Welcome to Louisiana Lefty, a podcast about politics and community in Louisiana, where we make the case that the health of the state requires a strong progressive movement fueled by the critical work of organizing on the ground. Our goal is to democratize information, demystify party politics, and empower you to join the mission. Because victory for Louisiana requires you. I'm your host, Lynda Woolard dropping in for a quick word to regular listeners. Many of you will already know this. I've alluded to it before. I'm actively packing right now to move away from our beloved state. It's not a decision I made lightly. And it has nothing to do with the current state of politics in Louisiana. This has entirely to do with family obligations, and the fact that I'm needed elsewhere. I'm not going to lie, though, I've been told by friends and colleagues, as I've gone through the packing process that I'm lucky to be going or that I'm leaving at the right time. I've heard about so many other people who are leaving, and I've thought to myself, that it'll be nice to not have to evacuate for storms this hurricane season. Or there's some relief about moving to a place that has reliable infrastructure, and a state government that isn't constantly engaged in culture wars. For those who are interested, I'm heading to Biden country, Wilmington, Delaware. I had in fact believed I'd be there early enough in the year to join the presidential campaign. However, I've had multiple family emergencies, and my plans have adjusted several times. I assume I'll attempt to volunteer in the last few months of the campaign as democracy is indeed on the line. And as I've often stated, Louisiana needs federal protections to survive. While I was born in North Carolina, and raised in a series of southern states, I spent several years in Delaware and Pennsylvania for high school in college. My alma mater is the University of Delaware. So my return is a homecoming of sorts. But I've lived in Louisiana, longer than I've lived anywhere else in my life. And I consider this my home. So I'll always care about this state and work to make it better. It's part of the reason I was so invested in reform of the Louisiana Democratic party this year. And I know the importance to this state of re electing a Democratic president in 2024, as well as the Democratic majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, so I will be working for that goal. There is no great joy for me and leaving the place I call home. And honestly, it's not in my nature to run from a fight. This is where the front lines are. This is where the important work is happening. And this is where stakes are highest. Still, I'm fortunate to have friends who get my need to move and support me. I want to quote a previous guest Angelle Bradford who made the most lovely point, - "You must go, both to be near those who need you and because life isn't always about a fight. It's also important for some of us to see the dream. So we don't forget to have hope." End quote, cue tears. So what will become of this podcast? Well, we're still completing some unfinished business from last year through this whole bonus season. And we want to be able to archive and share the info we've been putting out since January of 2021. I've got guests lined up who I think you should know. So stay tuned. I'll get another episode out as soon as I get settled. While episodes are fewer and farther between, we've got a few more in us. And I want to leave the door open to trainings and return engagements as needed. I've also made a pitch to an appropriate replacement podcasts that I hope to be able to introduce at the end of the year. I'm going to push to make that happen. But life is full of curveballs. So we'll see what comes of that. No matter what just understand this there's an army of wonderful people in Louisiana fighting the good fight every day. Louisiana lefty has featured a number of them over the years, both as podcast guests and organizer of the month awardees. All I see are those ranks growing, not withering away. So please know that Louisiana is worth fighting for. You are not alone. And with or without me, the mission of this podcast, progress for the people of our state, will go on. Thank you for listening to Louisiana Lefty. Please follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you to Ben Collinsworth for producing Louisiana Lefty, Jen Pack of Black Cat Studios for our Super Lefty artwork, and Thousand $ Car for allowing us to use their swamp pop classic "Security Guard" as our Louisiana Lefty theme song.
