Padmé Amidala (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
aggressive_negotiations) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
tramitem_net2020-06-07 10:01 pm
aggressive_negotiations) wrote in tramitem_net2020-06-07 10:01 pm
Entry tags:
video; introductions
[The video opens up into a small but well decorated home office. Behind Smith is a bookshelf with titles ranging from "To Kill and Mockingbird" and Sun Tzu's "The Art of War." There are photos of Smith with prominent local leaders, and several awards issued to her for services to the community.
There's a space right behind her, in full view of the camera, where someone who didn't build their career on social media optics might hang their degree. Smith regularly uses this home office to live stream town hall meetings and council Q&A's. People want evidence that you're smart, but they don't want you being too obvious about it.
Instead, there's a piece of artwork with her favorite quote on it: "I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." It's from a poem called The Old Astronomer by Sarah Williams. Her parents gave it to Smith when she first decided to run for local office.
The entire background paints a picture before Smith has to say a word: Competent, but not arrogant. Approachable. Ready to listen, and with resources to offer.]
Hello. [A smile.] My name is Leia Smith -- please feel free to call me Smith. All my friends do. Some of you may have seen me at the support group, or at the wonderful event at Rockaway Beach. Or you may recognize me from my work as District 7's city councilperson. I apologize for not formally introducing myself sooner. As I am sure you are all aware, when one's world view is turned upside down...[She looks off camera for a moment, considering her words.]
It takes you a moment to regroup, doesn't it? [She looks back at the camera. Relaxed, but full of purpose.]
I've had my moment. Now, I'd like to help. Most immediately, I'd like to connect members of this community with additional resources to help navigate the challenges that come with being...[There's a clear measure of distaste, as she echos The Bureau's words.] "Different."
What's happening to us isn't normal. And yet, we live in a society that demands we go on as if it is. There's rent, holding down a job, trying to maintain one's mental health -- many of the daily demands of life become that much more difficult when you're processing a trauma. So if these events have impacted your ability to do any of those things -- please let me know. I will do my best to help.
There's a space right behind her, in full view of the camera, where someone who didn't build their career on social media optics might hang their degree. Smith regularly uses this home office to live stream town hall meetings and council Q&A's. People want evidence that you're smart, but they don't want you being too obvious about it.
Instead, there's a piece of artwork with her favorite quote on it: "I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." It's from a poem called The Old Astronomer by Sarah Williams. Her parents gave it to Smith when she first decided to run for local office.
The entire background paints a picture before Smith has to say a word: Competent, but not arrogant. Approachable. Ready to listen, and with resources to offer.]
Hello. [A smile.] My name is Leia Smith -- please feel free to call me Smith. All my friends do. Some of you may have seen me at the support group, or at the wonderful event at Rockaway Beach. Or you may recognize me from my work as District 7's city councilperson. I apologize for not formally introducing myself sooner. As I am sure you are all aware, when one's world view is turned upside down...[She looks off camera for a moment, considering her words.]
It takes you a moment to regroup, doesn't it? [She looks back at the camera. Relaxed, but full of purpose.]
I've had my moment. Now, I'd like to help. Most immediately, I'd like to connect members of this community with additional resources to help navigate the challenges that come with being...[There's a clear measure of distaste, as she echos The Bureau's words.] "Different."
What's happening to us isn't normal. And yet, we live in a society that demands we go on as if it is. There's rent, holding down a job, trying to maintain one's mental health -- many of the daily demands of life become that much more difficult when you're processing a trauma. So if these events have impacted your ability to do any of those things -- please let me know. I will do my best to help.
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[She shrugs.]
After that, it just kinda stuck.
[It wasn't anything that was hard for her to give up. She's never quite felt like her first name suites her. Abstractly, she likes Leia. It's a pretty name. But it's never felt like a fit.]
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So how's it going since you found out you were one of us? You keeping it together?
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[She shrugs.]
That, or curl into balls and never leave our beds.
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[She looks at a picture of her parents, sitting on her desk.]
I think the important thing to remember is that our lives here aren't any less real.
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