I went to bed last night disenfranchised and disappointed, but I woke up this morning refusing to feel afraid.

I am an educated, Hispanic, small-business-owning woman raising two little girls in this confusing and tumultuous time. While our journey may have become more challenging, our convictions have not wavered. My husband and I will continue to raise empowered, educated, compassionate children.

We strapped on those backpacks this morning and sent these little ladies out into the world to find knowledge and their own voices. They will not be oppressed. They will not be tyrannized. They will not be demoralized. They will be fierce!

Sadly, this same afternoon I spent some time on the phone with the local police. Two young men in a large truck flying an American Flag and a confederate flag stopped traffic outside my studio. They were screaming hate rhetoric at the customers. My studio is between a Little Monkey Business and a Pigtails and Crewcuts. The audience was mostly children. Disgusting! 

I think perhaps the hate was always there, but now it has a voice and perceived permission. This is not ok with me. This is horrendous and I won’t be complacent. Additional patrols have been scheduled for my studio and we will continue to stand up for what is right. Be safe. Be fierce.