3/8/2021
My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,
I am off to the grocery store, looking forward to a leisurely stroll through the aisles now that I have my CV vax. I hope to find plenty of TP now that the grocery industry has changed from a “Just in time” mentality to a “Just in Case” mindset. Determining the optimal size for one’s inventory is a persistent challenge. Bible stories remind us to have faith that God will provide, so I wonder how much TP to buy today.
So, what’s the plan for International Women’s Day (IWD) commemoration? Please use it as an opportunity to encourage Tin Tin Nyo, leader of the Burmese Women’s Union, May Sabe Phyu, head of the Gender Equality Network, & Naw K’nyaw Paw, founder of the Karen Women’s Organization, who are risking their lives to promote women’s rights in Myanmar. They say that international pressure on the military helps them to not back down, so let’s keep eyes on the situation.
If you have a minute, take a look at Anisa Nandaula’s poem, “Choose to Challenge” on the IWD website. I’m inspired by her line, “Scream when the world has chosen to whisper.” I look forward to the time when we don’t need a IWD anymore.
The aid for children built into the Stimulus package is a step in the right direction to support women. Perhaps we can eventually have Universal Basic Income (UBI) so we don’t incentivize child birth, which is risky business, especially for BIPOC moms. Instead, we can do what Mayor Michael Tubbs did in his experiment in Stockton & provide folks with s steady stream of $$. It doesn’t have to be much. $300/month led to improved mental & physical health, reduced crime &, best of all, higher employment. Less than 1% of the $$ were used for alcohol & tobacco which supports the finding that poor folks budget better than rich folks. Best of all a modest income provided the gift of time which helped folks invest in their futures, rather than having to scramble to get food on the table. I hope you will entertain the possibility.
BYBS,
