A Letter to My Friends

Dearest Friends:

The quarantine and furlough have been rough. I'm tired and while I've held up pretty well for two and a half months, I'm starting to crumble a bit. And it's not for lack of things to do - I have plenty to keep me busy until Fall. I miss seeing you. I miss hearing your voices. I miss your diverse personalities - even the irritating ones. I miss your unique perspectives on various issues. I learn a lot from you.

Now, once again, we have a situation of police brutality against an African American man in Minneapolis. I don't understand how this is still happening in our country. Have we learned nothing from the past? My heart breaks over this. I'm not saying this to be politically correct. Hopefully, you know me better than that. I think, what if this man were your husband, brother, father, son, boyfriend? You know I would be there for you, arms wrapped around you as tight as you will let me (social distancing be damned). I would cry with you and pray with you and beg God to ease your pain. It would be personal for me, because you are my friends.

I would hope you would do the same for me. However, we all know that may never happen because I'm white. I'm sorry about my privilege. If I could share it with you, I would in a heartbeat. In truth, there shouldn't be a thing called white privilege. We Americans are all covered by the same Constitution; yet, the administration of our guaranteed rights is subject to the color of our skin. This is wrong.

The current administration is doing nothing to comfort our nation that is grieving in so many ways. The healing and repairs needed will have to come from the people. All of us. This means we must all stand together against unjust practices, root out corruption, and, most importantly, vote in every election. Every election -  from the local school board to the Presidency. Keeping up with all this can be tedious. I agree. I'm busy, too. However, I fear that our "busyness" is how we got to where we are today.

My dear friends, I want you to know that I care about you, love and miss you dearly, and hope to see all of you soon, if life ever returns to "normal." Like you, I just want to live my life in peace, earn a descent living, and be surrounded by a loving family and friends. I value each and every one of you.

Prayers and Blessings,

Elizabeth

You Go, Girl!

I am so proud of all my sisters (and brothers) today. No, I don't have any biological siblings. I'm referring to my fellow women who marched in cities all over the country to protest our newly sworn-in President, Donald J. Trump.

Yes, This is how democracy works.

The protests were peaceful and massive. The crowds in Chicago and Washington DC were so large that the parades/marches had to be cancelled. But the protests went on without the marching.

Signs proclaiming the many issues we are all fighting, songs, and chants filled the TV and computer screens all day. The sight was glorious. I wish I could have been there. I had to work today, but I was with my sisters in spirit.

Even if I had today off from work, I'm not sure if I could have endured the crowds of people in downtown St. Louis or, especially, Washington DC. According to news sources, roughly 20,000 people showed up to march in St. Louis and about 500,000 people descended on Washington DC. Not sure of the numbers for Chicago. However, I will add my voice to the many. I will do this with my writing - really the only way I know how.

• I will do my best to address issues of discrimination. Some I know better than others, so I will look to my readers to guide me in painting an accurate picture of discrimination where I lack knowledge or experience.
• I will do my best to raise awareness of social issues. Education, health, crime, homelessness, and anything else that may cross my path in the next four years. 
• A free and independent press is the cornerstone of our democracy and this should be cherished, protected, and held to a very high standard. I will do my best, when I am reporting on anything, to do so from an ethical journalistic standpoint. 
• I want to encourage conversation. This blog is called Kitchen Table Talk because I enjoy talking over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. Please join me and we can learn from each other. A plus - I don't have to wash dishes!

There is no telling what our future holds. But, together, we can make tomorrow better than today.

God Bless America.