No Magnet This Year--Storytelling, Advocacy and My Kids

"I don't want a magnet this year when we go to D.C.," Wade informed me before we left for the first part of our road trip. 

"Okay, why not?," I asked.

"Because I don't want President Trump on a magnet on our fridge," he said. 

I silently agreed. 

"Maybe we can get a different souvenir this year, maybe a magnet with a picture of the Lincoln Memorial or heck maybe a Nationals hat," I suggested. "Hopefully there will be a magnet with a new president added in 2020 that we want to get."

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Last year I took the kids to D.C. to a rally to call for more attention to and action on climate change. We also met with Senate staff. We had talking points. We took pictures in front of the White House. We listened to the Hamilton soundtrack on the way there, and quoted it and sang it all over D.C. It was fun and interesting. I was grateful for the opportunity to show my kids that they have a voice and encourage them to use it.

On our way out of town, we stopped at a few more memorials and went to a gift shop and bought postcards, a parchment type paper with a copy of the Declaration of Independence on it and a magnet with all the presidents.  

This year was different in so many ways. First of all, Trump. Maybe that's the last of it all too. Instead of moving forward, D.C., with Trump at the helm, feels like it's moving backwards...denying climate change, the budget, healthcare, shaming people, all the tweeting, all the negativity and the bravado and the coldness and the corporate-ness and Jesus, all of it. There was no f&*$ing way I was getting a magnet.

But I did want to try and make a difference and connect with staffers and maybe a Senator or two and try to create change, or at least help stop the backward motion. I didn't just want to encourage my children to use their voice in their government and their community, I wanted to urge them to. And show them the way.

We went with a group that I am so proud and honored to be a part of, Moms Clean Air Force. They have taught me so much about climate science, activism, advocacy, how to be a part of it all and help make a difference. 

In the park beside the Capitol building, we attended a "Play-In." There were activities, speakers, musicians, prayers and hula hoops. There were Republicans, Democrats, women, men, mothers, grandmothers, teenagers and babies. And a drum line! 

I am not kidding when I tell you that marching with and dancing to a drum line was an actual dream of mine.
Dream realized. It was amazing.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse spoke to the crowd.

After the Play-In, we headed over to the senate office buildings. This wasn't our first rodeo, we felt prepared. We had practiced our talking points the night before in our hotel room. During our first meeting of the day, I turned to the kids and asked if they had anything to share. I sat back proudly watching and waiting for their rehearsed answers. They said nothing. They shrugged and quietly said something about how they want to protect the environment. Um, what? "Children, what about your prepared statements?," I said through a smile like a nervous stage mother. 

But then I remembered why we were there. We were there to tell our stories and tell our elected officials what matters to us and why it should matter to them. So, the kids started talking about how they love to fish. JT and Wade talked about the giant catfish they caught at their grandparents' cottage on a lake in Michigan. The senate staffer talked about how he liked to fish. That led to a discussion about protecting lakes from pollution. That led to talking about protecting the environment from corporations that pollute, and ultimately a conversation about climate change. 

After our first meeting, we were all more comfortable telling our story and asking people to work to protect the health of our lakes, our air and our future.



As we walked the halls from meeting to meeting, several people stopped us and thanked us for being there. "It really makes a difference for people to come to Washington and meet with us," one staffer told us. "It's a bubble here and it really helps when regular people like you guys come and talk to us and remind us why we are all here."

Our senator from Michigan, Senator Gary Peters, was gracious and kind. His staff has always been so great with my kids too. And Sen Peters happens to have a great record protecting the environment, helping to take action against climate change and working toward environmental justice in our area.

Our last meeting was with a U.S. Representative that probably has a magnet with Trump on his fridge. I was happy that his staffer agreed to meet with us, but also a little nervous.  As we sat down the kids starting talking to him about their love of fishing and sports. They all seemed very comfortable with each other. We spent the longest time in this office and actually enjoyed our time there. We talked about other issues like financial aid for college, public education and more. Even though I am not sure we changed his, or his boss's, mind about climate change, we connected. We found common ground. We didn't sit down with him and angrily shout at him about our agenda (sometimes in some places that is necessary however), instead we found a way to start building a relationship and start moving forward, not backward. A lesson I'm going to take back home with me, better than any souvenir. 

But we still didn't get a magnet. Maybe we'll get one in a few years.

I want them to know their voice matters and that they can have conversations and relationships with people that don't agree with them. Even if their fridge magnets are different.

I want them to know their health and their future is worth protecting.

Road Trip Stories-- Advocacy in D.C., Using Your Voice

I have written a lot of blog posts over the years about how the world is full of so much bad news and how it can all be overwhelming and so hard to stay a light-seeking, positive person. Because there really is so much bad news. And now the election? Oh hell, the election. I have a lot of friends who say they just need a media break or who want to stop watching the news altogether and not pay attention at all. And I get that, I totally get that. Unplugging for a while is good, it's necessary for mental health. But, the only way I know how to feel calmer and more positive and more hopeful is actually getting more involved, paying closer attention and doing something. Volunteering, service, helping out, learning, educating, protesting, supporting, empowering, fighting for and fighting against...using my voice....that's the only way I know how to feel less afraid and less overwhelmed.

When I was asked if my family wanted to take part in a protest/play-in at the Capitol in D.C. for a bi-partisan organization that fights for kids' health, I thought it would be the perfect way to kick off our road trip. Because there is so much bad news and damn, this election, and I want to help make a difference and show my kids that they have a voice and a choice about how they use it. So, we added D.C. to our itinerary and made our way to the nation's capitol. 

Before we left we got books out from the library about founding fathers and former Presidents and the White House. We listened to the entire soundtrack of Hamilton over and over on the way to D.C. We had long conversations about politics and process and policy and how to create change. We had long talks about things we want to try and make better in the world. We talked about climate change and what environmental justice means, and so much more. 

The protest/play-in was being hosted by Moms Clean Air Force (MCAF), a special project of the Environmental Defense Fund. MCAF is a community of moms and dads united against air pollution--including the crisis of our changing climate--to protect children's health.  I've been writing and volunteering with them for a few years now. They are a wonderful organization that not only mobilizes moms (and dads) but also teaches them how to be activists and advocates. They call it "Naptime Activism" on their web site which includes an online action center to help make it easy and fast for "busy parents to make their voices heard while baby naps."

For the third year, MCAF brought together moms from all 50 states and Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia to participate in the Play-In for Climate Action. 

"We know that our children's health is at stake and their future is at stake and we want to see action on climate change," said Gretchen Dahlkemper, National Field Director of MCAF, regarding the Play-In. 

I love this event because it was not passive in any way. The kids participated in every moment of the day including decorating signs, listening to speakers, dancing to a band and meeting with senators' staff on Capitol Hill.  They got to see the process in Washington and be a part of it. They got the opportunity to use their voice to try and create positive change. 

I hope the kids learned a lot from this experience. I hope they learned that activism and community organizing can be fun and so fulfilling and an opporuntiy to truly connect with people. I hope they learned that change is possible. I hope they learned to use their voice but also to listen-- to their neighbors and friends and politicians and people that agree with them and people that don't agree with them. I hope they learned to be respectful and hopeful. I hope they learned that they can be angry and scared but also passionate, positive light seekers. I sure did.

He wasn't so into me taking so many pictures. lol

JT jumped at every chance to get involved from making signs to learning a dance and then performing it at the end of the Play-In. It was fun to watch him be so open to every experience of the day.

They asked if I minded being on camera. Um, NO! lol. 

To me, it's all about taking action and getting more involved, paying closer attention and doing something! That's when I feel less anxious and afraid and overwhelmed and hopeless.

We sang Hamilton songs (in our heads or quietly to each other) off and on all day. Like when we went into the offices of senators, we whisper-sang "I want to be in the room where it happens." Lol.

I was so proud of Lucy when she talked about how climate change has made her friends' allergies worse and how it makes her upset. I was also proud of Peyton when he talked to this young staff member about going to college and how to get into the University of Michigan. Both Peyton and Lucy are introverts and were nervous to speak to people, but they did and they were proud too.

If you want to get involved with or learn more about Moms Clean Air Force click here. 
I have learned SO MUCH about helping to make the air cleaner and to fight for climate action and environmental justice and how to be an advocate from MCAF.

Here's an awesome recap video from the Play-In (which features a sweet cameo of JT and me).

(Click here to watch the video.)

Something To Share/Sing/Say

Every couple steps we took it seemed like something important was happening--a protest, an interview, a press conference, a meeting.  Everything felt important, powerful.  

In Nashville, it seemed like everyone was working hard at getting discovered.  In Washington D.C. it seemed like everyone was working hard at getting heard.  In a funny way, the energy, urgency felt quite similar.  In both cities, everything felt important and powerful.  From the band trying to to make it in the dive bar or the kid who ran away and was proving how funny he was by selling jokes on the street in Nashville to the men (and a couple women) in suits taking meetings to discuss environmental policies and regulations--everyone had something to share/sing/say.

In both cities, my kids and I walked around with eyes as big as saucers, easily revealing our we aren't from here identities.  In both cities, we were only there for a short time, but we were there to take everything, all of everything in.  Our hearts and minds were open as big and wide as our eyes.

We were invited to Washington D.C. by Moms Clean Air Force (MCAF) to participate in a protest. The protest was to encourage members of Congress to support the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed antipollution rules, which seek to cut carbon emissions from power plants by 30%.


Our flight got into D.C. the day before the protest so we had some time to explore.  I knew we wouldn't have time to see a lot, but we crammed as much as we could into an afternoon.  We walked and walked and walked.  It was hot.  Like the kind of hot where people walk around with pained expressions on their faces and look confused.  

But the kids were troopers, they really didn't complain at all.  Red-faced and sweaty we took rest breaks in the shade and in the air-conditioned museums.  We got lost in exhibits that we didn't even know we were interested in...hello battle ship exhibit, truly fascinating.

Our goal of the day was to get to "Abe's house," that's what JT called the Lincoln Memorial.  We almost gave up on our quest to see Abe because it was so incredibly hot.  It was so hot people were literally passing out.  

"I am not getting this close and not going," I told the kids.  "We have to keep going."

We did.  And even though there were a million people sitting on the steps, walking around the statue and mulling about, it was almost peaceful and serene.

The kids and I made our way to the side of the monument where no one was.  They played make believe.  I watched.  It felt important, powerful.

After a little while, we were ready to head back to the hotel, but I was worried about making the kids walk.  I looked for a tour bus, a trolley, a cab...anything that could give us a lift.  The bus driver said tours ended at 5 so we were out of luck.  Then I spotted the men on their bikes offering rides, actually in their rickshaws.  "Let's go over there," I told the kids.

"You look awful," the man said to me and laughed.

"I only have $20, how far will that get us?," I asked desperately.  

"Oh I need to help you, get in, I'll take you where you need to go," he said reassuringly.  

We climbed aboard the rickshaw and sighed with relief.  This man with two braids, a fisherman's cap and the best calf muscles I've ever seen was my new hero.  He turned up his music and started pedaling.  

"Everyone's trying to find it...
Do we know what it is?
Here we go looking for what we need...
Hope we find what it is"
--The music, a Rastafarian rap, blared these words prophetically.  

The traffic flew by us.  Helicopters roared overhead.  We passed museums, ornate buildings, red-faced tourists, powerful men in suits.  It was completely surreal and fabulous and ridiculous and amazing.  

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The protest the next day was full of kids, moms, grandparents, activists, health care professionals and politicians.  Famous senators spoke to the crowd as well as concerned volunteers.  

Senator Barbara Boxer was one of the speakers at the pre-protest event.

After the speakers and the games and the poster making stations, we marched to the Capitol.  

"What do we want? Clean Air!," we all shouted as we marched.  "When do we want it? Now!"

After the march, protesters had meetings with their state's representatives and senators.  Lucy, JT and I, along with another family and our friend from MCAF went to our meetings.  As I walked by the offices of John McCain and other senators I felt like I was in a movie or a TV show.  I expected someone to yell "cut" at any minute and everyone would relax and get out of character.  But nope, this was real.

Passionate, hard working, busy people.  Listening, talking, taking notes, nodding, smiling, connecting.

Senator Kildee talked to JT about baseball and his uncle and politics.  He was wonderful with JT.  He showed him a picture from the baseball game between the Democrats and the Republicans.  Um, who knew that happened? 

"Everyone was so nice here," said JT as we were leaving.  "This was good."

"I totally agree," I said smiling.

The world is scary and argumentative and mean and full of hopelessness.  But it's also full of people wanting to be heard--so many stories and jokes and songs waiting to be shared.  I believe if we open our eyes and minds and hearts to all the stories, jokes and songs we'll be filled with so much nice, so much good, so much hope, so much love.  That feels important, powerful.

In the middle of the protest party, a man was painting a beautiful picture of the Capitol.  It was like a mash up of all my favorite things--politics, hope, voices being heard, art and beauty and self-expression. Ahhhhhh!!!!

During our Rastafarian rap-filled rickshaw  ride home, Lucy leaned into me and showed me her bracelet.  "This, mom," she said and looked up at me all red-faced and happy.

Vlogging From the Steps of the Capitol

I tried to vlog everyday in April and then....my vlogging screen went black.  It was hard to vlog everyday, but I do miss vlogging. So, never fear, I'm back.

Yesterday, I was at an amazing event with Moms Clean Air Force.  I went to my state capital and learned so much.  I also got a chance to have a House of Cards moment on the steps.  Check it out:


http://youtu.be/1IZWuVpGOfI


Here's the video I made about the actual event. Check it out.