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After the recent court decisions in Iowa and Vermont, many of us Californians began questioning our state's progressive identity. If we're so progressive, how did we vote against civil rights at the same time that other parts of the country are embracing them so powerfully? If we're finally in the middle of a rapid evolution toward equality, are we in California, who so often pride ourselves on being more progressive, standing on the wrong side of history?
Perhaps. But after a weekend Campus Camp Wellstone training at UC Berkeley, working with the Courage Campaign and an amazing team of Cal organizers to train 80 student activists on the nuts and bolts of organizing, I have hope. It wasn't just the skills the group walks away with after a weekend of simulated door knocks and practiced lobby visits; it is the skill and hunger these students bring with them.
The Courage Campaign is the home of online organizing and mass mobilization efforts to repeal Prop 8 in California and fight for marriage equality. They are leading successful campaigns and generating hundreds of thousands of actions in support of civil rights. Campus Camp Wellstone partnered with the Courage Campaign to bring skills and inspiration to students on the front lines of this movement.
During the Grassroots Organizing session, I asked how many people had knocked on doors for a campaign before the 2008 cycle. About 10 hands - mostly the student organizers - shot up proudly. I then asked how many people had knocked on doors during the 2008 cycle. Almost every other hand in the room joined them. Looking around at the auditorium hall, these students felt the power of their collective experience and slowly stood to give themselves a rancorous round of applause. They get their power, and it is overwhelming. This is a new excited, passionate army of trained and experienced student activists. They are ready.
During the Leadership session, Bill asked whether students saw themselves as visionary, strategic, process, ethical, or task leaders. The students reflected, and then spread across the room, divided between the five areas of the room. Bill then asked what leadership style they most wanted to develop in themselves. The students quickly flooded to visionary. More than half the room crammed together in one corner of the auditorium, standing tall with their desire to become our visionary leaders. These students are not afraid of big ideas. These students are hungry.
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