Pinko Magazine Hedonism + Activism

Editor’s Note: PinkoJenn is on the ground in Wisconsin reporting for us on the Obama campaign and her experience as a volunteer.

Before I started this whole thing, I made a promise to myself that I would avoid two things: sports analogies and war analogies. Today I’m going to break my word on that second promise. I can’t help it. I am sleep deprived, have sore legs, and live off of diet soda and donated boxes of expired Entenmann’s.

The funny thing about canvassing the burbs is that often times the prettier the area is the more hostile my interactions are going to be.  Yesterday I canvassed near the botanical gardens, walking no less than 11 streets that had a name starting with “Green,” “Garden,” or “Glen.” Wisconsin is simply beautiful now.  I stepped out of the car, inhaled a deep breath, and felt glad to be alive - before becoming overwhelmed by dread.  This sense of awe and trepidation now happens every time I step into this particular enemy territory.

“The Green Zone” is pretty split - politics here tear apart couples and even duplexes.  That’s not to say I haven’t met a lot of lovely people there, and some incredible volunteers have come from this area.  I’ve also met plenty of curmudgeonly lifelong Democrats there.  I actually had a guy say to me “I’d rather burn in hell than vote for a Republican.  Now please go away.”

My mission in the Green Zone: to reach those undecided voters.  Often times I have to compromise my own beliefs to reach this people by talking about “how much I hate abortion, too” or how “Barack Obama isn’t really that Black.”

I’ve heard and seen things that most people can only imagine.  These are the kinds of things that you and I imagine people say, but don’t really believe that those people are out there. Ex: 

“I’m voting for John McCain because I love Sarah.  I took one look at her and thought ‘that’s who I want in office.’  I got so excited I had to fix myself a drink.  Heh heh.  Don’t you like her?  I thought the ladies loved her.”

- middle aged man

“Oh, I have always voted Democrat, but I’m just worried about having one of them.  I don’t want to say. You seem like such a sweet girl, though.  I normally don’t talk to people about this.  I’m just worried about having a Black in office.  I saw one of their movies.  I didn’t want to see it - but I did.  And they were just singing and drinking and being so loud.  I thought, ‘is this what it’s going to be like?’  And with all the problems we have, we don’t need someone so pushy leading out country.  And you know how pushy they can be.”

- an extremely cute elderly woman

Also - LOOK AT THE TYPES OF WEIRD ASS HOUSES I’M EXPECTED TO APPROACH!  There’s no way I’m knocking on that door!  It’s too - confusing.  No offense to Eddie Murphy, Stirling, I know you’re a fan.

About The Author - PinkoJenn is on the ground in Wisconsin reporting for Pinko on the Obama campaign and her experience as a volunteer - Visit Jenn's site.