Reflections on the Voting Rights Act Today, and Moving Toward Equal Access for All

Funny, as I waited for the decision to come down from SCOTUS on the Shelby case, I very much expected to post here shortly thereafter. The reality is that learning of the decision that Tuesday morning left me very much at a loss for words. Even now, I am not writing because I have figured it all out, oh no, I am not even close to there yet. I am writing now simply because today, as promised by Congress, there was a hearing on the Voting Rights Act (VRA), and watching it allowed me to focus on it, and to see who is going to be responsible for fixing it, and hearing the powers that be, speak to the issue. And I am left wondering, can it be fixed? Yes, I believe it can be. But in our current state, by this Congress, will it be fixed?

As SCOTUS obliterated aka found to be unconstitutional, Section 4 of the VRA, on Tuesday morning, June 25th, almost a month ago, it was kind of like a backhanded slap upside the head. You're shocked, and surprised, it's not the worst thing ever, but it's offensive.

Section 4 is the enforcement of Section 5, and necessary for it to function as prescribed. However, Section 2, which is sometimes called the heart of the VRA, was not struck down, so technically, there is still voting rights enforcement that can occur, but on a much smaller and much more specific scale.

It was not a simple verdict, not at all. On one hand, SCOTUS almost legislated how the VRA could still exist - which many will say and have said, is not the job of SCOTUS at all - but yet also left the true fate of the VRA to Congress. This is where I think it gets really really complicated.

Since the enactment of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, and as recently as 2006, the Congress overwhelmingly, with bipartisan support - even from the states covered by the VRA - voted to reauthorize it. It was a total no brainer, even in the midst of the second Bush Administration. Perhaps it is that very fact that is so sobering today as we move on from here. It isn't a no brainer anymore. As we move towards the extremes of partisanship, the fate of the right to vote is in the balance.

Today, in this grand move to hold the hearing on the future of Voting Rights Act, as a Congressional response to SCOTUS' challenge, only 2 TWO Republicans showed up. Just not a good sign on any level, and for me, and I think for anyone who cares about the right that every American should have fair and equal access to the vote, I am left with this hollow feeling in my stomach. To think that the most basic and important right that we as Americans have, that has historically been more of a challenge, to put it mildly, to exercise that right, is no longer a bipartisan, nay a nonpartisan issue, as it has been since the Voting Rights Act was passed amongst blood shed and the will of the American people, leaves me a bit perplexed.

So, where DO we go from here. I know where I want to go, where I want this country to go, and where all that treasure the right to vote want it to go - to ensure fair and equal access to the right to vote. It's that simple. And in the current state of this unprecedented partisanship, that hard.

I am truly thankful for the civil rights community that has come together as a coalition behind this most essential right that the movement aspired to and did, up until June 25th, rectify, although it had issues still. The Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights, The Advancement Project, the Brennan Center, all of the scholars, and all of the advocates, have all truly come together with such a force, that I truly do believe we will continue to fight and ultimately, we shall overcome. And justice will be served, and every American will have fair and equal access to the vote.

So much work to do... Game on.

Voting Rights Victory in Arizona and for All

As the 10 am hour came and went this morning, upwards of 30,000 people followed scotusblog.com to find out what opinions the Court had rendered. As we speed towards the end of June, truly important cases and issues lie in the balance and that includes Shelby v Holder.

But alas, and nearly amazingly, after 4 opinions were read this morning, the final one was Arizona v ITCA! And as Justice Scalia stated that federal law preempts Arizona's proof of citizenship requirement,  we who support access for all Americans to the vote had a victory in the first of the two voting rights cases the Justices are considering this term.

The funny thing is, in Arizona, this is a BIG deal, and has been the hot issue there for months. Perception among people outside of Arizona though, not so much. A reaction along the lines of, it's not a big deal. That kind of pisses me off. It is a big deal to all the people is has easily enabled to register to vote, and to people like me who were there advocating for its passage as Bill Clinton became our President.

In 1993, the National Voting Rights Act (NVRA) was passed in Congress. NVRA is more commonly known as "Motor Voter" and its intent was to make it easier for people to register to vote. That's always a good thing, you know, helping people access democracy and their civil rights and such. And what a great idea to be able to register to vote when you get a drivers license. I will in fact be doing that tomorrow, when I surrender my Rhode Island license and get my DC license (and lose my voting rights and be taxed without representation, but that's another post altogether!) Fill out a form, check the box that asks if you would like to register to vote and WHAM! You are a voting member of our democracy! It was cool when I was 23 working on it, it's still a great addition to the voting process 20 years later.

Ah, but Arizona. Arizona wanted to impose its own regulations to the NVRA, and today SCOTUS said they could not. Phew. This gives the responsibility of the U.S. Congress to control the voter registration laws of our country, and states must yield to those laws.

I could go on and analyze this for you, but of course it was done hours ago by many. I direct you to Lyle Denniston, who has been writing on the Supreme Court for 55 years here. Yes, 55 years. He knows his stuff, I am a fan. http://www.scotusblog.com/2013/06/opinion-recap-one-hand-giveth/ 

So it was a good Monday in DC. Next opportunity to get the Shelby v Holder opinion will be Thursday morning at 10 am. Stay tuned...

The 45th Anniversary of My Birth, A Historic Reflection

All I can figure is, I must have been really alert inside the womb. 45 years ago this morning, in New Jersey, I came into the world. 4 June 1968. A date two months to the day after MLK, Jr. was killed, that day being when RFK spoke words that prevented Indianapolis from the rioting that night, which was so prevalent in other cities especially my DC, that night; and the day that same man gave his last speech in LA, CA. The civil rights movement was literally losing its voice as I was being born. People that were conscious of that time have told me so many times, "Hope died that night." I was mere hours old when hope died...and civil rights has been my innate passion since the day I was born. Many years later, I got, to me, validation of its significance from one of my heroes, Tim Russert, when he looked me in the eye and told me that I was born at a truly historic moment and that my passion was palpable. But that's another story for another time...

Until I went to college, I never knew anyone born on my birthdate. Then one day, as a freshman at UC Santa Barbara, I befriended a girl named Martine, who not only shared my birthday, but was born in California, the very state that a few hours later on the day of our birth, would witness the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. And the most amazing thing happened. Not only was she barely aware of the events of that day, but she didn't have any thoughtful connection to the CR movement. At the time, I just thought that was fascinating. I think up until then, I thought that everyone who shared my birthday would be affected by the historical events of the time. Nope.

It's funny, I've always had two very distinct passions, dressing, and civil rights. Here I am, all this time later, and they are truly 2 evolving passions. I went as far as I desired with dressing, but even now put on the back burner as a career, it is still something I truly love and share with others regularly. It's just there, and a part of me. But civil rights, and for me voting rights especially, that is what made me angsty this morning awaiting SCOTUS' released decisions. The 2 voting cases were not among them, and so we shall wait, til next Monday at the earliest... that is my still developing and enveloping passion, to ensure that this slide I see back to what was so wrong in the 60's, that made true progress, rearing its ugly head again today. I must make sure my voice is heard in advocacy, to continue to move towards fairness, equality, for every person in this country, regardless of race, sex, or sexual orientation. Yes, I still hold that ideal, all these years later, in the face of so much ignorance and hate towards anything that is different. I know as sure as I type, it is in our rejoicing in our diversity, that we can truly accomplish anything. That's just me. And a whole lot of others that I am proud to call my heroes.

I find myself, and many things at this moment, hanging in the balance. I am taking this moment to reflect on my, and our collective history, and always our limitless potential, alas, but there are decisions that will greatly affect ability to reach our potential. That is why, at the end of the day, I choose hope. And optimism. That there is more good than bad, that there is, at the end of the day, a collective wish that we all share that things will be good, be better, and that the common good, and justice, will prevail. And that truest wish is my wish that I share on this, the morning of my birth, for the good of each and everyone of us.

And peonies.

Girl, Interrupted.

A month ago, the finish line at the Boston Marathon was bombed. It's a place I know well, having done the same thing as a child that many did that day...went to the morning Sox game, then walked over to the finish line. Such a rockin' spot, I loved it, the energy! I remember it just being a happy and fun yearly event, and it was all good...and it still is a great memory. But still. I wasn't there, and my friends that ran it where not near it, so it's not a personal connection to the events in the way it is for those who were physically there, but it affected me, as it did many others just like me who have the same stories of growing up there and doing the same thing...and today someone posts on twitter that tomorrow is the month anniversary, and it feels like it was much longer ago...

I have not posted since Boston happened. I would have if the Supreme Court had issued a ruling on the voting cases, definitely, but I guess I just took a moment, a month off... I'm coming back now.

A few of the cooler things that were posted in the days following that day...

Spring has so sprung in DC!

Ok, so it is FINALLY Springtime in DC in all of its glory! All of a sudden (haha) in the past few days, everything just popped, and it is beautiful.

I have been so busy enjoying the fabulousness, that I have neglected writing, so I'm going to cheat a little bit, and let the pictures I can't stop taking, bring you into Springtime, too. Wherever you are...

 

Spring Cleaning Your Closet

As I look out a window of gray skies, and temperatures still hovering in the 40's, I find myself daydreaming about Spring and and my Spring wardrobe. Here we are, late March in DC and it remains strategically tucked away in my shoebox of an apartment in the city. It's just not time to switch yet, which is becoming a test of my patience. I love my Spring wardrobe, it's full of my favorite dresses and skirts and shoes, having evolved mostly from my shop. Some of my favorite dresses are going on 5-8 years old, and I am so ready to ditch the sweaters and coats and gloves for a long while.

Others have not waited, some have started wearing those light Spring dresses, and shoes sans covering, looking kind of freezing and odd as most everyone else is still dressing appropriately for the weather, which in DC, is not resembling its typical March self. I want to be in that Spring dress and sandal, too! But alas, the temperatures aren't forecast to go above 50 this week though, and that's with rain. Maybe next week...

As I do have such limited storage, I think I've had to become an expert editor with my wardrobe. There simply isn't the space to acquire new things without something leaving my closet. My storage is 2 dress bags under the bed, a big box in the closet, and my largest suitcase, that's it. The good thing about this, is that switching my closet out takes hardly any time to do the actual task. But why I love spending a few hours doing it, is because it gives you the opportunity to really see what you have, which things need to be replaced, and where the holes are, which are your opportunities to add a few new things from this season's styles.

Spring seems to be a good time to replace your layering basics - tee shirts, camis, cardigans - all these things are on sale in Spring, and it's the easiest way to add some color interest to your Spring wardrobe. We've all been in black and gray for months and months at this point, I'm so over it, aren't you?

When you're switching your closet, it's also time to try everything on that zips. The moment of truth, did you gain weight over the winter. Confession, once about 6 years ago, nothing with a zipper fit. That was a big wake up call for me. I had gained about 8 pounds over the winter, and until I tried on my Spring clothes, I really had no idea. I went on Weight Watchers for 2  months, lost it, and that was the end of that. Ever since, my weight fluctuates a few pounds, but not a size. I decided that was not a road I wanted to go down, especially at my age where losing weight takes a major concerted effort. Not fun, and I'm happy to have apparently gotten the hang of maintenance for the duration.

Another great thing to do when you initially switch out your closet is to put all the hangers in the closet in opposite direction. It's the simplest way to figure out what you're actually wearing. By June or so, you can look at those pieces still on opposite way facing hanger and figure out why. If you're just kind of done with the item and it's just taking up space, this is the time to choose whether to consign it or donate it. It really depends what it is, and what kind of money you're talking about, but I find the most satisfaction in donating work pieces to an organization like Dress for Success, and consigning dresses and dressier pieces for cash to go towards a new item.

Spring is also a great time to take a good look at your shoes. I feel like I have been in boots forever at this point, and am so looking forward to putting them away for next Fall. I think we all have more Spring/Summer shoes just because they're so much more fun to wear - flats, sandals, our heels - in colors, metallic, prints, the possibilities are endless. Look at your shoes from last year, how are the heels, the fabric, the leather? Take care of your shoes if they are meant to last. Maybe that worn out flip flop can be thrown out and replaced...

Ahh, flip flops, and thoughts of the pool, and the beach, and glorious warm weather and sun.... It's inevitable, right?

Signs of Spring

One of my favorite things about living in DC, is that Spring comes early. Being from the New England coast, March is often the cruelest month, as hopeful crocuses and daffodils are often pummeled by snow and bitter winds. We would stay well bundled up though March there, so over wearing sweaters and tights and boots. But here in DC, March days brings the first 60 degree days, budding trees that will soon make DC pink and white, and, thanks to the hour of sleep we lost on Sunday, daylight that stretches into the evening, and we're all out, with less layers, enjoying our early Spring.

But alas, with the warmer temperatures, comes the onslaught of the abundance of crimes against fashion. Already, with just the few nice days we've had, our streets are spotted with articles of shoes and clothing that should just never be worn together. There are 2 types of shoes with which I cannot stand to see on the downtown streets of the city as I walk to work each morning, Tom's and flip-flops.

1. Tom's Shoes to Work. No.

Let me begin by saying, I love Tom's Shoes. The philanthropic objective is admirable, and the product is a fun and comfortable shoe. BUT and this is a big but, when worn with the appropriate everything else. Like here...

And here, if you need celebrity inspiration...

Shorts + Tom's = perfect

Jeans + Tom's = great

**Leggings + Tom's = ok

**Leggings are not pants ** (that's going to get a post of its own, obv.)

Skirts + Tom's = More complicated.

Fun when done casually, like a t shirt and a short flirty skirt and Tom's can be perfect running around the city on the weekend, brunching, walking, biking. But Tom's with a pencil skirt, or other more business cut attire, well, that actually makes me angry, in a fashion anger kind of way. It is just wrong on every level - it makes an otherwise sharp look, which you need to kick ass during the day, look frumpy, unorganized, and absolutely not professional. It is the paradox of the Tom's. Can be fabulous, can be a disaster. And too many women I see in DC are undermining themselves in this crime against fashion.

Which leads me to my near absolute no-no with Tom's.

Dresses + Tom's = Ugh.

Pretty much unless you're Keira Knightley, and really not even her. Better shoes for that dress are right next to her, which makes me think she was at a Tom's event, but whatever. Liv Tyler's outfit works, but it is specifically casual, that's not a professional work look obviously, so the fun casual Tom's appropriate spirit is happening there. Point is that a dress has a zillion other much prettier options. Like these...

Pointy flats are back! Ladies, this is news! To me, they are the perfect city shoe, as they are flats that you can wear all day, but like their sister the pointy heel, they make you look skinnier and taller! Shoe nirvana!

Why they had pretty much evaporated from the market for the last 4 years, I have no idea, but I am rejoicing that I can FINALLY replace my favorite matte gold pointy toe flats. Those shoes have been to the cobbler every spring for the last 3 years for a tune-up as I would once again not find anything to replace them. Currently lusting over the options...

I know pointy toes scare some, but I promise you, try them and you have have the love I do of them. I always put some lambswool in the toe (available at CVS for less than $5 for a bag with the foot stuff) and of course, Dr. Scholl inserts. Flats so often just have no support, even the more expensive ones, so these ensure you have arch support and cushioning - really important if you walk a lot, but something everyone should consider. I am still stunned that there are a lot of ladies walking around in shoes that aren't comfortable. Super unnecessary and silly! These are my go-to's that work in all of your shoes, not just your flats. There are ones for guys too, they need the support, too! I've tried the CVS brand, and they're a few dollars less, but they just aren't as comfortable and they definitely get worn out more quickly.

So that's my Tom's rant. Spread the word ok? No Tom's during the workday. No Tom's in offices where suits and dresses are happening, ever. Thank you.

2. Flip flops

Just. No.

So everyone will read this and I won't see this on my walk to work anymore, right? ;)