I can make a difference as well (:

Yesterday I heard Michelle Obama speak. She gave a stump speech that really felt more like a tree than a stump. She described her background, how she met Barack, the talking points and theme of inclusiveness that structures the Obama campaign. She also told me what I needed to do the help out the campaign—of course I was sold by then so I had no problems taking orders. And she also attacked the criticisms of Obama-haters. The speech was moving, well organized and incited me to do something that no other politician, or their wife has been able to do. She inspired me to act.

I saw the couple the day before at the Bud Biliken Parade on Saturday. Obama has had my vote for the longest but seeing them live was like a reminder, “Ok, you know you’re going to vote for him, You better check his people out.” Luckily, I remembered that Michelle was supposed to speak on Sunday and I couldn’t help but feel pulled to go. It was only 8 blocks from the lab. I mean, just the day before, I spent almost $20 on makeup. I might as well contribute $25 to someone I want to support.

So, I send out a text and my best friend Tonia decides to join me. I’m really glad because when we got there I’m feeling too dowdy in my lab clothes surrounded by the “Women for Obama” who are dressed for a garden party. Anyway, I walk in and there’s no real program. Just a lot of women, some lined up against the wall, some in groups, talking. And I’m like, “I have to go into mingle mode or I’m gonna continue feeling awkward like I do right now” So I strike up a conversation with a “Woman for Obama” from the South Suburbs and she was really friendly. We both exchanged our support for Barack and then I mingled some more. Unfortunately, I felt weary of mingling so Tonia and I hung out until Michelle came out.

Let me tell you, this woman is classy with a serving of spunk on the side. She was telling me what I wanted to hear but I could tell it wasn’t rhetoric, it was real. I could feel in my heart that her/Barack’s views on strengthening the family, community and the nation by embracing what unifies us as a nation—our humanness—is key to moving our country forward. I believed in her—me the realistic optimist—when she said that its up to me to move our country forward. The disease of apathy in our communities is a festering virus and one person can't stop it alone. However, one person can lead us to a place where together we can restore and enrich our world for the better.

Before, Barack Obama had my vote. Now he has my pledge to act to actively participate in his campaign. I don’t know if he’s going to win, but I am moved to work towards positioning someone that I truly believe in as leader of our country. I’ve volunteered for John Kerry in Wisconsin on the day of the presidential election. I just couldn’t sit at home and wait for the results to come in, I had to feel like I was part of the process. But I don’t only want to be part of process, I want to help Barack Obama be president. I believe he’s qualified, intelligent, thoughtful, humble and has the leadership ablilities to lead a nation of diverse heritage. I don’t even care if he may lose, right now my focus is to win.



And, I see this experience, moving me towards the area of public policy. I want to use my talents to serve the public. I know that I love science, but there’s a distance from the public that I want to bridge. I need more of a connection with people and the ability to incite positive change at a large scale. So first stop, working on the Obama campaign. Next stop, the universe!