The Silent Must Stand Tall

Posted by Guest Blogger ~ Amy Redditt on 11/06/2016

Appalled is the best description for how I feel.  324,954,155 is the number of people living in America at the time of my writing.  The thought that I live in a country that has that many people and the best the Republicans came up with is a man that; throws around racial slurs as easily and as often as 4 year old calls for their Mommy, grabs women's genitals upon meeting them because he feels his celebrity allows it, makes sexual comments about his own daughter and checks out a pre-teen girl while saying, "I'm going to be dating her in ten years."!  I guess we should assume that these are Republican family values now?

When I was growing up, I was extremely shy. Over the years a lot of that has melted away. After I became a mother, even more of my shyness dissipated, as I realized that I also had to be my shy daughter's voice.  I watch her and I remember the feeling in my stomach, not knowing what to say to other kids and just feeling completely awkward.  I find myself encouraging her as much as I can but also interceding at times when I can tell it is just too much for her.  She has just turned 5 and I know in time she will grow out of this.  In High School, there were kids that I used to watch, the ones that were really loud and obnoxious, always trying to get attention.  I'm sure you know the type.  I was always left wondering when they were going to grow up but I was also intrigued by the fact that they were totally comfortable being loud and having everyone watching and listening to them.

Today, I know that many of them still haven't grown up.  They are the people standing on the street corners, in front of churches and at the entrances to the polling places.  They are the people nationwide intimidating voters that are not voting for their candidate.  I realize that people in every part of the country are all living their own experiences.  But here, where I live, they are the Trump supporters.  And they have a leader much like them.  Donald Trump must've been the loudest kid in class, seeking the most attention, not caring whom he affected by being loud, obnoxious and rude.

My husband and I went to participate in early voting on Friday.  As we walked up to the polling place, we realized that the line was at best 2 hours long.  Our daughter had to be picked up in an hour and a half.  So, we turned around to leave, knowing there was no way we could be done in time.  As we were walking out a guy in line asks another, "Did they just get here or did they already vote?". The other person said, "No they just walked up.".  The guy says,  "Yes!!! They're leaving!!!!".  Considering that all we see in this area are Trump signs, I can only assume that the man was a Trump supporter and judged our vote by the color of my husbands' skin.  The man was looking right at us when he made his remark.  The more introverted version of me probably wouldn't have gone to vote again.  But this version of me, pulled out my phone and found the next polling station, where I thought we could vote in our allotted time. We drove over to the next town, which is predominantly black and were in and out in five minutes.  It was nice, but definitely disheartening that no one in that area seems to be exercising their right to vote.

All this to say, that while I believe in the freedom of speech, I think it is wrong on so many levels to attempt to intimidate people going to vote.  Ones' candidate should win because the majority voted and their voices were heard.  And yes, I know and understand the electoral college but nothing can work the way our forefathers intended if we don't each cast our vote.  Democracy allows for all of our voices to be heard.  No one person should think that it's okay to intimidate another into silence.  No one person should judge another based upon their skin color or their sex.  I have read countless stories like mine.  There's been stories of name calling, sign stealing, threats of a Civil War, if Trump doesn't win and the list goes on.  Trump is bringing what's wrong with this country to the light.  He has created a mass following of people that think that it is okay to be loud about degrading others because of their skin color, their religion and to objectify women.  He uses racial slurs, says and has done things that openly shed light on his pedophilia.  He has attacked women and used his celebrity as his pass.  And all I keep thinking is that this man has a nation of die hard followers that want to emulate him.  It feels more like we are headed into Nazi Germany than living in the land that I love!

I just hope that every introvert out there will stand their ground and not allow anyone else to snuff out their voice.  Every vote counts. Make yours matter.  In the meantime, I'll be praying for our country and the hearts of many.  Every person counts.  This country is great because of its diversity.  And to all my friends whose skin looks different from my own, that have had to try to figure out what to say to their kids when they ask why a man running for office hates them and reassure them that they won't have to leave their home, to those that are worried that they'll be deported, you still matter!  I stand with you.  And I will be proud when I say, I voted for our first woman President.  And know that soon I will be able to tell my daughter that she truly can aspire to be anything she wants to be.

Happy Father's Day

Posted by ~ Sheldon Redditt on June 19, 2016

Dad's this is our big day.  The day where our spouses and children come together to show their appreciation for the AWESOME jobs we do as fathers.  They celebrate us, even if we didn't do such a great job.  Today, we are amazing at everything.  I want to take the time to thank the real Fathers out there.  I want to thank the Fathers that truly put in the work day in and day out.       

                           

Personally Speaking

I want to thank my father, Freddie, for molding me into the man I am today.  This man, through his actions, taught me the principles of manhood.  He showed me how to truly treat a woman.  I watched him; open doors, talk to women and ALWAYS walk on the outside of the street to ensure that she is safe at all times.  Side note: it drives me ABSOLUTELY CRAZY to see a woman walking on the outside of the sidewalks or streets and there is a man on the inside.  MEN, we should always be on the outside, in case a car or trouble comes, so we can protect her.  I'm sorry for digressing, but as a father, these are the things that you have to teach your sons.  These are the things that my Father taught me.  I know that men ALWAYS protect their ladies, and that men are to always put her and the kids first.  I remember, being about 5 or 6 years old and my Dad was taking us somewhere and it happened to be raining.  I, not wanting to get wet, ran and jumped in the car before my sisters did.  My Dad made me get out of the car to let my sisters get in first.  I recall being so mad because I was wet and asking my Dad why he made me get out of the car in the pouring rain, just to let my sisters in first.  My Dad explained, in his smooth and calm voice, that as a man, one must always open the door for the woman and let her get in the car first.  I remember saying that they are girls but just my sisters, so why would I need to do that.  I remember him saying, "you do it, because I said so, that's just what men do".  I have been opening doors every since.  

My Dad taught me so many things, not just by his words but by his actions.  Often, during speaking engagements, I share the story of respect and tolerances of others, as taught to me by my father.  I tell my story that dates back to the age of 15.  My friends and I would go down to Polk Street in San Francisco and throw eggs at the gays on Friday nights.  This was a big hang out for gays back then, so for entertainment, my friends and I would go and throw eggs at them for no reason at all, except the fact that they were gay.  We were stupid kids.  I remember coming home one Friday night to my Dad asking me where had I been.  I proudly told my dad that we went down on Polk street and threw eggs at the gays.  To this day, I can still see the look of disappointment on my Dads' face.   The lesson he taught me that night has stuck with me and has shaped the way I treat people.  My Dad asked, "what did they do to you?".  My reply was, "nothing, they are gay".  My Dad looked at me and asked, "so you went down there to throw eggs at them just because they are gay?  What if people threw eggs at you because you are black or because you are different from them, how would you like that?".  He said, "son, you don't mistreat people because they are different from you.  You have to have respect and have tolerance for EVERYONE, regardless of their differences.".  My Dad, being my Father.  I could go on and on with amazing stories. This is the man that I emulated growing up.  I tried to walk like him and  talk like him.  A couple of weeks ago when I was home visiting, my Mom, my Aunts and Uncles and I were talking about my Dad and I began emulating my Dad and some of the funny things he says.  They said, "you sound just like him!".  That is the highest compliment to me.  Dad, I want to thank you for not only teaching me, but showing me how to be a man.  Did I make some mistakes along the way, too many to name.  But, to finally get it right, I think I am getting there!  I thank you for all the great advice.  I remember calling you about a year or so ago, crying and needing some advice about my son.  You, in your calming voice, gave me the best advice and I'm so glad that I listened to you.  I know we don't talk as often as we should, but when we do it's like we pick up where we left off.  Dad, thank you for giving me the love of travel; for teaching me that there are so many amazing places in this world to explore.   Thank you for teaching me how to play chess, while explaining to me that if I can master the game of chess, I can master life.  I haven't lost a game of chess in 18 years, even going as far as beating a member of Indian national chess team!  LOL.  So, on this one special day that we get to brag on our Fathers.  I want to say, thank you Dad for being a true example of what a Father should be.  

Happy Father's Day!  

Love,

 

Your Son, Sheldon