What We Can Do After Charlottesville

What We Can Do After CharlottesvilleBack in February, I posted about 5 Ways to Get Involved Right Now in this scary, uncertain world we’re living in. Now, six months later, it’s easy to feel like things are never going to get any better. Some days, the weight of it all seems unbearable, but I just keep thinking: What we can do after Charlottesville and beyond does have the power to change things. What we do will make a difference.

What’s happening in Charlottesville is NOT a political issue. It’s a HUMAN RIGHTS issue. And there aren’t “many sides” because the last time I checked, you’re either part of the solution or you’re condoning racism and hate. And there’s absolutely no place at the table for that kind of violence.

Here are a few things YOU can do to make a difference today…

Speak Up

You have a strong voice. Use it. And more importantly, don’t be afraid to use it. When you see injustice around you, point it out. Our voice is a powerful tool, so please use it for good.

Listen

Although speaking up is important, sometimes listening is what’s needed more. Listen to people. Let them speak. And don’t talk over them.

Education & Support

Knowledge is power and education is the first step in combating hatred. Staying up to date on the news is a given, both online and in print, but it’s also important to learn how to respond to bigotry and work to be a better ally.

As for support, here is a great list of organizations in Charlottesville that need your help.

And in general, here are 5 organizations dedicated to fighting hate, discrimination and bigotry…

• Southern Poverty Law Center

• NAACP

• ACLU

• Stop Hate Project

• Legal Defense Fund

“Every minute we allow this to persist through tacit encouragement or inaction is a disgrace, & corrosive to our values,” Hillary Clinton tweeted recently. “Now is the time for leaders to be strong in their words & deliberate in their actions. We will not step backward. If this is not who we are as Americans, let’s prove it.”

What We Can Do After CharlottesvilleWe cannot let racism, misogyny, sexism, ableism win. We cannot accept this behavior as our normal. Too much is at stake. Because this is NOT who we are. This is not where we want to go. We can’t let ourselves be swallowed by hate.

Never underestimate the power and value of being a decent human being. As I’ve said before, the world can be a dark, dark place. Be the light. I love you… xoxo

[Top photo by Debbie Elliott for NPR. Bottom photo via We Heart It]

My Essay on The New York Times: “Disabled, Shunned and Silenced…”

My Essay on The New York TimesIn the chaos of my sickness last week, I found it pretty difficult to find anything positive. I just generally felt tired and crummy — I’m sure you know how that goes. BUT! Like a beautiful rainbow after the rain, things did end up turning around. On Wednesday, I got that much-needed dose of positivity in the best way possible for a writer: My essay on The New York Times!!

Although I’ve been posting all about it on social media as I was in the different stages of writing, editing and pitching “Disabled, Shunned and Silenced in Trump’s America,” I’ve kept pretty quiet here on the blog — mainly because the essay hadn’t been accepted anywhere yet. OK, and honestly, I didn’t want to jinx myself, either!

But, that doesn’t mean I was any less passionate about the subject matter. In the days following the inauguration, I discovered that the ‘disabilities’ section of the White House Web site had been removed. While it’s true that its removal had a lot to do with the transfer of one administration to another, seeing a systematic disappearance of something that is such a part of my identity — that is, frankly, ME — just broke my heart. It made me feel “less than” and like I didn’t really matter.

So I wrote about it. I wrote the words I needed to say. I wrote about what a lot of people in this country are feeling right now. And I’m just incredibly grateful that The New York Times published my essay as part of their Disability column. I couldn’t believe the outpouring of support and it meant so much to me that people could identify with my words and my story.

You can read the full essay here and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to email me anytime at mellow1422@aol.com and let’s chat! And of course, feel free to share my essay on Facebook, Twitter or even your local refrigerator. If you share on Twitter, be sure to tag me @melissablake so we can connect! I can’t wait to hear from you! Love you all… xoxo

5 Ways to Get Involved Right Now

Ways to Get Involved Right NowOver the last eight years, I’ve pretty much shied away from posting about politics on So About What I Said — not because I wasn’t passionate or an engaged citizen, but because I didn’t really know how to go about it. Honestly, I didn’t know where to start. Well, if the world seemed heavy then, it feels downright overbearing these day. Right now, I feel so overwhelmed by everything and just turning on the news can send me into a tailspin on despair. So. Much. Is. Happening. What are some ways to get involved right now? What are some things we all can do that will make a huge difference? And, where do we go from here?

Those are the questions that made me realize I needed to do this post. Today. Right now. Because some things are bigger than worrying that what you do won’t be enough. There is a time to stand up and take action. This is one of those times. So, with that in mind, here are 5 ways you can get involved and make your voice heard right now…

Write to Your Representatives

Just like voting, letting those in power know exactly how we feel is one of our biggest duties as citizens, so get out those envelopes and stamps or start drafting an email to send to those who are responsible for forming policies and laws — this could be at the local, state and federal levels. Remember Winona from a few years ago? She recently spent an afternoon making notecards full of Mike Pence and Paul Ryan’s hypocritical tweets — you can even download them to send on your own! Also, check out Making 5 Calls for a list of local representative by zip code to send feedback on the issues that matter most to you.

Donate, Donate, Donate

There are literally thousands of organizations doing so much amazing works, but with looming cuts to federal and state programs, your support now means more than ever. What are some social issues you’re passionate about? Find an organization and donate today. I just donated to the ACLU and Planned Parenthood today, and here are 28 timely charities to donate to right now.

Stay Informed — and Support the Press/News Media

My journalism background is probably coming out with this one, but this is something I’m obviously extremely passionate about. The press has such a storied history and is a central part of the woven fabric of America. Journalists need to be supported so they can continue to tell the stories that matter most, so consider staying informed with a newspaper subscription (USA Today is one of my favorites for a solid overview of everything that’s going on) and don’t forget about your local newspaper. Also, thanks to technology, there are some amazing email newsletters out there that deliver a daily digest on the go, like actionnow, Resistable and Signal Boost. Bonus: These four newsletters are all run by women, from activists to journalists!

Plus, the Washington Post just announced that they’re expanding their PowerPost team that covers D.C. decision-makers by introducing three new daily newsletters, highlighting financial services sector and economic policy, healthcare policy and energy and environmental policy. I also just signed up for 5-Minute Fix, their daily newsletter for keeping up with politics. Remember, knowledge is power!

Get Involved in Local Politics/Volunteer

Beyond financial support, there are a variety of ways that you can give back on a regular basis. My mom and I volunteer at our church — she contributes to the local homeless shelter and I create our church’s newsletter. My sister also volunteers every Thursday morning at the local food bank. These local ripples will surely make big waves!

And, don’t discount the value of getting involved in local politics. My friend Kori is heavily involved in local government, and as she says, “Volunteer for a campaign (on a regular basis), run for office, contact legislators. I would also like to see more people get involved with local governments because they can make a big difference there over night. And not just negative stuff, people come out when they hate things but it is just as important to share positive ideas for programs or initiatives that can be done.”

Find Protests In Your Area

The Women’s March may be over, but the fight has just begun. Find a march in your area and get to it — there’s a lot of work to be done, but coming together is an outstanding first step (no pun intended).

Overall, what’s so important to remember is that NOTHING is too small. No gesture is insignificant when it comes to enacting change. We do have the power to change the world, but it’s going to take all of us working together.

Ways to Get Involved Right NowAs my mom’s been saying lately, “We must remain vigilant.” This is so true! So stand up. Fight for what’s right. Speak up when you see misogyny, racism, oppression, etc. The world we’re living in right now? It’s not normal and never will be. Let’s be the change we wish to see in the world. And of course… #BeBraveBeYou

[Illustration via Join the Uproar]

 

These T-shirts Say Feminism Is Here to Stay…

Have you heard? Feminism is here to stay! With everything that’s been going on in the world lately (I’m  doing a more action-oriented post about it tomorrow, so stay tuned…), it’s so easy to get bogged down by the negative. And rightfully so — there is so much at stake and so many things are just plain wrong. So it was nice to smile for a change this morning when I came across these amazing t-shirts from Prinkshop! The socially conscious shop is dedicated to making products with a purpose; their t-shirts, notebooks and totes spotlight a wide range of issues, such as sex trafficking to education, homelessness and marriage equality. Your purchases help make a big difference, too — Prinkshop identifies organizations that need help, partners with them and then donates 30% of profits to their cause.

Here are a few of my favorite things from the shop…feminism is here to stay prinkshop shirtsYou See A Girl…feminism is here to stay prinkshop shirts77/100…feminism is here to stay prinkshop shirtsWe Stand Up…feminism is here to stay prinkshop shirtsThe Personal Is Political…feminism is here to stay prinkshop shirts1973…

It’s a win-win, don’t you think, friends? I’m loving the statement these are making! And, of course, look for a post tomorrow about how you can get involved and take action! #BeBraveBeYou… xoxo

P.S. 11 famous women on feminism and an Ode to Feminist Fashion. And, what type of feminist are you?

Thoughts on the Election: Where Do We Go Now?


I was all set to officially unveil the blog makeover yesterday, but in light of the last 36 hours, it just seems incredibly wrong right now. So I will hold off until next week. Instead, I wrote this essay. There are many things need to be said and felt and processed. We’re strong and please know that I am with you — today, tomorrow and always!! I love you all… xoxo

I come from a long line of strong women. My grandmother left her small hometown in Michigan when she was just 18 and headed to bustling Chicago for nursing school.

My mom is never prouder than when she’s telling the story of how she’s never missed voting in a presidential election. When I was growing up, she’d regale us with her historic tales, and the older I got, the more I started to realize that her stories were much more than idle dinner conversation. Her stories were lessons. To her, voting wasn’t just a passive act. It was a responsibility — the kind not to be taken lightly. The kind that demanded participation. The kind that called you to raise your voice and say, “Yes, I need to be that change I wish to see in the world.” The kind that asked one question: If not me, then who?

And over the years, I’ve come to appreciate my mom and her lessons more and more. Not so much for showing me exactly what to do, but more for showing me what’s possible and the differences just one person can make.

So I suppose it wasn’t even a question that I would register to vote. When I turned 18, it came as naturally as graduating high school and heading off to college; it was just what you did — a logical step in growing up.

Yet being born with a disability also helped stir that fire deep within me. Part of growing up, at least for me, meant being a voice. And being a woman? That meant being an even louder voice. Maybe that’s why I’ve stood in solidarity with Hillary Clinton since the early days of her campaign. She’s stood tall and strong, which has made me feel tall and strong, but I won’t pretend that last night’s election results didn’t sting. I found myself at a loss for words, devastated at the thought of a future that rebuilds the glass ceiling and replacing all the light with utter darkness. Like so many Americans, I wondered…what’s going to happen to our world?

But this morning, I got out of bed. I pulled the covers off and put my feet on the ground. I felt shaky, but my resolve was still there. The resolve I’d built up, inspired by Clinton, because that innate fighting spirit is something that can never be taken away from me. It can’t be shattered by a loss or a disappointment, no matter how big said disappointment is.

We’re all strong. I learned that from my mom and Clinton.

Clinton didn’t just break through the glass ceiling; she shattered it into a million tiny pieces, blazing a trail for generations behind her. Regardless of your political leanings, there’s no denying the importance and impact of her historic nomination. The first woman EVER nominated. That’s quite an accomplishment and a confirmation that, yes, things are changing for the better.

We all have stories to tell and if I’ve learned anything from the feminists in my life, it’s that we must never shy away from those stories. We have a duty and a responsibility to speak up and speak out — against injustice, against bullies and against those who try to tell us that we have no place being who we are.

Because who you are is such a beautiful thing, and that is something to be proud of. Our world needs you now more than ever before. Don’t hide in shame or fear. Be brave and be you.

Dare I say, it’s made me the (nasty) woman I am today!

[Statue of Liberty illustration by artist Karen Hallion]