BLM 2020 Reno Protest

Nothing changes. I wonder when it will.

In the meantime I continue to teach children the power of love, the power of kindness, the power of listening, the power of hope.

Women's March 2017

Every morning on the way to school, I sing our Articles of Faith songs with my kids. Every. Single. Morning.

I want my children to know what I believe. I believe many things. I hope that the knowledge I have can help them in life, but more than that, I hope they discover their own belief and knowledge. That they can have a knowledge of truth and goodness for themselves.

So in the meantime, I try to provide as many opportunities for them as I can. We cannot judge one another. We must love. We must try our best to put ourselves in other people's shoes. And when we cannot, we must listen. We must hear and mourn with those who mourn. Show compassion, understanding, and help where we can.

When I woke up, I felt really gross (pink eye whatnot) but I knew that I couldn't just sit at home while this happened. Because I can march for the following. These are truly things I believe too.

We believe that Women’s Rights are Human Rights and Human Rights are Women’s Rights. We must create a society in which women - including Black women, Native women, poor women, immigrant women, disabled women, Muslim women, lesbian queer and trans women - are free and able to care for and nurture their families, however they are formed, in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments. 

Women deserve to live full and healthy lives, free of all forms of violence against our bodies. We believe in accountability and justice in cases of police brutality and ending racial profiling and targeting of communities of color. It is our moral imperative to dismantle the gender and racial inequities within the criminal justice system.

We believe in Reproductive Freedom. We do not accept any federal, state or local rollbacks, cuts or restrictions on our ability to access quality reproductive healthcare services, birth control, HIV/AIDS care and prevention, or medically accurate sexuality education. This means open access to safe, legal, affordable abortion and birth control for all people, regardless of income, location or education.  

We believe in an economy powered by transparency, accountability, security and equity. All women should be paid equitably, with access to affordable childcare, sick days, healthcare, paid family leave, and healthy work environments. All workers – including domestic and farm workers, undocumented and migrant workers - must have the right to organize and fight for a living minimum wage.

We believe Civil Rights are our birthright, including voting rights, freedom to worship without fear of intimidation or harassment, freedom of speech, and protections for all citizens regardless of race, gender, age or disability. We believe it is time for an all-inclusive Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  

We believe that all women’s issues are issues faced by women with disabilities and Deaf women. As mothers, sisters, daughters, and contributing members of this great nation, we seek to break barriers to access, inclusion, independence, and the full enjoyment of citizenship at home and around the world. We strive to be fully included in and contribute to all aspects of American life, economy, and culture.

Rooted in the promise of America’s call for huddled masses yearning to breathe free, we believe in immigrant and refugee rights regardless of status or country of origin.  We believe migration is a human right and that no human being is illegal.

We believe that every person and every community in our nation has the right to clean water, clean air, and access to and enjoyment of public lands. We believe that our environment and our climate must be protected, and that our land and natural resources cannot be exploited for corporate gain or greed - especially at the risk of public safety and health.

BLM- "Hands Up, Don't Shoot"

 

I didn't know if we would make it after Tahoe, but we got there just in time. I'm so proud of my children.

 

This is such a sad reality that we live in that our black brothers, sisters, and children are being shot and killed. That they are being harassed by the police who are sworn to protect them.

 

I used to think that it was important that we were colorblind. That we love people no matter what color their skin. But that's not right. I want to see color. I love that we are all different. God has made us in a variety of shades, each one a masterpiece created by divinity.

 

This quote is by poet activist Audre Lorde, “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”

 

I try to do my best to educate myself, but I admit I am woefully inadequate. And I feel sometimes this does my children a disservice, especially since we live in an area that is predominately white.

 

But my prayer is that my children will love. Will love with all their heart. That no matter what or who, that they will take the time to listen and try to understand a different viewpoint. That they will be compassionate and kind. That they will be brave and stand up for what is right. That they will see and celebrate God's children.

 

It wasn't the most inspiring protest I've been too, but I'm glad we went. I'm glad that we had a way to mourn the lives that have been taken. And I'm also proud of the kids that took the time to organize it. That they took the time to make their voices heard.

 

Notice my tomato face. I FORGOT suntan lotion on my face!!!!!!

Oh man. Tahoe all day.

 

Kids still had energy, I have no clue how.... so we stopped by the fountain for a few minutes.

 

Eli had an epic meltdown when we got home. Poor kid was just so tired, he couldn't function. Good thing for s'mores pizza... it calmed him down just enough to eat his good pizza first, wash his hair, color for scriptures, and pass out. Thank you Heavenly Father for marshmallows.

 

 

We protest McDonald's!!!!!!!

 

We've been talking about what a shame it is they are opening a McDonald's right down our block. And what did we decide to do? We protested.

The girls made great signs...

"McDonald's is bad for you"

and

"Don't treat animals so bad"

 

I prepped them just in case we were interviewed by reporters. But there were no reporters there.

 

We did get to talk to the owner who said we were "misinformed". He advised us to check out the McDonald's website to see all the "good" the corporation does. When I asked him why he thought so many preservatives in his food was good, he responded that we were doing "a lot of harm for his business."

My heart smiled.

Because really, no one honked or cheered with us.

But we booed the ribbon cutting, did a small march and voiced our voice.

 

Christina made a petition for people to sign. We got 4 signatures. Maria, Christina, Sofia and Elijah.

 

We saw a friend from church there who looked embarrassed that we were protesting.

 

One lady rolled down her window and asked why McDonald's was bad for you and I was proud Christina shouted out "Preservatives!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

I made a sign that said, "Supersize your wages!!"

 

In all honesty, I was very worried that Eli would shout I love McDonald's. He does it to get a rise out of his sisters. But he did great. He booed and everything.

 

The clown was super creepy and Maria kept on saying how scary he was.

 

This really made me want to organize a larger scale protest. I was going to call PETA but I didn't really want my kids exposed to their nudity antics. Is it possible to change what local people eat? Is it possible to help people make healthier food choices?

 

I don't know the answer. But I'm so proud that at least my little ones know to not eat fast food.

 

It was actually really interesting talking to the manager. He genuinely seemed miffed by us and tried really hard to convince us what "good" McDonald's does, despite so many evidences against them.

 

We brainstormed and decided that next time we would put up flyers in gyms and Whole Foods to get people to come.

 

The girls were nervous that we were the only ones going to protest. But I reminded them that sometimes you have to do hard things by yourself. Bruce, our friend who picks up trash along Pyramid Highway, does it all by himself. Yet he's not alone. We support Bruce, we're just not right next to him everyday. I was proud. We took our stand.

 

We're hell raisers.