A path to politics

I was raised by two very politically aware and involved parents. Though they never tried to impress their opinions upon me, they were open and outspoken with us, each other, and their friends about their political views. They read the paper every morning over cups of tea, releasing little murmurs of disbelief or bemusement here and there. I had to beg my mother to let me listen to music instead of NPR on drives home from school (I didn't even bother to argue with her on the way to.)

When I was younger, I sometimes tried to read their favorite sections of the paper after they did for signs of what caught their interest, but inevitably my eyes would glaze over about halfway through any article of the political persuasion. I preferred the comics, to which I pledged, at a young age, a loyal commitment. I looked each day for my favorite comic strips as others will look for their favorite op-ed columnist. I was not following in my parents' footsteps.

It was not for lack of trying that I was unable to absorb the passion for politics I observed in my parents and other acquaintances. In fact, I envied them for it. I wanted to have a political identity and I wanted it to be founded on my own true beliefs and opinions. I often turned to my father, an extremely smart man with a great talent for explaining things, to enlighten me as to his personal political preference as well as the distinctions between the two major parties. Yet despite my best efforts at paying attention, his words fell upon my ears in a manner akin to the trumpet-like voices of the adults in a Peanuts movie.

And so, I went through the motions - of course having opinions on issues I cared about, yet still unable to confidently enter into any sort of political debate. I was 18 years old and a freshman in college at the time of the last presidential election in 2004, and though I dutifully registered to vote absentee and sent in my marked ballot, I could only explain my decision on the thinnest of levels. I'm sure I stayed up late with my new friends and classmates and professed the expected fear and excitement that accompanies such monumental occasions. In truth, I felt like an impostor.

Still intent on becoming a politically aware and interested person, I tried my hand at International Relations/Political Science courses early on in college. But the dry theories and daunting economics requirements quickly turned me off. My interests soon led me to study Peace and Conflict Studies, which is sort of the more emotional, hands-on cousin of Political Science. In this, I found my passion. Studying the nature of conflicts, the complexities of their origins, and the possibilities for resolution caught and sustained my interest in a way politics never could. Ironically, it was this newfound love between Peace Studies and me that brought me here to the political capitol of the world, Washington, DC, to work for FCNL.

It must be hard at times to work for a non-partisan lobby, particularly during an election year. For me though, the process of working for peace, justice, and a healthy environment through a non-partisan lens has provided a comprehensive understanding of the complex inner workings of this country and what needs to be done to improve it. Contrary to what people might think, peace does not belong to a political party. In fact, it often seems as though politics in general is antithetical to peace. But when the hard work of our staff and constituents garners the support of even one unexpected member of Congress, it's a really good feeling, and reminds us why we do what we do.

Now, I could have learned all about the government, politics, and how actual policy-making is done in any number of professions. But through FCNL I have learned about these things that I never cared much about as the indirect result of working for things I care deeply about. If you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain, so to speak. I have been both pleasantly and unpleasantly surprised at just how many misconceptions I had about the world of politics and its parties before coming to work here.

This election year, I made a considered and confident decision on my ballot, and I have FCNL to thank for it. Not for the decision itself, but rather for instilling me with the ability to make my own choice for once. With a new administration, we are about to begin the exciting and challenging uphill process of repairing and improving our country, and I'm proud to be involved and even more proud to be here for it.

Email the Author | Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook

Why I'm excited about 2012 and 2016 and 2020...

Around 6pm, this picture was sent to my cellphone. It was sent by my younger sister in California, who had just voted in her first presidential election. For the rest of the night, we called and text messaged each other as she kept me up to date on how some major California propositions turned out and I tried to describe the craziness that is Washington, DC on election night.

I have been incredibly proud of my sister throughout the election season as I watched her research candidates and become invested in the election by volunteering for campaigns that she believed in. I've been thinking about her a lot lately as I've watched youth and young adults in my neighborhood show more excitement, dedication and knowledge about this election than I have ever seen before.

Here is a small sample of some interactions that I had that make me particularly hopeful for the future:

• Overhearing a group of highschool students in a heated discussion over which candidate has a better economic plan.
• Seeing 13 and 14 year old kids wearing campaign buttons around my neighborhood
• Riding the metro home from work on election day and overhearing a conversation between two young adults that are seated in front of me. The woman asks the man who he voted for and he says he didn't vote. "Well, you have to!" she replies, "Let's go right now!"
• Hearing that the fish market a block from my house was packed with teenagers on the final debate night, who were all attentively watching the TV.

As I listened to my sister laugh about the election results that went her way, and cry about the ones that didn't, I knew that this election wasn't a one time event for her and that she would continue to be active in her government not just on election day, but every day. I have faith that the youth and young adults who were enchanted by this historic election have now begun a lifetime of active and informed citizenship.

And what about those teenagers that walked to the local fish shop so that they could watch the debates?

In four years, they will all be able to vote.

I cannot wait to see what they do.

Email the Author Del.icio.us Digg Facebook

It's just an election -- what could happen?

Email the Author | Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook

I just wrote some of my views on a different blog (sustainablegood.org) that I thought would be just as applicable here. Here it is with a couple minor changes:

Today is a big day. Lines of people are weaving in an out of polling places. "I voted" stickers are the newest fashion accessory of the day. Radio stations, news channels, and blogs are all talking about the election non-stop. Websites like www.fivethirtyeight.com obsessively count and recount the polls and are predicting the winners of the various campaigns throughout the country. This is a pretty big deal (understatement of the year.)

I was watching the Daily Show the other night and Bill Kristol, conservative op-ed writer for the New York Times, muttered (jokingly?) “It’s just an election.” Jon Stewart looked flabbergasted and replied, “Yeah, it’s just an election, what could happen?” Truth is, the person in the White House for the next four years will have a lot of power. And yes Bill Kristol, a lot can happen.

What would I like to see happen, you ask? It would be great if the United States triple its aid to poorer nations and cancel their debts. I'd also hope for a decrease in those little foreign escapades of ours (un-fair trade, war, arms trade, etc) that come with "unintended" effects such as displacement, refugee camps, poverty, disease, civilian deaths, lack of education, lack of water, unfair labor practices, well....the list goes on. Oh, and lets just throw in justice for Native Americans as icing on the cake.

These just happen to be the issues that I live my life for -- and as I stood in line to vote the other day, I touched the name of the person on the computer screen who I thought would be more sympathetic to these issues.

The thing is -- I'm quite the realist and I doubt that whoever the next president will be, he will do enough for the poorest billion people. It would be political suicide for any U.S. politician to give so much time and effort to those who need it most.

That's why it's up to those of us who have no political aspirations to take part in the political process by making our leaders as accountable as possible. If you voted in this election, you took the first big step in the process -- but it's only one step. Keep up with us at FCNL and help us keep our leaders up to date on what we want them to do with all the power we just gave them.

And I agree with Caroline -- you HAVE to read Alex's last post. She's right on.

The White Knights of America: Vigilantes of the 2008 Election

Tomorrow will be a historic moment in the annals of the United States. For a generation which has often been labeled apathetic, which has felt like the events of our time do not galvanize enough passion to inspire a movement, we have lived and live in a time which is a turning point in history.

We watched September 11th happen from the desks of our high school and college classrooms. We went to the funerals of our friends fighting in two wars. We saw one of our cities drown and six more kids get caught in a system of unequal justice.

Race continues to be both decisive and divisive. In watch lists. In recruitment. In evacuation. In classrooms and in justice. Tomorrow will be a historic moment.

Contrary to what you may think, I am not talking about who actually wins the election. I am talking about the election.

White privilege has little to do with the body, with the pigment of the skin. It has to do with power, and how we read the body in relation to power. It has to do with how we think, who we see as entitled, as belonging, and who we do not. It has to do with the fact that white people never have to think about being white. Their bodies are read as citizens, entitled to the rights of a nation. White people do not have to prove their belonging; it is assumed.

Tomorrow we expect to see record numbers of African-Americans, Latinos, and other people of color going to the polls. They will be exercising their citizen right to vote. Yet their citizenship is not assumed. They are read as the other: the criminal, the illegal, the fraud.

Groups like the Minutemen--which have been explicitly labeled as white supremacist and hate groups--are openly organizing "poll watches" to video people that might look "suspicious," "out of the ordinary," or "illegal." They say they are focusing on "illegal aliens"— people who don't speak English or "look" American.

Yet how do you see citizenship written on the body? How do you determine status from behind the lens of a camera?

You read the body in relation to power. Read white: innocent. Read black: guilty. Guilty until proven innocent. Assumed slave unless carrying the papers of a free man. Assumed illegal until verified documentation. The white knights of America remain vigilant in their cause.

No matter who wins tomorrow the system of racial inequality of our country will remain in tact. The historical significance of a person of color being so close to the White House should not be underestimated; it is a dent in very thick armor. But as Langston Hughes often reflected, why do we only hear talk about racism in classes on African-American history when racism is fundamentally a white issue? Why do we expect the skin tone of one man to correct a history of racial injustice?

Why would we expect it of Barack Obama any more than of John McCain?

As the polls open tomorrow, the most important question on my mind is what happens come November 5^th? Will we permit our new leader, our country, to still be led by knights and wizards?

Tomorrow will be a historic moment.

Email the Author | Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook

on being nonpartisan in a partisan world

As the field intern, I spend a lot of time speaking with constituents who want to learn more about FCNL, our positions and how they can become more involved in FCNL's work.

As we enter further into the election season, I've been receiving a lot of messages from constituents asking for advice on who to vote for or requesting that we support their favorite candidate. When I have these conversations with constituents, I usually give them two main reasons why FCNL does not support any candidates for public office:

1. FCNL is not a Political Action Committee. As a 501 (c) (3) and 501 (c) (4) FCNL is legally forbidden from endorsing any candidates for public office.
2. We are able to have stronger relationships with politicians of all political parties if we remain nonpartisan, which makes our lobbying work more effective.

This last July, I inherited a Nalgene bottle from my sister, Claire, who had already decorated the bottle with various stickers. One of the stickers was from an organization that she and I both support. The sticker was endorsing a certain candidate for president of the United States.

After some soul searching, I decided that it was best to cover that sticker up.

First of all, I knew that it would be inappropriate for me to be seen around the office carrying a sticker that was supporting a presidential candidate.

But the more I thought about it, something else bothered me. I agree with the organization that the candidate in question has taken a stance closer to their (and my) position on a certain issue than the other candidate. But his position on that issue is still far from where I would like it to be. I cringe at the idea of congratulating him on his stance, which I believe lacks courage or vision just because I like the other candidate's position even less. I understand why that organization decided to endorse him, but I worry that by doing so, they're saying that this is as good as it's going to get, or as good as the people of the United States deserve. I do not believe that's true.

When I look at the major presidential candidates' stances on any of FCNL's issues, I find the same to be true. While one or the other may take a position closer to FCNL's stance on an issue, neither come close to our statement of purpose. For instance, both support an increase in the size of the military.

Of course it would be ridiculous and false for me to say that the candidates are the same and it doesn't matter which one you vote for. On November 4th, I'm going to walk into my neighborhood polling place and vote for the candidate that I will have decided best reflects my values, which are strongly shaped by FCNL. I encourage all of you to do the same, and I think FCNL has done a great job of supplying you with information about how both major candidates' positions relate to FCNL's values. But FCNL will not be endorsing a candidate that only partially meets our standards. Instead, we will be encouraging all candidates to take more courageous positions on behalf of peace, equality, simplicity and the earth.

That's why it's great that FCNL is nonpartisan! As politicians, maybe Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain have no choice but to cater to pro-war elements in their parties, but I love that FCNL is held to a higher standard. When I go to the polls in November, I will do so with a heavy heart, knowing that, as a pacifist, I will not be voting for a candidate that holds my most deeply held belief and I probably never will. But I will feel better knowing that in the time leading up to the election I have worked hard with FCNL to encourage Sen. McCain, Sen. Obama and hundreds of congressional and senatorial candidates to embrace a world free of war and the threat of war. It will be a small comfort to know that even if I feel like I'm selling out some of my values in the voting box, at least I never felt like I had to at work.

So, FCNL constituents, friends and staff, embrace the freedom that comes with nonpartisanship! Write to Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama to tell them that you are disappointed that they support an increase in the size of the military. Then, write them both another letter congratulating them on their stances on nuclear disarmament. Write to your congressional candidates demanding a ban on cluster bombs, an end to torture and an earth restored. Hold all of your candidates to a higher standard and refuse to congratulate a candidate for merely being the lesser of two evils. If you want more ideas on how to engage with candidates about issues that matter to you in this election, check out FCNL's Make Peace An Election Issue campaign.

And then, after the election, keep working with them. If the candidate that you voted against wins, don't give up. If the candidate that you voted for wins, don't just go back to sleep. Whoever it is, there will still be a lot of work left to do.

As one FCNL staffer has been known to shout when she's had enough of politicians from both major political parties threatening war with Iran or taking away our civil liberties, "thank God we're nonpartisan!"

Email the Author | Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook