Silicon Valley for Obama

Susan Emerick at an Obama Rally in IndyIntense discussions and happy sing-a-longs exploded in the 60’s. Right alongside were riots, curfews, injustices and inequalities. I lived in Indianapolis in 1968 when Bobby Kennedy, the last candidate I campaigned for, announced the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. His historic speech about divisiveness and understanding calmed the audience. Then, we lost Bobby also. Disillusioned, I finished school, became a wife, mother, teacher, lawyer and now grandmother.

The riots ended, but inequalities did not. Teaching high school a couple of years, I saw drop-outs at 16 unable to read even want ads. Teaching in a law school head start program for incoming students brought a small victory: all become good students and probably great lawyers. Victories outmatch resistance; but, fifty-four years after Brown, inequalities remain.

Then I read about a Senator in Illinois, a brilliant constitutional scholar. As President, Barack Obama will help return the Supreme Court to its proper role, after years of stagnation, erosion or actual reversals of individual rights. With his ability to unify, he will work with Congress through legislation. With his presidency, our personal efforts will be more effective on the path toward ending injustices and inequalities.

Thank you Silicon Valley for Obama for providing an outlet for the energy Barack inspires. I’m canvassing, phone-banking, writing, emailing, soliciting donations, registering voters, here and in Indiana, attending rallies for the first time in forty years, meeting fascinating fellow supporters, and had the delightful opportunity to talk with Ethel and Max Kennedy. Barack’s message “Now Is The Time!” is very personal to me.

--Susan Emerick

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