Malika Taalbi

Name: Malika Taalbi Location: Milwaukee, WI Former Feingold staffer. Committed organizer and activist with a (com)passionate heart. Dedicated to making a positive difference.

A little about me

I’m a recent Political Science graduate of Marquette University, and a life-long native of Milwaukee, WI. After graduation, I spent a year working for the Feingold campaign as a research intern in Milwaukee and a field organizer in Central Wisconsin. My experience working for the campaign was invaluable. I learned a lot about organizing, working with a field plan, and using different tactics (including building a text list) to help target volunteers. I was responsible for 11 counties at any given time during the campaign, and worked hard to immerse myself in the issues most relevant to Central and Northern Wisconsin.

Additionally, I am passionate about both education and international issues. I have had a lot of experience working for student affairs in both the high school and collegiate setting. During college, I was an Orientation Student Coordinator for Marquette University, responsible for helping to organize Orientation for over 2000 new students and 1000 family members. I think we all need to support our teachers, regardless of partisanship. It's shameful that certain politicians cut funds from education, because children can't fight back. I have studied for a semester in France and traveled extensively around Europe. My father is a Berber immigrant and now US Citizen from North Africa.

Most recently, I’ve engaged in the Union solidarity and anti-Walker/GOP protest action in both Madison and Milwaukee. I’ve been amazed by the peaceful show of support and am fiercely proud of Wisconsinites for getting involved.

I would describe myself as a

offline activitst

Why I deserve a Netroots Nation Scholarship

This would be my first time coming to Netroots Nation. I’m really excited about the prospect of what I can learn from everyone around me, as well as what I can bring to the table. Even though Minneapolis is relatively close to Milwaukee, attending without help would unfortunately be a luxury that I can’t afford as a recent college graduate. I know that Netroots Nation will help me build upon the skills I learned on the Feingold campaign so that I can come back to Milwaukee more informed with the tools to act.

The blogs I use most are

Blogging Blue
Misplaced Morality

What first inspired me to get involved

I grew up in a household with a conservative mother and a (somewhat) liberal father. They both encouraged me, as well as my siblings, to get out and experience the world in order to make our own decisions. I’ve always been a passionate learner and the more I saw, the more I recognized the need to get involved and make a difference. I was 15 on a vacation to San Francisco when I first truly wanted to get involved. My grandma introduced me to a homeless woman that she had befriended, and the three of us went out to lunch. It put a face to an otherwise nameless cause and helped me see the humanity behind poverty.

How I've gotten others involved

I ask. It’s as simple as that. I think there are a lot of people who want to be involved but don’t know where to turn. Equally, there are “almost-organizers” who have great ideas but are hesitant to be turned down, or don’t know how to ask. I like to stay informed, and I try to help those around me find avenues to be involved. In college, I helped to start a shoe drive in order to raise awareness about the hookworm parasite common in impoverished areas where shoes are a luxury. We collected over 300 pairs of shoes between two universities and partnered with local businesses.

Why I think participation in the blogosphere is important

Blogging and other forms of online activism are an essential tool to help spread ideas and information in this era. It’s no longer just a face-to-face solution. Organizers can use online resources to organize protests, start conversations, and get people fired up. I think the Cheddarbomb used during the Feingold campaign is a great example – over $435,000 raised in 24 hours. Online. There will always be people who aren’t comfortable making phone calls or knocking doors. The blogosphere is a great way for these individuals to both act and respond to issues.

My Twitter manifesto on online activism

It’s so important to get out there and hit the pavement, but we also need armchair activists to help send the message out to everyone else hidden in the cracks.

My suggested bumper sticker slogan

If you can read this, thank your teacher.

My idea for a cool new online action

I think some Postsecret-style collection of why people get involved would be touching and inspirational. Some of the posters I’ve seen in Madison, WI this past month have been awe-inspiring. Protesters are nothing if not creative.