Greetings from Phase Green Allegheny County!
Curiously, this phase change will not change much in my life. We are still being cautious in our outings, not planning any travel. I am not racing out to get my hair and nails done, nor are we stampeding a restaurant for in-person dining.
Steve returning almost full-time to work, with an almost full office is enough to worry about without adding in anything else.
This week though, amirite? And the stupid just keep flowing…I am not sure who I think is dumber Rand Paul or Lisa Murkowski!
Thinking About —
Breonna Taylor… lots. Today, she would have been 27. I have a son who just turned 27 and thinking about her makes me very sad, very angry, and trying to imagine how devastated her family must feel. I hope you will think about Breonna today, that you will say her name, and do one thing to work towards justice for those who have none.
Good Reads —
Yesterday, I posted on Instagram a small list of books to read that will help us all become better allies. But I was struck by the newsletters I got that instead of trying to sell me something, paused their business to shine a spotlight on Black Lives Matter. There were some that have said nothing, and this morning I unsubscribed to a bunch of them. But to those that spoke out, you can be assured that I will move you to the top of my “online retail” list! (on the move up list: Wool and Honey, and Churchmouse Yarns, and Workroom Social, to name a few)
Standing IN the gap —
Yesterday, GGMadeIt taught us about the gap and standing in it! Watch her, thank her, join her… and then STAND in the gap for those around you.
Finally —
I am going to close with the moving eulogy that Reverend Al Sharpton delivered yesterday for George Floyd. This section was especially profound for me and it so terribly true: “…George Floyd’s story has been the story of black folks because ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed to being is you kept your knee on our neck. We were smarter then the underfunded schools you put us in, but you had your knee on our neck. We could run corporations and not hustle in the street, but you had your knee on our neck. We had creative skills, we could do whatever anybody else could do, but we couldn’t get your knee off our neck. What happened to Floyd happens every day in this country, in education, in health services, and in every area of American life, it’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say get your knee off our necks.”
I would encourage you to take the time and watch Rev Al, it will be the best 31 minutes of your day!
How is lynching not already a federal crime? And Murkowski is struggling? I will never understand party politics. Every day I check Trump’s approval/disapproval rating on 538, and am glad to finally see his disapproval climbing. It should have happened four years ago.
We still have quite a few closures and regulations in place in NJ, but when I was down in MD and drove through DE I was shocked to see that life is almost back to normal there. You can dine indoors at restaurants in DE, go to bars, get a tattoo and massage, and gather with 250 of your closest friends in DE. I did not do any of those things. Have a good weekend, Kat!
It’s June, so I’m thinking a lot about my mom, and she LOVED Rev. Al!! Timing was such that I’d always get MY daily dose of him on TV when I’d stop to visit her on my way home from work.
So Pittsburgh is green?? We just turned yellow at midnight last night. But, thankfully the liquor stores are open and I got wine this a.m. Very surprising – no lines and almost no one in the sstore! Have a good weekend Kat.
What a great list, Kat, thank you! I’ve been putting together a new summer reading list and love all the resources pointing me toward books by and about authors of color. Summer reading is always good reading and this year looks like a stellar – and educational – one! Have a great weekend! (enjoy being green!)
Thanks for writing this post, Kat. It’s been so hard to sit with all of this news for over 11 days (as of this morning). I love that there’s so much awareness out there right now. I’m hoping that we STAY aware and moving forward.
Have a great weekend!
Rand Paul is a horrible human being. There, I said it. I think he just likes all the attention he gets from holding bills up.
We, too, are pretty much sticking to our pre-green routine here, though I think my husband may soon be returning to work. We got takeout from a local place last night, and he reported that it appeared all the rules were out the window (no one wearings masks, etc.). I’m not in any rush to eat in a restaurant or go to a salon. I spotted women waiting outside a nail salon on my run yesterday. People just have their priorities in the wrong order, if you ask me!
Like you, the green phase isn’t going to change much for me. I don’t like wearing the mask so I tend to avoid going out so I don’t have to wear it. I’m okay with that for now!
Catching up with blog-reading slowly this morning . . . I had to take a digital and media vacation all weekend because I just couldn’t bear it all any longer. What is wrong with people???? (I ask this every day. I do not expect an answer.) XOXO