The Diversity Projekt

Obama, Mixedchicks and Community Action

January 20, 2009

I often forget that I am an immigrant.  While I have lived in the U.S. for a little more than a decade and had considerable contact with U.S. (military) culture growing up, I still feel quite foreign.  I have a hard time viewing myself as American.  However,  when I am in Germany, I feel more American than when I am here in the U.S. It probably has more to do with my perception of myself, than how I think others view me.

Nevertheless, throughout this entire election season, I have felt extremely connected to my American-ness.  I have participated in the German electoral process. I was quite aware of the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, which left me with a very weiry perception of the U.S. electoral system. This election was extremely redemptive for me.  It reminded me of the awesomeness of possibility in America, as well as the potential of the American spirit.

This election was also extremely transformative for me on a personal level.  Participating in community activism, both directly relating to the election and with specific social justice issues, gave me the confidence to take some personal steps. I took active steps to move from the private to the public sector.  I was comfortable (yet miserable) working in the private sector and new that I wanted to do good professionally.  Fear prevented me from taking that leap. I gained the necessary courage through my volunteer work over the last year.

I joined the Nationalities Service Center shortly after the election.  For the first time in my life, I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be.  Over the last couple of weeks, I have had opportunities meeting and speaking with several of our clients. While I have not experienced any of the devastation and hardships these individuals have, I can relate to the culture shock of coming to America and the challenges of adapting to American culture and live.  Yet, the lessons I have learned while adapting to American life, are invaluable and help me on a daily basis in my work.

I am working from home today. I could have watched Obama’s swearing in and speech via CNN live stream, but I really wanted to see everything. While Germany has a significant minority population, having a person of color as chancellor is highly improbable.  Germany lags light years behind the United States with race relations (due in part to American Jim Crow policies of the 40s and 50s).  Nevertheless, I am extremely blessed to see the inauguration of America’s first African American president, while residing on this side of the Atlantic.

As I went back and forth between CNN and MSNBC, I was in awe of the crowds that came out to watch President Barack Obama take the oath of office. I can’t find the appropriate words to express how profound this historical day is.  Not only are Americans in every state glued to their TVs (or freezing in DC), but people all across the world are eager to see our America’s first bi-racial president take the oath of office. This mixed-chick is very proud!

Nevertheless, as an immigrant and as a mixed chick, seeing Barack Obama take the oath of office is awe inspiring.  It speaks to the awesomeness and possibility of what America stands for.  Although somewhat battered and bruised, the American spirit is alive and well.

Not only does this moment signal a new era in American leadership, but it also ushers in a new committment to community, both nationally and locally.  I cannot remember another MLK Day where so many people got out into their communities.  At NSC, we had over 30 volunteers attend an orientation and participate in a day of service. Many will most likely continue to volunteer their time and talent to our organization.  Several of my friends participated in service activities throughout Philadelphia – painting schools, cleaning up playgrounds, collecting books, etc.  I can only imagine how our clients, refugees, asylees, and other immigrants, perceive this moment.

I am under no illusion that things will miraculously fall into place and our problems will be solved over night. We are inheriting a hot mess that. But, it is not an insurmountable disaster.

There are many things we can do to maintain plugged in:

1) Enter the public sector. Many non profit organizations are still hiring. I recently transitioned from the private to the public sector. It is the best decision I have ever made. I am doing good and making a descent living at the same time.

Check out Idealist.org, Opportunity Knocks and in the Philadelphia area, the new Philadelphia NonProfit Information listserv. To tap into public interest networks, check out YNPN, ChangeMakers, Change.org and USAService.org.

2) Volunteer at your local YMCA or community centers. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister.  Visit the elderly in retirement homes. Volunteer with the Special Olympics.  Volunteer as a literacy or ESL tutor. And, if you are financially able, donate to charities that provide direct service to vulnerable communities.

3) Taking special care of ourselves, physically, emotionally and spiritually. If we aren’t well, we cannot achieve our full potential in helping others.

How are you being the change in your own community? What are you doing to remain plugged in?

Tags: action, change, day of service, inauguration, obama, Pro-Migrant
Posted in: 2008 Election, Community, Diversity