Adventures in Obamaland
how one young woman came to love the political process
2008-08-29
By Nzingha Stewart

Music video director Nzingha Stewart is much better known for her groundbreaking work with Jill Scott, Busta Rhymes, Common and Capone-N-Noreaga than for her politics. For the majority of her adult years, she's managed to stay involved just enough to vote, not enough to volunteer. Until now. Since Barack Obama mounted his presidential campaign, Stewart has been swept up by the madness that is the political process at its best. In this exclusive ebonyjet.com series, she takes us on the journey, a wild and crazy ride. Sure hope she has directions to the White House. - Ed.

Being far more comfortable in hot pants and pumps than slacks and a blouse, and much more conversant in the language of hip hop than in the convoluted and foreign tongue called “Washingtonian,” no one would ever accuse me of being active in our political system.

Sure, I vote, but only in the generals, and thus far my strongest political moments are complaining about Bush (in the general sort of way one talks about the weather or the latest NBA game). I have never donated money to any campaign, never been to a political rally, would NEVER put a political bumper sticker on my car, and I often use the word “poli-tricksters” instead of politicians whenever the subject comes up. 

But that was all before Barack Obama.

There was just something about this guy, and it wasn’t that he was black. Okay full disclosure – it didn’t hurt that he was black, and when I saw Michelle who I am sure has used a relaxer and a pressing comb at some point in her life, it did seal the deal for me, but…

Watching Obama I began to feel an excitement that I’ve never before felt by our political process, coupled with an awareness and growing anxiety about the despair our country could fall into if he’s NOT elected to be our next president.  And that’s not me being melodramatic. If he isn’t elected, Roe v. Wade could be overturned, affirmative action – gone, global warming made a lesser priority, and we’d be stuck with another hawkish president who’s looking for someone to step on America’s new sneakers so we can start another war.

My fear put a fire underneath me, and my excitement created the energy to get things done. I made a decision. I was going to do everything in my power to help get Senator Barack Obama elected. If enough of us felt like me, we just might get the job done.

Soon, I was phone banking, fundraising, and going door-to-door to support Senator Obama’s historic bid.

Now, I realize that some of us may not have the time to do all of that or the inclination, and are more “sideline cheerleaders” for Obama. We’ll vote for him, maybe say a prayer, but that’s about it. I urge you – this time, “Be the change you seek.” Make a commitment to do just ONE thing to support Obama’s candidacy – and before you know it’ll be like getting a tattoo. You can’t stop at just one.

You can always find volunteer events and opportunities at the campaign website. Here are some other things you can do to make history. It’s easier than you think:

1. Add a “Register To Vote” link to your emails as your signature. You can find links at www.moveon.org and www.rockthevote.org. If there are friends of yours who aren’t registered (or aren’t sure if they’re registered), they can click on the link and in two minutes print out their own forms so they can vote in November. That way even those inappropriate jokes and chain e-mails that we all forward will have political impact.

2. Pick up extra voter registration forms from the post office or your local library and carry them around with you. Whenever the presidential race comes up in conversation, ask the person you’re talking to, “Are you registered to vote?” If they say no, give them a form. All they need to do is fill it in and mail it.

3. Donate! Easy enough at www.BarackObama.com

4. And lastly, know why you support your candidate. A lot of times when people see my Obama button, they ask me why I support him (for some reason this always happens at Starbucks). My being armed with an answer has helped some folks make up their minds. The standard list I hit them with is:

• He was against the war from the beginning, and his opponent was for it. Considering the war costs 10 – 12 billion dollars a month, that means he was also right on the economy.
• He supports a woman’s right to choose.
• He was given a number one rating on his voting record from environmental and conservation groups.
• That $1,000 tax rebate you’ll get if he’s president won’t hurt anybody.
• Repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy means he can pay for a program making healthcare more affordable for all, and…
• McCain doesn’t use the Internet or a PC. How are you going to be a president for the 21st century when you’re still doing math on an abacus?

Nzingha in Texas