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Yessenia Funes writes with heart and soul. Her immense passion and grit are felt in each thought. Possibilities is the quintessential gathering of important topics and teaches each reader to challenge the status quo and, most importantly, knowledge is power. She brings the heartbreaking truth of this world to us with new eyes and new questions with a commanding voice. She sings for those voices that are burdened by injustice, bringing light and inspiration for change we all need.
LISTENING: to that crunk music
FEELING: angry and alarmed!
SEEING: a stupid fly buzz around my office
Imagine a world where Washington, D.C., the 100-square-mile territory between Maryland and Virginia, were a state. Democrats would have two more peers in the Senate. And, most importantly, D.C.'s people would have a voice. The District's predominantly Black and Latine families would be able to govern themselves without federal interference.
We're seeing in real time the consequences of the territory's unique governance structure.
Donald Trump, the asshole in the White House, has taken control over the District's police force while deploying National Guard troops, as well as agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Agency. The president claims this is all to fight crime, but we know what this is. It's a show of force. It's a reminder of his power. It's a crackdown on Black and Brown bodies.
While the president only has the legal power to seize the District's law enforcement group for 30 days, he's expressed determination to get Congress to pass a law that would grant federal power for longer. Anything feels possible under Trump these days. Any awful thing, that is.
Residents have tried many times to fight for D.C. statehood. Even the District's website makes a case. Advocates argue that racism is what's kept leaders from making it happen. "Crime" is always the excuse for demeaning the people of D.C. But we know that politicians only use the word "crime" when describing Black and Brown folks. The rioters who stormed the capital on Jan. 6? They weren't committing any crimes, right? No, because they were white.
Sigh.
The increased militarization of our cities is in direct conflict with the fight for climate and environmental justice. How do people take to the streets to demand clean air and water when armed troops are ready to swoop in and arrest them? How can people worry about solar panels when they don't feel safe? How are people supposed to fight for a better world if they're not even given a vote in how that world is decided?
The Republicans understand the power of elections and representation. That's why Texas officials want to redraw the state's congressional maps. The gloves are off, and Democrats finally appear ready to squabble up. That energy would've been great last year but better late than never, right?
When I visited the West Bank earlier this year, all I could think was, "This is coming to America." And by "this," I meant the armed officers, the checkpoints, the AI-manned machine guns, the special IDs for Israelis, the carrying of passports everywhere you go. I already do the latter. I'm too scared to leave the house without my passport these days.
I hope I'm wrong, but I won't hold my breath. If the military comes to my city, I won't back down, either. The stakes are too damn high. The earth deserves better. So do we. 🌀
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