Watching the political support that was sparked today in response to the actions of Senator Wendy Davis of Texas is inspiring. Very rarely can a political figure engage in an action that evokes such a large public response. Although I do not think that abortion laws and abortion clinic regulations should be the American public's highest concern at the moment, I think that the focus on women's rights (especially to their own bodies) is important to focus on and give attention too.
Working in policy, it is often that you see how disengaged the majority of people are. I hear about the hearings and briefings on the budget and proposed legislation. I see the small number of people in attendance. AND THIS IS CALIFORNIA! California, the state in the U.S. with the highest population of people.
I want to state that I agree with Wendy's stance. However, if you agree with her stance or not, you should recognize the ability she had to make people in the U.S. pay attention to legislation that effects their everyday lives.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Mentors
Late night talks about the complexities of life are the best.
Tonight's topic: Mentors
Distancing yourself from mentors can be very difficult. You find a difference in values and realize that their guidance is opposite from the direction you want to take. Did they have your best interests in mind?
Or did you pass through the phase that they were able to give you advice about?
Relationships and roles can be so situational. They can evoke different thoughts and emotions that provoke action
Tonight's topic: Mentors
Distancing yourself from mentors can be very difficult. You find a difference in values and realize that their guidance is opposite from the direction you want to take. Did they have your best interests in mind?
Or did you pass through the phase that they were able to give you advice about?
Relationships and roles can be so situational. They can evoke different thoughts and emotions that provoke action
Monday, June 24, 2013
Running from Composure
* Warning: This post is going to be raw.
When the term family is in question, I run emotionally cold. Especially after the last five years.
So, I'm sorry that you think you are in love, because I'm not. I tried to tell you I can't.
While I was in college, my younger brother broke my father's jaw in two places. My father had his jaw wired shut for 2 months. The only caloric intake he had was from liquids through a straw because he couldn't open his mouth wider than that. It got infected.
Did I go home to help? No. I visited, but didn't spend more than 8 hours with him.
My little brother od-ed on heroin and was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. He was in the hospital for days.
I drove to Salt Lake City to see my sister.
My cousin od-ed on heroin Christmas morning. People used to think that we were twins.
I haven't talked to him since then.
My nephew was put into foster care, and my older bother and his girlfriend were sent into rehab.
I've only seen my nephew 3 times.
He got cancer. She fell down the stairs. He went to prison. He was hospitalized for psychological issues. She through herself across the house. He publicly pleaded for help for his life. She lives in a tent.
And when I was sitting in your living room, after he got bailed out of jail, I begged you not to give him money. I watched as his fists knocked the front door off of its hinges. I sat against the door keeping you both apart. And then I watched as he took pieces of your flesh out and ripped a handful of your facial hair out.
And I left. I went to college and talked about Hegel. I lived in a house more concerned with the amount of sodium in the food, and whether someone was vegan/vegetarian than someone's character.
In the process, I left my biological family, and let my ride-or-die made family think I didn't give a shit about them.
Man, I feel all kinds of shitty guilt right now.
When the term family is in question, I run emotionally cold. Especially after the last five years.
So, I'm sorry that you think you are in love, because I'm not. I tried to tell you I can't.
While I was in college, my younger brother broke my father's jaw in two places. My father had his jaw wired shut for 2 months. The only caloric intake he had was from liquids through a straw because he couldn't open his mouth wider than that. It got infected.
Did I go home to help? No. I visited, but didn't spend more than 8 hours with him.
My little brother od-ed on heroin and was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. He was in the hospital for days.
I drove to Salt Lake City to see my sister.
My cousin od-ed on heroin Christmas morning. People used to think that we were twins.
I haven't talked to him since then.
My nephew was put into foster care, and my older bother and his girlfriend were sent into rehab.
I've only seen my nephew 3 times.
He got cancer. She fell down the stairs. He went to prison. He was hospitalized for psychological issues. She through herself across the house. He publicly pleaded for help for his life. She lives in a tent.
And when I was sitting in your living room, after he got bailed out of jail, I begged you not to give him money. I watched as his fists knocked the front door off of its hinges. I sat against the door keeping you both apart. And then I watched as he took pieces of your flesh out and ripped a handful of your facial hair out.
And I left. I went to college and talked about Hegel. I lived in a house more concerned with the amount of sodium in the food, and whether someone was vegan/vegetarian than someone's character.
In the process, I left my biological family, and let my ride-or-die made family think I didn't give a shit about them.
Man, I feel all kinds of shitty guilt right now.
Friday, June 21, 2013
In the night, or should I say more specifically at 3am, I write randomly in journals about the intersectionality of sociological theory and the acquisition and transfer of knowledge. Then I proceed to write emails to the professors that taught me well. I was so said that the best theorist teachers left after my sophomore year of college. I think my last twp years of college would have been incredibly different if they had stayed.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
I'm Wearing it
In the middle of the night, i make collages. They encircle every thought that I have about you. Takes them and morphs them into dreams and ideas for a future reality.
Collecting social norms and disposing them in obscene gestures. It is just knitting, but the embroidery is swear words. It is just sewing, but the stitches are my silence. Yes, the silence that once kept that garment of inequality together is now what is creating my costume for activism. Standing up, clothed in recognition of the experiences that strengthen my claims for freedom.
Collecting social norms and disposing them in obscene gestures. It is just knitting, but the embroidery is swear words. It is just sewing, but the stitches are my silence. Yes, the silence that once kept that garment of inequality together is now what is creating my costume for activism. Standing up, clothed in recognition of the experiences that strengthen my claims for freedom.
You Can Learn to Dance
Even when the rhythm doesn't seem right or you took a long break
in swaying your body in any kind of way.
I'm learning how to dance again. Dancing
in a new way to a new tune. I need to find a different atmosphere, but I
will find it. Then I will put my right foot out and let the rest of my
body follow.
I will dance orange.
Fierce and without remorse.
My moves will burn bold.
I will dance red
Legs effortlessly intertwined in a battle
for space
Lighting the dance floor of my life.
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