Hi John,
It's a common refrain that today's politicians are out of touch with the concerns of everyday voters. That's why the Agatha for Congress campaign places so much value on getting proximate. As Equal Justice Initiative founder and Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson tells us, we must be willing to get proximate to the nuanced experiences of those who suffer from and experience inequality. He believes, as I do, that if we are willing to get closer to people who are suffering, we will find the power to change the world.
That's what our micro-documentaries SF Stories are about; getting proximate with everyday citizens, to know their issues and priorities from a personal perspective. I met "T" last year, while canvassing in the Tenderloin. I was immediately struck by his eloquence and the energy he brought to his opinions. His life story paints a clear picture of how and why the status quo isn't working for everyday citizens of this city.
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Meet "T"
T was born and raised in the Bay Area. He has been incarcerated, and, not unrelatedly, experiences periodic housing insecurity. He is smart and capable, wonderfully articulate, reliable and full of potential to give back to society. But the challenges are huge. His current transitional housing conditions include mold, cockroaches, unstable neighbors and a lack of flexibility. Pain from aging and injuries makes working construction and painting houses less and less viable.
Ironically, in the birthplace of technology the cost of being virtually connected actually disconnects folks like T from opportunity. When his SIM card runs out of money, T's cell number changes, making it hard to coordinate for interviews and jobs. Once, unable to reach him through calling or texting, I returned to the corner where we met. It was T's strong community ties that enabled me to find him - everyone I spoke to seemed to either know him or have been helped by him, and within 15 minutes we were reconnected.
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Bryan Stevenson reminds us that being proximate redefines relationships, and not just for those who are experiencing suffering but for those of us who seek to end it. I'm running for U.S. Congress because only by being proximate to everyday citizens - from business owners like Louize and Bay Area natives like T, to members of my own cohort, millennials mired in student debt and watching the climate disintegrate under a status quo leadership—will we find the power to end the unnecessary suffering we see all around us in this beautiful city, and across the country.
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We hope you enjoy our SF Stories! Your donation helps this campaign reach out to voters and let them know that with Agatha Bacelar on the ballot they can choose a representative for the 100%.
With gratitude,
Agatha + Team
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