This past week has been an extraordinary one, filled with powerful moments that resonate deeply with the times we’re living in. Recently, here in San Francisco, my family and I joined a march called by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado to protest against the lack of transparency in the last elections.
To give some context for those who may not be fully aware, Venezuela held elections on July 28th, which seemingly resulted in a win for the opposition. I say “seemingly” because, to date, the opposition is the only side that has been able to show any proof of their victory through ballot evidence. The government, on the other hand, has spent nearly a month avoiding the release of any such proof, yet hastily declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner that very night, extending his power for another six years.
What followed was a stark reminder of the lengths to which those in power will go to maintain their grip. The next day, a brutal crackdown was unleashed against the very people who have historically supported the government—the humble, working-class sectors. Seeing people from these communities, who have often been the backbone of the regime, rise up to protest the lack of transparency was both a sign of hope and a tragedy. In just 48 hours, 2,000 people, mostly young individuals from these popular sectors, were arrested. This wave of repression is a clear indication that the government is clinging to power in an authoritarian, dictatorial manner.
At the same time, here in the United States, history was being made with the nomination of Kamala Harris as the first Black woman and first Indian American to run for president on the Democratic ticket. Both María Corina Machado in Venezuela and Kamala Harris in the United States represent a new era of leadership—one that is bold and inspiring. These women are standing up to bullies, to men who embody authoritarianism and aggression, with grace and strength.
Reflecting on this, I am reminded of a conversation I had with my father when I was younger. As an artist and creator, I told him that I wasn’t interested in politics. My father, a wise man, simply responded, “Politics is in Everything.” It wasn’t until I became a mother that I fully understood the truth of his words. Every choice I’ve made, guided by my heart rather than convention, has been a political act.
Having my child at home, surrounded by loved ones, was a radical and political act. Breastfeeding for three years was a radical, political act. Choosing cloth diapers over convenient disposables was a radical, political act. Creating a company where sustainability and quality are valued over profit is a radical, political act. And I know that our readers, by choosing to support a small local business that prioritizes quality, fair trade, and sustainability over mere economic gain, are also engaging in daily acts of radical politics.
As we move forward into this week, and as we feel the energy that has been brewing—energy led by women not only here in the United States but also in Venezuela and undoubtedly in many other parts of the world—I hope it manifests in joy, hope, and hard work for a future where our children can look back and see that their parents made the right choices to secure a better world for them. As the school year begins, so too does a new cycle, one that I hope will lead us to create conscious, sustainable nations where caring for one another, supporting each other, and protecting our environment are part of the top priorities.
Here’s to a fulfilling week ahead! 🌱💪
