Tag: history

Bracing myself

~ meximinnesotana ~ 4 Comments

After the announcement of Biden’s pick for VP, Senator Kamala Harris, I spent some time perusing social media and the interwebs for the chatter. I’ve been waiting for a MONTH for this announcement and my first thought was: FINALLY, the decision is made.

Harris is a great candidate. I was a fan of Elizabeth Warren and was disappointed when she had dropped out of her bid for President. I had not paid attention to the other candidates as much, so I did some research and read some opinion pieces.

First woman VP Kamala Harris
Photo credit link: Politico

I found myself going to the fridge multiple times, getting ice cream and then wanting to snack. Typically when I do this, it means something is “up” emotionally – like anxiety, boredom or some other troubling emotion. I realized I was bracing myself for the inevitable misogyny and harsh judgement that always happens toward ambitious women.

Indeed some articles had this tone. And of course the harasser-in-chief called her “nasty” to Joe Biden, which is a typical way that he demeans women, so that wasn’t surprising. I started wishing for a “Nasty Women Get Sh*t Done” t-shirt or something…

Once I realized my own anxiety on behalf Harris, I slowed myself down and asked what I was feeling. Sometimes those us of with high empathy skills take on too many emotions that are not “ours.” So I calmed down, got out my laptop, and started writing. At least writing is a distraction from the misogyny, and a way I process emotion (healthier than overindulging on food).

I am excited for the choice and the fact that  Kamala Harris brings a wealth of experience and also a new perspective to the highest office in this country. I was very unenthusiastic about Biden’s campaign until I heard he had pledged to select a highly qualified woman to be his running mate.

Now I find myself grateful for my yoga training and taking deep breaths. I hope this team can defeat the menace that occupies the office at this time. If Americans cannot see how much we reap what we sow, we deserve to go down in flames.

***

cristy@meximinnesotana.com

 

 

 

 

 

Juneteenth

~ meximinnesotana ~ Leave a comment

A lot of us are learning more about our history in response to recent events, protests and having a little more time on our hands. I confess that before this year, I knew very little about Juneteenth. I am an introvert and I do not gravitate toward large events.

This year, because it has become abundantly clear that people who identify as Black or African American have never been truly free in this country. We swim in history that is informed by a philosophy of white body supremacy.

Juneteenth
Link to the Juneteenth celebration website

I found a virtual Juneteenth event in Saint Paul that was co-sponsored by the Saint Paul Library. On the home page (linked above) are some beautiful read-aloud videos from staff there, children’s stories that have wonderful lessons for adults. Check them out.  They can be resources to help teach children about inclusion versus racism.

I will be tuning in this Friday. It is time to learn and grow, time to come together as human beings “alone together” on this tiny planet.

Happy weekend, friends.

cristy@meximinnesotana.com

Next August – one hundred years

~ meximinnesotana ~ 2 Comments

Next year on August 18th the U.S. will celebrate 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. A couple of Western states had given women the right to vote already in 1910. Idaho and Utah had given women the right to vote at the turn of the 19th century.

Lucretia Mott socks
I have socks with Lucretia Mott‘s likeness, which I wore with pride on election day this year. 

It is hard for me to imagine the changes in democratic consciousness that have taken place in the last 100 years. Generations of women and men began to understand that true democracy could not exist until more people could exercise their right to representation.

Granted, some people probably wish we had gone back to a world where men were in charge and women were property. I don’t tend to hang out with people like that for obvious reasons.

I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next year with various candidates. I’m hoping we winnow down to less than 5 options by February caucus season. I would like to follow election politics but right now it’s hard to take any candidate too seriously. Unfortunately we do not regulate campaign spending very well in this country. So the people who raise the most money tend to dominate the airwaves.

Given the shock and trauma of the election 3 years ago, and the disastrous result of electing someone who has openly bragging about assaulting women, I am ready to help with GOTV efforts. Let’s make it a celebration! 100 years – can we imagine some new leadership? I say YES WE CAN!

cristy@meximinnesotana.com

 

 

 

 

 

Liverpool to Glasgow

~ meximinnesotana ~ 1 Comment

Hiya friends,

We left Liverpool on Thursday to come to Glasgow, Scotland. On Friday we have a tour of Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands scheduled.

Liverpool, England
Liverpool, England – taken Sept 12, 2018

I wish we had planned for more than one day in Liverpool. It was fascinating and a very picturesque city. We visited the International Slavery Museum. It was a sobering reminder of the history of mistreatment and dehumanization based on color and national origin.

I shall have more to say about that in the future but at the moment, I am suffering a little trip fatigue. Two long days of train travel and then being in charge of the tour and transportation set ups have left me a bit tuckered out on Day 8 of 14. Thankfully I think the “arranging” is mostly done. We have 2 days in this AirBnB so a little rest from luggage hauling.

I love travel, but all the decisions can be a bit taxing. Two long days of train travel in a row took more out of me than anticipated. At least Friday, getting to the tour company start is the only arrangement we have to make. With Uber restored on my phone, that should be do-able.

Happy Friday, friends! I will share some photos this weekend if we get some good ones.

cristy@meximinnesotana.com

 

Saturday Share on holiday

~ meximinnesotana ~ 2 Comments

Hola peeps!

Saturday share is on holiday while I travel for 2 weeks in the U.K. I will continue to share some blog love and favorites after my return. Here is a photo I took yesterday of Victoria Palace, where Hamilton (and American musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda) is playing. Awesome.

98760521-9076-4486-AD0E-F698213B3802
Photo taken by mexi-minnesotana on September 7, 2018. Use with attribution only.

Cheers!

cristy@meximinnesotana.com

Saturday share – Eating Alone — Longreads

~ meximinnesotana ~ 3 Comments

I really enjoyed this piece from Longreads.  Of course, it’s on a theme I enjoy contemplating. It made me want to dine alone in public now and then, even though I have little objection to room service when I am traveling alone.

We’re eating alone more often than in any previous generation. But why should a meal on our own be uninspired? Why shouldn’t the French saying “life is too short to drink bad wine” still apply?

via Eating Alone — Longreads