Guaranteed Healthcare

Colette Washington here! I’m the webmaster for the California Nurses Association / National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC).  I also write and perform political songs (including "Healthcare Justice"), and produce online videos for CNA/NNOC. You may have seen the "About Time for 89" music video. Either way, check out our YouTube channel.  I’m here at the Yearly Kos Convention in Chicago mixing it up with bloggers and political activists from around the globe. It’s been an amazing experience running into people I met at last year’s event in Vegas, and meeting new folks this year with fire in their eyes and passion in their hearts.

It’s powerful being surrounded by so many progressives virtually, and at this moment personally working together to make our world a better place for everyone.  It’s also refreshing for me, as a woman of color, to see a noticeable increase in diversity since last year’s inaugural conference.  I’m here attending workshops and sharing information about best practices using blogs and other new media to promote social networking and ultimately, social change.

Looking through the schedule of workshops here at the massive McCormick Place Convention Center, I’ve decided to focus my attention on how healthcare relates to cultural diversity, video production, and union organizing. So between classes, I'm video taping conference attendees on what they think about healthcare in America, and so far, nearly every one of them has a personal story to share, or knows someone who is affected by a healthcare issue. I will be posting this footage on YouTube over the next few weeks, so if you want to see it, subscibe to our YouTube channe nowl 

To give you an idea of some of the topics being discussed here, read my notes below on a few of the workshops I’ve attended so far.   Tomorrow, I will "Ask the Leaders" (including some presidential candidates) what they will be doing to ensure that everyone in America has guaranteed healthcare on a Single Payer model from the cradle to the grave.  If allowed, I will video tape their responses and post them here over the next few weeks so please check back.  I'll also post more notes from the KOS event for anyone interested. 

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LABOR CAUCUS

A plethora of unions were represented in this discussion about how the union movement is using new media to reach its members.  The California Nurses Association / National Nurses Organizing Committee was acknowledged as a labor leader—using custom campaign songs, YouTube videos, effective websites, blogs, and rallies to draw attention to their issues. Some unions are beginning to train their members about the importance of blogging—especially as the voice of labor in mainstream media is fading. There was agreement that many union workers want more interactive communications online with each other and with their unions through blogs, listservs, etc. but in order to build supportive online communities, it was advised that permission-based training with designated individuals be the starting point from which to build upon, and NOT to expect communities to form overnight.

You can tune in to Labor and other discussions at:
• Firedoglake.net (Thursday labor discussions)
• DailyKos.org (Tuesday evening labor discussions)
• Calitics.org
• MyDD.org
• BlogPac.org
• DMIblog.org

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AFRICAN AMERICAN NETROOTS CAUCUS

This was a lively discussion about race and class struggles, the black leadership crisis in America, and how black bloggers are working together to shed more light on everyday black leaders doing positive work in their local communities.  Black bloggers are growing in numbers and are working to amplifying the black voice among mainstream media and high profile blogs like KOS.  For example, there was some strategizing by the group to simultaneously blog on major race issues like the Jena Six, and the failure of African American iconic leaders like the NAACP to provide better representation.  The group acknowledged the importance of collaborating with non black bloggers. Mainstream American media was also discussed as perpetuating racial divides by focusing reports solely on what’s wrong with people and communities of color.

Learn more about the African American Netroots community at:
• AllAboutRace.com
• ColorOfChange.com
• AfroNetizen.com
• JackAndJillPolitics.com 
• TheSuperSpade.com
• BlackNetAction.com

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THE POLITICAL IMPACT OF WEB VIDEO THROUGH 2008

Videoroots communities are expanding from the convergence of new media

• YouTube enables easy viewing, tracking and archiving of online videos.
• Many independent filmmakers are using the Web to fundraise for productions.
• We will begin to see more video at conventions like KOS.
• Ad Watch systems will begin to play a role in video like they do in TV.
• Policy videos like the “Inconvenient Truth” will effect social change.
• The Bad/Ugly Videos: Reality footage of police brutality, etc. will be pushed out more.
• Smear videos will be huge during political campaigns.
• Voters will use video to pose questions to candidates and vise-versa.
• Expect November surprise videos leading up to the elections.
• Personal stories, opinions, and independent movies will grow online.
• The video movement is only beginning, there’s so much more to come.

Why independent Internet TV is just around the corner:

• The convergence of computers, TV, cell phone, high definition, websites, etc.
• Higher quality HD TV and video for 42 inch flat screens is here.
• Shorter videos will continue on Web YouTube and other video sites.
• The intersection of pop culture and video is still widening.
• Creative individuals now have better access to inexpensive video technology.
• Apple TV and the  i-phones will have a huge impact on future technology.
• Literacy through “Videracy” will impact education and policy.
• Videos will become more creative and powerful than just talking heads.
• The same news sells: controversy, comedy, sexy, and substantive.

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THE CHANGING DYNAMICS OF DIVERSITY

• RACISM REMAINS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM (nobody’s talking about it)
• Sickness does not discriminate based on who has insurance or not.
• Insurance companies DO discriminate against the sick.
• Voters may need protection, encouragement, and assistance to get to the polls.
• The criminal justice infrastructure is set-up to house people of color.
• Immigration criminalization, immigration status violations = more racism.
• Servitude: immigrants are afraid of being deported and have little representation.
• Immigrants don’t unionize for fear of being deported.
• The differences between Racism vs. Prejudice were discussed at length.
• Jim Allen Gov. Virginia calls Asian student a macaque (type of monkey)
• Many avoidable illnesses can be traced to environment, poverty, and race.
• Blacks believe in talking more directly about race/class issues.
• Healthcare divides would be demolished by Single Payer Healthcare.
• Report on incarceration rates across America.
• Oppression Olympics must be stopped.

Here are a few more websites/blogs to check out:
• BlackAgendaReport.com
• LatinaLista.blogspot.com
• TheUnapologeticMexican.org/elgrito