10:53 PM by 
Yes, it’s the Giant White Girl of Ningin, cheesin’ with yet another Asian celebrity. How did I get to meet Kal Penn? At a Democratic voter-registration rally. He, like several other notable Asian-American actors and directors, is putting his clout behind Barack Obama’s campaign. My son, hiding from the camera, was less enthusiastic. Sorry, Kal. He’ll love your movies someday….but he better not repeat the dirty jokes.
I only heard about the rally this morning, so there was no time to arrange childcare. My unsolicited parenting advice: get a double stroller. You have two crumb-snatchers, it may just be your most treasured possession.
My two-year-old was nervous at first, but got into the action once the speeches started, jumping and clapping. He also loved the giant bus that pulled onto the lot.
Too bad Mr. Obama himself was not there—he would have gone nuts. “Barack Obama” is one of his favorite words to say. But we enjoyed the program anyway. Kal Penn shared a little about why he was involved, local mayor Mark Mallory groused about how he gave up two staffers to the Obama campaign, and Howard Dean spoke with passion (but no HHHHEAAAAAAH!, much to my disappointment).
There was much talk about the unifying effects of the Obama campaign. Howard Dean made some excellent points. He said that even though Evangelical Christians don’t often vote for a Democrat, the Obama campaign made an extra effort to reach out to them. Why? Because Americans are tired of arguing about the issues we cannot agree on, and want to focus on the common good. And the issues are changing. According to a recent study, Christian people under 35 rate poverty, the environment, and Darfur as the most important political issues. Very interesting. Maybe recent world events have re-set American priorities.
I know I got really sick of conservative politics over the last 10 years. Politically, I consider myself purple. I care a great deal about social, racial, and economic justice. I also believe in personal responsibility. No candidate is perfect, but Obama is getting my vote.
After the speeches, we clustered around to meet Kal Penn. No time to shoot the breeze about Asian-American film….it was simply, “I’m a big fan of your films—can I have a picture?” Like many other people I’ve met in the film world, Kal was very down-to-earth and gracious.
Ningin Community, please vote. Maybe you’ll see Kal Penn at the polls, maybe you won’t. But you will make a difference.
Here’s a link to an AA group working to help Obama’s campaign:
Tags: asian, barack obama, celebrity, democratic, kal pen, ningin
