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. 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?
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.
I believe in Sheldon Neeley because I’ve seen what he’s already done for Flint:
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.
Until justice is real,
Ariana, Arisha, Jenni, Drew, Charles, Daniel, Tammi, Scott and the Color Of Change PAC team
Sources
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