This was originally going to be a comment on RockyMtnHigh’s diary “Last night I saw Bernie help the Democratic party,” but I decided that it was worth its own post.
RockyMtnHigh talked about the new generation of progressive activists he saw in one Denver area caucus inspired by Bernie to not only caucus, but to join the county committee. Bernie has pulled me back into serious activism as well. I was pretty active in the Dean campaign and the first Obama campaign and was involved in local politics during my time in DC through the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, but never really connected with any local groups after moving to NYC.
That changed with the arrival of the Sanders campaign. I filed for a spot on the delegate slate in my congressional district, petitioned for Bernie (loved seeing my name at the top of the delegate petition forms, will be even better on the ballot!) and have marched in both of the big marches. Several candidates have gotten money from me this cycle, including Bernie, of course.
Additionally, thanks to their outgoing president speaking at a Bernie organizing event, I discovered the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, the only local club in Brooklyn to endorse Bernie, and joined the club on the spot. The very next day found me at their general meeting, which happened to be their club elections and before I knew it I was on the executive committee. LOL. I’m working to improve and expand the club’s online presence and will be heading up a committee to that purpose. I’m also going to work to find connections and help the group discover new projects to take on. I’ll also be doing similar work for the NYC Stonewall Democrats.
This is where I’ve always wanted to be but never quite found the time for it or the connections after I left DC. Now I’m in a position that could catapult me into a run for public office here in New York. I could also literally help influence party policy in Philadelphia. I can’t even tell you how amazing that is to me. It’s a dream coming true and a huge step in my goal to leave the world a better place than I found it, both locally and nationally.
That is the political revolution.