White Washed

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

Once again our upper chamber of congress will be an almost all white (mostly male) representation for the rich people of America.  This makes me so sad and angry.

In 2010 there were only four non-white senators–Roland Burris (black) two Asian-Americans from Hawaii (one seat is up for re-election this year) and Bob Menendez (Hispanic-American) from New Jersey.  When the new legislature is sworn in this coming January, there will be only two for sure minority members and none of those will be black/African-America.

What angers me even more is that in the history of the senate there have only be three popularly elected black senators.  THREE.  Six black senators have served–two of those in reconstruction Mississippi (they weren’t popularly elected), Roland Burris who was appointed and also not popularly elected.  Two of the senators who were elected, including now President Obama were to the same seat in Illinois and the remaining senator was elected in Massachusetts.

I know I shouldn’t be surprised.  This country is skewed and the power base has always been white, rich, protestant and male.  I never really gave it much thought before, but at times it hits me that our government is a republic and that those who represent us should represent us.  I can say that many of them represent me but starting Jan 2, 2011, none of them will represent my children or 13% of the population.  This just doesn’t seem right.  I look around the ivory (well UMSL isn’t quiet Ivory) tower of academia and notice that lack of diversity.  I am shocked at how white washed our world is.  I am angry and I wish there was something I could do about it.

I voted today.  I have confidence that our black congressional members will be re-elected (they aren’t representatives of my district).  I long for a government that truly represents the people they serve.  I don’t have any answers but I long and hope for a day where my kids and all minority kids have members of both houses of congress to look up to.  The House has made strides in diversity but the Senate has lagged sorely behind.

I will hold out hope that one day I can tell my kids “you can be a Senator” if you want.  Because right now–I’m pretty sure in most places they couldn’t.

Well Hello November

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

We’ll see if I can pull of this whole NaBloPoMo thing again. I can’t even remember if I tried last year or not. Ah the wonders of old age. This will be tough as my life has become crazy busy and there are conferences to attend and papers to write (one of which I should be working on right now) and birthday’s to celebrate (I can’t believe my little BoBo is going to be 3).

Well what would a November 1 post be without gratuitous shots of kids in Halloween costumes and a Halloween update.

Here is the kids’ haul from two nights of trick or treating.  I know and the photo is deceiving as it looks small-but let me asure you it weighs about 7lbs.  We went to Beverly Shores, Indiana for the weekend–as my brother and his partner have a house there and they do a big Halloween shindig.  The trick or treating caravan is insane–28 houses and a large mix of golf carts and cars.  It was crazy and everyone in Beverly Shores has about 25 narrow steps up to their front door  with swams of kids big and little clamoring up and down–piling in and out of the car.  It was a blast–but tiring.

We then met back at the park to watch a movie, have a few drinks, make smores and eat wood-fired pizza from a truck–really a truck.  They turn around good pizza in two minutes.  It’s pretty awesome.  We then snuggled up to watch Young Frankenstein.  It was a really nice night.

The drive home in the morning from Indiana was a bit long, but the kids were awesome and excited to get home in time to trick or treat again.  Because who doesn’t need to do that again–aside from my kids who don’t even really like candy.

Zoë who is all girl–wore two different costumes for each of her trick or treating events–a fairy and Cinderella.  She is too cute.  Noah was happy to be Ironman.  I managed to not eat my weight in candy so that is a very good thing.

I hope to feel more articulate in the upcoming days–I just finished my comprehensive exams from the PhD program and my brain is running on empty.

Yes, I’m That Mom

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

I’m the competitive mom. I can admit that. I want my kids to be exceptional. I don’t push my kids or force academic work on them. We pay attention to their interests and encourage their interests and provide them with activities and enrichment to support what they want to explore.

I’m the parent who isn’t afraid to admit that my kids are smart. I tell my kids it’s important to be smart, but I dont hold them to impossible standards. I have to admit that I was doing a happy dance inside when one of his teachers was telling us how smart and awesome he is. He has a good interpersonal intelligence and is very empathetic and kind. He counts higher than he needs to for kindergarten readiness and recognizes and writes all of his letters and numbers. He is starting to read and wants to keep learning how to read. He can spell many of his friends’ names from memory and wants to write often.

I know that my kid isn’t rare-so many young kids excel early on- but it reinforces what so much of the research proves: early childhood education is the most important. My kids already have an advantage by getting high quality early education.

I’m a proud parent. I’ll go ahead and take much of the credit as my kids first and most important teacher.

A Glimpse Of Her On Her Wedding Day

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

Zoë and Noah were in a wedding this past weekend and I have to just say they were quite possibly and probably the cutest ring bearer and flower girl in the whole world.  Zoë love an audience and loves to dance and sing and entertain.  She was in her element. As she twirled around, I saw her on her wedding day.  A true vision.