We have a leader who turns a blind eye to racial injustice, face masks and coronavirus testing and thinks it's OK to blind the eyes of peaceful protesters so he can snag a photo op.
I'll walk barefoot across shards of glass and still stand in a line all night to vote him out of office.
Although standing in line all night is a bit of a stretch, more than a few hours has been the norm for 2020 voting so far. In Kentucky's primaries, there were only 200 polling places statewide, down from 3,700 in the 2018 election. But only one polling place was in Jefferson County this past week, where 600,000 of the registered voters live. Half of Black Kentuckians live there, too.
This is classic voter suppression.
Mary Long / Shutterstock
Georgians faced longer lines than usual earlier this month, also. Furthermore, they encountered ballot shortages, which was a whole other issue across many states. Tens of thousands of voters didn't receive the absentee ballots that they requested. And in Maryland, where all registered voters were supposed to have automatically received ballots in the mail, about 160,000 ballots (or roughly 5% of those actually sent out) weren't even delivered, according to CNN.
And Georgia's new voting machine glitches? Those technical issues probably could've been resolved ahead of time through machine testing and volunteer training had 'Rona not forced stay-at-home orders. Experts say these problems only occurred in our predominantly Black communities so that possibly sounds like another case of voter suppression.
Voting rights groups call the most recent primaries a disaster and a sneak-peek into what'll happen in November, particularly in counties where the majority of residents are not white, if these machine glitches and ballot shortage issues aren't fixed. Add to all of that the health officials' predictions of a vicious resurgence of the 'Rona. This pandemic is turning 2020 into pandemonium!
So, how should we prepare? What do we need to do to minimize wait times in line, protect our health and evict the tenant from the DC mansion that sits along Black Lives Matter Plaza? Here's where to start:
Make sure you and your eligible loved ones register to vote online.
Shutterstock
It's a fact that everyone who can vote isn't already registered. New voter registration has declined during the quarantine period. States like Virginia saw 73% fewer registrations in April than it did during the same time in 2016, possibly due to the shutdown of the Department of Motor Vehicles where most residents register to vote. And despite being able to register online, Kentuckian registrations also flatlined in April because door-to-door canvassing and in-person registration booths are much more successful. However, online registration is our best option right now.
If you're a regular of Club Quarantine, then you probably attended #CouchParty 2.0 with When We All Vote, co-chaired by our forever FLOTUS Michelle Obama. The organization reached over 100,000 eligible voters during the virtual registration drive in April. Another resourceful site is Vote.org. Both websites keep the registration process simple. Vote.org says it takes less than two minutes.
It's also best to go ahead and register now even though the deadline for the general election is in October. In case you're a procrastinator, you can get the exact date for your state here. But I repeat: Do it today!
Check your voter registration status.
Nowadays, anything can happen. We might somehow get purged from the voter roll. Or we may arrive at the polling station only for the volunteer to tell us they can't find our name. The devil is a liar, as my cousin often says. There's a link on the When We All Vote homepage that you can click to be sure you're still set to vote before you get to the polls.
Request a general (presidential) absentee ballot.
Shutterstock
Most states offer this option. Again, some states may even automatically send a general absentee ballot to every registered voter like they did for this year's primaries. (If you live in Washington state, Colorado, Oregon, Utah and Hawaii, then this doesn't apply to you because your states hold all of their elections entirely by mail anyway.)
Currently 28 states and the District of Columbia offer "no-excuse" voting by mail, which means any voter can get an absentee ballot if they ask for one. States with stricter laws, like my home state of Virginia, require voters to provide a valid reason on their application explaining why they can't appear at the polls. You have to choose one from the list and provide proof but don't fret: COVID-19 is still in these streets and counts as a legitimate excuse.
Be mindful of the tight deadlines because you want your vote to count! Some states need to receive the ballots back on Election Day while others accept a postmark. States like Virginia will send ballots out 45 days before the election so try to get it as soon as possible. Check your state's absentee ballot deadlines and requirements here.
Also be mindful of your signature. Now is not the time to get fancy with our swoops, slashes and squiggles if that's not how we signed our driver's license. The last thing we want is for our vote to become a provisional ballot and not be counted because the person who compared the signatures thinks ours is inconsistent.
If you don't receive your absentee ballot in a timely manner, please contact your county registrar or Department of Elections. Don't sit at home and wait like this one couple did during the DC primary and ended up not voting at all. If your ballot still doesn't come in the mail, you'll definitely need to vote in-person.
Consider early voting.
I get it. In-person voting is what we're trying to avoid because how can you realistically stand six feet apart on Election Day? Somebody is going to be breathing on the back of your neck and then asking if you mind that they stand that close to you. Early voting is usually available. With early voting, we have a window of time to choose our candidate before November 3. Check early voting dates for your state here.
Know your voting rights before you go!
Shutterstock
Did you know that there is an "inactive" list of voters? If your name isn't on the regular voter roll and you haven't recently voted, your name could be on the other list. If this is the case, you can still cast a regular ballot in the current election. You can also call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683.
And did you know that if you're already in line when polls close, then you can still vote? Thankfully, voters at the lone polling place in Jefferson County, KY, knew that when some smart official decided to lock the doors promptly at 6pm. They banged on the windows but apparently candidate Charles Booker had to file an injunction with a judge to reopen the doors until 6:30 pm. I'm telling y'all: Voter suppression is real!
But even if you have to vote on actual Election Day after all, do not get discouraged. Awaken bright and early on November 3 and protect yourself: mask, disposable gloves, a little sanitizer, ID and a basic knowledge of your voting rights. And the minute your thoughts shift to "I can't deal with the corona and crowds today!", picture the current tenant in the DC mansion hunkered down in his bunker issuing tear gas orders for another four years all because we're demanding our right to live. Equally.
We can't deal with that, either, sis.
Check your voter registration status or register to vote today at Vote.org.
Featured image by Shutterstock
RELATED
One more thing? You’ve got to accept the fact that, just because they chose you and love you, that doesn’t mean that they should be expected to always agree with you or even not challenge you — and because that is the case, sometimes some communication issues are going to arise, whether it’s in the form of an argument or…something a bit less stressful.
And since that is indeed the case, it’s important to know what you can (and possibly should) do when those moments arise — for the sake of you and your partner’s sanity and your relationship’s overall health and well-being. So, are you ready to get a few tips on how to communicate more peacefully and effectively with your partner?
Read on.
Argument, Debate, or Discussion? Learn the Difference
Is It an Argument, a Debate or a Discussion?
GiphyOkay, so let me start off this article by saying that if you are a parent of young children, one of the best things that you can do for them is put an emotional chart up in their rooms (like this one here). The reason why I say that is because I work with a lot of adults who really struggle with communicating with their partner and, the surprising reason why is because, they don’t know how to properly and/or thoroughly express their feelings — and it’s because they don’t know which words to use.
I’m not kidding either. Sometimes, you’re not mad at your partner; you’re confused by their actions. Sometimes, you’re not tired of the relationship; you’re bored. Sometimes, you’re not worried; you’re nervous — and because these different words weren’t expressed and emphasized enough, while you were growing up, you don’t use them as much (or as well) as you probably should now. And that causes you to misuse words as well as put the wrong amount of energy into them — when they aren’t really the ones that you were actually trying to convey to begin with.
And along these lines, the same thing goes for an argument vs. a debate vs. a discussion. When you are exchanging the type of dialogue with your partner that might not be as pleasant as you would like, before automatically saying that the two of you are “arguing with each other” — is that actually the case?
Argument: an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation
Debate: a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints; to deliberate; consider
Discussion: an act or instance of discussing; consideration or examination by argument, comment, etc., especially to explore solutions; informal debate
Ah…do you already see where this is headed? If every time that you and your partner don’t see eye to eye on something, you automatically call it an “argument,” by definition of that word, you are bringing contention into the space…when it may not be an argument at all.
So yeah, when it comes to learning how to get through certain conversations with your partner, first ask yourself if the two of you are verbally sparring (an argument), if the two if you as simply sharing opposing viewpoints (a debate) or if the two of you are actually having a discussion where you are exploring solutions to a problem (a discussion) — and you simply haven’t come to a common ground on what the solution should be…yet?
Next point.
Before You React, Ask Yourself This One Question:
What Exactly Are You Trying to Accomplish?
GiphyI recently watched an Instagram post which basically said that once you reach the age of 45, you will find yourself saying, “Okay” to just about anything and everything. She wasn’t saying it from the angle of being a doormat — she was saying that you start to value your time and energy too much to go back and forth with folks.
Although I get her overall point, “Okay-ing” ish is pretty passive aggressive, so if you’re one of those people, I recommend that you try and find another approach. However, what I will say is a good takeaway from what she was sharing is, when you are disagreeing with someone, before getting too mentally and emotionally invested in the disagreement itself, ask yourself what you ultimately want to accomplish first.
Hmph. This makes me think of one of my former boyfriend’s family. Boy, talk about a group of know-it-alls. It was wild how they seemed to think that they had the solutions for everything and everybody when so much of their lives were pure chaos — and while I used to get sucked in by trying to prove that they weren’t the only people with an I.Q. in the triple digits, after a while, I got to the point of “What’s the point?” I’m not going to win prize money if I out-debate them and besides, they were so arrogantly addicted to being right that they would consistently “move the bar,” just so they wouldn’t have to admit when they were wrong.
And so, since their goal wasn’t to learn and evolve but to merely teach and patronize (more “B” than “A”), I finally came to the conclusion that it was best for my sanity and well-being to simply tap out. Let them go back and forth, for hours on end, with each other…for nothing…if they wanted to.
And yes, that is the next thing that you have to ask yourself when it comes to the argument or debate or discussion that you are having with your partner: what are you ultimately wanting to accomplish? Is it clarity? Is it a resolve? Is it harmony? Or are you like that family I just mentioned and you simply want to be right…even if none of those other things come as a result of doing so?
Peep the title of this piece again. You know, some people can’t let stuff go between them and other individuals because their ego won’t let them. When it comes to the topic for today, that is certainly worth pondering. Long and hard.
Ask More Questions, Make Fewer Accusations
Did You Ask More Questions or Make More Statements?
GiphyWhen it comes to effectively communicating with your partner, I will forever die on the hill that you are going to get way more accomplished if you ask questions more than you make statements. For one thing, questions give them the impression that you want to learn more in order to cultivate peace and understanding while making statements can oftentimes come off as being accusatory, as if you have all of the answers and/or like you are the only one who has needs, feelings and even facts when it comes to whatever you and your partner are talking about.
Not only that but questions tend to disarm people from going on the defensive. Just think about it: Do you think that you are going to get more from your partner if you say, “You are always trying to get the last word!” or if you ask, “Why does it seem like your walls go up when we have these types of conversations? What are you needing in this moment?”
It’s a man by the name of James Stephens who once said, “We get wise by asking questions.” Wise people self-regulate. Wise people empathize. Wise people always want to learn more. Wise people are self-aware and can self-reflect. Wise people know how to listen. If you want to walk away from the conversation being all the wiser, resolve to not have all of the answers. Ask some questions along the way.
Listening Is a Love Language Too
Did You Actually LISTEN?
GiphyWise people listen — and y’all, listening is something that really is on the endangered species list. SMDH. How do you know if you are a good listener? Well, you can start by asking your partner to hear their thoughts on the matter (straight up).
Beyond that, though — good listeners don’t cut people off while they are speaking; good listeners are aware of their body language while interacting with others (check out “15 Relational Body Language Cues You Definitely Shouldn't Ignore”); good listeners listen to comprehend not to immediately respond; good listeners respect that everyone is not like them (nor are they supposed to be) and so they get that they may be hearing totally different opinions and perspectives; good listeners are humble.
Good listeners are open-minded; good listeners respect who they are engaging with enough to not let other things distract them in the process; good listeners respond more than they react; good listeners are perfectly fine not getting the last word (because when you know the value of your words, you don’t need to get the last one), and good listeners want to take something beneficial away from the conversation once it is actually over.
Argument, debate or discussion — imagine how much smoother things would go if both people said, “Wait — before this goes any further, can we simply agree to listen to each other?” and then actually do it? I’d probably lose a third of my clients on this alone, chile. Straight up.
Empathy Is the Shortcut to Resolution
Have You Put Yourself in Their Shoes?
GiphyEven though I know the data, sometimes it’s hard for even me to believe that only 10-15 percent of marriages are sexless (which constitutes to having sex no more than 10-15 times a year). I say that because, easily, 60 percent of my clients have sex-related issues within their relationship.
Currently, I’m dealing with a couple who is working through infidelity. The husband cheated after not having sex with his wife for 13 months because — and these are her words — she wasn’t in the mood. No health issues. No serious marital woes. Sex simply wasn’t a priority to her. Hmph. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times that even Scripture backs that sex is a responsibility in marriage not just something to do (check I Corinthians 7:5) — and so, what I’ve been trying to get her to see is while she didn’t deserve to be cheated on (of course not), he didn’t deserve to be in a marriage where there was no intimacy either. Every action — or non-action — has a reaction. We learned that in what — middle school?
When the issue was initially brought to me, all she could think about was her feelings. As we’ve been working on the concept of empathy, though, some accountability and healing have been taking place. Because for all of you who just read what I said and only thought about what he did — how would YOU feel if your spouse turned you down for over a year straight? Yeah…exactly.
Unless you’re in an abusive situation (which would require a different article entirely), pretty much anything that you and your partner are going through can be de-escalated if you both put forth the concerted effort and energy to simply EMPATHIZE with one another. With that in mind, please stop trying to only get them to see things your way; be open to looking at things from how they see matters as well.
Even if it doesn’t cause you to come to a full agreement, it will still help you to better understand where they are coming from. That way, if the two of you are committed to finding some sort of resolve, you can do it from a place of identifying matters from both perspectives while gaining clear insight from one another too.
Do You Want to Be Right or in a Healthy Relationship?
Know That a Resolution and a Win Are Not Exactly or Automatically the Same Thing
GiphyI went to a private high school that didn’t have a forensics team. Boy, if they did, I sho ‘nuf would’ve been on it, though because Shellie likes to debate (although the older I get, the less I do it). I did have friends who were on teams at their school, though and you can tell because, to this day, they still want to talk to win. LOL. I mean, for the most part, no harm, no foul.
However, when you’re in a relationship, if all you want to do is “win the conversation,” that’s probably not going to be holistically beneficial in the long run. This actually takes me back to something that Dr. Phil used to ask his guests back when his show first aired: “Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?” — and because I personally think that it’s kind of immature to expect to be happy all of the time (does working out always make you happy? You still need to do it, right?), the word I would use in its place is HEALTHY: when it comes to the argument, debate or discussion that you’re having with your partner, do you ultimately want to be right or do you want the relationship to be healthy?
If the answer is “B,” this means that the goal needs to be that the two of you find a resolution over one of you merely winning — and a great definition for resolution is “a solution, accommodation, or settling of a problem, controversy, etc.” A resolution is a solution andsolutions-oriented people? They are patient. They are creative. They are positive thinkers. They don’t choose to deflect, avoid accountability or make excuses or justifications.They are are flexible and adaptable too.
Because whether the conversation is about finances, household responsibilities or intimacy issues — at the end of the day, a solutions-oriented person doesn’t want to “win the conversation;” what they want, more than anything, is holistic and mutual peace…as soon as humanly possible too.
Don’t Say You’re Letting Go If You’re Not
If You Say You’re Going to Let It Go and Don’t…You Lied
GiphyListen, only a completely delusional individual thinks that relationships should never have conflict; of course, they will because we’re not toy soldiers, we are individuals. At the same time, they don’t have to be traumatic whenever they do go down.
Respect each other’s individuality. Be mutually committed to finding a resolve. Always prioritize peace above just about everything else — and you will be able to “relax, relate and release” in your home.
Yes, even after an argument, debate or discussion has transpired (and not five days later either…but we’ll deal with how to release a grudge at another time). Selah and amen.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Shutterstock