Government

A Personal Reflection: SCOTUS 6/24 Decision

/ EYHCS

I accurately predicted that June would be a bustling month during a local connect meeting, and it has certainly lived up to that expectation. The month has been filled with various events, including festivities for Pride, honoring Juneteenth, and an enlightening conversation with the Grandmother of Juneteenth on June 14th. The list of activities has continued to grow, showcasing our community’s endless opportunities for connection and celebration.

While working on this month’s content, I need to clarify something. Although I discussed completed initiatives from a professional standpoint, the opinions and statements expressed are solely my own. It’s important to note that I have multiple roles, and in this instance, I am writing from my personal perspective, taking into account my intersecting identities.

I paused because I had intended to write a different post, but circumstances compelled me to write this one for this moment. You see, I love to write. Writing is very therapeutic and revealing. Through writing, I often lift the veil on lingering thoughts I have pushed to the side for one reason or another. This brings me to one of those lingering thoughts.

As I ascended below The Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, my first of several stops on my scheduled excursion in New York City this past Friday, the news from SCOTUS broke. 196 steps to the top of the Pedestal, my travel champion spoke somberly, “It’s Official. The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade.” My heart sank as a Native Texan, as an American, as a woman, and as a human who cares for others. Not because I support abortions. I don’t know for many personal reasons, including my religious beliefs, but those are mine alone. My views should never usurp the opinions of others on matters affecting their health and/or life. On Friday, June 24th, SCOTUS knowingly did just that in more than a 3rd of the country due to the “trigger laws” in effect.

As I reached the marker for 67 steps to go, I lamented at the sheer irony of our current climate in America with shrinking liberties in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Standing beneath Lady Liberty, I was not surprised, but still, I felt just a little gutted. Lady Liberty was a gift and a promise. A promise codified in our Constitution at a time when my intersectionality would have deemed me “not a person” and “without rights”. A promise through our preparation to host Dr. Opal Lee was solidified by why Juneteenth is so important in the history of America. On a personal level, I had struggled with the holiday until Dr. Lee spoke on the effects the movement created for the enslaved people in Texas. A reminder of the past, but more importantly, a hope for the future and “a celebration of liberation with the freedom to live, to marry, to have and keep our children from being sold, to travel, and so much more”, Dr. Opal Lee. A promise Justice Thomas threatens with his concurring opinion. The match has been lit, it is my hope we the Republic put out the fire in November before we find The Handmaid’s Tale a reality. Because, “I have to tell you, NONE of us are FREE until all of us are FREE”, Dr. Opal Lee.


After climbing 26 steps to the top, I felt a sense of pride. With the guidance of my ancestors, I was able to reach the peak. It was even more fulfilling that my companion and I were the only ones in the stairwell, having chosen to skip the elevator. This accomplishment was especially significant because, just a year ago, I was too sick to even attempt it, and I’m not sure I could have made it to the elevator back then.

Many believe we cannot surmount the conflicting climate seeping into our global affairs.


I disagree. I am proof positive. That is a lie!

As a united society, we have demonstrated our resilience in combatting oppressive regimes and emerging victorious. I am pleased to announce that my employer has taken a significant step in promoting women’s health by expanding our health benefits to include travel expenses for individuals living in states where women are deprived of their right to make informed decisions regarding their bodies. While we recognize that no company is flawless, we are committed to enhancing individuals’ lives and creating a better world for all. These initiatives demonstrate our efforts in moving forward toward a more promising future. Let’s persist in working together and supporting one another.

©EYHCS AND THE LATEST WORD, 2022 INCLUDING, BUT. UNAUTHORIZED USE AND/OR DUPLICATION OF THIS MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO YOUTUBE VIDEOS, PAPERS, AND OTHER ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART, WITHOUT EXPRESS AND WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THIS BLOG’S AUTHOR AND/OR OWNER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. EXCERPTS, LINKS, EXCLUDING IMAGES WITHIN THIS POST UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED MAY BE USED, PROVIDED THAT FULL AND CLEAR CREDIT IS GIVEN TO EYHCS AND THE LATEST WORD WHERE APPROPRIATE

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Voter Lookup: Don’t Be Fooled At the Election Booth

/ EYHCS

I took a backseat and only spoke to my friends and colleagues about why voting is so important.  This year is different. I received a surprise at the early elections last Monday.  I am normally an avid watcher of Presidential elections, but sometimes allow midterm elections to go by without a second glance, since the highly contested elections of 2008.  No longer standing in long lines, no longer spending countless nights at the polling offices, no longer rallying the troops to get out the vote, and no longer spending my time and energy on convincing the masses their votes really do count.

We have a choice between a Governor who will keep us in the dark ages or a choice between a return to the days of Ann Richards, where minorities actually had a voice in Texas.  We have a choice where minorities actually matter.  We have a choice where, our vote and our voices really can change the trajectory of our state.

Without pinpointing a specific candidate, vote for a candidate this week while early voting is still going on or next Tuesday, November 4, 2014, whose values, principles, and history in political office closely aligns to a future you want to see manifest in your local area.  Whatever you do, VOTE!

The voting tool below can help you find early voting locations or your polling location on voting day.  Please remember, this year you must have both your photo identification card and your voter’s id card to cast your ballot.  Give a big thanks to the political party of the dark ages, for that one!

To read more about my experience at the voting booth click the link here:  https://eyhcs2010.com/2014/10/25/confession-moment-9-the-audacity-of-public-officials/

Confession Moment #9: The Audacity of Public Officials

/ EYHCS / 1 Comment

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As I wrote last month, my creative juices were in a state of flux and frustration.  In retrospect, I needed time to simply sit under the Tree of Life and listen to the messages flowing from my heart.  There have been some new insights, some new valleys, some new mountains, some new hopes, some new dreams, and some new realities.  Some of it blows my mind.  Some of it warms my heart.  Most of it provides the needed strength to carry on in my quest to understand the will of God on and over my Earthly and temporal life.  Not since 2010, has God been so real to me as he is now.  Back then, I wrote my thoughts out privately only to learned publicly so many others shared the same thoughts.  The unspoken understanding of my connections with and to the Body of Christ continually astonishes me.  If I am honest, my understanding of the power of God exists on different planes of understanding and knowing.

For this reason, I am practicing my teachings and lessons learned.  I adhere now to one of the greatest lessons my spiritual teachers deposited into my spirit throughout my life-cycle. The Word of God, should never be rushed or purposefully revealed until complete.  Relationships die, otherwise.  Spiritual growth dies, otherwise.  Healing takes a backseat, otherwise.  There is much I have to say, but only when God lifts the flood gates.  All of it reflects, holds true, and manifests through my daily encounters with God’s children more and more each day.

In the meantime, expect more posts on my continued struggle, adjustment, and full acceptance of the call on my life as I grappled with my inheritance of a spiritual mind. I openly declare, “I am grateful for and humbled by the experience”.

For now, I am sharing a post I posted on my personal Facebook page earlier this week.

 

 

Today’s confession moment centers around my early voting experience this past Monday.

Today, I took part in the general election voting cycle for early voters. There is an interesting request of our city officials. They are requesting a raise in income. Specifically, for all current and future councilmembers they are seeking a bump in salary to $60,000 a year.

In addition, the proposition includes a request for future mayors of the City of Dallas to $80,000 a year, in the event, they are elected while holding another City of Dallas office.

Proposition No. 8. reads as follows:

Increasing Compensation for the Mayor and Councilmembers. Shall Chapter III, Section 4(a) of the Dallas City Charter be amended to increase compensation for councilmembers to $60,000, effective upon the swearing-in of city council members in June 2015, and for the mayor to $80,000, effective upon the swearing-in as mayor of a person who did not hold the office of mayor on November 4, 2014?

Initially, I felt a slight rage growing in my belly. For one, the proposition is 8 or 9. If you are bold enough to ask for a 60 percent increase in salary at least be bold enough to put it in plain sight and not at the end of the ballot. Especially, considering the average corporation will only offer you a 1% to 5% annual merit increase assuming they are unable to find a justifiable exclusionary excuse to honor their standing policies on the meager raise that is.

The minimum wage for the average citizen of Dallas County is $7.25 per hour or $15,080 per year. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins proposed an increase for contract employees employed by the City of Dallas back on March 24, 2014 of this year. The proposed pay rate was $10.25 per hour or $21,320 per year. I recognize the proposed increase, still misses the mark. Many would still fall beneath the true poverty lines set by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Here is a current poverty base line list as of January 24, 2013 available on DHHS’ website: 1 person = $11,670; 2 people = $15,730; 3 people = 19,790; 4 people = 23,850; 5 people = $27,910; 5 people $27,910; 6 people $31,970; 7 people = $36,030; 8 people = $40,090, and for each household-member over eight the DHHS recommends you add $4,060.

I didn’t see an increase for the average City of Dallas resident on the ballot.

Hmm…

Bear with me for a minute with the math. Let’s suppose for a minute the average family is 4 people. Each family member of the starving family of 4 has $5,962.50 to live on throughout the year or $496.86 a month. If they pool their money together for an average 2 bedroom apartment according to the allowed amount under Section 8’s Rental Certificate Model their rent will be $800 per month, but their model includes utilities in the rental calculation of $800 a month, which most apartments do not provide as part of their rental agreement. Let’s continue the same level of generosity as DHHS. We will assume the unnamed family of 4 can procure electricity, phone service, water/sewer service, and rental insurance for $400 a month.  Before they even consider food, a family car, or public transportation costs their monthly expenses for rent and utilities are at $1,200 a month. Now each family member has $196.88 dollars for the month. Which takes priority? Food, clothing, transportation, health insurance, or none of the above

Don’t judge the one’s looking for a numbing effect with alcohol or drugs. After all, it is about all they can afford to cope with their harsh realities, because not everyone believes in God anymore. His methods and teachings rarely surface anymore in governments or politics unless the sayer is attempted to constrain the rights of the people.

Currently, Dallas Councilmembers receive a salary of $37,500 per year. However, most councilmembers have other sources of income earning 3 or 4 times their meager City of Dallas salary. Let’s continue our mindset of generosity in our calculations for a moment as DHHS is with the mass populace. Suppose the average councilmember only manages to double their City of Dallas salary to $75,000 per year. The same councilmembers’ family of 4 receives $18,750 per year or $1,562.50 each month.

The basic difference: the average City of Dallas councilmember receives $12,787.50 more per year per family member than the average City of Dallas resident. By the way, research the last 4 or 5 years of corrupt politicians in the City of Dallas. $75,000 is a low ball figure.

My point in all of this is an insurmountable level of audacity of our public officials, in light of the current state of our economy for any self-respecting City of Dallas Councilmember to propose a wage hike without at least putting forth a similar proposition for the least of us. And, please do not be fooled by Proposition No. 4 my fellow same gender loving family, friends, and Face bookies. We are already a federally protected class after the Supreme Court decision of 2013. Stop waving carrots and calling them lobster.

I am utterly offended, because many unsuspected voters will vote for the proposition while they debate a $1.00 cheeseburger from McDonald’s or a 10 piece chicken nuggets from Burger King for $1.49. Some of us believe the reference to the blind refers to a spiritual blindness. Not true, sometimes we are civically blind. Voting for Proposition No. 8 while in financial poverty makes you civically blind and spiritually deficient for your fellow-man, woman, and child. Yes, I said it and I meant every word.

I am through.

Stay blessed and alert.

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The  ”Confession Moment#9: The Audacity of Public Officials” (text) by EYHCS licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at Indulgy.com (image only).
©EYHCS AND THE LATEST WORD, 2010-2014. UNAUTHORIZED USE AND/OR DUPLICATION OF THIS MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO YOUTUBE VIDEOS, PAPERS, AND OTHER ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART WITHOUT EXPRESS AND WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THIS BLOG’S AUTHOR AND/OR OWNER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. EXCERPTS, LINKS, IMAGES THAT ARE THE COURTESY OF INDULGY.COM WITHIN POSTS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED MAY BE USED, PROVIDED THAT FULL AND CLEAR CREDIT IS GIVEN TO EYHCS AND 15 WORDS OR LESS WITH APPROPRIATE AND SPECIFIC DIRECTION TO THE ORIGINAL CONTENT.

Confession Moment #8: A Post Like No Other – My Heart is Heavy

/ EYHCS

My heart is heavy, today.  I initially wanted to write my typical reflective thought post generated  by a beautiful photo I plucked from Indulgy.  I wanted to deliver solace for my own troubled soul.  I wanted to write a post for the brokenness I see in the world spewed across the news channels everyday.  I wanted to write a post for the deceitful intentions of others, I have experienced in my very short life on this Earth.  I wanted to write a post for the pain of all those who suffer in silence daily, as I have in the past and to let them know it really does get better.

I wanted to write a post for everyone dealing with the realization we live in a society where children go hungry daily while society blames their parents for living below the poverty line; where we can send several groups of soldiers to war, but cannot raise the minimum wage to a living wage; where politician grow richer and the poor grow poorer; where families are being destroyed for foolish reasons or stupid decisions; where color-focused police officers pull single black mothers out of their car  in the dark hours of the night with their terrified children in tow, because, after all, we all look alike, even when we do not; where Latinos are being excluded from the all-inclusive America, because they were born on the wrong side of the border; where every few decades we find ourselves fighting another civil rights battle (Japanese, Chinese, Irish, Polish, Indians, African Americans (Blacks), Hispanics, gays, lesbians, bi-sexual, transgender); where the uneducated are marginalized even more than their ancestors were, creating a circular system of poverty (slaves, migrant workers, working class); where the educated are becoming the new poverty class (student loan debt) and unable to find those jobs promised to them as they continually signed their life away each semester; where the total breakdown of our society seems to go unnoticed by far too many people; where another black dead face on the news at the hands of an official or frighten civilian is no longer news, but a sad expectation for other black faces; where we speak of Jesus and then act as Barnabas; where we spend more time on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, or Twitter than contemplating our civic duties as Americans of these Great United States; where our minds are so convoluted the truth is difficult to ascertain even when faced with the hard reality we got it all wrong; where I am so disgusted with the placating mindset of our society, I could not write one of those truly colorful, thought provoking, rosy, or uber-spiritual post, even if my God would allow it.

I really wanted to write that post today.  I wanted to write that post, because at my core, my God created me to speak, enlighten, encourage, provide solace, and live out his life on Earth as he prescribed long before land separated from water.  God knows I wanted to write such a post today.  God knows if I were not so utterly disgusted with a Godly people acting so ungodly, I could have written such a post.  It hurts my heart to write so brutally today.  For those who know me, have known me, who will know me, who have experienced my friendship, my warm smile, or my laughter will understand more than anyone else how much this post pains me.  It pains me, because it requires I step out of my overly optimistic worldview and into the world I see, today.

While this particular post is darker in nature than anything I have ever written for the public eye, it is the Truth I see.  I am simply tired of seeing the same stories, conversations, and total lack of concern for our fellow man, woman, and child.  My writing is therapeutic and the writer in me would not remain silent.   It helps me prepare to run the race another day. After so much needed time with God after work this morning, he reminded me of the journey God has taken me on, specifically over the last four or five years.  I am grateful for the new eyesight.  I am grateful for the silent prayers you sent my way.  I am grateful for the helping hand you offered even when I was too raw to receive it.  I am eternally grateful, because on my balcony this morning, God showed me, “he really does know the plan he has prepared for me and his plan is perfect, his plan is not meant to harm me, his plan is meant to rise up a nation of people brave enough to write such a post their former self would have never written, out of fear of exposure”.

For those of you in the battle of your life, remember, rather you believe in God or not, someone or something kept you from the fate your choices or actions should have brought death upon you, instead of life.

Be kind to each other, we never know when the person we throw stones at might be the same person God sent to help you out of a situation you had no business being in, in the first place.  Be kind to each other, because we do live in a country rich in history of people fighting for one another across all lines.  Be kind to each other, because someone was kind to you when you least deserved it.  Be kind to each other, because no matter how much money and power you have today, it could all be gone tomorrow, and what would you have, but each other.  Simply be kind to each other.

I close this confession moment with a poem I wrote during my stint in Beijing, China on 2011/07/30.

A Moment of Reflection

A period of redirection

Living in a world of change

Living on an unknown range

I felt a close hand on my shoulder

I felt my spirit grow older

Wishing for a human caress

Wishing for God to give me rest

A journey revived

A path of hope against the divide

I knew the story would end

I knew my fate would end

Yet to walk in your shoes of love

The answer must come from above.

I walked out of captivity with arms stretched out wide

The sky opened up as heaven’s charms rolled down to shower me in its tide

Thank you for a word from the wise

Knowing you saw through the lies.

The beauty of your broke through

The enigma making my reality true.

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The  ”Confession Moment #8: A Post Like No Other – My Heart is Heavy ” (text) by EYHCS is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at Indulgy.com (image only).
©EYHCS AND The Latest Word, 2010-2014. UNAUTHORIZED USE AND/OR DUPLICATION OF THIS MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO YOUTUBE VIDEOS, PAPERS, AND OTHER ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART WITHOUT EXPRESS AND WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THIS BLOG’S AUTHOR AND/OR OWNER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. EXCERPTS, LINKS, IMAGES THAT ARE THE COURTESY OF INDULGY.COM WITHIN POSTS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED MAY BE USED, PROVIDED THAT FULL AND CLEAR CREDIT IS GIVEN TO EYHCS AND 15 WORDS OR LESS WITH APPROPRIATE AND SPECIFIC DIRECTION TO THE ORIGINAL CONTENT.

Day 47 – This Day in Black History: NYCC Passes Bill Prohibiting Racial Discrimination

/ EYHCS

02162014

If laws were perfect … Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis would be alive today!

 

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The  ”Day 47 – This Day in Black History: NYCC Passes Bill Prohibiting Racial Discrimination” by EYHCS is under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

© EYHCS and the Latest Word, 2010-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, including, but not limited to YouTube videos, papers, and other original works of art without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts, links, and images  unless otherwise stated are available for use, provided that full and clear credit is given to EYHCS and 15 Words or Less with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Day 33 – Today in Black History Eric Holder Became the 1st Confirmed United States Attorney General

/ EYHCS

Eric Holder

“Let’s deal with reality.”

It is contingent upon someone else’s perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

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The  ”Today in Black History Eric Holder Became the 1st Confirmed United States Attorney General” (quote) by Eric Holder and (text) by EYHCS is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

©EYHCS and 15 Words or Less, 2010-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, including, but not limited to YouTube videos, papers, and other original works of art without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts, links, images that are the courtesy of Indulgy.com within posts unless otherwise stated may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to EYHCS and 15 Words or Less with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Day 11 – That’s Not My Job

/ EYHCS / 1 Comment

Concern

Wars, tragedies, changing climates, government dysfunction and so much more are simply detractors.

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The  “That’s Not My Job” (text only) by EYHCS is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at Indulgy.com (image only).
©EYHCS and 15 Words or Less, 2010-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, including, but not limited to YouTube videos, papers, and other original works of art without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts, links, images that are the courtesy of Indulgy.com within posts unless otherwise stated may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to EYHCS and 15 Words or Less with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.