By shay bell

Every single day, I wake up and do my silly little tasks. I fill in some colors for a graphic. I write some words about the state of our Commonwealth. Every week, I get on this platform and tell you that everything is within our power to fix. But what do I know? I’m only 26. 

I know I’m scared for the future. I know that genocides are happening all around the world right now, even in places not covered by the media, and despite my greatest efforts, I am but a drop in the bucket. I know Global warming will have us facing the hottest summer yet. I know this upcoming presidential election is an ACTUAL sh*t show. America, in general, is a sh*t show – which you can’t say nowadays without being called a terrorist, but it’s TRUE. 

I know I’m scared for our Commonwealth. Governor Youngkin’s list of vetoes is the longest we’ve ever seen in Virginia history, with 153 spits in our faces. One hundred fifty-three vetoes to deny us a minimum wage increase, gun violence prevention, and paid family and medical leave, among many other initiatives that would benefit our communities. I know that I feel like everything we’re doing is useless, and all the work we accomplish is in vain. No matter how hard I try, it’ll never be enough to make a change. I feel like no matter how hard we fight, we’ll never win. 

I know something has got to give and give NOW because I’m TIRED. I know I want a Governor to listen to my concerns and sign bills into law that uplift and protect the people he governs. I know that Glenn Youngkin’s term as Governor is ending, and we’re approaching a new election cycle. And I know we can vote him out. 

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