Activistas

Grow a Down Syndrome Caucus: You Can Do It!

This just in from Abby, aka Guestivista No. 2.  She needs our help to expand a newly forming Congressional caucus on Down Syndrome.  Who me?  Expand a caucus in DC?  Yes me - and yes you.  Just ask your U.S. Senators and Representative to join - it's easy.  If they don't hear from their constituents, they won't know we care.  It's as simple as that.  Like my husband, they are not mind readers.  Always eloquent, Abby writes:

We have talked here before about the fact that it often takes a personal connection for an issue to drive us to action. That has certainly been true for me with issues around disability rights. If someone had asked me 22 months ago if I was “for” securing better rights, opportunities and education for people with disabilities, I would have said, “Absolutely!” and I might have even given a few bucks to the cause. But I wouldn’t have done much else about it.  And then my daughter entered my life, Down syndrome was diagnosed, and I have been swept into action in a way that surprises me every day.

Childcare Series in Eastern Oregonian

You're right, I don't read the Eastern Oregonian.  But recently we set up a feed of our fave Activistas topics to rant about, and now, voila, article upon article of the stuff.  Just now I came across this excellent, comprehensive special report on child care issues in Umatilla and Morrow counties (but relevant right here, too).  It all sounds real familiar, mamas. 

The report covers topics like: care shortages, caregiver resources, quality care, options for businesses, the link to economic development, and the tricky issue of why child care isn't valued  - but should be.  You can read the report for yourself (it's a jewel), but in the bizarre event that you don't have that kinda time, here is an excerpt worth repeating about why child care isn't valued as a profession, but should be:

A 2005 report by the Oregon Child Care Information Partnership points out that for many families, financial circumstances limit their access to quality child care - it's just too expensive. So, child care establishments have to keep their prices low, and they do this by paying low wages. The result: The child care industry has an inexperienced and minimally-trained work force, with high turnover. There are few incentives for child care providers to get advanced education and training above and beyond what is mandated by state licensing rules.

Simplifying the Primary: The O's Interactive Voter Guide

Andrea P is feelin' a little overwhelmed by all the important choices in the election that starts Friday. Friday?  Yup, because even though the official election day and very last day to vote is May 20th - several safe weeks away, ballots drop this Friday and thanks to our vote-by-mail system, you can mail or hand deliver your ballot any ol' time till 8 PM on May 20th.  In fact, as we discussed last election season, earlier is better.  Andrea writes:

Perhaps you are a perfectly informed participant in the democratic process.  If so, I envy you...strive to be you really.  But, if you are more like me, you're a wee bit overwhelmed by the multitude of options on our upcoming May ballot.  There are so many offices up for grabs, some representing geographic areas and others specific job responsibilities.  And with daily candidate forums and lawn signs everywhere, it's hard to keep straight what and whom you actually get to vote for - not to mention where and when!   

Local Filmmakers Say: Play Again Already, Kids

A friend of a friend is making an interesting film about kids right here in Portland.  The documentary, Play Again, investigates the consequences of a childhood removed from nature.  Along the lines of the book Last Child In the Woods, I imagine.  As Meg Merrill, Producer at Ground Productions, describes it:

Play Again is a documentary about the changing balance between the virtual and natural worlds in childhood today. Screen time is increasing, while time spent in nature is decreasing. How does the media influence our children? What do we miss when we are in front of screens? What is the impact of this imbalance on the well-being of our children, our society and the very future of our planet?   

Check out the trailer - and weep.  Not surprisingly, kids can name only 10 plants but 100 corporate logos (me too, sadly).  Ground Productions' mission is inspiring:

At Ground Productions we believe media can change the world. Our mission is to work toward a more just, equitable and sustainable society, where everyone has a voice. Our films encourage critical thinking and debate and aim to promote peace through understanding.

Fundraising Party!  They're having a grown-ups only fundraiser Thursday, 7 PM on 5.8.08 @ Holocene if you can swing it.  And if you want to support this project but, like me, are otherwise occupied on Thursdays at 7 (oh, only every Thursday at 7 for the next 15 years!!), you can donate online - natch.

Wanna See the Movie?  In time, mamas, it ain't ready yet.

4 Weeks Paid Parental Leave for Feds? More, Please.

Sometimes something is better than nothing.  And sometimes it's not.  If the federal government agrees to offer 4 weeks of paid parental leave (down from a more admirable 8), I'm saying we're in the latter category, mamas, because in my mind the federal government ought to set an example.  A good example, not a bad one.  And 4 weeks is, well, bad is a nice way to put it. 

Because the Washington Post writer on work-family balance, Leslie Morgan Steiner, said what I think far more eloquently than I ever could, I'm gonna take the easy way out and quote her (and cook dinner, as a result!).  Plus, I'm a federal employee who had no paid leave for 2 children, so I'm just a wee bit biased and still a WHOLE LOT PISSED - still.  Here are some faves from Ms. Steiner:

On how we mamas feel after 4 weeks: Four weeks? What planet do our elected officials live on? Four weeks after giving birth, breastfeeding and getting by on two to four hours of uninterrupted sleep, I could barely leave my house. Contemplating leaving my four-week-old infant so I could waddle back to full-time work was a barbaric concept that made both tears and breastmilk leak from my body.

On the missed opportunity: Our government has an opportunity -- and, I would argue, a responsibility -- to set an example of balance in family leave policies.

To answer the "it'll put us under cry from businesses": Yes, you can balance the needs of businesses (including our government and non-profit companies) to be fiscally prudent and simultaneously supportive of children's and parents' needs.

New on Activistas: In the News

We got to thinking recently (uh-oh) that there are loads of interesting articles on the various topics we deal with here on Activistas, but not enough time or bandwith to write about 'em all. 

So we added an In the News section (to your right) where we'll include links to articles we think you might want to read.  And, if you come across a relevant article that you'd like to share with other Activistas, e-mail us with a link and we'll add it if it jives.  Feedback, as always, welcome.  Because you are the Activistas, 'round here, far as I can tell.

The OR Attorney General's Race: Should You Care?

Activisto (is that a word?) Eric Miller is a far better voter than I, because he's all over the Attorney General's race - which the WW called "Gunfight at the OR Corral."  Embarrassingly, I have never paid much attention to it.  It's one of those choices that I rush through at 7:55 PM on the way to the library drop-box - just like the judges and often multitudinous other non-headline seats.  And ignorance being something that should be eradicated where possible, here's my chance!  And, since we're obsessed with family policy 'round here, Eric even tells us why this person matters to families.  He writes:

In the brief moments when my two boys are sleeping and I have some time for myself, I've been jumping on the computer and following some of the hot political races this primary.  One of the more interesting and arguably most important state races is for attorney general.  The attorney general runs the department of justice, and works with our police forces, district attorneys and the governor to prosecute state law offenders.  Generally, the AG is the top law enforcement officer in the state and his job is to protect the rights of all Oregonians: like you and me. 

So what's it to families? A lot.  Because the AG has broad authority to set the agenda in the enforcement of our laws, he affects a whole bunch of policy areas that touch families:

Don't Forget! Join Us Saturday to Distribute Breastfeeding Friendly Stickers

It's supposed to be nice out, mamas, so why not meet us for coffee and a purposeful stroll down (and back up!) SE Hawthorne tomorrow?  We'll bring the stickers and you bring your walking shoes  - and breastfeeding babies!  It was exciting to see this trek highlighted in this week's inPortland section of The Oregonian - complete with a picture of the striking blue & white symbol.  Check our earlier discussion about this for  details and a great list of everyone's BFF places to breastfeed around town.  See you tomorrow!

04.25.08 Guestivista No. 6: Art

Art, this is everyone.  Everyone, this is Art.  Yet another online (turned offline) pal.  I met Art when I randomly contacted him (my total MO) after seeing his fascinating research on child care, work and family at PSU's School of Social Work.  He has been onto the issues surrounding this subject for decades  - literally.  And he's still at it!  He has provided an incredible amount of data and thought to this issue and is excited to be connected with us lay activists, gettin' him out of the Ivory Tower! 

Also, look for a piece from him in the Mothers Movement Online's next online issue.  This guy knows the history of these issues like the back of his hand.  The striking - and depressing - part is that his observations about the problems in our child care system still ring true today.  Which is where we lay activists enter the scene.  Read up, mamas, Art is a pretty interesting addition to our Activista family.

Describe your family. Wonderful wife, daughter, and two sons, all with wonderful spouses, and six wonderful grandchildren.  Plus one devoted sister still living, of my three older sisters. 

Name one thing America is doing right for parents.  Precious little!

Name one thing America is not doing right for parents. Allowing confiscatory taxes, health care costs, and other unfair shares of the public burden to rob parents of much realistic chance of saving and investing for the survival of their families. 

Take a Survey about Children in Central Portland

Good news, mamas!  Some OHSU nursing students are undertaking a research project to identify child and community health needs in Central Portland, followed by research and recommendations to fix it all!  Yahoo.  Why, you might be wondering, am I sharing this fascinating nursing news with you - here?   Because they need data, and you, mamas, have got data.   Data on family needs should come from families, right?  Right.

So, complete this quick Monkey Survey the students whipped up so they can use your experiences as a family that lives, works, learns or plays in Central Portland.  What I want to know is whether 'playing' includes shopping, 'cause Buy Nothing Month is gonna be over in one short (also long) week.  Meaning I work and learn there.  Plus my kids are in childcare and school downtown. 3 out of 4 ain't bad. 

Why bother?  Opportunity for free data collection, analysis, and written recommendations to improve the place.  Free labor to support the needs of Central Portland families?  Bring it on. 

Pass it on.  Share the survey with anyone you  know who lives, works, plays or learns in Central Portland.  There's a lot of us.