Georgia On My Mind

 

WOOSAH!!  I can hear the collective sigh of relief now that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are President-Elect and Vice President-Elect AND the letter of ascertainment has been sent from the GSA. But, Joe'gia, our work is not done! Although the election results aren't final, it's pretty clear that our TWO Senate races are headed to a run-off on January 5, 2021. Whether you live in GA or not, you can help!

 

• Here's a good NYTimes article that explains why this race is so important. Bottom line, Democrats can regain control of the Senate if Raphael Warnock AND Jon Ossoff win their run-off contests. Cabinet picks, Supreme Court justice nominees (remember Merrick Garland?), even funding to battle COVID--19 and our current economic crisis are all on the line. We must #WarnockTheVote and #VoteYourOssoff

• But wait, there's more! The January 5th run-off election will also include a race for a seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission.  We don't hear a lot about the PSC, but it touches all of our lives every day. It sets the rates that we pay for utilities, including telecommunications, electric and natural gas services. Unsurprisingly, the rates in Georgia are some of the highest in the nation.  Somehow, there are no Democrats and there has never been an African American Commissioner.  Daniel Blackman is running for a seat on the PSC to protect today's and prepare for tomorrow's energy workforce, champion cleaner and more efficient energy solutions, bring high speed internet to all 159 counties in Georgia, and strengthen utility assistance programs. Click here to meet Daniel and learn more what he stands for.
  

• I'm no fan of reinventing the wheel and I have zero knowledge of how to convince people to register and/or how to actually register people to vote, but I know who does.  Stacey Abrams and her organization Fair Fight Action have done the incredibly heavy lift of combating voter suppression, which resulted in successfully registering and turning out the vote, so I am supporting her cause. Check out her recent message about the importance of these Senate races. A friend of mine has a great idea for making contributions of a certain amount to honor Stacey's various passions. I'm in the "regular folk" category, so my $20.20 has already been sent! Of course this is just a suggestion - give til it hurts!

• Spelman Sisters - $18.81
• Kirkwood Friends - $18.99
• Regular Folks - $20.20

• You can also support Fair Fight Action, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff by making a donation to GASenate.com, which will be split to help to protect the vote and send these two candidates to Washington.

• Turnout is going to be key.  Young adults who will be 18 years old by election day (January 5, 2021) are eligible to vote in this election! So, if you know any young folks, please make sure they're registered and encourage them to pester their friends to register. The voter registration deadline for any Georgian is December 7, 2020.
  

• Along those same lines, please talk to your friends and family members to make sure they're aware of this run-off election and that they have a plan to vote. Conventional wisdom is that Democrats do not turn out for mid-terms or special elections, but we have to prove 'em wrong again, Georgia!
  

• Unfortunately, we are still in the throes of a global pandemic. As such, voting by absentee ballot will probably remain a popular option. You can request your absentee ballot now at https://ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov. It's super quick to complete your request.  All you'll need is your Georgia driver's license or state ID.
  

•  Early voting begins on December 14, 2020, and Election Day is January 5, 2021. You can keep up with all of the election details, like early voting locations and hours, your absentee ballot status, polling locations and more at the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page.

• I know we're all exhausted from the just concluded election, but getting Rev. Warnock and Jon Ossoff across the finish line will allow President Biden and Vice President Harris to implement their vision for America without obstruction from an intractable Senate. And a vote for Daniel will ensure that we pay fair utility rates. Please stay engaged! Volunteer (phone bank, text, or write postcards), donate, encourage others, just DO SOMETHING. This was a hard fought election, but there's still work to be done. The next four years will be a lot less painful if these two Senate candidates win.
  

• Now, back to our regularly scheduled celebration... 
  
  
  

 

Daddy's Girl

So, Little Sister and I are chatting on the drive to school about the wonderful Christmas she had. 

Me: Little Sister, what was your favorite Christmas present?

Little Sister: My Bitty Baby! (no news here)

Me: Do you love Baby?

Little Sister: Yes

Me: You're a really good mommy to Baby. Who taught you how to be such a good mommy?

Little Sister: Daddy-O!

WHAT?!?!  Talk about a burst bubble!  But, I ain't mad at him. He's a pretty awesome dad!  

Look Again

 

 So, it has been a while since I’ve blogged.  Who knew raising a toddler was even more hectic and crazy than caring for an infant?!?  There have been a lot of compelling stories in the news that I’ve wanted to weigh in on, especially those that collide at the intersection of racism and sexism, as with the kidnapping of Nigerian school girls or the crazed, murderous attacks on innocent college students because their attacker felt maligned by women's rejection of him.  Such stories make me ponder how and when I will have to have conversations with Little Sister about race and gender because I would be an irresponsible mother if I did not prepare my child with the knowledge that some will judge her harshly based solely on the fact that she is a girl and/or because she is Black. 

But as heady as those topics are, none has moved me to put finger to keyboard more than the recent death of a 22-month old toddler in the back of his father’s car.  While the facts have yet to be fully revealed on this case and we’re left to wonder whether this was the act of a busy, distracted father or something much more nefarious, it does serve as another tragic cautionary tale about the dangers of leaving a child (or even a pet) in a hot car.  While most of us rejoice when the mercury rises because we’re able to get out and about to enjoy the summer sun, inevitably tragedy strikes.  The state of Georgia has recently launched its Look Again campaign to remind us all that it’s never OK to leave a child alone in a car, and especially not a hot car.  As a new mom who came to this motherhood gig well after the age of 40, I totally get how this can happen.  As parents we’re busy, busy, busy trying to juggle the demands of family, friends, jobs, school, etc…and sometimes we forget.  That’s why I read up on this topic while I was pregnant and changed one of my most entrenched habits to help me not forget my most precious gift – I adopted one of the most frequently cited tips on this topic and started putting my purse in the backseat so that I would never forget to open my rear door.  This simple, small step prevents me from leaving my car without visually confirming that Little Sister was not there before my rat race of a day begins.  In addition, on the rare instances where Daddy-O assumes daycare drop-off or pick-up duty, he checks in with me with a quick text to let know that Little Sister is safe and sound at daycare or with him.  I know this tragedy can also occur when and adult leaves a child in the car for a “quick stop,” but this is a recipe for disaster too.  As this story illustrates, making the split-second decision to leave a child in the car can have lasting consequences, even if it doesn't result in immediate harm to the child.

So, as we mark the first day of summer and many Georgians mourn the loss of a beautiful little boy, let’s all remember to LOOK AGAIN. 

Ho! Ho! No!: Gunning for the Naughty List

Much to the chagrin of my sister and mother, I have decided not to perpetuate the myth of Santa Claus with Little Sister.  This is a decision that I had come to long before Little Sister was even a twinkle in my eye.  Growing up, my siblings and I bought into the Santa mythology hook, line and sinker.  I can remember the great anticipation of going to bed on Christmas Eve, unsuccessfully fighting sleep, then eagerly racing to the Christmas tree on Christmas morning to see if Santa had delivered my heart’s desires.  These are sweet memories, I’ll admit, but I do not feel compelled to perpetuate this tradition with my daughter. 

No, I will teach Little Sister that Christmas is the time when we thank God for sending His only begotten Son to live among women and men.  I will teach her that peace and goodwill among mankind are not reserved for a short “holiday season”  in December, but are tenets to live by every day.

My reasons for not teaching her about Santa are simple.  I work too hard for my money to supply her every need for the credit to go to some dude who is not even real.  I know parents use Santa to try to coax their kids into good behavior, but I doubt trying to persuade Little Sister to behave in March for a pay-off in December is going to be effective.  Besides, Little Sister needs to behave because it’s the right thing to do – I am not going to go down the path of negotiation to get her to “act right.”

My other beef with Santa is that the myth feeds into the mass commercialization that is now Christmas.  I know that’s not Santa’s fault, but he is now being used as a tool to push every product known to man between October and December.  Whatever Santa is selling, I ain’t buying.

Some friends and family members have argued that believing in Santa develops the whimsy of a child and to that I say balderdash!  My child is plenty whimsical and she has never heard of Santa.  We play and read and sing and dance and she is as whimsical as the next two year old.  To me, whimsy is when a child uses their imagination to dream up dreams that have not been forced upon them on a foundation of a myth. That’s not whimsy to me – that’s a big, fat lie.  And what would Santa think about that?

Not teaching her about Santa is pretty easy now while she is only two.  But, I know the real challenge will be when she begins school and all the other tykes are getting hyped up about Jolly Old St. Nick. I guess this will be a lesson in tolerance for her.  I will have to teach her not to rain on her friends’ parade by telling them that Santa is not real.  At the same time, I will have to make sure that she is not ostracized or bullied for not being a believer.  She will have to learn lessons about being different, not trying to make others accept your truth (even if you are right) and the value of living and let live.  Which is kind of ironic given that the Santa myth is built around the spirit of Christmas…

Those Who Can...

One of Little Sister’s former teachers wrote a post on Facebook lamenting the lack of respect that she and her colleagues receive as educators of the smallest of small pumpkins.  All I can say to whoever disrespected her profession is “a pox on your house!”  Unfortunately, early childhood educators often do not receive the respect that they deserve.  In fact, most educators are not given the respect that they are due.  Well, I am here to say THANK YOU!  After Little Sister was born, I was only able to take six weeks off.  I was not entitled to the job protections guaranteed by FMLA because I had been in my job less than one year (that’s another blog for another day - until then, read this).  So, after six incredibly short weeks of bonding with my baby, I had to hand her over to the care of complete strangers and trust that they would care for her as well as I would.  Those “strangers” are now my extended family.  The confidence they instilled in me regarding their ability to care for my child allowed me to return to work without fear and trepidation.  I was able to focus on a demanding job without constant concern or doubt about her well-being.  Now, two years later, it fills my heart with joy each morning when I drop her off and she gives her former and current teachers big hugs to start their day.  Without these ladies, Little Sister probably would have had better luck being raised by a pack of wolves.  As a new – and older – mom, I was totally at a loss about how to care for an infant.  These ladies have helped me out every step of the way.  From helping me transition Little Sister from milk to solids, to managing teething trials and tribulations, to helping her as an only child learn to share with others, to now helping with potty training, the impact that they’ve had on her life and mine is immeasurable.  Before I became a mom, I didn’t give much thought to preschool and other early childhood professionals, but now it’s something that I think about and am grateful for every single day.

Each day millions of kids, from infants to teens, are left in care of incredibly talented, passionate, creative, and dedicated teachers.  While most days the teachers and kids go about the same daily routine, when the need arises, these teachers without hesitation spring into action to protect OUR kids. I am reminded of the recent incident in Decatur, GA where Antoinette Tuff singlehandedly thwarted a mass school shooting by talking down a crazed gunman.  Or the daycare workers who protected their young charges during a deadly tornado.  These women demonstrated nerves of steel and Mama Grizzly instincts to protect the young. I think we all need to reflect on the importance of these educators in our lives, whether we have kids or not.  Each day they take on the incredible task of keeping our kids safe and sound, while also teaching them how to become model citizens.   Nelba Marquez-Greene, mother of Sandy Hook victim Ana Grace, expressed it perfectly in her poignant open letter to all teachers when she said, "It takes guts to be a teacher."  Their work is difficult, low paying and may sometimes seem thankless.  But, I am here today, and every day, to say THANK YOU!  You are loved and appreciated!

So, those who can… and do… TEACH!

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

This past week my daily commute went from extremely annoying to positively hellacious.  No, it wasn’t because of a new construction project in the ATL (on-going construction is a given in this city), no it was because my favorite radio station, WCLK, changed formats from an eclectic mix of funk, soul and jazz to tepid, saxophone soaked "smooth jazz."  You may be wondering, “How on Earth could a radio station format change be such a big deal?” and to that I’d say, “You must have never listened to WCLK.”  When I moved to Atlanta a few years ago, I quickly found and fell in love with the station.  The morning and afternoon DJs pumped me up to get me ready for work – I can’t live without my Morris Motivation - and kept me sane during afternoon commutes when everybody was fleeing the city.  Nowhere else was I able to hear the music of my namesake, and be introduced to acts that would never stand a chance of making it to the playlists of most commercial radio stations.  In a time when the world is subjected to Miley Cyrus’s singing and twerking, WCLK was a breath of fresh air for those who wanted a break from popular music that’s being force fed to the masses.  Jamal and Morris introduced listeners to independent acts such as Snarky Puppy, Avery Sunshine, Soul Cycle, Omar, Dei Va, N'dambi Blue all while keeping fan favorites, such as Incognito, Maysa and Ronny Jordan in heavy rotation.  And most importantly, they played music that was not bleeped every two seconds to censor curse words.  Now that I’m a mother, these are things I have to consider. Imagine my delight a few Fridays ago when I glimpsed into my rearview mirror and saw Little Sister clapping and having a FunkyGood Time as Morris made quick work of the morning commute.

The station management has explained that recent marketing research showed that the station needed to evolve to garner more listener support.  It has been widely reported that while the station has a listenership of approximately 100,000 people, only a paltry 1,900 turn their listenership into membership.  So, in other words, the listeners don’t put their money where their mouth is.  I will admit, when I moved to ATL, during the first membership campaign I heard, I eagerly signed on as a member; however, as time went on, I did not renew.  I got too busy, I forgot, I figured others would contribute, and the list of excuses goes on and on.  Bottom line, I got complacent and I took the radio station and those who work so hard to produce such wonderful programming for granted.  Shame on me. 

Who knows what the future holds for the station and their dedicated staff.  I’m a part of a “small, vocal group ofsupporters,” who are asking the station to reconsider this decision and unshackle their on-air talent and let them do what they do best.  Petitions and Facebook pages have been created to help supporters of the old format advocate for a return to the previous format.  If they do, I will be the first in line every year to pledge my support.  Until then, there’s Pandora.

You Give Me Fever

Last week Little Sister spiked a fever and was kicked out of daycare.  Like many moms, I turned to my fellow mom experts in my circle of friends and the Internet to figure out what to do.  Luckily, my sister was here as well, which gave me a huge measure of comfort and confidence to try to manage it at home first before racing to the ER, which is my usual m.o. (not really, but kinda)  We were able to successfully manage the episode and Little Sister was back to her usual rambunctious self within 24 hours.  This episode motivated me to read up on fevers on Baby Center and the knowledge I gained was invaluable.  Little did I know, less than a week later I would be using that information to help a friend who had turned to me when her little one spiked a fever.  I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but based on what she shared with me, I strongly encouraged her to go to the ER because while my experience with Little Sister's fever seemed to be mild and episodic, my friend's little angel's situation seemed more serious.  After things were under control, my friend and I were texting and she thanked me for encouraging her to take her little one in to be evaluated even though they had just been in the doctor's office the previous day.  She said she didn't want to be "that mom" that "bothered" the doctor for every runny nose or sore throat.  I've learned that moms (and dads) have to balance a delicate line between calling the doctor unnecessarily and potentially entering a danger zone from not seeking medical attention soon enough.  But, as the old adage goes "better safe than sorry."  I'm just glad I had a little bit of knowledge to be helpful and I'm so proud of the fact that I'm in my friend's circle of mom gurus that she trusts to turn to for love, support and parenting pearls of wisdom.