The morning of August 15th, 2008 I walked into the cafeteria at LA Trade Tech as a cocky 30-year-old comedian determined to write television shows and tell jokes for the rest of my life. That day was supposed to be a minor diversion where I would learn how I could make a few phone calls or help register voters around my writing and acting schedule. When I walked out that evening, I was a mess. I was a confused, teary-eyed, emotional wreck. My world was shook. My path diverged. My mind swirled with uncertainty. I didn’t know it then, but the clarity of time allows me to know now, that was the day I became an organizer.
I wasn’t alone in that transformation. After going through a similar experience a movie executive became a field director, an encyclopedia editor became a data manager, and a Court TV reporter would soon run an entire state. In the long list of historic achievements that President Obama brought about in his campaign and presidency (healthcare reform, saving the entire economic system, winding down two wars, bringing Osama Bin Laden to justice, etc.) I would argue that the greatest among them is finding and training an entire generation of civically engaged community builders.
Living that legacy and bringing the Power of Organizing to the masses has become my LIFE GOAL!
