An International Women’s Day 2022 Thank You Note

The author stand with her hands crossed over one another, the post associated with the 2022 International Women’s Day theme, “Break the Bias.” A couple of months ago, I scheduled a mammogram for March 8. The connection between that date and International Women’s Day hadn’t occurred to me. When it did finally dawn on me,ContinueContinue reading “An International Women’s Day 2022 Thank You Note”

Our Words Matter

Words matter. They matter more than we realize. They have the power to fundamentally alter someone’s outlook. They don’t even have to be profound to make a profound impact. I’ve said those six words, “It’s a practice, not a perfect,” to my daughters regarding any number of topics, ranging from school to exercise to emotions.

A Reminder for this National Day of Service

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was designated, by former President Barack Obama, as the only federal holiday that also serves as a national day of service. To honor the life, memory, and legacy of Dr. King, all Americans are asked to perform an act of service in their communities. As we move through this day,ContinueContinue reading “A Reminder for this National Day of Service”

January 6, 2021 — What Did It Mean for Our Democracy?

A one year anniversary reflection Stop the Steal Rally attendees, the morning of January 6, 2021. The Stop the Steal Rally later turned into the violent insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol. Photo is author’s own. It’s the one year anniversary of a violent attempted overthrow of the government. I knew it was coming. WeContinueContinue reading “January 6, 2021 — What Did It Mean for Our Democracy?”

What Do I Say To Her?

Talking to My Daughter About Mass Shootings and the Painful Reasons They Happen Author’s Note: I wrote this in 2019. In light of yet another school shooting, this time in Michigan, just one of the 138 incidents, 28 of which have resulted in fatalities, we’ve had in 2021, I thought it a good idea toContinueContinue reading “What Do I Say To Her?”

Same Sitch, Different Day

White child vigilante’s acquittal proves nothing’s changed Photo by Joseph Yates on Unsplash The heartbreak, anger, fear and futility the families of Kyle Rittenhouse’s murder victims are feeling must be enormous. And, Black American families all over the country. And, the family of Julius Jones in Oklahoma. Today, a jury in Wisconsin, aided and abettedContinueContinue reading “Same Sitch, Different Day”

Men’s Mental Health Matters

Photo by jdalton1216 on Pixabay It’s the middle of November. Movember, the month-long event that began as a way to raise money and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer, is in full swing. They’ve subsequently added a third goal, men’s mental health issues, especially suicide prevention. And, it’s had me thinking. I’ve written many timesContinueContinue reading “Men’s Mental Health Matters”

Truth in Politicking? Hahahahaha!

What might that sound like? A section of the May — July 2019 exhibition, Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow, And Green, by Rirkrit Tiravanija, at The Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC. Photo taken by author. What if politicians told the truth? Try to imagine it. Hilarious, right? Not funny haha though, angry funny. Our furyContinueContinue reading “Truth in Politicking? Hahahahaha!”

Crime Is Up, but at Least the City’s E-Scooters Are Safe

Elected leaders are choosing political expediency and finger-pointing instead of addressing rising violent crime head-on Photo © Bruce Guthrie District residents are grappling with a second year of increased violent crime. The city’s elected leaders have been intensely focused on safety. On October 1, the city’s new law requiring e-scooters to be locked up orContinueContinue reading “Crime Is Up, but at Least the City’s E-Scooters Are Safe”

It’s Never Been About Abortion

These laws are about control. It’s about the desire for mostly white conservative Christian men and women to control women’s bodies. Abortion is a red herring. The control and the cruelty are the point.

These same politicians crow about the need to be pro-life and complain about government programs to help families. Without supporting access to affordable, adequate health care and child care, housing that helps keep families safe, food programs that can educate people about healthy eating and provide access to affordable, healthy foods, claims of being pro-life ring hollow.