please, make a fuss.

In the wake of the election, inauguration and all that has happened since I find myself seeing more and more friends/family/acquaintances getting involved and expressing their discontent and anger at what is going on in our country. 

But I have also started to notice an increase in people posting things like "here's a distraction from all the fuss in your newsfeed" or even passively plucked out Bible verses about how the lord will provide and save us all. 
... 
NO. 
God did not give you a brain, two hands, and two feet to just sit around and watch things fall to pieces. 
God did not give you ears, eyes, and a mouth for you to quietly stand by as people are oppressed, starved, or killed. 
And that IS what is happening and what WILL happen. 
The destruction may not appear obvious or apparent in your view but I guarantee that it is happening.
One of your child's friends at school is on free or reduced lunch and is now going to lose their healthcare. 
I guarantee that someone in your office has severe asthma and will severely affected by the lack of government regulation on our air quality. 
I guarantee that the woman you stand behind in line at Target has had a health scare or pregnancy scare and needed the assistance of a federally funded Planned Parenthood. 
I guarantee that one of your cubical mates at work is a first generation American who's family is now at risk. 

Let's look at what the Bible tells us. Starting with the strong female leads. 

Esther. Yes, Esther prayed and prayed and listened to God. But is that all she did? No, she prayed, listened and TOOK ACTION. She didn't just ask God to free his people. She went into King Xerxes chamber and handled it, freeing her people despite the fact that her husband could kill her for doing so, legally. 

Rahab. Rahab's story is one of my favorites. Rahab lived in ancient Jericho and was not your stereotypical law-abiding woman. She was the owner of a tavern and most likely, a prostitute. But when the time came, she TOOK ACTION. Rahab hid two Israelite spies who had been sent into the city of Jericho prior to Isreal's attack on that city. When these two soldiers knocked on her door, Rahab didn't turn them away or ask God to protect them for her. She acted. And saved her family from being killed in the attack on Jericho in the process. She is also one of four women listed in the Bible as ancestors of Jesus. 

Next up, Jesus. There are so many stories of Jesus caring for the poor, outcast, and sick people throughout the New Testament. But one of the most resonant is the cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem. It is so resonant that it is in all four gospels. Jesus and his disciples travel to Jerusalem for Passover. But the temple in Jerusalem had become overrun with greedy merchants and money changers. Jesus was angry. Seriously, he was furious. Did he turn around and go home muttering about 'all the fuss?' No. He literally turned over the merchants' tables and yelled at them to leave his Father's house. He put an embargo on people carrying merchandise through the temple. He made fuss. He protested. He created the change that was NEEDED. 

Yes. There are many stories and characters in the Bible who are examples of trust in God and faithfulness. But there are also countless examples of that faithfulness taking place in the form of action, empathy and love. Do not use your Christianity or your faith as a reason for silence or as an excuse for inaction. Your silence normalizes what is happening. When you write off the (physical, verbal, visual, social media...) protests of your peers as 'nonsense' or 'fuss' you are giving the current political landscape your stamp of approval. 

If the last week has shown us anything, it is that things are only going to get worse before they get better. Passivity, inaction, and 'not wanting to talk about politics' are what got us here. Speak up, donate, call your representatives, tweet, march, work for a non-profit, raise your children to see their privilege and care for all others--all of these things will make a difference, but do not sit idly by and watch this happen. 

Welcome Back!

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Hi there! Thanks for stopping by Curly Haired Chronicles. You may have noticed that there hasn't been much action on this blog in quite some time. I plan on changing that! Look for new posts coming soon on all things life, love, feminism, and babies. In the mean time feel free to check out my new About Me and scroll through Curly Haired Chronicles evolution over the years in the Blog Archive on the right. Or if you are feeling especially adventurous you can head to my twitter or Instagram to keep up on current CLC thoughts and events! 

Friday Favorites.

Happy Friday everyone! And happy last Friday until Christmas (or possibly an early Christmas, if you have four Christmases like me). Since it's (holiday) shopping season, and since it's been a while since my last Friday Favs post, I have a whole slew of fun for you today, so let's get started. 

#1. Mint and Teal (in) kitchens. This is really just a dream right now since I live in an apartment and have a mountain of debt, but I just LOVE these kitchens. I still have a strong love for the classic white kitchen, but I just can't resist these pops of mint and teal. Bonus, it would go perfectly with my red, turquoise, and lapis blue Fiesta ware collection. 

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Friday Favs!

I have ANOTHER new fun feature on the CHC blog for you guys today! Friday Favorites is a feature that tons of bloggers (including one of my favs, Iowa Girl Eats!) use to share things that they've loved from around the web during the week. So to follow in the trend of those who came more successfully before me, here are my Friday Favs of the week! 

Let's start out with something hilarious and stylish, shall we? HGTV designer Emily Henderson recently designed a space for Snoop Dogg with Airbnb at SXSW and the finishing product is this strange combo of totally outrageous and kind of chic? Check it our for yourself on Emily's blog here!

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For another design related favorite from this week take a look at Karlie Kloss' New York townhome on Vogue.com. I love seeing younger celebrities who are totally down to earth and I think Kloss epitomizes this. And not only was her short hair do' my inspiration for a cut last summer but now her design style is an inspiration as well. Karlie worked with the wonderful Nate Berkus on getting the right look for her first home.

See more of it here!

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Next up is this week's Must Read: "When Women Have It All" an editorial by HuffPost blogger and Girls Globe Communications Director, Emma Saloranta. 

We want a world where women everywhere can, truly, have it all -- a safe, healthy, balanced and fulfilled life, with equal opportunities for everything and anything despite where they are born, where they live, what the color of their skin is, what religion they practice. We need a world where women can finally realize their full potential and become agents of change and progress. In a world where women have it all, it is not only women and girls who benefit, but every single one of us -- because women's and girls' well-being translates into well-being and progress on a much broader level.

Read her whole post here.

Favorite Food I want to try to make is next! I've been wanting to try making Indian food at home now that i think I've got the hand of our new rice cooker/veggie steamer (possibly my favorite wedding gift) but I've been a little intimidated. But Damn Delicious' recipe for a crockpot Indian Butter Chicken seems right up my alley, I think I might have to give this one a whirl. 

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And apparently overalls are having a fashion moment?! Although I have to admit I kind of love Atlantic Pacific's look here, I'm not totally convinced that they will ever override a farmer stereotype look in the great state of Iowa. However if you're totally diggin' this look you can check out Kendi's post or the Glitter Guide's post. 

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And last but not least, and to start off your weekend in the happiest way possible, I give you a puppified version of Pharrell's "Happy."

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Happy almost weekend, and thanks for reading!