Add the Words, Idaho

Yesterday, I attended a rally at our state capitol building for Add the Words, Idaho. This is a movement to get our state legislature to add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to Idaho’s Human Rights Act. Nearly 1,000 were in attendance, plus there were other rallies across the state. In Idaho, gay and transgender people live in fear of losing their jobs, losing their housing, or being denied services or education simply because of who they are. These Idaho citizens are being denied basic human rights. For six years now activists have tried to get protection for these people, only to be denied a public hearing by those who control the legislature in this very conservative state. This year, the strategy has been to leave sticky notes on doors inside the capitol building, asking our representatives to “add the words.” Messages have come from all over the state and have been stuck to the doors. Yesterday, all of us attending were asked to write a message on a sticky note. At the end of the rally we all silently filed into the capitol, walked upstairs to the house and senate chambers, and stuck our messages to the glass doors. One big hurdle has been met—a print hearing will be held this coming week. Hopefully they will listen to us.

So Far Away

At this point, I am accustomed to being an empty nester. What’s difficult is being so far away from my girls—I don’t think I’ll ever be okay with that. Tonight I had a nice long talk with my older daughter. She had complained earlier today, while we were chatting via instant message, that I never call her. That’s not quite true, but I have found that she either doesn’t answer her phone or is busy when I call so I wait for her to call me. However, tonight I called her. We talked about our weekend plans and we talked about God. We discussed her friends and their children. She told me about her job, her frustrations, her new supervisory responsibilities and how much she loves her company. She and her husband plan to visit her grandmother in Florida in September and she suggested maybe we can join them. Perhaps we can fly out to see them in North Carolina. We want to see each other but money and jobs (or my lack of one) get in the way. I am so pleased to see how her life is taking shape despite her personal challenges. I am so very proud of her and I’ve told her so. I would just like to be able to tell her in person and give her a hug. A big hug.

Reflecting on Socks

Recently, I needed to shop for socks. The cold January weather required me to replace the knee socks with the holes in the heels. I browsed through the hosiery section of a local store, ignoring the cheap (foreign) brands that don’t last and finally chose an American brand which was more expensive, but on sale. What surprised me was how excited I was about my new socks. I mean, when I was younger, I really didn’t think much about socks. Today I truly enjoyed putting on a pair of new socks, admiring the pattern. What does this say about me? I’m getting old and boring? That I really need to find a job? Oh well, I’m off to stare at my socks some more. . .

A Time to Slow Down

We just returned from an enjoyable couple days with friends in Sun Valley. I was struck how our time there has changed over the years. Our friends bought their condo 25 years ago and have invited us to join them there since the beginning. In those early days they had a baby and we had a toddler, so we took turns going out to cross country ski or shop, etc. Soon the second children came along and as soon as they were able, we strapped children’s cross country skis onto their snow boots and encouraged them to move. Needless to say, we didn’t go far and the adults didn’t get much skiing in. Before long the children were all using actual cross country skis and they were able to go farther. Our days would also include ice skating at the Sun Valley rink, sledding behind the condo, shopping or visiting galleries in Ketchum, and dinner in town. Their kids learned to downhill ski so sometimes we would go our separate ways, and then meet for lunch. Sometimes lunch would be at the Galena Lodge at Galena Summit, after which we would all go cross country skiing together. We did eat and rest at the condo a bit, but it seems like we were always on the go.

Gradually, the kids got older and their activities prevented us from meeting in Sun Valley every year. In the past we had discussed how there would be a time when we would be together there without the kids. That time has come; all four of our children have graduated from college. One is married and another is engaged. We see our friends sporadically, not nearly often enough. I think we especially noticed a distinct change this time. When we arrived late Saturday afternoon, we were content to sit and catch up with each other. We headed out early the next morning to go snowshoeing with a bird group at a nature preserve. We didn’t find the bird group, but enjoyed following the trail on our own, losing the trail, crawling through brush, laughing, taking photos, and looking for birds. By the time we were back to the condo for a late lunch, we realized that we had all had enough for the day and cancelled our plans to go out cross country skiing. Instead we sat and talked-- for hours, later heading to a local Italian restaurant where the conversation continued. We’re all getting older and our bodies are slowing us down. We can’t go out and do everything we used to do. However, in the process, we have found something else, something more precious. We did get our cross country skiing in; we simply went the next morning, took our time on the trail, and by the time we needed to quit, my aging body was ready. I will be looking at my trips to Sun Valley from a different perspective from now on.

Looking for a Job

This past year was not the best year for me; I lost my job—twice. I am currently receiving unemployment, but I only qualify for 10 weeks (another story) and that ends soon. I search for work daily online (which is how you must do it these days) and try to apply for at least two jobs a week—an unemployment requirement—but that is tough. There are just not many jobs out there. I hear criticism of the unemployed, adjectives such as lazy, unskilled, and uneducated. That is not true in my case and I don’t believe it is true of the majority of unemployed.

We moved to Idaho from California over 28 years ago. At that time I was making the equivalent of $10 per hour (I was salaried) working for a not-for-profit and that was not considered to be a great wage. All these years later, I see many jobs offered for $8-10 per hour, and many of these are not entry level jobs. A living wage is more than that. The sad truth in Idaho is that more than half of all jobs do not pay a living wage. I have a college degree and over 10 years of paid administrative experience, not to mention loads of volunteer experience. (I also have years of research experience which is useless in Idaho.) I have great references. I am ready and willing to work for a living wage. While I have come close to being hired, close isn’t good enough. So I continue to look and look and look. . .

Let it Snow

The snow finally arrived yesterday. And what a storm it was—it snowed for hours. (And this is a desert.) Roads got slick, cars slid off the road, people arrived late to wherever they were heading, and events were cancelled. With all the mess and inconvenience, there were few complaints. Normally that would not be true towards the end of January. However, this was the first real snow we have received all season. The west has been dry, and the ski resorts empty. We have missed, longed for the snow. People were posting photos on Facebook, showing yards, streets, and cars covered with the white stuff. It was beautiful during the storm. I think the long delay made us all appreciate something we take for granted, and frequently grumble about when we have to drive in it or shovel it. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. . .

The Hunger Issue

Tonight I attended a meeting on hunger where we learned about a couple of exciting new projects in Idaho. One is a “train the trainer” software program designed to educate people trying to help others with the SNAP (food stamp) program. The other program walks small communities through a process of figuring out how to set up programs specific to their own needs. And since the legislature is now in session, there was discussion on what is coming up next.

I have been interested in the hunger issue for a long time. In fact, years ago I served as a VISTA volunteer and helped to set up our state’s surplus food warehouse. As time has passed, it is apparent to me that while we need to feed hungry people, we need to work more on the root causes. This is a justice issue. There is no reason for anybody to be hungry in this country—there is plenty of food. Why are working people receiving food stamps? Shouldn’t they be paid a living wage? (Less than half of workers in this state actually receive a living wage.) The divide between the wealthy and everybody else is growing wider and wider. Greed rules in this country. Something needs to change.

Remembering Dr. King

I am resuming my long neglected blog on the day that we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today I have been posting my favorite quotes from him on my Facebook page. At noon I joined others at our statehouse in a ceremony honoring Dr. King and human rights. It’s hard to believe that if he had lived, he would be 83 years old. The keynote address was entitled “Have We Gotten There Yet?” (Marilyn Schuler). Idaho has come a long way but we are not there yet. Our nation is not there yet.

We have made great strides in civil rights. Attitudes have changed significantly; we even have a (half) black president. However, we continue to hear racist comments directed at him and his family, even by some of our leaders. Women have made great gains over the last century, but as a woman, I can tell you we are not equal yet. Perhaps one day we will have a woman president; it was depressing to listen to the sexist comments from both Republicans and Democrats while Hillary Clinton was running for president. It is illegal to discriminate against people because of their religion or disabilities. We have a long way to go in the fight for GLBT rights.

This country is more sharply divided than perhaps any other time in our history. Presidential campaigns seem to bring out the worst in people. The far right is pushing hard for their agenda, which includes discrimination against people who are not like them, especially GLBT people. The ads are nasty; some of the comments I see posted online are venomous, just simply awful. We have elected officials who refuse to compromise. Their rhetoric only serves to fan the hatred among the faithful.

What can one person do in light of this toxic political environment? It is overwhelming but we must move forward. History proves that one person can make a difference. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable ... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

As a follower of Jesus, my desire is to reach out in love to my fellow human beings. Christians should be leading the call for justice and reflect God’s love for all people. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” (Martin Luther King, Jr.)