6:00: Wake up 6:30: Shower 7:00: Eat breakfast & drink coffee 8:00: Check work emails 9:00: Yoga 9:45: Check work emails 10:00: Read anti-racist materials to educate my damn self 11:00: Work projects 12:00: Eat lunch 1:00: Ride bike 2:00: Call out beloved but misguided family and friends on their racist, cis-heteronormative, white patriarchal thinking & social media posts 3:00: Work projects 4:15: A little snack as a treat 4:30: Send last emails so colleagues know I was working
Public comment for 6/9/20 Sacramento City Council meeting
Regarding the Review of Local Emergency Declaration – Civil Unrest [Oral Report]
Hello, My name is Erin Mahoney and I’m a resident of Sacramento in District 4. I am emailing to demand the restructuring of our city budget, so as to prioritize more social services for our community, and to drastically minimize spending on Police.
It is unconscionable that 1/3 to 1/2 of the city’s budget is going to the police department. This does not align with the values that I have as your constituent and I demand that you and other city officials work together to draft and approve a budget that diverts funds from the police department and reallocates them directly to benefit those in need.
Defunding the police and restructuring the budget is an absolute necessity now more than ever. Police perpetuate a pattern of excessive violence and force, especially directed towards Black People and their communities. The police refuse to hold their own accountable and this is unacceptable. The world is seeing this now, thanks to videos like that of the murder of George Floyd. In response, the people have taken to the streets in protest. And guess what? We have encountered even more police brutality and violence, including here in Sacramento.
We are in the middle of a global pandemic that has killed 100,000 Americans and more than 40 million people have filed for unemployment. Healthcare workers are without proper equipment and essential workers are not being fairly compensated or protected for the great work they do. We don’t need more police, we need more social safety nets. Funds intended for police would be better off being sorted to initiatives that:
- Better fund and support our social workers
- Enrich our public schools and students
- Provide more affordable housing and mental health care initiatives
- Protect and bolster our parks
- Support small businesses struggling due to COVID-19
- Provide cheaper and cleaner modes of public transportation
Our nation is grieving the deaths of Black Americans that were murdered at the hands of police officers who have yet to be held accountable. While the police department has more funding than it knows what to do with, we have communities who desperately need funding and every day they don’t receive it their quality of life worsens. Thousands have died who did not need to. You have the ability to change this, so do it.
Sincerely,
Erin Mahoney
Happy birthday America, You god damn child. Young and selfish, Dumb and careless With everything but your Shiniest toys. Happy birthday America, You wayward son. full of hope and promise And squandered dreams Of being a better version Of your parents. Happy birthday America, You big-eyed fool, Whose lights and flashes Assuage the masses But terrorize the very people Who built you. Happy birthday, America. I hope you grow And begin to learn, At the very least, That you have Barely grown at all.
When the sun breaks in through the window
Please resist the urge to call the cops
The truth is we are the trespassers,
Camouflaged and under covers
Fooling no one but ourselves.
When the wind shakes the spit out of you
Please don’t shake your fist.
Don’t yell truck driver words for the neighbors to hear.
Don’t ‘fuck you’ your way through the day-
You’ve got real work to do.
When a tree root knocks you ass-up
On the sidewalk tomb it’s trying to escape
Just know that it’s just as mad,
And its voice comes out in silent, breathable waves
Saving us all in the end.
Blueberries aren’t that great, study reveals
Scientists and non-scientists combined their research last weekend to determine that blueberries aren’t all that delicious after all. Gathered at a champagne brunch in Alhambra, a table of eight self-described experts in various fields enjoyed a meal of fruit-covered waffles washed down by mimosas. They unanimously concluded that the strawberries were superior, though one odd duck pledged her allegiance to peaches until further pressed.
National Poetry Day spooky scary
Eyebrows raised, she smiled
Eyebrows down, she stopped
The TV interrupted
But we could never turn it off
Her chest moved, I saw it
Her hand squeezed tighter still
The machines suggested otherwise
Their humming never failed
Time stopped dead for hours
Time stuck us in our tracks
Except the woman dying
Who raised her head and laughed
Big news!
Ben’s a genius again
Erin in a Year
As our country’s birthday approaches, I decided to make this July 4th about me and me alone, as that’s kind of the American way.
It’s been a very strange year, and I’m confused to report that I’m happy to report that soon I’ll be divorced. It’s not what I wanted, but who ever wants it to begin with? I’m ready now. I’m excited to not have to explain that I’m still kinda married when I go on dates, I’m glad to move on, and I look forward to being able to look back in peace.
So, here’s a cool GIF of me throughout this weird period, minus the first few months when I was a giant mess:
Things are gonna be ok.
Thanks to everyone who has helped and continues to help! Keep up the good work, champion!
The things that are wrong with my brain 