All my life, patriotism is something I have felt deeply as part of who I am. I was born in 1976- the bicentennial. Next to Christmas, the fourth of July was always my favorite holiday.
To me the USA is the land of promise, where people have the opportunity to rise above whatever circumstances, and not only survive, but thrive. I do not remember a time when I did not fully believe that was true- until the last several years.
I often viewed our USA- no matter what state, or time, or season- as a collective. My best illustration of THIS USA was right after 9/11.
I was in Charlottesville, VA at that time, and I remember the kindness and tenderness that we, as a nation, had for each other. I feel relatively fortunate to have been in a racially diverse area around a community who sought to draw together at that time. I remember the UVA vigil looking around the basketball stadium, surrounded by others of every race, religion, and experience I could imagine.
I remember closing my eyes to form a memory of that sacred time.
I thought to myself. This is who we are.
I was thinking of our entire country.
Who are the people of the USA that I experienced that day?
We were a people who reached back to those behind us to give a hand up to those who need it. We were a people who value history and are compelled to learn from the lessons of the past. We were a people who advocated for those less fortunate, under-served, and traditionally excluded.
We were a people who respected the soul and dignity of the people around us. We were a people who believed in honesty, integrity, truth, and compassion.
I do think that the optimist in me is what allowed me to escape very dire circumstances time and again.
I think about that moment a lot, because since then, I have regularly thought- with just as much emotion in regard to our country right now, “this is not who I am.”
Outside the district, often when I tell people I am running for legislature, and for district 14, I am met will an almost immediate dismissal. This has been especially problematic for fund-raising. It frustrates me because I. HAVE CHOSEN. TO RUN. In district 14.
I knew what I was up against, but I also know what I have been through in my life. I am going to tell you a story from my past.
I got myself up and ready for school for as long as I can remember after the first day of school in kindergarten. That meant I wore whatever, ate whatever… and since I was too short to see any mirror, I did not put any emphasis on my appearance. I never really thought twice about it until one day in first grade.
We were sitting in a circle, and my teacher- Mrs. Wallizer asked me- “Crystal, it’s your turn for show and tell. What did you bring to share with us today?” I had nothing, so I walked to my cubby, and decided my pink satin jacket with a roller skate decoration with REAL LACES would be what I talked about.
I walked out with my jacket, I proudly showed off the REAL LACES and… Wilber started laughing. When the teacher asked him what was so funny, he said “It’s SO DIRTY! And she’s so… POOR! She doesn’t have ANYTHING.”
I walked to the cubbies and cried. My teacher came to comfort me. That night I asked my dad what poor meant, and he told me. He also left the indelible impression on me that not only would I always be ashamed for it, but I would also never be anything but poor.
From that, I learned to focus my 6-year-old heart into not looking poor. I also promised myself I would not always be poor. When I asked my grandma how I could do that- she said, “get yourself an education.”
That is what I did. Access to a high-quality education is sacred ground to me. Education is life changing. I will fight HARD for our children to be able to get a free public education.
I have been one of the people, time and again, during my life that others underestimate. I don’t really take much time to think about them. However, among them- maybe one time out of 100, there is someone who sees me.
I don’t have to work to prove who I am, but I do everything I can to maintain their belief in me. That is why I am running like I can win with this seat. I believe I can.
It may take a few tries, but I am incredibly encouraged from those doors I knock at how many people who have voted republican in the past promise me that I have their vote.
We are fighting fascism. We are fighting extremism. We are fighting to fund public education. We are fighting against the religious right to keep the rights for women and people who can become pregnant intact. We are exposing the barbaric consequences of laws meant to keep every woman and child dependent upon a few men with abusive philosophies on what it means to be a man in Idaho.
We are the ones defending the lives of women who may die if a pregnancy continues. We are defending your daughters and granddaughters from having a forced birth of a child that results from sexual assault, rape or incest. How does one MOTHER a Child whose face haunts her?
We are fighting for teachers and librarians to be respected and paid fairly, and for students to have adequate funding. We remember our cafeteria workers, our para-professionals, our janitors and our wait staff. We ARE NOT BETTER than they are.
Every person should have the respect required to live a dignified life.
I am here to truly represent every voice, and every person who wants to pull away power from hypocritical factions that seek to control everyone in order that they might not be faced with the fact that they are no better than we are.
I am still in need of about $10000 to be able to get the signage and mailers out so that more in our district will know who I am. Our regular donors are tapped out. I am asking you to put me in touch with people who aligns with my vision so that I can fund the rest of my campaign and run like a winner. I need door-knocking help, and volunteers of all varieties.
I am so grateful for your conversations, your help and your support. I am incredibly motivated, and it will carry me though November 8. Thank you.
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