It has recently come to my attention that there are some disturbing voting trends developing in our area that need to be addressed. 1st, there are some in the AA community encouraging other people of color to write in “REPARATIONS” for president instead of @JoeBiden/@KamalaHarris Simply put, this must stop. By not voting for @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris , you’re essentially voting for four more years of chaos, division and derision by the current administration.

This year was a humbling experience.

I have enjoyed this season working with our community and working to help us every day.

We have experienced many hardships that inspired my run for Congress, but none compare to this Pandemic.

(1/15) My biggest concern was to do my best to help us find a safe path through this crisis. I put a focus on keeping my family safe while seeking resources for members of the community in need. I will not stop doing this because we all need the help and we can work together.

(2/15)

Attention Northumberland County! have been getting reports that there may be problems with curbside voting in the Democratic Primary. Cont. While I have heard from the county that curbside voting is now available, there have been reports that paper ballots have previously not been available, requiring voters to go inside to use the touchscreens.
Cont.

Happy Father's Day, it was a long one. 

Today was a wonderful day for Father's Day. It was also the longest day of the year thanks to the Summer Solstice.

#FathersDay We had great weather here in the 1st District and I'm truly hoping all the dads enjoyed it. No matter how you became a father, you have a hard job, being a dad.

#Dad
#Fathers

What I have to say is very important and I ask you to read this all the way through.

About half of our district is the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. This is where our aquaculture is and it is very strong.

#aquaculture
#NorthernNeck
#MiddlePeninsula

(1/17) This area makes its living from the hard labor of our Watermen. They need our support now more than ever. Our Watermen catch and raise marine life from rockfish to oysters. They are small businesses that keep the region going.

#watermen
#SmallBusiness

(2/17)

I am truly proud to announce my endorsement from @SEIU!

"Working people need elected officials who will fight for economic, racial and immigrant justice."

@SEIUVA512
@32BJSEIU Since her strong campaign 2 years ago, Vangie Williams has been working tirelessly in our community to lift up the voices of working people and make Virginia a better place.

I’m proud to support her for Congress"
Tammie Wondong, VA-1 resident, social worker and @SEIUVA512 leader

Today is Juneteenth, emancipation day. Happy Jubilee Day to everyone! Happy Emancipation Day.

On this day in 1865, Major General Gordon Granger came to Galveston, Texas with the news slavery has ended and the slaves were free.

#JUNETEENTH2020
#JuneteenthDay We celebrate this day as a community because it sparked one of the biggest changes to the lives of ALL Americans. Finally, black people across the Country were free. Though the changes were not immediate, and we still fight for equal rights, it was the first true beginning.

Trump rescinded DACA. The Supreme Court voted 5-4 saying he did this illegally.

We have a President doing what he wants strictly for his own gain.

#DACADecision
#SCOTUS
#Dreamers

washingtonpost.com/politics/court… What's worse is a majority of Congress, including Rob Wittman, blindly supported him and then approved separating families and put them all into detainment facilities. Families who are still separated and children still locked in as if they are in jail.

Tamir Rice was playing with a toy gun in a park when Officer Timothy Loehmann, who’d previously been deemed emotionally unstable and unfit for duty, gunned him down. Tamir was 12.

#TamirRice Philando Castile told Officer Jeronimo Yanez that he was licensed and carrying a registered handgun. He was shot seven times. The 4-year old girl in the backseat pleaded with her mother Diamond Reynolds to stop screaming. “Mama I don’t want you to get shooted.” Philando was 32.

We've been asking for broadband for years and we're still getting nothing.

The internet was created in 1983. The World Wide Web in 1991 and Broadband right after that. So, if the internet is world wide, why can't we have broadband Nationwide?

#broadband
#internet We need last mile broadband internet now. 

We are a rural district and we have examples that show we need broadband. We have people who hop with their phone in the air to get connected. They don't even joke about this in commercials. It's been decades and we've gotten nowhere?

Two principle emotions are said to drive people's actions.

Love and fear are the strongest and of our emotions. They set the stage for how we react to new experiences. Who we become is from those experiences, which is most of our childhood. Emotions are how we develop as people. The anxiety of knowing as a black person, a trip to the store, a jog, or simply coming home can lead to the untimely departure from your family... your place here on this Earth. This sits heavy on my heart.

We are in extremely hard times and your efforts to move forward are nothing short of amazing. Your hard work in pushing through our new world is nothing short of inspiring. You've helped us in many ways between your personal support, time, and efforts and I want to say Thank You. My faith in my community is driving me to bring us better leadership. Between my family and our community, I find new ways to learn about our new normal. We're working hard during this time and I understand this. Your perseverance with this challenge is why we'll be stronger.

Four years ago, 49 people lost their lives in the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

This was a horrific attack against the LGBTQ+ community and the Hispanic community, committed by a man with hate in his heart.

#PulseNightclub People who had been the joy in the lives of those around them, were dreaming of another experience and taking an evening to enjoy the world around them. We must work together to stop these tragedies and change the message from fear and anger to one of understanding and respect.

53 years ago, Mildred and Richard Loving made history when the Supreme Court ruled that all interracial marriage bans were unconstitutional. It was a landmark decision that struck down laws that restricted Americans from loving one another.

#LovingDay

usatoday.com/story/news/nat… They risked their lives for their love and they should be honored not just today, but every day.

That is why I'm publicly asking that the Virginia government change the name of the Jefferson Davis Highway to the Mildred and Richard Loving Highway.

#LovingVsVirginia

This is hardly the first time in recent history that our nation has shown a spotlight on the racism that perpetuates in our society. Around the world, we declare there is too much death and not enough accountability. We refuse to accept that someone’s skin should make them more susceptible to threats, abuse, and murder. It shows our strength that no matter the odds we face, we stand for what we believe in.

Change is not easy, but it's right here.  

Like many Americans, I did not have a textbook start in life. Growing up in different households, struggling to get to the same level where other people were with education, housing and resources. I finally was offered community help with a hand up to get me on the pathway to steady employment and my future education. Now at 51, I have multiple degrees and have led many teams to success. However, that success is still met with resistance based on my race and gender.

Thank you so much for our Saturday and Sunday forums here in the final days going into the 2020 Congressional Primary! 

I was very pleased to speak to the @PWCYDs and the @PerspectivePw audience about important issues on Saturday! I appreciate the hard work and attention our Young Dems put into their passion for electoral politics. Answering them helps me recognize how our younger voters feel about the issues.

Right now, we are watching as more and more locales are removing monuments across Virginia. These are symbols of intimidation and oppression.

But the physical monuments do not remove the psychological depth of slavery and racial inequalities still oppressing our society. The true change does not stop there. It needs to address the inequalities in employment. People must have equal hiring and salary options. Without progress, is struggle.

But that's not enough.

Yesterday was Wear Orange Day for Gun Violence Awareness. 

In 2013, a young teenager, Hadiya Pendleton, was shot in the back while hanging out with her friends. Her family and friends wore orange for her and we do the same every year since. This is the symbol of our fight to end gun violence. This is for Hadiya. This is for a 7 year old boy killed in Pennsylvania two months ago. This is for my cousin, killed when he was 17 years old by a 12 year old. This is for all the other children and lives lost to gun violence.

A few days ago, I held an open conversation on race and what is happening in our country.

This public conversation had to be closed because we were ambushed with racist attacks. The two hour long conversation was delayed due to the racial slurs used at the beginning of the call. We expect the same slurs to be used in the beginning of the next one too.

These people were using obscenities and racial slurs repeatedly. As disgusted as we were, we refused to be intimidated. Our diverse group stood strong and we found and removed the problem audience members.

We can't force someone to listen.

This week, the Black Lives Matter movement has taken another step. These peaceful protesters have been coming out across the U.S. and around the world. Thousands of people standing in solidarity and even the unfortunate antagonizers. The conversation is back and many people are trying to listen. But not everyone.

Too many people aren't listening. We have leaders, people with power, who are turning their heads, staying silent, and even rolling their eyes. People who feel bad who won't speak.