We Are The Change That We Seek

Published January 20, 2009 @ 03:25AM PT

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." -President-elect Obama in a speech following Super Tuesday results

Today, a former community organizer from the South Side of Chicago will take the oath of office to become the leader of the free world.

But that's not what has me so excited today.

No, Obama's inauguration today is much bigger than one man. His story, his campaign, and his message reinforce an empowering message: that change starts with us.

Obama's inauguration today is not just about Obama. It is about how we as a nation came together to take our country back. To bring our country back to a place where we are respected in the world. Back to place where we lift each other up in the spirit of unity, service, and community. Back to a place that we can be proud of.

There's a great deal of work ahead, and Obama has made it clear during the campaign that he can't do it alone. We are in the midst of a recession, foreclosure crisis, rising unemployment, and war. The challenges we face are not easy, but they are not insurmountable. Now, more than ever, young people are engaged. They are ready to sacrifice, ready to serve, ready to stand up and fight for what is right, and ready for a new era of civic engagement.

Just as we identify with our leaders, we identify with the places we live. Housing is connected to all that we do, all that we are. Housing keeps us safe, healthy, and rooted our communities. It's connected to our schooling, our social networks, and even our opportunities in life. And so the implications of NOT being housed, of not having a home, are devastating.

This is why it is my hope that housing remains in the forefront of all of our minds during the first 100 days of Obama's presidency. Homelessness does not have to be a given in America. If we have the will to end it, then every human in America can have a place to call home.

The eyes of the world are on Obama as he moves into public housing.

(Now this is where "we" come in.)

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Comments (5)

I am living history, and I am so proud of America. I adore the president, and have hope that Americans will reunite again and make change applicable to a more peaceful and livable world.

Posted by Der Yang on 01/20/2009 @ 06:12AM PT
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I teach my students to learn how to "redirect" themselves if they find they are participating in or causing ill-advised or malicious behavior. I teach them to consider everything they do and say as an act of honor and respect, and if it is not an act or words of honor and respect, then it becomes necessary to "redirect." My point is that I think Obama may be the one we have long waited for to lead us to a life where we consider every act or word must be of honor and respect for ourselves and one another, so that if this is not so, we redirect ourselves to make it happen for ourselves and our communities! I have faith and hope that Obama can lead us to redirect ourselves to a place of honor in the world.

Posted by Evie Romero Montoya on 01/20/2009 @ 08:42AM PT
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I rejoice in this new OBAMA era for our nation and our world. So much needs to be done...as we all know, and yes, we need to roll up our sleeves, each one of us as best we can.

Housing is critical, but I'd go even further, and hope the Obama team can lead us on an even more crucial path--to address myriad symptoms that are tied directly to poverty.

Housing is a short-term and essential piece, but poverty has eroded the survival skills and well-being of millions of individuals and families. If we are going to do the job, let's do it right. Wrap our collective minds and our abilities around making sure everyone has what it takes to survive, not just thrive.

Posted by HEAR US on 01/20/2009 @ 04:08PM PT
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Far be it from me to rain on the enthusiasm. I too am excited that we are turning a page.

However, we didn't hear anything about homeless or affordable housing in yesterday's inauguration address. Perhaps more to the point, the current version of the House of Representatives' economic recovery package does little in these areas. There's a proposed, relatively modest increase for the Emergency Shelter Grant program. But nothing about more housing vouchers.

Congresswoman Gwen Moore of Wisconsin is or was circulating a "dear colleague" letter calling for funding for the National Housing Trust and for 200,000 additional vouchers. The latter reflects a recent recommendation from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, which includes useful specifics about how the appropriation should be crafted.

So it would seem a good idea to contact our elected representatives in the Congress and perhaps the Obama administration too and tell them we want those vouchers in the package.

Posted by Kathryn Baer on 01/21/2009 @ 06:39AM PT
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You're right, Kathryn, about not hearing "housing" or "homelessness" yesterday. My thinking is that so many screaming issues exist that his speech would have taken hours to mention each one of them!

That being said, it's time to get to work. As you point out, current legislation doesn't begin to touch the need, especially as For Sale signs and Eviction stickers pop up like kudzu.

How about it, national advocacy groups? What's going on in your minds or on your drawing tables?

It's an adjustment for my thinking to realize we have the potential opportunity to restructure this nation's abysmal, ineffective approach to homelessness. We're more than ready!

Posted by HEAR US on 01/21/2009 @ 03:31PM PT
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Author

Shannon has worked in homeless shelters and service organizations in San Francisco, the Triangle region of North Carolina, and currently in the greater Boston area. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.