During the 25 years I was a working journalist, I wasn't permitted to outwardly show my allegience to any one political candidate. I was told I had to remain fair and impartial. Funny, coming from a medium that is anything BUT fair and impartial.
Well, I have to say I did oblige (publicly). But now that I am no longer in the "public eye" I can do and say what I want about politics---or anything else for that matter. Today, I decided to go out and volunteer for the Obama campaign. Following our 30 minute training session, I was paired up with a partner and we went canvassing specific areas of our community.
I have to admit I was surprised that the "key" folks in the Obama campaign office were white. Their strategy is to have volunteers go into African-American communities and encourage people to get out and vote early---as opposed to dealing with long lines on May 6. Maybe they think we'll get so impatient on May 6 that we'll go home if we have to wait too long.
My question was why aren't we going after the "Unaffiliated" voters---primarily white voters who haven't quite made up their minds yet? Ninety-nine percent of the African-Americans I spoke with today were definitely going for Obama so I felt like my time was wasted.
Why not give this affluent African-American woman an opportunity to go head-to-head with suburbia or rural America? I'm good at talking to people. After all, that's what I got paid to do for 25 years.
Could it be someone is underestimating us---STILL?
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS