Do Something!

 

---

 

Do Something?

By: Stephanie Faulkner

 

"I could not at any age be content to take my place in the corner by the fireside and simply look on?" Eleanor Roosevelt

For the first time in many years, I wanted to be in a crowd. Just not any crowd ?but the one in Chicago where president elect Barack Obama would be making his acceptance speech. Being Obama supporters, my husband I were totally caught up in the moment on seeing the cheering, tears streaked and flag waving crowd on the night of November 4, 2008.

 

I never felt so moved to volunteer for a political party before but many things came into play this election year. Letting my voice be heard, though, was to risk extended family and friends knowing where I stood politically and the thought somewhat unnerved me. Although reluctant at first, my passions pushed me at 62 to become a "political activist" for the NC Democrat party.

 

My first volunteer activity was calling from a list of Democrat names from the campaign office to ask them to volunteer. From the lady who worked with the disabled that could not afford health care to the retired military gentleman, I listened as strangers shared their stories. Those on the other end of the phone pulled me into their lives and I felt a kinship with them. Many wanted to volunteer, too, for a cause they felt important? the election of a president they felt would lead the country in the right direction.

 

I went around in my neighborhood to homes with Obama signs on the lawn or car and knocked on doors. I asked if they would volunteer time for something they felt strongly enough about to let the neighborhood know their political party. People invited me into their homes to talk about campaign issues and how to volunteer, although several already were going at it strongly.

 

I called list after list the last week before the election to remind people to vote. I wore my Obama/Biden button and ?I voted? button many places I went and asked people along the way if they voted. Upon seeing my campaign button, I got lots of responses and thumbs up from those in agreement.

 

I volunteered as a greeter talking to people and handing out literature at the polls on the rainy Election Day. Many people young and old, black and white were inspired by the Obama/Biden ticket. I answered questions of those that never voted before and traded good natured stabs with the man passing out literature for the McCain/Palin party.

 

After weeks of work, I went by the campaign office at the end of Election Day to say my goodbyes to a group of volunteers closing down. One young college student had taken off a semester of college to work the campaign just about 24/7. She took the ball and ran with it and I was awed with her tenacity and the other committed full time volunteers.

 

Will Obama bring people, regardless of party affiliations, and countries together? Hopefully, he will. We, who voted for him although, aren't naive enough to think he will do miracles. He won't. but we hope and believe he will achieve something good.

 

The wonderful people I met during this campaign event showed me what activism means and I will always remember the small part I had in this life changing event that made history. Regardless of what happens, I played my best hand and when the Democrat campaign urged us in their email newsletters to "do something".

 

Do Something?

I did.