| I've always been a Democrat. Since I first became aware of our electoral system, I've supported the party that acts in the interest of what's best for all Americans, and reflects as best as possible the notion that we're all in this together. I've always been an avid voter. My parents made me watch them vote for 18 long years before I finally was able to do it myself. I've considered myself a progressive since I encountered the distinction, since I believe that the role of government is to expand rights and attempt to redress systematic inequalities that persist in our society.
I first became politically involved in 2004, when I was living on the South Side of Chicago and my State Senator entered a crowded Illinois Senate primary. My first political event was a house party--a BaROCK the House Party--hosted by a friend's friend, and my first volunteer effort shortly after that was voter registration on Chicago's West Side. Friends and I registered folks at subway stops. The excitement people felt about voting for the first time stuck with me, and I realized that if even just one of the hundred people or so we registered actually voted, our efforts had made a difference.
I started reading and commenting on political blogs in the spring of 2006 to find a sense of community. I was frustrated, outraged, faxing my Senators and calling my Congressman about every bill or vote, and looking for an outlet. At first I wanted a group of simpaticos to grouse with, other people who were similarly informed and concerned. Over time, I learned so much more about our dysfunctional political system and the potential I believe it still holds to empower every American. My awareness translated into a need to get involved, to help elect the people who can realize this potential, and help bring progressive change to our country.
I blog about activism. I volunteer extensively offline. I believe that if you see a problem, it's your job--nay, your duty!--to try and fix it. For the past two years I've blogged on DailyKos and Burnt Orange Report as kath25, where I've primarily focused on local grassroots efforts, with the purpose of encouraging others to get involved in their own community. Over the past year, however, there has been enough blurring of my online and offline life that it's time for me to blog openly under my real name. (Not that you'll be able to actually spell it.) After all, bloggers more than anyone else have an obligation to translate their words into results, and I no longer feel the need to use a thinly-veiled pseudonym when I do it. To this end I'm proud to join a website with one of the most engaged and active staff offline as well as on, across the political blogosphere.
I haven't always lived in Texas. My peripatetic educational journey has taken me from New Jersey to New York City to Chicago to New York again, before I moved down to Austin to start graduate school at UT. Admittedly, I wasn't too keen on moving to a Red State, but was calmed somewhat by the frequently-repeated promise of liberal Austin. After spending several years here, however, I've developed a stronger love for actually fighting the good fight in Texas than I felt in any Blue State prior. We're making great gains here with each election cycle, and it's exciting to know that every volunteer in Texas can make a tangible impact state-wide.
I believe in people-power, grassroots organization, and bringing together concerned communities to empower them to make change. I don't believe that one small group of people should hold office, run campaigns, and care about what happens in our government. We're best served when every citizen is involved and engaged, be it in electoral politics on a local or federal level, issue-based activism, or working with people in their community. I see more potential for this level of engagement in Austin--and across Texas--than anywhere I've ever lived, and I'm optimistic that as a member of the Burnt Orange Report staff I can help make this happen.
Thank you, KT, Matt, and Phillip, for the opportunity to come aboard in an official capacity, and thanks for all of your work thus far to show the world that Texas can and will elect strong Democratic leaders again. |
