We The People

I can’t wait for you all to see We The People! This Higher Ground project is filled with the songs and the heart of so many of our favorite artists—but even more, it’s a rallying cry for a rising generation that’s ready to take on the world. Watch it on @Netflix on July 4! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/c8N7nb01n8

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) June 2, 2021

Michelle and I are excited to share our latest show from Higher Ground: We The People. Some of our favorite artists got together with amazing animators to remix civics—and the result is a lot better than what we had in school. Check it out on @Netflix this July 4. pic.twitter.com/PlsSyq5pgk

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 2, 2021

2020 Census

It's Census Day and we all have a crucial role to play. Filling out the 2020 Census determines what the next decade… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 01, 2020

The Antidote Is Citizenship

Even if the methods are new, sowing the seeds of doubt, division, and discord to turn Americans against each other… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 11, 2020

Great Example Of Citizenship

What a great example of citizenship, what each of us can do to make a difference for all of us: cnn.com/2020/02/10/us/…

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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 13, 2020

Wise Words From Our FLOTUS

Michelle Obama on women in politics: "People should be less disheartened by the fact that me and Oprah don't want t… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

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David Mack (@davidmackau) April 06, 2018

Michelle Obama is the reassuring voice we all need right now https://t.co/NJIR8ArT9H

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NowThis (@nowthisnews) April 07, 2018

Finding The Good

As we count down to the new year, we get to reflect and prepare for what’s ahead. For all the bad news that seemed… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017

Kat Creech, a wedding planner in Houston, turned a postponed wedding into a volunteer opportunity for Hurricane Har… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017

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Chris Long gave his paychecks from the first six games of the NFL season to fund scholarships in Charlottesville, V… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017

Ten-year-old Jahkil Jackson is on a mission to help homeless people in Chicago. He created kits full of socks, toil… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017

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All across America people chose to get involved, get engaged and stand up. Each of us can make a difference, and al… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017

A Fitting Welcome

My British-born husband takes his oath of citizenship today. In the packet for new Americans, the welcome letter fr… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

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Aisha Sultan (@AishaS) July 14, 2017

@AishaS @tressiemcphd Congrats Aisha. My UK-born husband became a citizen under Obama, and looking back, we took it for granted.

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Amanda Kolson Hurley (@amandakhurley) July 15, 2017

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@Cinnygirlx @farazter @AishaS Congratulations! My bff became a citizen so she could vote for Obama. I'd treasure an… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

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Connie (@connie92506) July 15, 2017

@AishaS @rolandscahill https://t.co/JTRyI7vW6c

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  (@kim) July 14, 2017

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@AishaS I get mine in a few weeks. Really hoping this doesn't change between now and then.

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  (@farazter) July 14, 2017

@AishaS @JoyAnnReid Thank god

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Michael Urie (@michaelurie) July 15, 2017

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@AishaS @steenfox Well yes. Who else would send it besides OUR president...

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Kelly Jr. (@iAmQueenRo) July 14, 2017

@iAmQueenRo @AishaS https://t.co/CHsCuVRzYz

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Angry! Angri! Angré! (@steenfox) July 14, 2017

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@AishaS @NGaziano treasure that thing. encase it in lucite and pass it down as an heirloom! for however long civilization may last, anyway,

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Kittenomics (@PhD_femme) July 14, 2017

@AishaS @instinctnaturel Congratulations to your husband! I also want to live in the🌎where Obama is still POTUS. 💐

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Clotho ☕️☕️ (@clothosspindle) July 14, 2017

****

@AishaS @JulieDiCaro https://t.co/sAcJQf6DoI

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Michelle Biloon (@biloon) July 15, 2017

@AishaS @MichaelGladis Perfect https://t.co/jbCA1Mka0m

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kelly oxford (@kellyoxford) July 15, 2017

One More Way We Make Our Voices Heard For The Next Four Years

In regards to Twitter, Facebook, etc., I say use all but accompany them with her other suggestions. All forms of communication can help on the road to change

I worked for Congress for 6 years, and here's what I learned about how they listen to constituents.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

First, tweeting or writing on Facebook is largely ineffective. I never looked at those comments except to remove the harassing ones.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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Second, writing a letter to the district office (state) is better than sending an email or writing a letter to DC.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

But, the most effective thing is to actually call them on the phone. At their district (state) office. They have to talk to you there.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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We repped half a million people, it was impossible to read and respond personally to all letters. Impossible.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

This was something in particular that I cared about as a staffer and worked very hard on, but the sheer volume of emails is overwhelming

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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So, we batched them with computer algorithms and sent out form letters based on topic and position. Regardless of method received.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

But, phone calls! That was a thing that shook up our office from time. One time, a radio host gave out our district office phone # on air.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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He was against our immigration policy and told our constituents to call. And they did. All. Day. Long. All I did all day was answer phones.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

It was exhausting and you can bet my bosses heard about it. We had discussions because of that call to action.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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If we started getting a pattern of calls, I called up our DC office and asked if they were getting the same calls and we talked.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

Also, recognize that your letters and your emails get seen by staffers, just like your phone calls get answered. That's the way of it.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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If you want to talk to your rep, show up at town hall meetings. Get a huge group that they can't ignore. Pack that place and ask questions.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

We held town halls consistently that fewer than 50 people showed up for. And it was always the same people. So, shake it up.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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As always, please be kind but firm with those staffers. They will listen and talk to you. I always, always did.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

If you run an advocacy group, invite local staffers to show up to your events. Let them talk to people you work with and set up meetings.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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I loved getting out of my office and meeting with advocates in immigration, healthcare, education, science, and every type of work.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

Invite staffers on "field trips" and show them what it's like in your communities. Show them the work you are doing. It works.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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Are you noticing a pattern here? The staff are the ones who run the ground game for Congress. Work on helping them understand and learn.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

Because, if the staff knows you, when they have a question about a piece of legislation or amendment, they will be the one you call.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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And, that's the best I've got for you now. I hope it helps. Use your resources the best way you can and get their attention.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

Here's a Storify of my thread if you'd like to share: storify.com/editoremilye/i…

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

Welcome To The American Family

I was holding it together till I pulled this out of the envelope... https://t.co/EZKJbs50co

—
Peter Eavis (@petereavis) February 05, 2016

An Open Letter to Democrats

If you have the time to go out to a club on a weekend, you have the time to vote.

If you have the time to parse the intricacies of your NFL fantasy football league, you have the time to vote.

If you have the time to drink a freshly poured craft beer, you have the time to vote.

If you have the time to play six hours of games on your Xbox One, you have the time to vote AND volunteer.

Voting is both a right and a privilege.

It is a right because those who came before you fought and died to continually expand the franchise. African Americans in the South couldn’t vote before 1964. Women couldn’t vote before 1920. Universal suffrage was gained by long, incremental struggle. It was not handed on a silver platter, fully formed out of the Founders’ heads like Athena from Zeus.

Voting is a privilege because it is a privilege to be a citizen of the world’s last remaining superpower. It is a privilege because as a mere citizen you have the power to decide your fate. If you eschew voting, to paraphrase Plato, you hand that power over to your inferiors, or at the very least to people who don’t see the world in the same way you do.