Sarah Palin Would Hate Rosa Parks

Sarah Palin and the GOP had great fun this week belittling Barack Obama's background as a community organizer. But in doing so, they were not just putting down one person.

They were attacking the (small "d") democratic traditions of the United States, itself.

Let us not forget: the first of America's freedoms is the freedom to speak out for change. That is the rock upon which all of our other freedoms are built. And across the country, in roles paid and unpaid, America's community organizers are the people who help us exercise that freedom every day. They are the invisible champions of America's grassroots democracy.

For little or no pay, they work with neighbors -- or with people in need -- to address tough problems. They are often people who could make a great deal of money in other professions. But many have chosen to dedicate themselves to causes greater than themselves -- and to communities poorer than their own.

Their work epitomizes what it means to put community -- and, yes, country -- first.

Their dedication and sacrifice is nothing new; the idea of bottom-up, democratic action is as old as the republic itself. In fact, constant engagement and debate at the neighborhood, community and grassroots level is what keeps the nation's democracy vital and alive.

My question is this: how can any candidate or party that hopes to lead America take such joy in putting down American institutions -- like grassroots democracy and its hard-working stewards?

Rosa Parks was a community organizer. The PTA moms (with whom Sarah Palin loves to associate herself) are community organizers. Today, organizers are powering our democracy -- registering millions of young people, disadvantaged people and senior citizens to vote for the first time. They do the invaluable and thankless labor of making democracy work.

When factories are shut down and families find they have nowhere else to turn, community organizers step in and step up. They help frightened and frustrated people find shared solutions to wrenching problems.

They help our national leaders correct major policy mistakes. Not only were community organizers the first people in this country to stand up against the war in Iraq. They were also the first to talk about how U.S. soldiers in harm's way were not given enough protective gear.

They come from red states and blue states. Community organizers, including groups led by evangelical Rick Warren, helped to lead the rebuilding of New Orleans following Katrina. Many of those religiously motivated organizers have stayed there after the media, the government big shots and practically everyone else has left.

But apparently, it is not enough that they work under incredibly difficult circumstances for little pay and no recognition. Now they have to listen to broadcast put-down's from the party of Bush, McCain and Palin.

That's a shame -- and a disgrace. Those who make democracy work every day should be respected, along with America's other homeland heroes. Anyone who aspires to lead this country should be saluting them -- not sneering at them.

Comments

[Henry]

Hey look, I think you should back off this singular unfortunate comment by the Wasilla Thrilla. I think you have imputed something to her comment that was not there. Remember when the right wing hatchetts gloated all over the comments of Michelle about the first time she was really proud of America in her life? Well... as it turns out "they" imputed something to the statement that was not intended by Michelle Obama. These are cheap shots, in my opinion, and if it is all a game then so be it, but Barack wants to take the high ground and this was a hapless and helpless comment read by Palin that was written for her by some Rovnik Nazi. Remember the goal of a terrorist is to get you to respond with violence..... and then they win. Rove is one big terrorist strategy maker.
Barack is doing swell. He has been above the baiting game. I hope he remains there.

[farmerjim]

Today (9-5) she made the same offensive comment in my home state of WI. She was not the only one at the Repub. convention who said it. What I don't get is why she prefaces the comment with "I'm not quite sure what a community organiser is, but..."
Maybe she should inform herself before ridiculing it.

[JRsNana]

It wasn't just Palin. Guiliani and Pataki also chimed in with their derision. It was practically the theme of the night. It was written for her to say - she said it - she can take the heat just like the big boys.

[iyamchazz]

AMEN!

[wtfcharlie]

Rudy Giuliani's (and Palin's) disparagement of community organizers was certainly one of the uglier moments of the Republican convention. He somehow managed to turn what is a clearly honorable service into a vicious, race-bating, McCarthyesque slur. It had the appalling echo of George H. W. Bush's taunting Michael Dukakis as a "card-carrying member of the A.C.L.U.". The predatory smirk on Rudy's face and the howls of derision from what appeared to be a particularly un-diverse convention made it clear that the low road doesn't get much lower. As the former Mayor of NYC, Giuliani surely understands the value of this kind of service. Clearly and simply it was intended to divide white and black America.

[MamaBird62]

Of course they insult grassroots democracy in action. That's what will bring the world President Barack Obama, and they've really never seen anything like it. Republicans prefer trickle down politics. We say push from the bottom up!

[MyDogIsADemocrat]

World President? That's a new one I haven't heard yet.

[jacqmac]

I'm afraid that there MIGHT be more sad moments to come. There wasn't anything super spectacular about McCain's speech and yet he 'beat Obama in the ratings.' Hmmm---
I noted that there was some ATTEMPTED damage control about 'community organizing'. Not a WHOLE
LOT but some.

[heronimous]

a lot of people watched it for the comparison.. i know i did.. don't take mere viewing as support for mccain's campaign.. a vast number of people said after obama's speech that they couldn't wait to see mccain fail..

[DAVESEAN]

SHE IS ARROGANT AND COCKY......

[Kip Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

This is *beautiful* Van! Thanks for standing up to her hate. And thanks for the "actual responsibilities" y'all take on each day at Green for All and the Ella Baker Center to strengthen communities and families, to provide youth real opportunities, and to save the environment.

[YogiBarrister]

Was not Jesus a community organizer?
Another thing, when the rightwing nuttia refers to Obama as 'the chosen one" or "the Messiah", they aren't mocking Obama or his supporters, they are mocking their own, presumably Christian faith.

[djk20042]

To call Jesus a community organizer is a joke! He was a humble teacher, who only had a handful of followers, and who gave his life for the sins of the world (if you're Christian you believe that anyways).

Whereas the Obamassiah is a media creation, who's only real credential to the Presidency is his cult of personality.

[mbh78213]

Thank you. Their definition of Jesus and Christianity is... blasphemy.

[ZellaBee]

If Bush, Cheney, McCain and Palin and the rest believed in Democracy, they would be Democrats.

[Vorticose]

DEMONCRACY? dont you mean socialism?

[WilhelmOttoWolf]

When Palin sarcastically dismissed and mocked community organizers I immediately turned off the television. I was very angry, more than i have been in many years. I am not a community organizer, but I have been a volunteer for several organizations and greatly respect the sacrifice the community organizers I do know. Which include family, friends, and and co-workers. Shame on the GOP. Shame, shame, shame.

[Soothsayer08]

Thanks for a great article. Leave it to the Repubs to take something good and positive and turnit into a negative.

[Jon Raymond - Huffpost Blogger]

Community means diversity. When the Republicans demean term community what I hear is prejudice, intolerance, white supremacy. Supremacy doesn't mean they can't have some diversity among them. As long as none of them have too much power they'll let is slide. Maybe I'm pushing it. Perhaps it's more an ideological supremacy. The Republicans are very strong on their ideology. Note the root word for ideology is idiot, which explains a lot when you look at the players in the Republican party.

So when i hear republican belittle community service. I hear then saying screw the blacks, the Jews, and all those other un-American ethnicities.

Yeah, they have a big problem with Rosa Parks. She one a them uppity, you know whats.

[corinam]

The irony is that they also said screw the Catholics - since it was a Catholic organization that Obama worked for. Found an article on one of the web sites and they didn't seem very amused by her statements.

[newdreams]

Rosa Parks would not hate Palin though. She would hate Palin's 'Us vs. Them' ideas, but not Sarah Palin. It goes to show who has more character.

Great example, Van, I will remember this!

[Poneez02]

Well said. Funny how they want to paint Sarah Palin as a grassroots populist type...der, grassroots populists types are the original "community organizers."

I think the Republicans are doing the same as always: We want to have our cake and eat it too....

[OrionGal]

Terrific Article ! Thank you so much -