What world do we want for our kids?

Melvin Giles

“Life is just a short walk from the cradle to the grave – and it sure behooves us to be kind to one another along the way.” – Alice Childress
“The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.” - Dante Alighieri,
“…shoutout to all the amazing mothers — but childless women have been mothering the world and elevating the world as aunties, godmothers, teachers, mentors, sisters, and friends,” - Tracee Ellis Ross

Hello Monitor readers,
Happy autumn season! And, happy, crazy, and very important presidential election moment. In fact, some folks are calling it the most important or crucial election since the 1860 election, which resulted in Abraham Lincoln becoming our 16th President, at a time that America was at its most divided about whether to uphold the aspirations of democracy, liberty and justice for all or maintaining White supremacy, slavery, and privilege for the powerful few. Similarly, the 2024 election is about Democracy vs. Supremacy. I’m trusting that we have learned lessons that show us democracy is a work of empathy and compromise in progress and that supremacy is a work of fear and division in progress. Which world do we want for ourselves, our children, and grandkids? I think most people would choose a world of goodness for all, including the best for our planet, Mother Earth. I’m aware of how hard it is to vote over the loud voices of fear and hateful messages that schemes a false sense of safety. For instance, about 100 years ago, people were hearing similar supremacy messages about immigrants coming from Europe. It took decades to accept that America was a special land for immigrants and we are still learning how we need to reconcile the stolen great land that Indigenous nations always believed was meant for human beings and all our relatives (plants, animals, soil, etc.) – including immigrants.
Please get out and vote your values, particularly, your faith and/or life values. Do you value lies or truth? Do you value controlling people for selfish reasons or liberating people for the greater good of all? Please, keep taking good deep breaths of fresh energy and values of 2024 and beyond and exhaling to release outdated and toxic negative energy and divisive values. For instance, with the recent life-threatening fires and hurricanes, how can we continue to hold on and be in denial of our climate shifting? Or, be in denial that most Americans are immigrants, descendants of forced enslaved Africans, and/or Indigenous stewards of our wonderful land?
It is hard and challenging to listen to the truths of our hearts when we hear the loud clutter and mis-direction of our addiction to and desire for comfort levels that are according to the status quo manipulators who value selfish greed and power. I believe our Better Angels will inspire us to do the right vote for Mother Earth and All Our Relatives. Be of courage and rrust that all will be well for us, for our children, their kids, and their children’s descendants. We are surely our ancestors’ greatest and wildest dreams of justice and honoring the land we live on.
I recently heard and sang a song at an event hosted by Elders Climate Action that I want to share with you.

‘How Hot Does It Have To Get?’ by Pat Surface
Chorus
How hot does it have to get? Is it hot enough for you yet?
Hurricanes, floods, and droughts. How hot does it have to get?
Verse 1
As the temperature continues to climb. How hot does it have to get?
A million species on the line. Is it hot enough for you yet?
Chorus
How hot does it have to get? Is it hot enough for you yet?
Hurricanes, floods, and droughts. How hot does it have to get?
Verse 2
How hot does it have to get? Is it hot enough for you yet?
Can’t drink the water, can’t breathe the air. How hot does it have to get?
Verse 3
Well there still is hope there is still is time. How hot does it have to get?
If we all just got in line. Is it hot enough for you yet?
Verse 4
Grandparents all arise. Look into your grandchildren’s eyes.
Won’t it be a great surprise. If sustainability is the prize.
Grandparents all arise. Look into your children’s eyes.
Won’t it be a great surprise. Sustainability is the prize.

Keep the faith and stay optimistic that all will be well. We are entering the seasons of great harvest, joy, and blessings. Believe and make it so! Vote for our children, for our grandchildren, and for the child/youth within you!
May Peace Be In the Rondo, Frogtown, Hamline/Midway, Como, and Surrounding Communities... May Peace Be In Our Homes and Communities… May Peace Prevail On Earth (MPPOE).