November

Civil rights march on Washington, D.C. 8/28/1963. Original black and white negative by Warren K. Leffler. Colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Unseen Histories

We’re eight days out from the biggest election of our lives, and nearly 60 million Americans have already cast their ballots. But Trump’s 2016 skinny, dumbfounding defeat over Clinton underscored the adage that every vote counts.

I’ve had a love, hate relationship with politics over the years, and at times, none at all. I voted for Hillary, but I could have and should have done more. The past four years under his lack of leadership has taught us a lesson the hard way.

Government matters. We can’t let conflict aversion create complacency, and we must never let feelings of indifference or helplessness keep us from speaking up for what’s right.

The late Congressman John Lewis told us,

"The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it."

I’ve found inspiration in the words of voting rights champions Lewis and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but it’s the work of Black women that’s waking this white girl up.

Women like activist Wendy Caldwell, author Brittney Cooper, advocate Angela Rye, Breonna Taylor’s mom Tamika Palmer and the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement are using their voices to push us closer to liberty and justice for all.

Black women, particularly mothers, are our nation’s unsung heroes. They’ve been hit the hardest by the pandemic and the patriarchy, and yet they keep fighting because they can’t afford not to.

It’s time to for all of us to join them in the ring to fight for our democracy, for our rights, for the lives of all of our kids. Our nation’s soul is on the line, and we can all do something to save it. Please vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and use whatever platform you have to do the same. Now is not the time for political correctness or passive politeness.

We can’t let the fear of stepping on toes keep us from taking a step towards equality.

Please read and share these posts as a reminder that the stakes are too high to stay silent.