The re-election of Donald Trump has been weighing heavy on many of us. Concerns about people already living on the edge being worried about being pushed over it aren’t limited to just the adults in the room. Project 2025 outlines plans that would negatively impact undocumented, LGBTQ+, low-income and disabled folks. That means it would also impact undocumented, LGBTQ+, low-income and disabled kids. If you think the stress you feel in your bones is tiring, and your adult brain is struggling to process- imagine being 10 years old again!
Last night I was the first Kid’s Town Hall here in Rochester. Led by the Fox kids, they wanted a way for kids to be heard by their representatives. Arwyn has been an active voice in the community since her first attendance at speak to council at age 3. Her most recent visit to council was to invite all of the members to attend the event so that they could hear first hand what’s on the minds of kids. Representatives from state, county and local office and even the news showed up to listen.
I was honored to be asked to introduce the event. Originally I had planned to read the story of “Stone Soup” as an activity, but a bought of laryngitis made for an interesting twist. When my voice was diminished, I leaned on Avalon Fox to stand up with me and read a different story that I wrote for the occasion. (Here’s my draft, complete with stage directions ☺.)
“Good evening everybody. <Wait>. I said good evening everybody!
That’s much better!
Hi I’m Avalon. This is my friend, Kelly Cheatle. She asked me to read this to you because she lost her voice.
Hello friends- I’m so happy to be with you all here tonight, but I’m also frustrated and a little sad. But I have the feeling that being here together with you will help!
This morning I woke up and I found I had lost my voice.
“Oh no!” I cried… (well I tried to at least, but all that came out was a scratchy squeak.) “Today is the big Kid’s Town Hall, and Arwyn and her family invited me to help open the event! This is terrible! What am I going to do?” I was so sad I didn’t want to get out of bed. “How can I make my voice heard if I can’t talk?”
And then I stopped for a moment.
And I took a deep breath.
<deep breath>
And as I laid in bed I thought about what was happening.
<deep breath>
I felt my head on the soft pillow.
I felt the weight of the warm blanket.
I listened to the gentle hum coming from from the heater. <deep breath>
And I could smell the coffee that was brewing.
And then I thought “WOW THIS IS SO GREAT I’VE LOST MY VOICE!” <Turn to me and look confused, I’ll point at the paper like I’m telling you to flip it over>
There are many times we can’t control the things that happen in our lives–but we can control how we respond to them.
When something big happens it’s good to stop…take a deep breath, and think about what is needed for ourselves and for each other.
And that is why we are all here together today. Today we are going to take some time to reflect on how we are feeling, share what we are concerned about and learn about different ways we all can work together to make things better for our community.
League of Future Voters
Speaking up in the moment is important, but long term learning and organizing is the way to truly make change in community. The kids will be meeting once a month at the Phillis Wheatley Library on the third Thursday of the month to learn how to advocate in their own interests. More details I’m sure will follow soon!