Volunteering for Measure 97 is Statewide Self-Care
In the lead up to the 2016 election, I wrote the following personal testimony as to why I supported a statewide ballot measure to tax major corporations and fund social services – Oregon has some of the lowest corporate tax rates in the nation, and our social safety net is comparatively weak as a result. The measure would ultimately fail, but Measure 97 would inspire Portland communities of color to begin conversations about taxing corporations to pay for green infrastructure, an idea which would become the Portland Clean Energy Fund.
I’ve worked on plenty of organizing efforts where I’ve seen long hours, too many slices of pizza, and not enough sleep or down time. Organizing can be stressful, and when you’re running campaigns you care about it’s easy to forget to drink water or take a break. I always remind people, “you’re no good to the movement if you’re no good to yourself.” We have to remember to exercise self-care, a phrase we use so much that it’s become something of a buzz word. But what does care look like on a societal level? Justice. As Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
I’m 100% invested in the Low Income Fare Equity and YouthPass to the Future campaigns, but I also keep my eye on other campaign work happening in our city and state, including campaigns for the November election. The campaign I’m watching most closely this year is the Measure 97 campaign to tax large corporations to pay for vital social services. Please, vote YES on Measure 97. Measure 97 helps ensure our state cares for our seniors, students, and those who need health care.
OPAL has endorsed Measure 97, alongside several other ballot measures. I know personally many of the volunteers, organizers, and leaders of the Measure 97 effort. They’re hard-working, dedicated people fighting to improve education, health care, and senior services for Oregonians. They put in long and hard hours to ensure Oregon is a caring, supportive environment, and we should all be thankful for their sacrifices.
As a way of saying thanks to the committed organizers of Measure 97, I’m giving my time to the campaign. Caring isn’t just about how we treat ourselves; it’s about the system we want to see replace the current, exploitative economy. A nurturing, cooperative economy looks like giving of our time and ourselves to support those around us. Taxing major corporations won’t solve everything, but it’s still the right thing to do, and volunteers like you and me can help make it happen, and bring Justice to Oregon’s tax code.
I encourage the community to rally behind this historic effort to make sure corporations finally pay their fair share. We’re going to be joining the Measure 97 campaign for a canvass on Saturday, October 15th, and we’d love to see you there. If you want to RSVP, email me and I’ll let the campaign know you’re coming. If we want an economy that cares, it starts with us.