Hands Off...

If you hadn't heard (and how could you have not), on Saturday, April 5, there was a massive "Hands off" protest across the country and internationally. We were gonna go, but one of our cats wasn't feeling well, so we stayed home with her instead. Based on what I've heard of crowd size, it may have been a good thing as my anxiety probably wouldn't have handled it well.

Since I couldn't attend, I thought I would write out my list of hands-off items. A list that wouldn't have fit onto a single sign.

---

Hands off my uterus
The government loves to dictate what a woman can do with her uterus. The fact is, it's my body, and I should be able to do with it as I please. If I want to wear short skirts, get a tattoo, cut my hair, or have an abortion, it is no one's choice but mine. My body, my choice.

Hands off my body
​This one has multiple layers to it, but for the purpose of this post, I will stick with ICE snatchings. I am a Puerto Rican born in Chicago. This makes me a citizen twice over. However, looking Spanish puts me at risk. This does not give ICE the right to just snatch me off the streets if they want.

Hands off my money
​I have been working since I was 18 years old. I have worked my ass off for almost 4 decades. I deserve the money I've contributed to Social Security. That is my money. I earned it. I also earned Medicare/Medicaid. Both of these were forced upon me, and when the time comes, I should get it back.

Hands off my votes
I am lucky. I am a married woman with a passport that matches my license. The SAVE Act, if passed, won't hinder me from voting. However, that doesn't mean the next attempt at voter suppression won't include something that discriminates against me. I am a citizen, I have a right to vote.

Hands off my constitution
The Constitution was created to protect the citizens and the country. It's why every oath to government office contains a line to protect it from foreign or domestic threats. Only a formal process can change it. Until then, I have the rights that the Constitution gives me. 

Hands off my democracy
​I have the right to vote for or against potential elected officials, policies, and other matters. I have a right to expect that my elected officials will fight for my rights and that those rights align with my beliefs; otherwise, I wouldn't have voted for them. I have a right to expect more from my country.  

​https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/democracy

---

I'm sure if I had more time to think about it, this list would grow. The fact is, our country and our government should be doing better. They should be doing what is best for all citizens, not just the 1%. They should not be so obsessed with power that people like me get hurt in the end.

As Barack Obama said, "​The most important office in this democracy is the ordinary person."