Xavier Lopez-Ayala

Name:	Xavier Lopez-Ayala
Location:	Grand Rapids, MI
Where I blog:	Cerebral Politics Hispanic.com - Election 2008 Blogging for Michigan - Xavier MichiganLiberal - XavierLA The Intersection (Politics + Film) - Spout.com

My Experience in progressive politics:

I've volunteered for Sen. Clinton's presidential campaign in Iowa, Michigan, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana (soon to be South Dakota). I was also a part of the effort to re-elect Governor Granholm in 2006, as well as some local races in West Michigan. I've been a member of my school's College Democrats, and helped organize a voter registration drive this past fall. During the summer of 2007 I was a fellow at a Los Angeles-based grassroots human-trafficking organization.

My personal volunteering highlight:

Volunteering in the East LA Hillary Clinton office, along side my mother and grandmother.

Steps I've taken to combine on-line and off-line action:

I've helped implement strategies for converting online social networks into off-line supporters and contributors.

Why I want to attend Netroots Nation:

Because for too long there has been a disconnect between the work of white progressives and their counterparts in the Chicano/Latino community. Sometimes, we forget that there are real people who need help now--not later. I want to learn from the other participants, but also to share my own experiences.

What I want to get out of Netroots Nation:

A greater awareness of how progressive-minded individuals can work together to achieve change that is both immediate and long-lasting.

What is a progressive activist:

I believe a progressive activist is someone who is committed to restoring a sense of fairness and shared responsibility to government, but whose ultimate responsibility is to the people.

How I think blogs fit into the progressive movement:

They provide a centralized location for awareness-raising and organizing efforts. But its important that online activism not replace, but rather supplements, the traditional on-the-ground organizing that has been the hallmark of progressive movement (Cesar Chavez, for example).

How I think Democracy For America fits into the progressive movement:

DFA helps highlight some of the great work being done, and to encourage passive participants to activate their inner-progressive.

In 10 words or less, create a bumper-sticker slogan against John McCain:

John McCain: Rhetoric of the Dead