Politicians must raise tons of money for 2020. As all are scrambling necessarily so, it is capturing when one gets an email blast just asking for “no donation” but offering love. Yes L-O-V-E.
Diana Martinez Alexander is a passionate educator, activist, organizer and voice for not only her community but Harris County Texas. Suffice it to say that I do not endorse in local Democratic races for obvious reasons. That said, I have an affinity for teachers, educators. Why? I think teaching is the most important profession bar none. Anyone who follows my postings understands why. It should not surprise that this activist was impressed with the following portion of Diana Martinez Alexander’s rationale for running for Harris County Commissioner Precinct 3.
It’s time for us to make the statement that representation matters, that our county matters, that health and education and humaneness matter. It’s time to lift up, serve, and protect the needs of the underserved.
We must fight and persist for what is right alongside those who need us. We must build coalitions with grassroots organizations, support local and state progressive candidates, and push for equitable education.
And in Precinct 3, I’m the candidate to do it. My experience in the education system and in Houston’s organizing circles pushing for equity for undocumented communities, public education funding, health justice, and for a better life for all demonstrate my values.
I am ready to do what it takes to advocate for Precinct 3 as County Commissioner, and for Harris County at large.
I am a proud Democrat, mother, partner, teacher, and advocate who looks forward to working with you to make change.
Diana Martinez Alexander seems to have decided to go for a paradigm shift. Instead of falling in line with most politicians, likely getting lost in the infinite number of requests, she decided to send a “love letter.”
Hi XXXXXXX,
Instead of asking for money for the campaign before this deadline, I just want to write a love letter.
A love letter to the Resistance.
I think of all the gifts that I’ve been given in this decade: my husband, my drive for justice, and all the people I’m lucky to love. They have given me so many gifts through modeling strength, self-actualization, persistence, humor in the face of darkness, and just plain hard work.
Here’s to the data entry.
Here’s to driving hours in traffic.
Here’s to organizing events.
Here’s to the emotional labor of standing up for justice.
Here’s to the long hours and unpaid time.
Here’s to cutting time with family for the cause.
Here’s to taking the leap and running for office.
Here’s to sitting in town halls when your representative is deliberately obtuse.
Here’s to going, week after week, to stand up for democracy at Cornyn’s office.
Here’s to making signs.
Here’s to writing op-eds.
Here’s to gathering stakeholders and protecting public schools.
Here’s to the long trips on busses to the capitol.
Here’s to everything else you gave up for democracy.
Here’s to sacrificing professional opportunities when your political beliefs cost you.
Here’s to those who paid for their identity with their lives.My life will never be the same because I am centered on one goal: I don’t want to take my comfort from the oppression of someone else.
However I can work to improve lives in our community, I am for it. This past decade has held so much sadness, but I know that I am better for facing these challenges. Grateful for all the fellowship and love from this activist family, I will push myself to greater heights this next decade.
You are amazing, you are beautiful, and you are strong. Let’s go and do our personal best to make our mark in 2020.
Diana
Guess what? An email blast like this gets noticed. But when one sees that it comes from the heart it feels that more compelling especially since there is no first-click-to-donate-page in her email. For her gesture, I will link to her donate page directly here.
Let’s be clear, this is not a knock on all our hardworking candidates trying to raise as much money as they can to effectively compete. It is sad that we have yet to find a more grassroots manner of campaigning that allows all equal access to be on the ballot. Access should not be directly proportional to one’s ability to be a successful fundraiser.
Kudos Diana Martinex Alexander. Good luck with your campaign.