Because now is the time to decide what direction we want to take our country. RED & BLACK … A Time For Independence is about the spirit of independence. And four years later, we feel it’s very sad (and very scary) that our sentiments about our country’s leaders having the strength, courage, and conviction to be independent thinkers are still relevant. Maybe even more than ever before.
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I have a confession to make, which I’m sure will make you roll your eyes. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Interesting caveat and probably true. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Every time we talk with Jackie (Aguilera) from the Mayor’s Office of Adult Literacy and hear what she’s doing in the world of adult education, I feel like I’m back in school and having to take copious notes. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I am more than happy to send you “homework assignments” as I come across relevant articles and research. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll stick to taking notes. But that does explain why you’re so knowledgeable about literacy. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | But, reading information is very different from being at the forefront of literacy innovation. And, if we had never met Jackie, I never would have realized how literacy is about more than reading and writing. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | But that alone is such a critical part of all of our lives and can make the difference between struggling and success. Although I never stopped to think about any of that before we met Jackie. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | The funny thing is we first met her because of financial literacy. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Yes, I remember, even though it was over a decade ago. It was shortly after our book was approved as a financial literacy textbook by the (Texas) State Board of Education, and you decided we should go to a Houston Money Week meeting. I didn’t think we were qualified to talk about the topic. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I did not feel qualified to decide whether or not we could be of any help until I better understood what they did. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | That’s why I let you do the talking when “newbies” had to introduce themselves. Plus, I’d have talked their ears off. But after the meeting, this confident but very approachable woman came striding across the room, extended her hand to me, and introduced herself. At the time, she was Literacy Coordinator at EastSide University. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | All I remember was her energy, commitment, and passion for financial literacy. Not usually a topic discussed with such enthusiasm. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | There’s an understatement. And not only did it take me by surprise, but I hate to admit it, it was contagious. Especially once we started working with her. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Another confession? |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Maybe. I still shake my head in amazement at the incredibly creative ways she makes personal finance, typically such a “boring” topic, come alive. And how she uses outside-the-box approaches to making learning relevant. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | But, it is not only financial literacy. It also includes digital literacy, health literacy, and even news literacy and environmental literacy. Which is why I am honored that she asked us to create various “Conversation Starters” she could use at presentations and workshops. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I never imagined they could be used to talk about serious concepts in a light-hearted and fun way. Even if she points out how I was a poster child for not being “literate” when it comes to an assortment of life topics. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I dislike the term “literacy” because it makes people feel like they are “illiterate” when they do not know something. In reality, they may never have been exposed to the information or given an opportunity to learn it. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I can tell you first-hand that, initially, I felt stupid until you pointed out I was merely sheltered. But that’s given me so much more empathy when I think of other people in the same position I was once in. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | That is why she likes the “Conversation Starters” – they make the topics accessible in a non-threatening way. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | And helps us realize that literacy impacts every aspect of our lives since it is so much more than reading and writing. Raising awareness of that and talking about it with others, especially our families, can have a huge ripple effect. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | That is the purpose of September being designated National Literacy Month. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | September seems the perfect time to learn something new. It’s like being back in school, except you can put the knowledge to work immediately. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | And, this year, with elections just months away, it is the perfect time to learn about news literacy. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Oh, I know better … |
Is it a way to meet people, share memories, or help the environment? Or is it about bargain hunting? As we've talked about before, garage sales can be about so much more than just getting rid of things you no longer want …
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Thanks for the accounting of your garage sale. But, given how many hours you spent preparing for it, and then the actual sale itself, did you calculate how much you “earned” on a $/hour basis? |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | No, all I know is that it seemed to take forever to go through everything in Mom’s house and decide what to keep, what to sell, what to donate. And what to trash. As far as the garage sale, I’ll give you your half the next time I see you. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Keep my half. You did all the work. I did not even offer to help. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | And that was a big help. Thank you. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Obviously, you must be exhausted because you are making no sense. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Sorry, but I have a specific way of running garage sales, and the last thing I needed was another “cook in the kitchen” . |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Not a good analogy as “cook” is a four-letter word that I do not use. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Cute. But seriously, I knew if I had asked you to help, you would’ve. But I can only imagine how you’d have reacted when you first saw all the stuff for sale. Especially as I treat garage sales as a way to get rid of items that I know have very little value. I’m not trying to maximize the money I make; I’m just trying to make the stuff “go away”. In fact, I don’t even put prices on them. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | That all makes sense. Except for not having everything pre-priced. That would drive me crazy. How do you know what to charge people? |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | It’s an experience thing and another reason why I didn’t ask you to help. I have a sense of prices, but not something I could quantify in advance. When someone arrives, I tell them that everything’s cheap and give them an example. They usually look at me like, “Wow, she means it.” And then I tell them to collect what they want and that I promise to give them a good price. And I do. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Is that why you and Mom never had joint garage sales? I cannot imagine she would let you determine prices on the spot. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Actually, she’s the one who “taught” me not to price things. That if someone picks up something or you see them looking at it, they’re interested. And that’s all you need to know. Where we differed was in how much to charge. To her, it was fun, but also a way to make money. To me, a garage sale isn’t my retirement account. It’s my way to get rid of stuff, especially big, bulky stuff. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | In other words, people are paying you to haul off your trash. Or, save you trips taking stuff to your local thrift stores. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Exactly. Although I still take a lot of items to thrift stores that would probably sell for a decent price at a garage sale because I believe in what they’re doing, and I know that my donations make a difference. But I forgot how fun a garage sale can be, meeting people and laughing, just making connections, and knowing that someone will now enjoy and/or use your things. Or, in this case, Mom’s things. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Is there a particular age group that came to your garage sale? |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | It was truly a mix of people. Not counting the kids tagging along with their parents, which reminded me of when the girls would set up a lemonade stand to benefit Make-A-Wish at my garage sales years ago, they ranged from 20-somethings to senior citizens. But I’m almost afraid to ask why you asked. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I will not get into studies and statistics, but younger people are really into the environment and reusing older things, especially clothing (which is one of the three “new” R’s – reduce – reuse – recycle ). So, garage sales, along with thrift stores, are becoming more popular than ever. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I love it! And the idea of so many of Mom’s things, now that she’s passed, will get to live on and be enjoyed by others. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | At the risk of sounding like a MasterCard commercial , there are some things that money cannot buy. Like sentimental value and fond memories. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I know. Which is why the process of sorting everything was so time-consuming. Interestingly, when that came up in conversation during the garage sale, so many people could relate and then shared their own stories. It was as if they wanted me to know that Mom’s things were getting a good home. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, if you add that to the cash you made, it sounds like a very successful garage sale. Hopefully, the next sale, being an estate sale with larger and higher-priced items, will be as successful. And, although I tried to get you to use a professional “estate sale” company that would do everything for you, I am beginning to understand why you decided to do it yourself. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | The hardest part was culling and organizing, and there was no way I’d let strangers go through all of Mom’s things. And the internet makes “advertising” the sale and posting items online very easy. All-in-all, there’s no reason we can’t do it ourselves. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | We?! |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Yes, because your ability to combine photos into a single image and correct my grammar is important. But your spreadsheets will be critical. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Now, that I can do. |
Remember summer reruns on TV? Well, this month’s column is a first … it’s a “rerun” of our July 2020 column, except we added the word “CRITICAL” in the title. Because, four years later, we feel it’s very sad (and scary) that our sentiments about our country’s leaders having the strength, courage, and conviction to be independent thinkers are still relevant (maybe even more than before). So, the Fourth of July may be behind us, but Election Day will be here before you know it.
I keep forgetting to ask you, since Sawyer is away at camp, what did you do for July 4th? | |
Well, it was
a very different Fourth of July. No
kids. No barbeque. No fireworks.
| |
I know most of the fireworks were cancelled, but is your barbeque grill broken? | |
No, this year I decided to declare my "independence" from doing a big holiday grocery shop, major prep work, and cooking outdoors in Texas heat. | |
I wish there were more people willing to declare their independence. | |
Somehow I don't think you're talking about me making an easy pasta dish in the comfort of my air-conditioned house vs. standing over a hot barbeque on a hot day. |
No, but the quote, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" does apply to a bunch of elected government "leaders" – and I use that terms loosely as they actually seem to be "followers." You cannot tell me they do not see how their actions – or inactions – are hurting their constituents. | |
Although I agree with you, I can see where some elected officials feel the need to maintain the party line. Like you've always told me, you have to pick your battles. | |
Black headassets.rebelmouse.io | Yes, but we are talking about people's lives. You are the history buff, so you well know there was a time when people would give their lives to do what they felt was right – for their families, for their community, for their country. Even if that meant standing up to those in control. |
Yes, but I think you're being a bit dramatic. Which is interesting as I was the theater major, not you. After all, equating sacrificing your life to taking a stand about your beliefs is different from leaders who aren't willing to "speak up" to "higher-ups". | |
Black headassets.rebelmouse.io | Really? One is risking their life – the other, maybe, their career. True leadership is about doing what is right. And, if you feel that something that is wrong, take an independent stand. It is about having the strength, courage, and conviction to do what you believe is right. |
red headassets.rebelmouse.io | Sounds like you watched "The Patriot" over the holiday weekend. |
spiky hairassets.rebelmouse.io | Never heard of it, but you are the movie-goer, not me. Although we both know your primary motivation is the popcorn. |
True. Anyway, it starred Mel Gibson as an American colonist, and although an "action movie" showing our fight to win independence from Britain, it still explores those exact themes. America may not be a perfect country, but it has always stood up and been willing to fight for what it believes in. | |
Yes, but that is harder to do when leaders are not leading, but rather just following. Being a true leader requires independent thinking. | |
That reminds me of something someone told me decades ago about a colleague they worked with, "He would be a great leader, if only people would follow him." It definitely made me laugh. | |
black headassets.rebelmouse.io | Sometimes you do not realize the wisdom of a true leader until much later. Initially, they may be measured by doing what is popular or convenient. |
I love history, and there are countless examples of just that, but I'm not sure how you begin to crack that nut. Today, thinking, yet alone independent thinking, isn't what a lot of people do well. | |
black headassets.rebelmouse.io | OK, Miss History. After we got our independence from England, how were we ruled? Who made all the decisions? |
Is this a trick question? | |
black headassets.rebelmouse.io | No, I do not know the answer, and I am trying to understand what happened and why. |
First, my disclaimer that I know more about Tudor history than American history, but to keep it short and simple, the 13 states had to find a way to work together, and the original structure (if you're ever on Jeopardy remember "The Articles of Confederation") gave the states a lot of power. However, that didn't work out so well, and after just a few years, there was the brilliant idea to create The Constitution, which establishes and defines the separation of powers. | |
black headassets.rebelmouse.io | So, it required a lot of creative thinking, with an end goal of what was best for "We the people". In other words, when our country was born – it was led by independent thinkers not people that merely followed along. |
Yes, but that's history. Good luck turning back that clock! It would require those "up the ranks" to relinquish some of their power. And need I remind you that we had to fight the War of Independence to achieve that? | |
black head assets.rebelmouse.io | That history fact, I do know. However, I think we have recently witnessed the importance – and power – of independent thinking. And, combined with good leadership, it can result in great things. |
Absolutely! And to say there's such an overwhelming need for that at this critical time would be a huge understatement. Maybe it's time for another revolution, although this time make it peaceful. | |
The War of Independent Thinking. Now that would warrant fireworks. |