[1]Voting While Black

Hey John, it's me, Ariana from Flint, with an update!

I sat down last night for the first time in what feels like weeks, kicking
back at one of Flint’s favorite restaurants, Rube’s. We were there hosting
a debate watch party to see Sheldon Neeley, our candidate for Flint mayor,
face off against current mayor Karen Weaver.

One of my favorite moments of the debate was when Sheldon Neeley said: "We
have to be able to build together, work together, strive together and
recover together."

That quote, along with spending time with my community last night,
reminded me why I do this work: it’s to improve the lives of my people.

This isn’t just some political battle. It’s people’s water, people’s
paychecks, people’s kids. [ [link removed] ]I wouldn't ask you if these weren't the lives
of my people on the line: will you chip in $1 to support our needs in our
final 20 days to elect the new mayor we need in Flint?

[2]Me and some of my Squad members at the Debate Watch Party last night at
Rube's

Me and some of my Squad members at the Debate Watch Party last night at
Rube's

I’ve knocked on a lot of doors in the last few weeks, and one thing I’ve
realized is that a lot of people in Flint don’t even know that this
election is happening. And a lot of other people are exhausted with
politicians promising solutions that they don’t deliver. 

I get it. In a town like ours, where even our basic need for clean water
has been ignored for years now, it’s easy for folks to just give up on
voting and politicians’ promises.

I’m not out here for the political promises either. I’m out here to make
some demands.

I’m out here to demand that me and my beautiful Black children have all
the opportunities we need to thrive, and that we have them right here in
Flint. Strong schools. Clean water. Safe neighborhoods.

Mayor Karen Weaver hasn’t met my demands. So I’m moving on to a candidate
I believe will-- Sheldon Neeley.

[ [link removed] ]If we get enough support here in Flint, we CAN win this election, and
we CAN win our demands for a city where we can thrive. But that support
depends on people like you, John. Donate $1 now if you’re with
us in our final 20 days.

I believe in Sheldon Neeley because I’ve seen what he’s already done for
Flint:

* He helped establish the Flint Promise, which provides free college or
greatly reduced tuition to students graduating from Flint high
schools^1

* He helped open the Flint Development Center Literacy Lab to teach kids
and adults literacy skills, in a city where 3rd grade reading
proficiency was about 10% in 2017^2,3

* He fought for accountability for those who caused the water crisis,
even as their charges were being dropped left and right^4

And I have to say, I’m feeling hopeful. The fact that so many people came
out on a Thursday night to watch this debate is a testimony to the work
we’re doing in Flint to get people excited about this race. 

You know how we got people to show up to the debate watch party? The same
way we’re getting people to show up to vote: through real conversations,
one door at a time.

And it’s not easy: last Saturday we were knocking doors for hours in 45
degree cold with clouds blocking the sun. But I was inspired to see how my
people bundled up and stood out there with me, because they knew if they
didn’t talk to their neighbors, maybe no one would.

Here’s what keeps me going out there in the freezing air: every person I
talk to who votes for Sheldon Neeley could be the deciding vote-- the
difference between a chance at getting what me and my kids need, and
getting 3 more years of a mayor who hasn’t delivered.

I’m putting my money on someone new that I believe in. I hope you do too.

[ [link removed] ]Help us win in flint

Until justice is real,

Ariana, Arisha, Jenni, Drew, Charles, Daniel, Tammi, Scott and the Color
Of Change PAC team

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Sources

 1. "Flint Promise Zone creates 'economic bridge' for students to attend
college", MLive, 19 January 2019,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 2. "Community organizations work to boost literacy levels in Flint",
NBC25, 19 March 2019,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 3. "Sheldon Neeley", Michigan House Democrats,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 4. "Bills aim to deliver justice in Flint water crisis before clock runs
out", Detroit Metro Times, 3 September
2019, [ [link removed] ][link removed]


 
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Color Of Change PAC is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Contributions to Color Of Change PAC are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

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