Okay, so I tore myself away from the socializing going on here at the Emerging Progressives forum in Baltimore to dash off this blog post...
For the last four hours, I've been surrounded by 200 or so intense, brilliant, committed young progressives. There are legends in our midst -- young and not so young -- and I can already tell that the knowledge to be transferred this weekend will be astounding. I'm telling you, it's good for my soul.
A few highlights from tonight's panel:
Malia Lazu of Boston Vote captures everyone's imagination and respect as she riffs on Non-Traditional Organizing. She talks about spokenword poets on streetcorners, speaking about the issues in a language that resonates. She demystifies organizing, saying it's what many of us are *already* doing in our communities, whether or not we're with any campaign. "My boy who works at the club knows more about, and has more influence over, what kids are doing on Friday night than we did on the first Tuesday in November." It's all about connecting with people. And she says the most important part of NTO is the O. It doesn't mean anything if you don't get the lists and call those folks six times before the election.
And it gets better...
Billy Wimsatt of the League of Pissed-Off Voters gets the crowd to say the Pledge of Allegiance, hands on our hearts like good, albeit reluctant (in some cases) patriots. I know Billy, so I'm finding this a bit perplexing. Until he concludes:
"with liberty and justice for all... And that is why I am pissed off!"
Ah, now it makes more sense.
Billy continues, "And that is why I am SO pissed off!"
We repeat after him, and no one is reluctant anymore.
"AND THAT IS WHY I AM SO FUCKING PISSED OFF!"
Now Billy is literally jumping up and down, arms in the air, screaming.
And we're screaming too, and laughing, and feeling the stirrings of a metamorphosis, deep down; the bitterness inside beginning (or continuing) to dissolve, giving way to that sneaky feeling of hope that burns in the hearts of true progressives.
We really can't stop, can we? No, we can't. We must progress. This country must progress.
Eli Pariser of MoveOnPAC made the great point that we wouldn't be here if Kerry had won; we would have slid into complacency. Now, more than ever, we can't stop. And we know it.
So here's to a weekend of feeding our minds, bodies and spirits, so that we walk away -- make that EMERGE -- rejuvenated, reinspired, reinforced and prepared to keep fighting the good fight.
And speaking of spirits, I think I'll head back down to the party now...
Hasta manana!
