For those unfamiliar with me, I live in conservative, christian Georgia. I volunteer for the Obama campaign. Last Sunday a fellow volunteer and I got our canvass list and went knocking on doors of "sporadic democrat voters". We went to several houses and registered one or two people. We stopped by one house where a BBQ was taking place and we were invited to a kids party later in the day at "The Manor". We then went to a low rent apartment complex. Our first two addresses would only talk to us through the door but they said they were registered. We had two more names for this address and we were debating if it was worth our time. We went to the next building and as we exited the car we heard through a window-"Holy Shit, there's white people wearing Obama shirts heading this way!" When we got to the door several African American men had stepped out onto the porch and we began a great political discussion. People were coming over to see what the excitement was. We registered several people and remained there talking for almost an hour. We exchanged emails and other information and they even gave us $5 for gas.
We were so excited and jazzed we decided to head to "The Manor" for one last stop. My fellow volunteer knew where it was and off we went. To be honest and up front, I had no idea what "The Manor" was or I might have not went so willingly but I like to think I would. Anyway, "The Manor" is a an apartment building in the worst part of town. And they were thrilled to see us. The people who invited us seemed genuinely surprised and pleased we showed up. We talked with several people and registered at least four more people. As we went to leave an African American man asked if he could talk to me. So we stood to the side and he said "I just want to thank you for being a Democrat and supporting and working for Barack Obama. It means a lot to us to see you out here." I was so touched and it left a smile on my face for days. I left feeling I had really made a difference this time.
I wrote a diary about this Sunday but I had to rewrite it again because it got bumped off quickly and because of updates during the week. I was talking to friends and members of my small Political group and I realized why this was a big deal. One friend told me "Girl, I am a black woman and I don't go the the manor. I have a new respect for you." Another friend drives a tow truck and says the manor is a known drug den and even the police don't go there at night. Had I known all this I probably wouldn't have gone. But I am glad I didn't. Everyone was nice and wonderful and I think we had respect for each other. This is one of the reasons I am supporting Obama. When he is president I truly believe things will begin to get better. I am not saying racism will disappear. I live in Georgia and I know first hand how ugly people can be.(See my other diaries for examples of life in the south!) But I am confident those 50 or 60 or maybe 70 million of us who support Obama will work together to be the change we want to see in this world.