August 22, 2020 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Saturday, August 22, 2020 Point: Kamala Harris - on Opinion Page “ElkCituNews Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 the shoulders of giants Changing By Toni Van Pelt, Inside- Sources.com “TI try to remind people, don’t let anyone convince we are poised to shatter that record this November. off Trump and Mike Pence. Harris will energize and times require The nomination of Kama- la Harris as the Democratic candidate for vice president you that you are alone. You come with people, and there Women are excited about motivate the electorate - and not just women, Her energy, Harris not just because she is a community of people represents a turning point in optimism and vision stand adapting is more than a political land- that will always be in that history but because of what in contrast to her opponents’ mark, As the first Black and room with you, even if you she stands for and what she”Il cynical politics of division Asian woman to be nomi- are the only one like you in accomplish. She has long and fear. nated by a major party as a that room at that moment. So advocated for pay transpar- This campaign is, as has By Don Munsch, Editor national candidate, she has never feel small or alone in ency in our workplaces so The census worker was standing in front of my ex- been often said, about the made history. a way that would make you more women have the abil- neighbor’s apartment door Sunday morning as I stepped But she has also affirmed feel marginalized — never.” ity to negotiate their salaries soul of America - but it’s out of my unit to run a food errand. something that women have Those of us who have and end pay discrimination, also about its heart. The hu- Thad just made the normal morning trip to the grocery long known as a source of been working for women’s and she is a co-sponsor of manity, compassion and car- store and put stuff away before setting out again. The cen- strength and inspiration. We rights as long as Harris - or the Paycheck Fairness Act, ing that Harris exhibits must sus worker— or perhaps she was a volunteer — was masked are not alone. We are never Chisholm, who was one of which requires employers prevail against the heartless- up and visiting homes to try to ensure people would an- alone. the original founders of the to show that pay differences ness of Trump and the ro- Harris has often spoken of National Organization for are not due to gender. botic conformity of Pence. swer the 2020 census. My neighbor moved out several weeks ago. The census the late Shirley Chisholm, Women and who received Harris has been a fierce That’s why women are once the first Black woman NOW’ first presidential en- advocate of women’s access again “fired up and ready to worker and I chatted for a few minutes and then went our elected to Congress who, in dorsement - have never wa-to reproductive health care, go” to cast their votes in No- separate ways. I had already answered my census ques- 1972, became the first Black vered from our commitment and she has made addressing vember. tionnaire. major-party candidate to run to lift each other up, push the Black maternal health If there’s one thing that Answering the census form was a no-brainer for me. for president. our cause forward and stand crisis a personal priority. women know with certainty, But I’m aware others simply don’t feel like answering it “T stand, as so many of us together against the most During her presidential it is that we are all standing or have suspicions about the government asking for per- do, on her shoulders,” Har- powerful and entrenched op- campaign, she announced a on the shoulders of those sonal information, although the census obviously does not ris told The Grio. “Because position. plan to close the nationwide who came before us. Har- include stuff like Social Security numbers or bank info. she understood that you just We know that we are ney- rape kit backlog, and she ris has acknowledged the The Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy said in a march to that podium, and er alone - and we’ve proved has pledged to close the so- women who've influenced news release Tuesday that Oklahoma has a 58 percent you claim that podium as it time and again. called “boyfriend loophole” and inspired her, and now, response rate to the census. Nationally, it is 63 percent. yours, you don’t ask any- The day after Donald that allows dating partners future generations will be Beckham County’s response rate is 47 percent. More info body permission. Trump was inaugurated, we convicted of domestic vio- “And she was supported in made history with a mas- lence to buy guns. standing on her shoulders as can be found here: https://2020census.gov/en/response- they fulfill their own dreams rates.html that venture, and that’s real- sive Women’s March on And of course, Harris has ly important to know and to Washington, and scores of been one of the sharpest, and destiny. Although the census comes just once every 10 years, it And our country will be all hold on to. When each of us other demonstrations around toughest and most relent- resembles a lot of other tasks government authorities ask takes that step that requires the country and around the less questioners of President the better for it. for, encourage or require in our daily lives. courage, there will be acom- world, In 2018, the biggest Trump’s appointees, hench- Toni Van Pelt is the presi- Take masks, for example. I have worn facial coverings munity there to support us, turnout of women voters men and enablers like Brett dent of the National Organi- since the public alerts about the pandemic began several to receive us, and to applaud ever elected the most femi- Kavanaugh and William zation for Women. She wrote months ago. For me, it’s just a good habit to wear them. us when we make that step. nist Congress in history, and Barr. She will tear the bark this for InsideSources.com. and protect others and myself. Just like wearing a seat belt Counterpoint: A historic ticket in my car can protect my life. And my life hasn’t changed since the pandemic began — not drastically. During the work week, there’s a basic won't win over women, minorities routine of work, eat, regular exercise, sleep and then re- peat. The main difference here is I don’t eat out anymore. Not counting weekly Rotary meeting lunches, I’ve been out to eat at a dine-in establishment only once since initial By Patrice Onwuk, In- were enacted nationally. gap. uity in the workplace can be restrictions were put into place in March. sideSources.com Harris supported her home The 20-cent pay gap is achieved through increased Now, take-out or drive-through food is a different sto- Kamala Harris is the first state’s job-killing law that a misleading metric used opportunity, better educa- ry. I eat some — maybe many — of my meals through this Black woman and South forces most independent to demonstrate gender dis- tion, and greater knowledge Asian American named to a contractors to become em- crimination. It is based on of the tradeoffs between dif- method. presidential ticket. We can ployees of the companies averages in pay between In other ways, life during the pandemic has been a recognize and applaud this that contract them despite men and women, but when ferent career choices and in- change. I discontinued my gym membership just after the historic candidacy. whether or not companies controlling for job-related dividual pay. pandemic struck, as it appeared exercising in a gym didn’t But making history alone can afford to do so (or stop Finally, women, and mi- choices including occupa- guarantee any safety. The room with the treadmills and will not boost enthusiasm working altogether). The tion, industry, experience, nority women, in particular, elliptical machines is fairly small, and with a lot of peo- for a lackluster Democratic law (AB 5) was intended to education and hours, the gap view entrepreneurship as a ple crammed into that room? No thanks. But darn, I miss ticket, especially among force Uber and Lyft to re- shrinks to a few cents. path to financial indepen- watching Netflix at the gym, which I don’t have at home. Blacks. We cannot gloss classify their drivers as em- Legislative efforts to close dence. Women started more Tcan still exercise, which I do now with evening walks over the damage that her ployees but has made thou- the gender pay gap have than 1,800 businesses each at the park. And what a wonderful circumstance to come policy proposals would do to sands of other jobs disappear failed for this reason, but day from 2017-2019. Entre- out of this pandemic ordeal — enjoying every opportunity the advancement of minori- overnight. From translators Harris and Biden are still preneurship rates among mi- to see the glorious sunsets and experience cool evenings. ties and women in America. to event planners, women advocating for greater con- nority women experienced Joe Biden _ followed and men lost contracts and trol by Washington. They triple-digit growth during My grocery shopping routine has changed, as I now go through on his promise to vital income since the start propose that the federal gov- to the market on Saturday or Sunday mornings — usually name a woman to the Demo- of 2020, even before the ernment collect more demo- the past few years. Instead Sunday mornings, when the stores are the least busiest. cratic ticket and caved to pandemic. graphic and pay data from of encouraging this entre- Avoiding the mall is easier now, too, especially because pressure that she be Black. companies and punish those preneurial spirit by reducing Freelance work is more I live over 90 minutes from anything resembling a shop- The Democratic Party’s hy- desirable to many work- who have pay disparities. taxes or working with states ping mall. Plus, I can avoid it altogether, as a couple of perfocus on race and gender ers than traditional 9-5 jobs Harris would go even fur- to scale back unnecessary weekends ago I had to go to Yukon to do some shopping reeks of tokenism, and mi- whether out of preference or ther. She assumes that cor- work regulations such as that I can only do there, with stops at Academy Sports norities and women are not necessity for caregiving du- porations are guilty of pay occupational licenses, Har- & Outdoors and Target. I also had to drop by a tire store ignorant of this. Even worse, ties and health reasons. Two discrimination and proposes tis would raise taxes, in- to get a problem with my car tire fixed. With each trip,I it undermines their accom- million Californians join 57 that they certify they have crease regulations through sought to be in and out as fast as possible. plishments. million American workers no gender pay gaps or be economy-damaging policies Sen. Harris is an accom- (a third of the workforce) as fined 1% of their profits for Movies? No, no movie-going at this time, and I’m not like the Green New Deal, plished woman and a mod- freelancers. Nearly half of every 1% difference in pay. sure when the multiplexes will be opening again. I might em example of the Ameri- independent contractors are The result would be less and erode their livelihoods hold off until the vaccine or effective treatment is found. can dream. The daughter of women. flexibility and fewer jobs for through so-called pro-work- Trips home to Dallas-Fort Worth? Nope. Not until the immigrant parents, she was Harris supports eliminat- women. Employers would er policies. situation with the virus gets better. raised by a single mother but ing these opportunities for increasingly decline to ne- Minorities and women At work, I have to find strategies to deal with crowds beat many odds. She names Californians and setting AB gotiate nonfinancial forms want better than for their on assignments. For instance, when and if I cover high several firsts in her career 5 as the national standard. of compensation such as livelihoods and aspirations school football this fall - the season begins next week - I including the first Black and She co-sponsored the Pro- paid time off with female to be jeopardized by mis- will likely opt to watch and track the games on the side- female attorney general of tecting the Right to Organize workers because that could guided Washington-centric lines. It’s kind of cumbersome at times, but I have done it California. She proves that Act, which does just that. distort salary figures. These policies. Just as Sen. Harris before and can do it again. ambition and hard work can This is a recipe for increased efforts would also encourage has achieved her American Most other assignments can be done quickly because help anyone achieve his or unemployment for decades litigation. As a result, wom- dream, they want a chance her dreams and break down to come. en might be considered less the interviews and or pictures can be wrapped up fairly barriers along the way. Women who prefer a 9-5 desirable to hire because of to pursue their own. fast and social distancing can be exercised. Many of my However, — opportunities job might also find employ- increased legal exposure or Patrice Onwuka is a se- interviews now are done over the phone. for women and minorities ment more difficult under a fear of failing to obtain gov- nior policy analyst at Inde- In short, you deal with the situation the best you can. to achieve their American Biden-Harris presidency due ernment certification. pendent Women’s Forum. Inconveniences? Yes, but there is something I can think of dreams would all but disap- to their well-intentioned ef- We want more opportuni- She wrote this for Inside- that is worse than being inconvenienced. pear if her policy solutions forts to close the gender pay ties for women, not less. Eq- Sources.com.