A few weeks ago I went to a Barak Obama rally for the first time. I am not a rally person by nature. Standing in line for hours to then stand around with some other people and, eventually, be crushed by those around me is not my idea of a good time. Luckily, Barak held his rally on my alma mater’s campus, so I stood on the balcony of the student activities building and watched from there.

I now understand why people are so crazy about Obama. The man is an inspiring speaker. During the speech, the man moved me to tears. Especially the part where he talked about his mother who died from cancer at age 53. My mom also died from cancer at 53, so I could relate. He said some things about health care and about the war and by the end of the rally I was READY TO GO and also FIRED UP.

Looking back, though, I cannot tell you exactly what he said about healthcare and the war and Congress and other things. I felt kind of like Martha in “The Sound of Drums,” not knowing what he said, but knowing that it was good. This is a problem for me, though. I don’t want to have a vague sense that Obama says some nice things, I want to really pin down his opinions and plans.

It’s 2007. October 2007. I shouldn’t have to give these things serious consideration right now. But with the first primaries coming up in frakking January, that is no longer an excuse not to know what is going on with these candidates.

I’m also motivated by the desire to make sure that black (and other PoC) voters are really listened to in this election. The disgrace of the Republican debate on race issues that many of the candidates didn’t even bother to attend is not all that surprising. However, we can’t take the Democrats for granted just as we cannot allow them to take us for granted. And at least one of those candidates has already proven that she barely takes notice of non-white bloggers.

So here’s what I plan to do. First, I’m going to do my best to blog every Monday about the 2008 election. Whether it be a focus on a candidate or an issue that I am interested in. I can’t scold other people for being uninformed if I am equally so.

I also want to know what we can do, as black/PoC bloggers and Internet users, to make sure our voices are heard by the various candidates? As I said, I refuse to let the Democrats take me and mine for granted this time around. They are going to have to earn my vote with words and actions. But how to get them to do so? Any suggestions, comments, links, etc. on that topic are appreciated.

Let’s get fired up, people. I am ready to go!