Tag: blm

  • First Presidential Debate of 2020

    First Presidential Debate of 2020

    Here are some memorable moments:

    “I don’t wear masks like him. Every time you see him, he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away from them, and he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.”

    –President Trump

    “By the way, I brought back Big Ten football. It was me, and I’m very happy to do it and the people of Ohio are very proud of me.”

    –President Trump

    “Mr. President, please stop.”

    –Chris Wallace

    “He wouldn’t know a suburb unless he took a wrong turn.”

    –Former Vice President Biden

    “Will you shut up, man.”

    –Former Vice President Biden

    On a more serious note, I am appalled by the divisive rhetoric spewed by President Trump. This harmful and toxic pattern needs to come to a stop. If you would like to locate a fact-checker for the debate, please click here. For a general fact-checker on candidates, click here.

    Here is some information about how to vote in the upcoming November election. Together, we have the power to make a difference.

    Step 1: Be sure to register to vote. Check vote411.org for instructions on voting and visit sos.iowa.org for instructions in Iowa. https://www.ballotready.org/ is also an amazing resource.

    Step 2: After you’re registered to vote make sure you know about the different ways to cast your ballot. One great way is absentee voting. Check vote411.org for instructions on voting and visit sos.iowa.org for instructions in Iowa. You can also check out https://www.ballotready.org/

    Step 3: Understanding your ballot and voting in elections are forms of civic engagement. Voting is an opportunity to shape your community and take care of its pressing needs. Below are examples of down-ballot (state or local) seats you may see—research all the candidates on your ballot by visiting vote411.org or https://www.ballotready.org/



    Related Posts:
    How Can I Help?
    August 2020


  • Finding My Voice: Reflections on Race, Resilience, and Hope

    Finding My Voice: Reflections on Race, Resilience, and Hope

    The last couple of months have been heavy — really heavy. Between living through a global pandemic and witnessing the ongoing fight against police brutality and racism, it’s been a lot to process. Today, I wanted to slow down, take a deep breath, and write from the heart about some of my personal experiences and how I’m feeling right now.

    Growing up, I had “the talk” — the one that so many Black families have. It wasn’t about birds or bees; it was about how to act around police and how to keep myself safe. I learned early on that if something ever happened, I should call my family first — not necessarily the police. It’s an unfair reality, but it’s one that has been passed down through generations.

    As someone who’s mixed, my experience has always existed in a sort of in-between space. I’ve been surrounded by love from family on all sides, but I’ve also had to sit through uncomfortable moments — moments when people questioned white privilege, dismissed “Black Lives Matter” with “Blue Lives Matter,” or ignored racism simply because it didn’t affect them personally. Those conversations hurt. They chipped away at something inside me for a while.

    But instead of letting that pain change how I see myself, it changed how I see them.
    It taught me who was willing to listen — and who wasn’t. It showed me that silence in the face of racism is just another form of harm. And though it’s exhausting to always be the one explaining why Black lives matter, I’ve learned to find strength in my voice.

    Sometimes, I still feel drained — like I’ve hit a wall. It’s frustrating to live in a world where I have to defend my humanity, to explain history that’s easily accessible if people just cared enough to learn. But at the same time, I have hope. I see friends, family, and communities showing up, speaking out, and learning how to be better allies.

    That gives me strength.
    That gives me peace.

    I’m still learning how to navigate certain relationships — especially with people I love who hold views I can’t support. But I know I’ll find what’s right for me, and I hope you will too.

    Change takes courage. It takes compassion. And it takes choosing to care, every single day. I still believe we can get there — with open hearts, honest conversations, and a shared hope for something better.