For ten years, my parents lived in Las Vegas. A typical visit to their house in the suburban landscape included a ride to The Strip. This meant parking their car. My father, body ravaged with heart disease, shoes heavy on his feet, walking in deliberate steps, his cane a beacon. My mother, full of youthful energy, chattering incessantly. My elementary school aged daughter, hand in mind, listening attentively. Occasionally, holding the hand of a grandparent, inquisitive, hopeful, adoring. The Strip, in my memory, is a panoramic view of the country, faces of people unknown to me; Americuh, as it were. Walking The Strip meant familiar bickering, a dip into the casinos, a respite of cool air from the desert heat. Eating buffet. Spending time with my parents. The Strip is its own sanctuary, for some people. Waking up today, it’s also something else. I’m sorry for that something else. So very heartsick for it. I stand with all of you, praying for Las Vegas right now.

The March for  Racial Justice and Black Women!!!!

Michaela angela Davis: “Look around, look at the ways you black women show up to a march. Braids, Afro-[puffs] — y’all can’t fit that under a pink hat.”

Gloria Allred, champion of women.

Jo Firestone: “I like to be alone. I have some people here, so I might push them away. That’s my style, to push people away. I might smoke a few cigarettes. Not that I smoke cigarettes. I’ll smoke a cigarette for the first and only time.”

That battle.

When a man is a faux feminist.

The Princess Bride stuff.

We’ve had enough of you.

Vibrators.

And now have a laugh with Jo Firestone.

***

Hurricane Maria Support.

Puerto Rico has been devastated by the recent hurricanes. Your help is needed.

The Maria Fund. “One hundred percent of monies raised will be used to support immediate relief, recovery, and equitable rebuilding in Puerto Rico for the communities hit hardest by the storm.”

Operation Puerto Rico Care-Lift: “The island has been devastated by two back to back Hurricanes in two weeks and has lost 100 percent of its power grid. This disaster happens on the heals of over 10 years of severe economic recession and hardship. And frankly, most people don’t have a way off this Island.” Lara Richardson & Chris Sloan

Support The Girls. Always an advocate for women in need, Dana Marlowe’s set up a donation for Puerto Rican women and girls.

Unidos. “100% of your gift to UNIDOS goes to help children, friends and families recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria and the Mexico City earthquake.”

Unidos Por Aguadilla.  “That’s why we concerned about our towns of Aguadilla and Yauco , where we were born and raised, are creating this fund to funnel 100% of the resources directly to help  the families in need on the West coast of Puerto Rico. ” (Samy Nemir & Hedmanuel Soto)

Unidos Puerto Rico. “United for Puerto Rico is an initiative brought forth by the First lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló in collaboration with the private sector, with the purpose of providing aid and support to those affected in Puerto Rico by the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane María.”