It's too bad I've become a totally boring, politics-obsessed person, because I used to be quite humorous. I'll get on that.

I emailed Obama!

I teach sixth grade at a newly opened school devoted to social justice and community engagement. For the first two months of school, we talked about the elections a lot. We taught about the electoral system, women's suffrage, the Democratic and Republican party platforms, and the issues that face voters today. I have never before seen children so enthusiastic about politics! Students came to school every morning reporting the latest news item. Many watched the presidential and vice-presidential debates, and a few even took notes! Campaign buttons appeared on shirts and backpacks. We held a mock election using official sample ballots and real voting ink machine. (Obama won, overwhelmingly.)

In the week since the election, our students have declared they want to learn about taxes and gay marriage rights, two issues that were on the front pages here in California. We've also assured them that we will broadcast the inauguration in school in January. I am proud to have been involved in such a meaningful election. It has been a joy to see my students become so excited about civics!

jackie goldberg

This woman is my hero.




18th Annual California Studies Conference
"Changing Climates: Class, Culture and Politics in an Era of Global Warming"
April 12, 2008
Berkeley City College

Luncheon address: Jackie Goldberg, "The Changing Climate of Our Schools: Put Students on the Endangered List"

Holy shit, this is like a dream come true.

Barack Obama is our next president.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY AND OBAMA IS MY PRESENT

Dude, this is SO EXCITING.

I don't have work today because our school is a polling place, so I got to sleep in, yay! I went to Trader Joes this morning to pick up snacks for the poll workers and was slightly ashamed that I was not among those wearing their "I voted" stickers.

Drove over to the church to vote and was astonished at how many people were in line. The line stretched up the whole block. I've voted in the same neighborhood a few times now, and always in the early evening after work, and there has never been more than ten or twenty people waiting. This was truly incredible. Either no one works in LA (true), or everyone is taking off work to vote (also true). No matter, the line moved quickly and I was out of there in thirty minutes. My voting stub contains both of my favorite numbers, so that is a like the seven zillionth clue that this election is going to turn out awesome.

Then I drove over to my work to check out the action there. We had gotten word that there were planned protests for and against proposition 8, but all I saw was a twentysomething girl handing out fliers. The parking lot was filled with people in line, and it was equally crazy inside. I passed over some snacks to the workers and got blessed.

Now it's back home to back Obama cupcakes and finish cleaning for my party tonight.