Why Organize? By Barack Obama

[Demeter]

OpEdNews

Original Content at http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_barack_o_080202_why_organize_3f.htm


(This article, written by Barack Obama some twenty years ago as he worked as a community organizer in Chicago’s poor neighborhoods, gives us a real insight into the man and his beliefs.)
"Why Organize? Problems and Promise in the Inner City" was first published in the August/ September 1988 Illinois Issues .




Why Organize? Problems and Promise in the Inner City


By Barack Obama



Over the past five years, I've often had a difficult time explaining my profession to folks. Typical is a remark a public school administrative aide made to me one bleak January morning, while I waited to deliver some flyers to a group of confused and angry parents who had discovered the presence of asbestos in their school.

"Listen, Obama," she began. "You're a bright young man, Obama. You went to college, didn't you?"

I nodded.

"I just cannot understand why a bright young man like you would go to college, get that degree and become a community organizer."

"Why's that?"

"'Cause the pay is low, the hours is long, and don't nobody appreciate you." She shook her head in puzzlement as she wandered back to attend to her duties.