LaToya M. Davidson-Perez

All eyes were turned to Atlanta and the state that is known as the Hollywood of the South. Like any of the tantalizing movies and television shows that are filmed in Georgia, this audience was left with questions. Will he? Won’t he? Was the governor willing to have a billion dollar industry walk away from Georgia? Could lawmakers continue to tragically meddle in cases of human rights and religious preservation? We all stay tuned for more details around this hot new water cooler topic.

Religious Liberty. Rather, within the context of Georgia’s House Bill 757, discrimination on the basis of religious and moral beliefs is, no matter how many ways you look at it, discrimination. Economic implications aside, the bill left a very unpalatable taste in the mouth of anyone who is a proponent of inclusion and equality. How is being a part of the LGBTQ community any different from being human? And although the bill wasn’t what many may have believed, a measure that would allow rampant discrimination in the name of religion, it did open the door for what would have likely been the deluge of other discriminatory measures. Additionally, perception can often be even more important and powerful than fact. Read the rest of this entry »

Had you told me two years ago that I’d be living on a lake with amenities including a paved walkway around its entirety as well as 24/7 access to a fully equipped gym, I’d say, “if only.” And yet, here I am. Two years fully removed from my life as a library administrator the road to my now happy existence was an arduous one. After living with my brother for over a year and then with my parents for a few months, it was time to go it on our own.

It took some time to convince my husband. He’d previously loved being a homeowner and by this time had become accustomed to how closely knit I was with my immediate family. It wasn’t at all uncommon during those two years to dine weekly with my parents, to have television time with my brother and to help my nephew and niece with their homework. However, he’d always seemed a bit reticent about moving into an apartment. I have mostly fond memories of my time as a renter. The last time I was a renter was in the early 2000s in a community that has since been converted to condominiums. At the time, I was interested in being a condo owner but in 2005, it was the ideal time to buy my first home. Read the rest of this entry »

In sports, as in the case of the Super Bowl, the action begins after the coin toss. In politics, the same sentiment holds true. Power and privilege can sometimes seem to come down to chance, literally the flipping of a coin.

If it weren’t already insulting that our individual votes are merely majority suggestions to the electorate, we also have to contend with an antiquated voting system that includes the decision by lot or draw. Most recently this meant that the democratic party winner in Iowa came down to, yes, a coin toss. Am I the only person who thinks that if we’re to buy into the clout of America being the greatest country in the world, we’d be far more advance in the way votes are cast and counted. Read the rest of this entry »

In the past several weeks I realized that I have not made the time for myself that I should. Many of us spend our time supporting others, doing for others and giving to others that we completely forget about taking care of ourselves. Why is it so easy for us to do for others and neglect ourselves?

I’ve been living out of boxes lately. My husband and I recently moved in with my parents while we work on paying off debt. Our hope is to buy a house that is in the area we plan on remaining – our forever house. The past year and a half has been a struggle. In the midst of its chaos, leaving a career behind, selling my first home, losing my grandmother, moving in with my brother, and learning how to make it as an independent contractor, I also was diagnosed with pre-diabetes (or diabetes depending on which of my doctors you speak to). I can’t say that I’m surprised. Not only does diabetes run in my family, if anyone was going to develop it, it would be me. Me, the queen of constantly eating out, eating packaged foods, you name it, all the things we know not to do. I have always jokingly stated that my kitchen was only there for decorative purposes. Alas, the joke’s now on me. Read the rest of this entry »