It was a really good day to be out and about talking to voters. I was joined, again, by my super volunteer Susan! Susan's support and assistance over the last couple months has made such a tremendous impact. Over the weekend we covered miles, knocked doors, and had some amazing conversations!
Not a lot of people looking to chat while the Chiefs were on but we managed to inform a few voters of my candidacy and ensure that they had information to learn more or reach out with questions or concerns. Most conversations were brief and the common concerns I hear were much the same; healthcare access, safety, concern for schools, affordability of groceries and housing. One constituent had some valuable insight about how the demand for legislators to produce immediate results often conflicts with developing better, long term solutions. I agree with his take on the issues brief terms and relatively long time frame for visible impacts of successful legislation.
We agreed on the importance of local answers for local problems as well as the importance of addressing the issues of systemic inequality to impart lasting change to the systems of violence and poverty that have trapped so many. In anthropology as with most well-grounded and well-run organizations working to address many of the problems encountered by our communities, we understand how these issues (crime, drug use, and violence) are largely the byproducts of social and economic inequality. In order to truly address issues of community safety we must find ways to consistently foster conditions of stability and access.