Not Throwing Away My Shot!!

This year has been at the least an  opportunity to learn more about myself,  the world and how those things correlate. This year I have been more civically aware and engaged than I have ever been. I will say my upbringing had a lot to do with my previously hands off approach. However, it dawned on me that if I have embraced other aspects of life that I once shunned, why not have my voice heard? 

This year, I protested racial discrimination and bias and it's constant displays in politics and policing. 

This year, I wrote hundreds of letters to registered voters encouraging them to show up to the polls.

This year, I emailed and called my representatives and senators. I let them know what issues are important to me.

This year, I worked at polling precincts. 

This year, I made it a priority to turn voting into a fun date activity.

I'm tired. I'm emotionally drained. But also I am encouraged. Encouraged by others doing the same. Encouraged by friends with opposite voices and view points, sitting with me and having meaningful conversations. Encouraged by this election. NY elected it's first openly gay black man to the US House of Representatives.  GA has a transgender person in its State House of Representatives. The seats for GA senators has led to a runoff! 

And thus I leave you with these lyrics from the hit Broadway musical, "Hamilton" (which I have been watching a lot 🤣):

Scratch that this is not a moment, it's the movement

Where all the hungriest brothers with something to prove went?

Foes oppose us, we take an honest stand

We roll like Moses, claimin' our promised land

And? If we win our independence?

Is that a guarantee of freedom for our descendants?

Or will the blood we shed begin an endless cycle of vengeance and death with no defendants?

I know the action in the street is excitin'

But Jesus, between all the bleedin' 'n' fightin'

I've been readin' 'n' writin'

We need to handle our financial situation

Are we a nation of states what's the state of our nation?

I'm past patiently waitin' I'm passionately mashin' every expectation

Every action's an act of creation

I'm laughin' in the face of casualties and sorrow

For the first time, I'm thinkin' past tomorrow

And I am not throwin' away my shot

I am not throwin' away my shot

Hey yo, I'm just like my country

I'm young, scrappy and hungry

And I'm not throwin' away my shot

We're gonna rise up (time to take a shot)

I am not throwin' away my shot

We're gonna rise up (time to take a shot)

I am not throwin' away my shot

We're gonna, rise up, rise up

It's time to take a shot

Rise up, rise up

It's time to take a shot

Rise up, it's time to take a shot

Rise up, take a shot, shot, shot

It's time to take a shot, time to take a shot

And I am not throwin' away my

Not throwin' away my shot

Until next post.....laters