I’ll begin here:
On Tuesday October 20, 2020, NBC News reporters Julia Ainsley and Jacob Soboroff published an article regarding 545 migrant children separated from their parents by the Trump administration. This is a crime against humanity and I want to see the Democratic Party align with its membership on the level of horror, disgust, and heartbreak we have over these children and parents missing—needing, aching for—each other.
But that’s not all.
I want to see the Democratic Party—nationally, on a leadership level, loud and proud—call out the threats of violence and domestic terrorism aimed at healthcare workers serving COVID patients, officials providing public health guidance, journalists, Democratic leaders, and women.
Let me repeat that last part… And women!
I place these demands on the Democratic Party, because women, especially Black women, have carried the Party and the Party needs to return the favor. Putting children first, because they’re the most vulnerable. And women first, because when women do well, everyone does well.
I’m a 49-year old white woman living in Arizona, raised in Kansas City, where 15 of 22 closest relatives were female, and thus caretakers. My husband and I have lived in Illinois, southern and northern California, and Boston, Mass, but our early voting experiences and those of late have been frustrating due to living in so-called Red States. Still, I vote, every election, for candidates who care. As an ally of the LGBTQIA+, BLM, BIPOC, and climate activist communities, I vote to create a government that looks like and works for the people it represents. This is why I do Get Out The Vote work for Democratic candidates—they show the most care for more people. I also care about education, including the arts. I’m a former early childhood educator, and ten years ago, began my second career, a small artistic business. And because I’ve had health issues and my husband and I have aging parents who want healthy elder years, I care about wellness. I’m concerned about the quality of life for kids and seniors. I worry about my sisters too—blood related, close friends, and ladies in the community, nation and world. I’m like many women. We worry and keep going. We give time, energy, and money to make change happen. I also aim to be kind and authentic in all I do. So, if I’m being real, I must add, I’m fed up!
Women, of all kinds, colors, and ages, need back up!
The last four years, and 2020 uniquely, have been enormously stressful for most reasonable people in this country. Trump and the GOP give us new hideousness every day. And they get bolder and crueler at each turn. Failing miserably on pandemic management isn’t a surprise. They don’t care. They’ve spent four years lying to cover chaos, cheating to fill judge seats, and they stopped masking racism, misogyny, and voter suppression months ago. Consolidating power is the point and they don’t have our best interests or safety in mind. And this next part is important:
The majority of this country is under minority rule!
Women, and allies, when we speak, we must speak from the heart. From the gut. Be angry. The current President of the United States is a con man and a predator while GOP members look the other way. They’ve held the microphone for too long. It’s our turn. Use strong words. Call for unity like this country has never seen. Don’t think too long about this. It’s Election Day and we have three months until Inauguration Day. Talk to your family, friends, neighbors, and community leaders. Write or call Party leaders and newly elected candidates to join in.
Minority rule? Never again!
Families ripped apart? Never again!
Threats of violence? Never again!
Children separated from their caretakers, kept in cages, and then lost to foster care weighs heavy on us. Violence against women, including trans women, is in the news daily. So are reports of Trump supporters weaponizing vehicles and terrorizing polling places, roadways, and communities. Women, particularly Black women, already lead on solutions, and to thank them, I call on all women, allies, and the Democratic Party to let them and other women lead. Take it from me, a woman with a hundred+ women family and friends, living half a century as a female: Empower and embody the Gender Gap and let women do what we do. Get shit done!
Old, young, in great health or just fair, with wealth or struggling, college degree or not. With children, or without. Single, married, divorced, widowed. Straight, lesbian, bi, queer. Born female, transitioning, or identifying as. With religion or atheist. Or somewhere in-between. Women, of all kinds, colors, and political stripes, are tired. Women are scared. Nevertheless, we persist.
And we need backup. Now!
Let our collective voice—and our votes—be the start to a Party Voice that’s forceful and heartfelt, forever claiming the soul of this nation.