Organizing Fellows: Ben in Pennsylvania

July 11, 2008

As part of a continuing series, we’re following Obama Organizing Fellows as they share their stories and their experiences. They discuss the people they meet, the hardships of organizing, what the campaign means to them, and how this summer is changing their perspective.

Ben is an Organizing Fellow in Pennsylvania. His stories appear each Friday.

There are countless stories from this organizing fellowship that I could share with you. I could tell you about the time we went to register voters at a nearby mall only to be chased away by a security officer on a Segway scooter. I could tell you about the house party where one of the attendees performed a folk song that he wrote about Senator Obama as another guest played backup percussion with two metal spoons. Or I could tell you about the time that we woke up at a ridiculous hour (at least for a recent college graduate like myself) to go to a local train station to recruit volunteers and register people on their way to work.

But I’m not going to do that. At least not right now. Maybe next week.

The stories I want to share with you this week are about empowerment. They are about people of all ages taking hold of their future. Over the past four weeks here in Pennsylvania, I’ve watched this happen firsthand. The Obama supporters I’ve met are more diverse than I could have ever imagined, but they are united in their desire to change the direction in which our country is headed. They recognize that they have a unique opportunity to build a better world for future generations.

Take Abby, for example. She has been an active volunteer with the campaign since the primary season because she recognizes the impact that an Obama presidency would have on her daughter, Anna, who she adopted from China. It is Abby’s hope that a President Obama would show Anna that anyone, regardless of skin color or family background, can achieve their goals in America.

Johanna and Cassady are eight and nine years old, respectively, and are huge Obama fans. Cassady even canvassed door-to-door before the primary. Their mom, Stephanie, hosted a house party a couple weeks ago and made sure to include them. While the adults conversed inside, Cassady, Johanna and their friends made posters out on the deck. They feel like they’re making a difference. One of their posters now hangs in our office. Stephanie told me she thinks it makes them feel famous. Well, I hope this shout-out on the blog makes them feel even more famous.

Blossom is 85 years old, but has the energy of a much younger woman. When we met, she informed me that she wants to phonebank at least three days each week. At her age, Blossom acknowledges that she is not invested in this campaign for herself, but rather for those who will come after her.

And then there’s me. Despite falling into that historically politically apathetic 18 to 30 year old demographic, I’m working my heart out every day. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are times when I just want to give up. Whether I’m spending twelve consecutive hours in an office with no air conditioning, getting kicked out of establishment after establishment, or having heated conversations with undecided voters, this fellowship can be physically and emotionally exhausting. But whenever I feel like calling it quits, I remind myself that every new voter we register takes us one step closer to fulfilling Abby’s hopes. Every volunteer we recruit moves us toward a brighter tomorrow for Johanna and Cassady. And every phone call we make helps Blossom lay a strong foundation for generations to come.

I don’t think I have ever felt so in control of my country’s future.