We DEMAND Accountability

Let’s talk about accountability. As children we are taught that our actions have consequences. In fact, that is the basis of our Justice System. Justice is all about holding the guilty party accountable and making sure the punishment fits the crime. And we are taught that no one is above the law. No one. Not even the President of the United States.

That is why we need to encourage Senators Young and Braun to convict Trump for inciting an insurrection. We all watched it happen in real time. We watched as Trump denounced the results of our election and challenged it in every way possible, only to lose his appeals. We heard him try and coerce the Governor of Georgia to find him the votes he needed. And we heard Trump tell a crowd of fired up followers to “Fight like Hell” and “March to the Capitol”. We watched in horror as the crowds of thousands advanced unopposed towards the Capitol Building. We knew what they wanted, they wanted a war.

We wondered, where is Trump? Where is the military? Surely they have protocols for such events? And now we have learned that the Pentagon ordered the National Guard to stand down, to bear no weapons, and not to engage with the rioters. We are discovering that this was an actual attempt to usurp our democracy. Yet it failed, because of men like Officer Brian Sicknick and Officer Eugene Goodman who courageously fought to protect the Capitol.

History will forever be talking about the events of January 6, 2021. It was the first time since the Civil War that the Capitol was attacked. It was the first time in our history that a President encouraged such an attack. And such a violent attack on our Democracy can not be ignored.

We must hold all those involved in this attack accountable and make it clear that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated in the United States of America. We must send a strong, united message that transcends our political party.

I am absolutely disgusted that our Senators have refused to hold Trump accountable for his actions. A Senate conviction would send a clear message that denounces the violent assault on our democracy. It would bar Trump from EVER holding another Federal Office. And it would open the door for Trump to be criminally charged for his actions. Unfortunately, both our Senators seem to be more concerned about their next election, rather than the future of our country. It is disgraceful.

I implore you to contact Senator Braun and Young and tell them to convict Trump and bar him from office. We as Americans will not stand for insurrection. We DEMAND accountability.

Just a Mom

Just a Mom

You probably don’t know me. I’m not a well known writer or speaker(yet). I don’t hold a special title. I have no special training in politics. Honestly, I’m just a Mom trying to make a better world for my kids.

A couple of years ago, when Greta Thunberg began bringing attention to our Climate Change Crisis, my oldest daughter was only 10. She listened to Greta with great interest. A kid, just one kid, was waking the world up by activating millions of other kids worldwide! It was inspirational. Admittedly, at first I was content to remain a spectator, cheering on the movement from the sidelines, occasionally sharing my support from my social media account. However, a small conversation with my daughters changed all of that.

We were out on a family adventure, enjoying the natural beauty of our lakeshore, and soaking in a gorgeous sunset. I saw it as an educational moment, and began speaking about how we needed to do our part to protect our planet. My oldest, Abigail, seemed distressed. She had been following the current events at school. Thousands of school aged students had been organizing, rallying, and protesting to bring attention to the Climate Change Crisis. We talked about possibly attending a local rally. Abigail wanted to go. Her enthusiasm caught me by surprise.

I was praising her desire to speak up and protect our environment, when she said something that changed my entire outlook. “Mom, why aren’t the adults doing anything? Why aren’t YOU doing anything?” My first thought was to become defensive. I wasn’t the problem here! I was doing my best to recycle and take my reusable bags to the store. I was busy as a single Mom, just trying to work, pay the bills, keep food on the table, and still find time to raise my kids. What did she want from me?

But then, I broke down my defenses and forced myself to listen. My daughter was scared. She saw how bad things were getting. She was listening to Greta warn us that we only had a few years to turn things around, before it was too late. She saw the writing on the wall. But, she was powerless to fix things. So she did what all kids are taught to do, she went to her Mom for help.

In that moment, I realized my job as a parent doesn’t stop with the daily tasks of survival and child raising. My job as a parent is to help create a better future for my children. That is worth repeating. MY JOB AS A PARENT IS TO HELP CREATE A BETTER FUTURE FOR MY CHILDREN!!!!

That realization has been my motivation to not just sit on the sidelines, but to get involved. It has taught me that I can no longer be silent; I must speak up about the things that matter. It started with a passion to protect the environment, to fight for cleaner air and water, and to advocate for more sustainable energy solutions. Then the Black Lives Matter Movement happened, and I realized my job didn’t end with environmental issues.

I began to ask myself what kind of world I wanted for my children, what kind of future I wanted to help create, and that thinking has led me to become more vocal and more politically involved. I’m new to everything, and I’m learning as I go. It’s often out of my comfort zone, and keeps stretching me. But it’s something I must do, for my children.

You see, I’m just a Mom, a Mom who is determined to fight for a better future for my kids. And believe me, there is a lot of work to do! But I’ve found comfort in knowing I’m not alone in this fight. I’ve found like-minded folks. Leaders, trailblazers, and activists who have worked hard to pave the way. They have been fighting for my generation, pursuing a vision, a dream, of a better world.

I can’t type those words without thinking of Martin Luther King Jr. Today, we honor him. He died, pursuing a dream, a vision of a better world for future generations. And though he was killed for his work, his words still inspire us. But, to honor him, we must do more than simply share his words and nod from the sidelines. We must take the torch and run with it. We must continue to fight for a better world for future generations. Our children are relying on us to speak up and do whatever we can.

I’m Angela Henzman, and I’m just a Mom fighting for a better future for my kids. I wonder, will you fight with me?