How are you weathering life these days? Are you doing well? Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with the many issues we are facing right now? COVID19? Black Lives Matter? Cristobal? It's a lot to take in and process.
I have been in awe of the protesters who continue to show up and advocate for their rights and the rights of others. I have been taking time to educate myself about black lives matter and white privilege. In the process, I realize how little I understand about certain parts of our history.
Case in point, I did not know that The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. It wasn't until this time that wheelchair ramps were introduced into urban designs. I assumed wheel chair ramps were always a staple of our landscape. I can't remember not having ramps, and yet, it was only 30 years ago that they became standard. If you want to know more about the ADA I would suggest watching Crip Camp. It's a great documentary about the protests that lead to the passage of the ADA law. It's an honest look at the struggle that took place for people with disabilities to obtain equal rights under the law.
I also recommend 13th, (refers to the 13th amendment) which explores the history of racial inequality in the United States. The documentary focuses on the reality that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans. The fact that many of our prisons are privately ran and receive funding based on the number of inmates is a little disconcerting and introduces a system geared towards fraud.
I have been following the news on COVID19 and the ever changing information related to mask wearing, transmission, and self isolation. I have ventured out a few times to Costco and Home Depot, but for the most part I enjoy spending time at home with my husband and our chocolate lab, Tonka.
So where is the Silver Lining? I'm not sure. But maybe it's in the opportunity to understand and support those who need our help. Maybe it's the fact that I have been given time to educate myself and question my own bias and privilege. Maybe it's that we see people uniting together to uplift those who have been marginalized or silenced.
We must have the courage to do better, be better, and bring together a country that has become so divided.
