What, Not Who
By the time you read this letter, President Biden may still be the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, or he may not. Whether that decision is still being made is likely a topic of many conversations among your family members and friends, but how you feel about it will have no effect on the ultimate decision. There will be no vote about whether or not Joseph Biden remains the Democrats’ nominee. That will be decided by Joseph Biden, his family, and his advisers, pushed by members of Congress and the media. We have absolutely no say and no recourse. That leaves many of us feeling at sea.
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Political Angst and New Clarity
We’ve lost a lot of sleep during the last few days. Our anxiety levels have been high as we’ve struggled with feelings of helplessness about our country’s political situation. The post-debate angst and confusion made us even more frightened and nervous about our future.
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Somewhere Over the Rainbow
We are nearing the ending of Pride Month, another celebration we wish we did not need. Like Black History Month and Women’s History Month, Pride Month recognizes the contributions and worthiness of a segment of our population that has, for too long and in too many ways, been overlooked. But Pride Month also commemorates the years of struggle for civil rights and equal justice for the LGBTQ+ community. Would that the civil rights of all LGBTQ+ people were protected. Would that all LGBTQ+ youth felt safe in their schools and communities. Would that LGBTQ+ were welcome in all houses of worship, retail establishments, health facilities, and families.
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A Short Update
Lest you think otherwise, this is not really your weekly newsletter from us. It is merely a note to bring you up to date on three things.
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World Weary
There are less than five months, 145 days, or about 3,480 hours, until Election Day 2024: November 5. What are we each going to do until then to try to make a difference? How many of us are feeling energized by the latest developments, domestic and international? How many of us are bone tired and discouraged?
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Our Town Shows Up ‘Jaws’ Star
It was both ironic and serendipitous that Tuesday evening’s program about dealing with discrimination in our community was presented by the Beverly Department of Education and The Cabot Theater just three days after “The Dreyfuss Affair.”
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He She and All of Us
“What is Gender? Why Does It Matter?” Alex Myers, author, educator, and transgender activist tackled this subject as he shared his personal story and welcomed questions and comments during the Community Conversation at The Cabot last week. His presentation was so riveting that we decided to share some of the takeaways for those of you who couldn’t make it – and as reminders for those of you who were there.
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What Do You Say, Dear?
One of our favorite children’s books is a humorous guide to manners illustrated by Maurice Sendak of Where The Wild Things Are fame and published in the 1980s. The book, What Do You Say, Dear?, asks what to say when you bump into a crocodile on a crowded street? Or when a nice gentleman introduces you to a baby elephant? Or when the queen feeds you so much spaghetti that you can’t fit in your chair anymore? The answers are pretty straightforward. Say, “excuse me,” or “how do you do,” or “no thank you.”
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The Right to Bear
We thought we had a handle on what Reproductive Rights means, only to realize it keeps changing.
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Plot twists that may surprise you
This may not be on your Spring reading list, but it’s worth at least a few minutes of our time. The National Urban League’s 2024 report on the state of Black America focuses on The Civil Rights Act of 1964, 60 years later.
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Getting connected
What do you think of when you hear about inequalities in education? Bare bones science equipment, out-of-date books, large class sizes, poorly trained teachers, lack of extracurricular activities? Computers? And when you think about computers and internet connectivity and apps and programs, do you just think about them in the schools? What about in the homes of students?
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We’ve Got Issues
Most of us know who will get our vote in the presidential election, and, therefore, whose campaign we may contribute to. But what about the down ballot? Particularly in other states.
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Just Another Day at the Movies
Last week, I watched the Oscar-nominated movie, Zone of Interest. It’s a Holocaust movie unlike any other Holocaust movie I’ve seen. And, trust me, I’ve watched more than my share of Holocaust movies. They are fodder for Jewish angst. What partially distinguishes this movie is that there are no images of concentration camp internees, no glimpses inside the gas chambers, no heart-wrenching cries of children torn from their mothers’ arms as they debark the trains upon arrival at Auschwitz.
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Even in Massachusetts
Super Tuesday is over and now our attention is focused on the November elections. The dye is firmly cast and the race will all but surely be between former president Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. Polls show the race as close; pundits are floating various theories about the outcome.
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How Some Beer Drinkers Roll
We have good news and bad news.
Bad news first.
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Don't Pick the Flowers
While I was walking through a beautiful flower garden last week with my five-year-old granddaughter (in a land far away from New England), she asked to pick one of the pink blooms. Just one, she insisted. I, of course, gave the standard line about how if everyone picked even just one, soon there would be none for people to see and enjoy.
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Young Voters Need Access
On Sunday, March 3rd, Leading Ladies will have our first appearance at a brewery. We will be at Night Shift in Everett with a table full of materials designed to encourage the young patrons to register to vote and show up at the polls. We of gray and white hair are bringing along some younger souls to give us added credibility.
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It’s the Truth: Pass It On
Remember the chain letters of the 1980s and 1990s that promised money or recipes galore? All you had to do was forward letters, sometimes with cash or a recipe included, to a list of recipients and you would be significantly rewarded. The recipe chains often worked; the cash chains always seemed to break down somewhere along the line. What was appealing about both was the opportunity to get something with little effort and to connect with other people from near and far.
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Learning History at the Movies
We’d suggest finishing your Black History Month film odyssey with American Symphony, a documentary that explores the amazing genius of musician/composer/performer/singer/dancer/conductor Jon Batiste. Prepare to be wowed. (Netflix)
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Are You YIMBY or NIMBY?
Admit it. What are the first images that come to mind when you hear the words affordable housing? The very first thoughts, before your politically correct filter edits your response? Unkempt backyards? Crowded apartments? Lowered property values? Deteriorating schools?
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