Natalia Naman Temesgen: Change is gonna come
Some say change is good. Some say it is inevitable. Some of us absolutely hate it, not as much for what it brings but for how it feels.
There are some changes going on around the Chattahoochee Valley that are undoubtedly ruffling some feathers.
First, Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver just received the coveted Ranger tab at Ranger School graduation on Friday. Being on the outside of the Army community, I couldn't have predicted the reaction of many alumni and veterans to this substantial change in the status quo. Some have let their frustration, dismay, criticism or cries of heresy ring in comments to the Ledger-Enquirer's Facebook posts.
Often, these comments accuse the women of being held to a lower standard, or declare that a woman in that position can't be trusted to perform adequately in a real-world scenario.
Quite clearly, I cannot fully empathize with these men. I'm no Ranger. As a black woman in America, I've not been part of the powerful majority very often in my life. So it is easier for me to celebrate this type of change -- the type that advocates for a more equal view of people like me. Women have slowly managed to come closer to being seen as equal to men in this country. It was not easy when we wanted the vote. It was not easy when we started to climb the corporate ladder. It's still not easy in so many arenas.
But, as Sam Cooke so beautifully crooned, change is gonna come.
Another looming change is one even couch potatoes can get mad about. Starting Sept. 14, Columbus Consolidated Goverment will be picking up our trash once a week rather than two.
What will we do if we have to hang on to our garbage bags another three days? Well, I suppose it could be the makings of the next Great Plague. But I think with some adjusting, the city will manage.
I've taken comfort in knowing that I can dial 311 or 706-653-4000 and get a 13-gallon recycling bin or 65- or 95-gallon recycling cart with a cover to alleviate some of the extra buildup. Frankly, I haven't been the best recycler. Maybe the big change will end up saving the environment a bit while saving the city some money.
And, as will likely be the case for the next year plus, the presidential hopefuls are on my mind yet again. Can I admit that I'm not sure I'm ready for the potential "change" of seeing Donald Trump on the ballot next November? It's not inevitable, but it's not impossible either. But see, my brain's already starting to short-circuit a little bit thinking about it. We'll leave this for another column.
Here's to change and the amazing human ability to weather it. Have a great week!
Natalia Naman Temesgen is an independent contractor. Contact her at nntemesgen@gmail.com
This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Natalia Naman Temesgen: Change is gonna come ."