Wednesday Wisdom: Speak Up & Share
Inspiration and Motivation for Living in Today’s Economy
As I hugged my 23-year-old goddaughter and niece last weekend, I sensed her sadness at having her Master’s Degree at the University of Rhode Island dramatically affected by the current administration’s decisions on NOA. Lexie has been involved with mapping the seafloor since college and got an all-paid Master’s program due to her experience and smarts.
With the funding disappearing, she applied for a highly competitive position near Fuji in the Ocean Exploration Trust, Science and Engineering Internship Program. Through strong student/teacher connections, grades, and attitude, she was accepted in the program where she will continue seafloor mapping in the South Pacific.
She hasn’t been the only one in our circle of family and friends affected by cuts, tariffs, new policy changes, discrimination, etc. I share with you what else has occurred in our circle:
* My husband’s 40-year building materials career became more stressful as tariffs were added and withdrawn from Canada and Mexico. New price increases had to be attached to their inventory, which affected their sales and the average contractor’s sales. Could this happen with your company, too?
* My brother, who got his Ph.D. during COVID-19 and works to place migrants into careers in America, and works on their behalf, only has funding for his job until June. He still owes much money on loans. His livelihood is in peril. Does this sound like someone in your family?
* My oldest son, who is only 2 years away from having his medical college loan dismissed through the government, may have to pay all of it even though he put in the time needed to serve clients. This will affect his ability to get the money to buy his first house. Do you have first-time homebuyers who can’t afford a home?
If this happens in my realm, can you imagine what is happening to everyone else, including your circle?
I know it is uncomfortable to talk about politics; I have a husband who prefers not to be stressed by it, but when we see real examples of our government’s abuse of people we love or work with, it is essential to share our stories and get them out in the public. We need everyone to tell their story so that elected officials now understand the gravity of the American story.
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom encourages you to speak up and share what is happening to your business, clients, or family. Real people must share how these wide-sweeping changes impact our American story. Nothing in our history was ever won by silence. Banding together and announcing what is happening helps produce change.
I sincerely hope your life, business, and career aren’t negatively impacted by the changes occurring in our homeland. If it is and I can help you, please let me know. If I can send you to people who can help, I will. We are doing this together, so speak up and share.
P.S. Here is my brother’s bio if anyone is interested in his work:
JACOB P. CHAMBERLAIN is a critical human geographer. He received his PhD in Geography from the Graduate School of Geography, Clark University. He also holds an MA in Postcolonial Culture and Global Policy from Goldsmiths, University of London and a BA in Philosophy from the University of Southern Maine. His work builds on critical theories within geography, migration studies, legal studies, citizenship studies, and political theory. He lives in Winooski, Vermont.
Women TIES 