Well, it’s been a long time, hasn’t it? The blogosphere ain’t quite what it used to be and neither am I. But this morning my blabberfingers got that itch, so here I am. If I’m lucky, one or two you are still here too.
Thinking about the convention, the tone of the past month, and the upcoming election. Bear with me for a NY-centric analogy. Husband and I both grew up in NY, raised our kids here. When it was time for them to be more independent and travel alone, we (having learned in the crime-heights of the 70s/80s) knew what we wanted them to understand.
Don’t move in fear, it makes you a target. But be AWARE. Who’s next to you, but also who’s getting loud at the end of the platform, on the other side of the train car, where are potential exits. Who’s around, what are potential threats, don’t be aggressive but be prepared. Don’t be cocky. Yes, this is your city, you grew up riding the subways, but NEVER MAKE ASSUMPTIONS about who/what neighborhood will/will not hold a threat. PAY ATTENTION.
If something/someone is annoying, but not a threat to anyone, mind your business.
Things will go wrong that are out of your control. Don’t freak out. Accept what you can’t change (delays, mechanical failures, assholes) and figure out an alternate route. It may take longer, be more of a pain, make you have to pay an extra fare, but there is always an alternate route.
The majority of my kids’ friends and travel companions were Black, Latino, AAPI. For my youngest, a number were also Deaf. Kids are kids, they can be loud, annoying, and overly enthusiastic. They have the same rights to space and safety as everyone else. Mixed groups of kids/teens traveling together make some people automatically uncomfortable, yes, even here in the city. Too many who are uncomfortable become aggressive out of fear. Yup, this includes those supposedly there to protect us.
We told them to always keep in mind what and who their priorities and values are. We taught them they have responsibilities for themselves, those they care about, and the most vulnerable around them. Can potential trouble be avoided? How? If not, how much trouble are we looking at? What can we afford to lose? Really nothing, but losing a phone or a jacket is a whole lot better than losing an eye.
Being alert while going about your business is how to have independence and enjoy freedom.
So here we are, feeling good about the DNC and the upcoming election. This is OUR country, and we don’t want to lose it. We’ve already lost a lot, and it is unsafe to pretend we haven’t, unsafe to pretend there isn’t much more at stake for us as individuals, families, communities. We cannot be arrogant, assuming there is no more threat. Being smart is not enough, being right is not enough, it’s what you do with it.
This train we’re on is being held between stops, there’s a fire on the tracks behind us and a water main break ahead. We are the passengers, the engineers, and the conductors, and it absolutely is up to us to try and safely switch tracks so we don’t completely derail.
Time to protect ourselves, our communities, our ailing democracy, by not only voting Harris/Walz, but also downballot. Enjoy this surge of hope, but don’t let it blind us to the very real threats still waiting for us in November and the months afterwards.
And there you have it, Mrs Fringe rambles again. Stay safe and alert out there and we’ll get where we need to go.
mrsfringe 
I was just thinking about you the other day! Glad to see you are still around!!
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Maybe not kicking, but still around. Hi!
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well hello! Such a nice surprise. This brings back memories of my days trsveling to Hunter. Well without a cellphone, Im ancient 😏 my dad saying dont make eye contact, give them what they want and stay in a group!
we do need to protect our freedom! I feel like we are going backwards instead of making strides forward. 😢 thanks for writing! Now i need morr 😜🥰
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You and me both! Well, me, anyway (ancient), lol.
Hi to you, too, and thank you!!!
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It was so good to see you in the inbox today – I haven’t written in a few years on my blog. Your analogy is right on – time to protect our ailing democracy – every race matters. Here in Arkansas we are organizing and connecting. Hope can bring you out of the darkness and there is light ahead!
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Hi!!! Oh, I miss when our blogs were all active, so much fun AND interesting chats in comments.
Glad to see you, and yes, we’re all doing what we can. Let’s gooooooo! 💜💜
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Hello there old pal, I’m still here in blogland, I won’t be voting but then I’m in a different country so it would be weird if I did.
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Hi Joanne! I hope you’re well 💜 lol, yes, it would be weird, but I’ll be voting with every scrap of hope I’ve got.
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As always, you’ve hit the proverbial nail right on the head: in this uncertain time, there are real and potential dangers and we need to keep our eyes wide open, and do whatever we can to keep ourselves, our friends, our families, our country and our Democracy safe from harm. The stakes are high, but so are the possibilities, so yes, enjoy this wave of optimism, but temper it with the reality that this is no time for complacency. In his “I have a dream” speech, MLK mentioned ‘the fierce urgency of now.’ Your post shows how strongly you feel that urgency. I know I feel it. Let’s hope a ton of other people feel it, too.
Btw, what a treat to see this blog post! Does this mean our beloved Mrs. Fringe is back?
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Yes, urgency is the word. The memory of 2016 and the results we’ve suffered and will continue to suffer for years is too strong for us to be certain. Enjoy the hope while centering realities.
Thank you! I don’t know if I’ll be back regularly, but maybe a semi regular pop in?
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Indeed. Talked with a friend yesterday who said how much excitement and hope she’s feeling and how she sees the entire party reenergized. I agreed… and said that all this excitement and energy shouldn’t trick us into letting our guards down. Not again.
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Yes. The current momentum is exactly what we needed, but it will only be enough if we keep it going to November (and beyond , we all know challenges & legal shenanigans will be forthcoming) and don’t allow ourselves to be distracted by bullshit.
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Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt and raw piece. As a mom to two autistic children, I understand the complex emotions that come with navigating life’s transitions and uncertainties. I created my website to connect with other parents and share resources that might make this journey a little easier. Your writing captures those fleeting, powerful moments that resonate with so many of us. It’s comforting to know there are others who truly understand.
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