Barack Obama, as a politician and fellow citizen, was able to explain the political process in that book to me in ways that made sense. I responded well to his emphasis on helping the middle class because, like me, he was raised by a single mother and put himself through university. He had compassion for those less fortunate than himself, and seemed to know how to change the country I was beginning to appreciate for the first time in my life. I finally understood the power behind politics and I wanted IN.
Before he was even the Democratic nominee, I participated in a 2 day “Camp Obama” training where I learned how to best help get my senator elected President. I drove from Chicago to the swing states of Indiana or Michigan just about every weekend to knock on doors, make phone calls and pass out information. I held a fundraiser the night of the first presidential debate and began recruiting other volunteers there. I wept in Grant Park when CNN projected that we were finally about to see change and Barack Obama would be our next President.
It wasn’t a question to me if I would travel for the inauguration but how. Luckily I was able to find 2 friends to split gas and driving time for
the road trip. When my cousin told me we could stay at his frat house on the George Washington University campus, just blocks from DC’s National Mall, it felt as if all the pieces were falling into place.
Then, about a week before we hit the road, I got confirmation from the Universe that I was on the right track. An invitation arrived, asking if I’d like to join a group of anti-war activists in “cleansing the White House” the night before our country had it’s peaceful
transfer of power. I finally had the chance to try and erase some of the harm my vote for Bush, 4 years before, had done.
On a surprisingly warm January night, I danced to the persistent drumbeat of change in Washington’s Farragut Square Park waving a fragrant wand of sage high overhead. As I watched the smoke of my bundle mix with everyone else’s, the wind began to pick up and carry our collective intentions towards the White House. I prayed in that moment to never forget the power we hold as a people. Change doesn’t happen all at once or simply by electing a new president.
Watching Barack Obama sworn in the next day, after that festival of peace I finally understood: Change won’t happen at all unless we get involved.