One Person Stood Up

[Ed. Note: This was originally posted on the blog in 2016. We love this story and we encourage everyone to engage in their communities and to vote in our next election.]

January 12, 2016

Among the guests in the First Lady’s box last night at the State of the Union address was Edith Childs*, a county council member from South Carolina.

Mrs. Childs has a distinct connection to President Obama, one that will no doubt go down in history.

In 2007, the beginning of his first presidential campaign, then-Senator Obama was a long-shot candidate in a crowded field. He took his retail politics to big cities and small towns - meeting and greeting people, bringing his message of hope and change.

On one rain-soaked June night, a road-weary Mr. Obama arrived at the civic center in the small town of Greenwood, South Carolina. He was dismayed to see a very small crowd of supporters.

As the story goes, Mrs. Childs noticed disappointment on the candidate’s face at the small turnout. She yelled out, “Fired Up.” In classic call-and-response fashion, the supporters answered, “Fired Up.” Mrs. Childs then yelled, “Ready to go,” and the crowd responded, “Ready to go.”

Senator Obama and his staff were infused with new energy and a campaign chant was born. As he has told supporters many times, one person stood up. One person changed a room. And by extension, one person can change the world.

Right before heading over to Congress to give his final State of the Union address, President Obama emailed his supporters, saying:

“We've done some big things together over these past seven years. And we're not finished. Tonight I'll lay out a vision for an economy that's even stronger, a country that's safer, and a union that's more perfect. Because with one year left in my presidency, I'm still fired up and ready to go.”

* Noted in the White House Archive of President Barack Obama

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For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.

#StopGunViolence

“It’s not where you do it, it’s what you do.”

With those words aimed at gun sellers, President Obama announced yesterday morning new executive actions targeted at background-check reporting for gun sales on the Internet and in gun shows.

He also spoke directly to critics who “try to twist my words around.” “I get it,” he said, “but I also believe we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment.”

The president became emotional when speaking of over a dozen mass shootings during his 7 years in office, in particular the shootings of first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

“The gun lobby is loud and it is organized in defense of making it effortless for guns to be available for anybody, anytime,” said Mr. Obama. “Well, you know what? The rest of us, we all have to be just as passionate. We have to be just as organized in the defense of our kids.”

Tomorrow night, President Obama will appear on CNN television for a one-hour live town hall on the subject of gun control. The program begins at 8pm ET. It is titled “Guns in America.”

The gun issue will no doubt also be raised in the president’s upcoming final State of the Union address on January 12, and during the Democratic and Republican Debates to be held the last weeks of January.

Actual voters have their turn to speak starting in February when the 2016 Caucus and Primary season begins.


Source of the president's speech: Washington Post


For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.