My momma was born in Kenosha, WI. She came to Earth three years after her sister, the fourth in a line of siblings born two years apart. As a child, her favorite response was 'in a minute'. The running family joke was she had been saying those words since before she was born...hence the 3-year difference between her and my Aunt E.
That extra year, and being the last child, gave her something she often mentioned as one of the luckiest parts of her childhood. See, when she was born, there was finally a little money in the bank. The rest of the kids had jobs and could pay for their own fun, and all the punishments had mostly been had. Linda came into a world where she and her mother Susan could get to know each other a little differently. They could spend uninterrupted time with each other. I hope she never felt guilty because of it...I hope I'm not sharing too much by sharing it here.
I feel it timely to let you know that my momma was white of French and Czech* descent. My daddy was black, Dominican born and bred. I am almost exactly half and half European and West African according to 23 and me. Yes, I will definitely write more about them another time...the story is epic and should be delved into on its own post.
I have the news on almost all the time now. After years of not watching, feeling not strong enough to block the unwanted manipulations, I am now watching for one particular piece of information. I want to know when the next stimulus will occur and when, if any, weekly pandemic assistance will restart. Yep, me too. I have a job, though it's part-time and I am using the rest of my time to set up another couple of businesses that are not far enough along for me to plug here but don't fret. As soon as I'm ready, plug my businesses here, I shall.
When I heard Kenosha mentioned on the news the other day and then watched to get the details and then read to get more truth, maybe, I was floored. My jaw dropped. I was surprised to find that I hadn;t realized, 'of course!' Kenosha, WI is a town like any other in this country. All people in all towns are dealing with and have been dealing with the same Pandemic I have. All people in all towns have been worked into their most raw selves while stuck at home, losing their jobs, losing family and friends, maybe even losing hope.
In the middle of this, one not-so-orange -any-more-dick-nacho has been inciting racism and violence against anyone he doesn't like...anyone he is afraid of...anyone he was taught to hate. So we find ourselves intertwined with those who would do us harm simply to prove that they can. Such a simple thing. It's apparently all they can do.
They can never prove we are lesser humans. We are Kings and Queens.
They can never prove that we don't belong here. We belong where love and perseverance are needed.
They can never prove anything because we are everything and, if they will just chill the fuck out and let themselves know that they could learn something from someone who is not like them, they might learn how to live a life that is meaningful and beautiful and filled with love...THAT we don't mind teaching.
So...Kenosha, WI, I am with you and I support you the best way I can. I am made of you and I will keep this thread of hope and connection strong.
*I'm confirming that Czech with my cousin...might be the other side of a river.
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