Suga Matthews

Name:	Suga Matthews
Location:	Lithonia, GA

My Experience in progressive politics:

I am the administrator for the US Human Rights network and a member of the Backbone Campaign. After suffering great losses in Hurricane Katrina I dedicated my life to creating change in my community one city at a time. I was a regional planner for the US Social Forum in 2007, The youngest board member of the People's Hurricane Relief fund, an organizer for Katrina/Ritaville express, a planner for the Finding our Folk Tour, a movement artist and songwriter, Atlanta planner for V-Day New Orleans 2008, A participant in SHROC 6, and I am currently leading the plans for a National Katrina and Rita Survivor's Assembly in Houston in October.

My personal volunteering highlight:

I can remember protesting in front of FEMA head quartes in DC three months after the storm. We had driven all night to get there and went straight from the bus to the march. I felt proud and strong that i was being pro-active. I wasn't sitting at home complaining about what FEMA would or wouldn,t do for me and my family i was taking a stand band demanding my rights. During the march someone said "Sing your song girl", and i did. During the evacuation i wrote a song called Wade in The Water. Workers from FEMA were taking off their badges in shame after hearing the lyrics. That song was later filedin the library of congress as The First Survivors Testimony of Hurricane Katrina.

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

By using the KIN or Katrina Information Network i am able upload current events and recent actions surrounding Gulf Coast work. Our website www.ushrnetwork.org also supplies resources for organizers using the human rights framework.

Why I want to attend Netroots Nation:

I would like to learn more about effective organizing. Increasing my knowlwdge in key areas and building skills will be an asset to the work i have dedicated my life to do.

What I want to get out of Netroots Nation:

A better understanding of the political climate in this county. Make connections with other people and organizations so that i can be more effective in my work.Life long relationship with other progressive activists and build a support community.

What is a progressive activist:

I am a progressive activist. I write music that reflects the issues of the current times. Being progressive to me means that i am willing to put aside my personal feelings and beliefs about issues and fight for equality for all people and all issues.

How I think blogs fit into the progressive movement:

Blogs are a great way to capture attention quickly. Visual elements are a large part of our society. This country spends billions of dollars on adverisement because taht know that visually peple can be influenced. Blogs are also interactive and you can engage person into your work.

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

Being able to reform our political party to include progressive issues will put democrats at the forefront of other nations when it comes to international and domestic issues.

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

Don't Do Well With Change? Vote McCain