YALLA VOTE ‘08 Our Voice. Our Future.

So five days into starting my job as a field organizer… Am I exhausted ? Yes. Sore throat from talking so much ? Yes! Need some serious hibernation ? YES!… Yet I find myself waking up at 7:30 every morning with some great idea or someone that I should contact. It’s been a while since I have loved the job I do: I love being a field organizer. This last week was extremely exhuasting, getting up early and coming home late at night just to sleep. Brookhurst has become my home, while my home back in the valley has turned into a “hotel”. The Arab American community in Anaheim is extremely interested and want to help. I guess word spreads fast in our community(surprising?) , for example I had two girls come up to me at hooka bars asking “Are you the Yalla Vote Girl and where can I sign up to volunteer? Whats this all about?” One of the nice things in this community is it is pretty organized , with many resources, and you truly feel like you’re back home . There are several blocks filled with Arab stores, restaurants, Halal grocery stores, Islamic Fashion, Mosques and anything else you can think of. For me, I was taken aback… I live in the Valley, where there are hardly any Arabic stores and if there are any, there hidden in some back alley.

The first day, I went from one store to the next , talking to people , explaining what “Yalla Vote” is about. Most people were really interested and commended the Arab American Institute for realizing the urgency of voting and getting involved. Every day that passes by, I try to think of creative ways to bring the community together on voting.This is one of the problems I see within the Anaheim community. Yes, there are lots of Middle Eastern people, lots of different organizations each with their own cause. But Arabs need to make their voices heard and participate on every level of politics. Even if its as simple as placing a ballot.

My main goal is to highlight the urgency of voting and getting as many people as possible to sign the petition. In addition, I want to make heard loud and clear how important it is for us to be a coherent voting block. How important it is for every Arab American to sign the petition; I always tell people don’t sign this for me but sign it for yourself, your children, your future. The other day I was at a hookah bar , and I just asked one person to sign my petition and like just like a wildfire, the petition was passed to everyone in the place and I was able to recruit volunteers. Speaking of volunteers, I realized that this campaign is something that will need the joint, collective work of the community. I cannot do this all by myself. Unfortunately I cannot be at four different mosques for Friday prayer to get signatures. I realized the importance of volunteers.

One week has passed for me and I look forward to the next. It was a crazy busy week going from one meeting to another, trying to understand the community and adjusting to my new job. I am even more excited now for the rest of the summer. I know that Arabs in Anaheim can be a strong coalition.

– Samar