For September


Since this particular situation could have just as easily happened at my neighborhood library, you could say that I consider this of local (and of personal) interest to me.

Now, the only (unfortunate) difference is that it is very likely that the Moms for Liberty folk vastly outnumber the people around here in Florida who’d agree with me on this being a good thing.
But this!
This outcome — even though it happened thousands of miles from where I am — gives me hope.
And that’s hope enough for me to keep trying, to keep pushing, and keep using my voice to to disagree with the Moms for Liberty and anyone else like them.
Today is November 5th.
Which happens to be Election Day in the United States this year.
Of course, I had some other things to say, but honestly?
I’m more than a little concerned, mostly because of the possibilities of the election.
Maybe I should be like my husband says, and not worry ’bout a thing
but as a woman in America
I do
and
I am.
But here’s this poem that came across my feed:
C O U R A G E
I hope you speak up
For yourself and for all
For those who feel worthless
And unheard and small
For the lost and the lonely
The ones with no voice
For those who fall silent
And those with no choice
For the last and the little
The unseen and unheard
The pushed out and hidden
Who don’t speak a word
The beaten and broken
The defeated and done
I hope you use your voice
When they feel they have none
I hope you speak up
Even if you’re afraid
And you may never know
Of the difference you made
Speak for women before you
The burnt and the brave
For those still to come
And ones we could not save.
~Laura Ding-Edwards
I am trying to remain hopeful.
Maybe you are too.
And if you haven’t already, I hope that you vote today.
That is all.