I Was A Brick In Portland’s Protesting Wall of Moms
Just another brick in the wall: What we can learn from moms of every color about activism and love
Women work
What I noticed most upon arriving in Portland from the Seattle area were people — primarily women — picking up garbage. They also had small set ups to provide water, food, band aids, sanitizers, and more.
Much later, after I slipped into my “Auntie FA-nny” yellow t-shirt, (we’re against A — — — s)when the flash bangs, armed militia, and tear gas fogged the block, one attentive mom of color offered me earplugs.
“No thanks,” I yelled into the swirling din, “I already have my own.”
Moms, and women in general, look out for everybody, no matter their color, age, body, shape, or politics. It is an honor and very much a privilege to be here among them.
My partner and I did have most of the things we needed. Eye goggles, masks, plenty of sanitizer, detailed briefings on how to deal with tear gas and projectiles. The Black and Latino moms seemed even better prepared.
Such moms have something that many of the younger kids — mostly young men — did not. We had the maturity and wisdom that only comes from having lived long enough to learn…