On April 25th US Congressmen Keith Ellison held an informal meeting
at his campaign office, seeking input and involvement from the disability
community in his 2008 re-election campaign. There were fifteen members
of the Twin Cities disability community in attendance. Ellison expressed
a vision of inclusion and diversity in his campaign, seeking to focus
on all community members to step up and take action to the best of
their abilities.
“I would like to see folks in wheelchairs, with white canes,
and with a wide range of disabilities helping out as volunteers on
this campaign,” said Ellison. “I am also hoping to hire
someone from the disability community on to the campaign staff to
reach out to the community.”
It was not the usual
political “tell us what we can do for you?” brand
of rhetoric, where one by one you hear problem after problem, followed
by mostly empty promises from the candidates. Ellison’s approach
is refreshing because he is inviting all people with disabilities
to make changes to better the lives of all people with disabilities,
by coming aboard and becoming active members of the process. Not
just for this upcoming election, but for ongoing involvement to make
a permanent change for the better.
The gathering was positive
and filled with a commitment from Ellison to stand solid on all
human rights issues; believing in the politics of generosity and
inclusion—that no one should be “cut
out of the American dream: not [people with disabilities], not immigrants,
not gays, not poor people, not even a Muslim committed to [serving]
this nation.” This gathering was not about “us” complaining
to “them”—it was the grass roots of a beautiful plan
for our future. It brings to mind a quote from JFK: “Ask not
what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” It
has been too long that people with disabilities have waited for the
change to come. We must make change happen for the community and
for ourselves. Overall, the message from Ellison was that the size
of your contribution to positive change is relatively unimportant.
What matters the most is that you contribute in the first place.
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To contact the Ellison campaign,
go to www.keithellison.org, or call 612-522-4416.
