Lifestyle — Courtney Nicole Writes

Today, I’ll get straight to the point. This week has been rough for Black people, especially Black women. Two days ago we learned that a grand jury decided not to indict any officer in the death of Breonna Taylor. Instead, an officer was charged with wanton endangerment, for his bullets that went through Breonna’s wall and into her neighbors’ apartment.[1] As I scrolled through my social media feeds, I could feel the disappointment, pain, anger, grief, and exhaustion overwhelming so many of us. For months, we petitioned, protested, and fought to keep #sayhername trending, in hopes of getting justice for Breonna. There isn’t anything that I can say to lessen your feelings, and I won’t try to, because Sis, your feelings are valid. As you take the time you need for rest, healing, and renewal, I encourage you to consider three ways to continue the pursuit of justice:

1. Register to Vote

We all know that the presidential election is coming up next month. But did you also know that voter registration rolls are the primary source for selecting individuals to serve on juries?[2] Why is this important? Because it was a grand jury that decided not to indict any officers in Breonna Taylor’s death. One way to get a seat at the table is to register to vote.

Click here to find out more information about voter registration deadlines in your state. Will you be close to 18 by the next election (Nov. 3)? If so, click here to see if you live in a state that will allow you to vote this year. Voter registration age requirements vary. Some states allow you to vote if you will be 17 years and 10 months on election day and others allow you to vote if you will be 18 within 90 days of the next election. That means you could be eligible to vote even if you won’t turn 18 until February 1, 2021.

2. Be An Active Voter

Active voter rolls are an additional source for finding potential jurors. Another reason to be an active voter is to decrease the chance that your name will be deleted from the voter rolls in your county. States are required to keep accurate voter registration lists. Some states decide that one way to maintain accuracy is to remove non-active voters.[3] You may have registered to vote four years ago, but if you haven’t voted since then, your name might not be on the list. Don’t show up to the polls in November only to find out that you can’t vote. Visit your Secretary of State’s website to learn how to check your voter registration status.

A lot of people have strong feelings about the Kentucky Attorney General, and his action, inaction, or delayed action as it relates to Breonna Taylor. Most Attorney Generals are elected.[4] That means that some of the same people that we call on for justice, are paid from taxpayer dollars. They are paid to represent us. Don’t you want your voice heard when it comes to who your money is being spent on?

3. Run for Office

Interested in not only having a voice, but being a voice that speaks up for members of your community? Consider running for office. Representation is needed at the local, state, and national levels. It may not be easy, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth running. And you don’t have to do it alone. Find out what organizations in your area will help candidates build their campaigns. One national organization that helps women prepare and actually run for office is Emily’s List. You can find more information about their organization here.

Like I said before, it’s been a rough week. I’m sure you’re just as glad as I am that we made it to Friday. As we look forward to the weekend, don’t give up. Don’t allow the heaviness of this moment to consume you. We need you too Sis. Think about how you will start or continue to stand up for Black women. #sayhername

[1] https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/23/us/wanton-endangerment-charge-breonna-tayler/index.html

[2] See, https://www.thoughtco.com/the-trial-stage-970834; See, https://www.ndd.uscourts.gov/jury/jury_handbook_grand_jurors.pdf

[3] https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/voting-rights/-use-it-or-lose-it---the-problem-of-purges-from-the-registration0/

[4] https://www.usa.gov/state-attorney-general#:~:text=Attorneys%20general%20are%20the%20top,are%20appointed%20by%20the%20governor

The official start to fall isn’t until next week, but harvest-themed décor is already in full swing, and the weather is getting cooler (for some of us anyway). Here in the Southeast, it’s still hot and humid during the day, but the early mornings and evenings have begun to cool off. With many of us still on the “Stay Home” train, falling temperatures mean we will be looking for new indoor activities to help us stay busy this season. Here are four simple ideas:

Massive Open Online Course (MOOCs)

A few years ago, a writing group member introduced me to a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). You can find a MOOC for just about any topic you’re interested in. The courses are taught by faculty from around the world, and they are free. If you’d like a certificate, you can pay a fee to receive one, but just attending the class won’t cost you a dime. A MOOC could be a great way to learn a new subject matter or improve existing skills. You can click here for more information.

Professional Organization Webinars

Some professional organizations are offering free or discounted webinars right now. If there’s a group you’ve been watching, but haven’t had the funds to invest in, take another look at their calendar. They may now be offering affordable, virtual options. A professional organization that I am a member of provided a few free webinars last month. I don’t recall them ever offering current content for free. I think it was their way of keeping members interest, while also recognizing that a lot of people don’t have extra money to spend right now.

Virtual Workshops

This stay-at-home lifestyle has led a lot of content creators and influencers, to push themselves into overdrive. It seems like everyone has a new virtual course or series coming out soon. I admit, not everyone is offering their content for free. If you see a workshop that interests you, do your research. Browse the creator’s social media platforms to get a better idea about whether what is being sold, may really be beneficial to you.

Listen to a New Podcast

Podcasts were my go-to while driving around town running errands. Since I haven’t been in the car as much, there are a ton of “new” episodes that I have yet to listen to. I prefer listening to music during my Saturday morning cleaning routine. However, listening to podcasts (even old episodes) has been a nice change. If you need something else to help you power through your weekly routines, find a new podcast, or catch up on episodes that you missed.

I hope one or two of these suggestions will add a little variety to your time inside this Fall. If not, there is a lot of binge-worthy content being released on streaming channels right now. In fact, I already have a few selections saved.

How To Entertain Yourself At Home This Fall

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