Maryland

elleng

(130,972 posts) Sat Mar 5, 2016, 01:47 AM Mar 2016

Essence On-line Covers Donna Edwards' Campaign (re-post)

http://www.essence.com/2016/01/21/maryland-rep-donna-edwards-looks-towards-senate

"Donna Edwards is the only candidate with the experience that shows she knows first-hand about the challenges women face," Schriock continues. "Whether it's raising her son as a single mom working a minimum wage job. …leading the way for victims of domestic violence, or protecting women's access to healthcare as someone who knows what it’s like to spend years paying off bills from one uninsured trip to the emergency room, Donna has spent her entire career standing up for women. And that's a perspective that's desperately needed in the U.S. Senate."

Indeed, when the conversation turns to issues that affect African-American communities, Edwards doesn't shy away from tough topics such as police brutality.

She supports the Black Lives Matter' movement and has special praise for the African-American women who are at the forefront of contemporary civil rights efforts.

She's not immune to what's happening, in these times of social upheaval and change.

"I'm the mother of a young Black male who's been stopped by police," Edwards says, referring to her son, Jared, 27. "It's happened to my fiancé and other men in my family, too. Over the Christmas holiday, a relative was driving and the police stopped him and asked if he owned the car." Her voice lowers and she shakes her head incredulously.

"There are good officers, but there must be a culture change within law enforcement," the Congresswoman asserts. "And we need resources, training, and policy change. That doesn't happen overnight."