics until recently.

I have watched these young people transform from devout apathy to believing that they can really make a difference in their troubled communities. For the first time in many of their lives, they have hope and faith in their futures and are ready to serve a cause greater than themselves.

•

Obama for mankind, we ready for damn change so y'all let man shine!
-- Young Jeezy from the song "My President"

•

Over the last 10 to 20 years, many leaders have tried unsuccessfully to motivate young people from the inner city to overcome the many challenges they face. The vast majority of these appeals have fallen on deaf ears.

Most young people have lost the reverence they once held for faith leaders, civic leaders and political leaders. If my generation ever had a leader it would have been Tupac Shakur, until now. Barack Obama has somehow inspired young African Americans and gained their confidence and respect.

While the lectures of the Al Sharptons, Jesse Jacksons and Bill Cosbys have alienated our young people at times, Mr. Obama has found a way to embrace them and be a role model. Mr. Obama is making it "cool" for our young people to be intellectual, articulate and poised.

This is truly significant for a generation of young people who often view these qualities as negative traits. He is uniquely positioned to challenge our young people to be better parents, active citizens and future leaders.

Mr. Obama appears to be our best hope to help rescue these young people from the perils of poverty, crime and low expectations. I cannot imagine a more noble cause in these days and times.

•

Over the last two decades, inner city youth have been demonized, chastised and written off. To be fair, these young people bear as much responsibility as their elders for the challenges they face.

Now, at a time when our future as a nation is in doubt, it is inspiring to see our young people rising above their own cynicism and hopelessness. Even more moving is the way our youth have embraced Mr. Obama's qualities and now see their own potential for excellence through him.

We have a unique opportunity to seize this moment in our country's history. A vote for Mr. Obama is a vote for our young people who have been cast away and forgotten. It is a vote for excellence, intelligence and service. It is a vote for responsibility, respect and hope. It is a vote for a lost generation that might now have been found.

I Just Voted in the Most Important Election of My Life

Kip Williams — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:22:38 -0500

originally posted at Huffington Post

I'm so excited about November 4 that I can't wait. So I didn't! I just voted early.

I voted to put a person of color in the White House for the first time ever. He's a community organizer from South Side Chi Town, and once we inaugurate him next January, we're gonna help him put this country back on track.

I voted to protect my rights as a gay man. Earlier this year, the California Supreme Court said I could get married to another man if I want to, but Prop 8 threatens to take that right back away from me. When we crush Prop 8 in November, California will be a more just state because of it, and we can focus on the other 47 states that are dragging their feet.

I voted to keep California's youth out of prison. As if we're not broke already, Prop 6 would commit billions of dollars that we don't have to expanding the youth prison system in California. We don't need more prisons for young people! We need creative solutions to keep young people out of prisons, to strengthen their families and communities, and to help them make healthy choices in their lives.

I voted to fight homelessness and displacement. Here in San Francisco, Prop B would set aside money each year to build affordable housing for the working poor, the middle class, and young families. We have a clear choice: either we make a serious commitment to affordable housing to preserve San Francisco's diversity, or we let San Francisco become a playground for the rich.

I voted for clean energy. Prop H moves San Francisco toward real benchmarks: 51% of our electricity from renewable sources in 10 years, and 100% by 2040. And even better - it will create green jobs and training programs that can provide a pathway out of poverty for young people who don't have many other opportunities. That's definitely a better option than prison... take that, Prop 6!

I don't know what it's like in your neck of the woods, but we've got a full slate out here. Besides the President, Congress, and all that big stuff, we've got 12 state ballot measures and 22 local measures in San Francisco. It takes a lot of work to be an educated voter.

As you prepare to vote this year, check out TheBallot.org. You can find progressive local voter guides, created and uploaded by people in your own community, all over the country. And if you can't find one in your city, or if you don't like what you see, you can create your own voter guide and share it with the world.

We've got a chance to make some big changes this November, both in this country, and in the world. But don't forget that real change begins at home, from the ground up. Find out what's going on in your state and in your city, and use your voice this November to make your community a better place.