Politics is an area that always frightened me. The process. The
courage. The stamina necessary. The focus. I'm 43 now. At 18, I
started the youth rights group on the much tinier Internet
(1990), (Y-RIGHTS) gathering people together - it was the
meeting place where the initial founders of NYRA found each
other with a focus on activism and political change than my more
general discussion group was about. The idea of rallying,
meeting people face-to-face, talking in wooden rooms to people
sitting high up behind large desks frightened the heck out of 18
yr old me. I showed them how to form their own group that was
more activist oriented and they did. [they stayed with my group
as well] I couldn't do what they wanted to do. I couldn't do
what you did yesterday. I'm introverted. I gather people ONLINE
to talk and discuss. I couldn't do what you did. I wanted to
join the two Matt's in the formation of NYRA and fight the same
causes, travel, give speeches but I never could. I still
couldn't. That's why I'm cheering you on so much. Everything is
possible when you have courage in the right places, and you do.
I'm strong in many areas, but politics and activism isn't one of
them. And this is what representation is about for me: You are
standing up there in my stead. Representation of the 18 yr old
me. The 43 yr old me. The me if I lived in Broward county (I
live next door in Collier) and was 14 years old and saying, "Why
can't I have a REAL voice in my community?" Someone who is 14
now in Broward might have a chance to see the changes you're
fighting for today. And there you are. Standing there for all
the people who don't have the courage in the same places as you
do. Representing. So, thank you. like emoticon
