This Quilt is not for Hiding Under and I WILL NOT shut up and be quiet.
My father always asked me (most often if we were arguing) “Is this the hill you are willing to die on?” He was asking me in his not so subtle way if what I was about to do or say was going to be worth the consequences. I hear you dad… and yes. This is the hill I am willing to die on when it comes to speaking my truth about what the last week of shameful presidential behavior means to me through the lens of BadAss Quilters Society. And while not everyone feels safe to do so I have built BAQS on the belief that we are better when we live in and act on our truth and for me my truth is the same in my private life as it is in my business.
I am a mother of 6 children, a lover, a wife and a grandmother. A homeschooler parent and business owner. I am a rape survivor, liberal, pro-choice, pro immigration, pet rescuer, aspiring minimalist, bisexual, raw cookie dough eating fiber artist, quilter, crafter.
I am a mother who has made the harrowing decision to take her own baby off of life support as well as made the choice to risk my own life to bring another baby into this world.
I am complex and I assume you are too and you are welcome here in my place of truth.
Just know this…. BadAss Quilters Society is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, safe haven for those who need a voice in the quilt and sewing world and we will not be quiet about it or apologize for it. We are not a politics free zone and for the foreseeable future your quilty BAQS goodness will come with a side order of fuck-this-shit RESISTANCE. So writing me and telling me to “shut the hell up and just show me pretty quilts” will be responded to with a firm middle finger salute and a list of 5 ways to become more politically active as a quilter.
The day has passed when we can bury our heads and voices under our quilts and pretend that the call to duty has not been issued as we enter this dark time in history under the Presidency of Donald Trump. I feel sure we will look back on this time with sadness as we try to explain to our grandchildren and great grandchildren what went so very wrong that we could even consider dialing back the historical clock to a time when the rights of women were being stripped, the environment was willfully pillaged for strict financial gain and the American dream was snatched away from those who had risked their lives to come here and become one of us. (And that was just the first week folks…)
When asked I will answer that I fought, I used my voice, my monetary resources, my artistic skill and my place on the net to support the Resistance to changes that are totally antithetical to my belief that love wins, and that we are a caring people.
I created BAQS to be a safe, inclusive and diverse group and while I welcome all I understand that it is not for everyone. If you need to unfollow I understand and wish you well.
For those who choose to stay – there will not be less of anything fun but you will see more ways to be part of a rising culture of action crafty and otherwise. I know that some of you are scared and sickened about what you are seeing and hearing (I am too) and the desire to slip back under the quilt is really tempting, but don’t, your voice is needed.
The fact is that each voice counts and I will not be silent. When I look back, win or lose I want to know that I was on the right and loving side of history and I welcome you to join me. We will not always agree about all the finer points and that is ok, what matters is that we are in it together.
I’m in and here to resist! The man is unfit to be president and truly does not care about the American people. He is in this for fame and power and does NOT understand what is required to guide a country and its people. I keep praying for impeachment, but then we will have Pence.
Hell yeah, I’m in!
I agree! We can’t let this become the “new normal!”
Get up-show up-stand up-speak up!
I had just read a post by a friend about not knowing where she fit in in life. I agreed that, (besides being a new mom to a rainbow baby, I am so fortunate for this experience)… I don’t know where I fit in either. I don’t work, and besides raising a baby and a family…I don’t feel I have a tribe which has my same views on life. I really don’t connect and enjoy most people. But, I now remember that I do have a place to fit in… and it is right here at BAQS!!! ROCK ON MY FIERY FRIEND!! I am ready to put in energy to help!! Lets band together and be heard!!
When he pranced around after the House passed the so-called Health Bill, saying “how am I doing now” and “I’m the President,” I nearly puked. He’s making a mockery of the office, and at he same time he and his ilk scare the crap out of me.
We all need to do whatever we can…march, write letters, make phone calls…get on our high horses and make our voices heard.
Go, Maddy!
And this is why I love you.
Lead on oh brave one. I love it
Well said. I agree that if we are upset by what is happening we must make ourselves heard. But I hope that we can do it in a way that is not divisive or attacking the person we disagree with. This country’s great strength is the variety of people & ideas, & we need to respect our differences while standing up for others. We are an immigrant nation & a safe haven for those who are escaping tyranny. We need to protect our environment for our future generations. We have one small planet & developing it without regard for what we are destroying for financial gain is just wrong & shortsighted.
Thank you for being you! I’m in
More power to you Sister!! and to all the BAQs!! You are fierce in the best possible way. There are so many in this world without a voice. Let’s all try to give them one. I’m an Australian & way on the other side of the globe and (as MaryAnn Mings has dubbed him) the ‘crazy emperor’ is scaring the shit out of me! Naked or not, if he continues to treat the welfare of our planet, your country, and its Residents like a reality TV show, we are all heading to hell in a hand basket! I don’t have a great understanding of the way the USA is governed or how you all live, work & interact but that man is a despot in the making. His advisors must be very dangerous men. I guess their could be women among his cronies but not women like you or me or any of the Badass Quilters.
I’m in and I didn’t vote for the clown.
I’m in! I raised 2 strong daughters with the understanding there is no prince on a white horse. You give all you got and the word ‘no’ is not in your vocabulary. Count me in now and always Maddie!!
You go girl! I’m in!
I applaud you for saying out loud what so many so to themselves. I join you in the resistance to the changes being recommended for our country and our gender. Looking forward to your next post along with learning how to speak out myself.
Thank you! Just thank you for being there!
Im in
Thank you for this! I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said with one exception. I will never refer to 45 by name. I refuse to acknowledge that he is our alleged President. Rock on girl!
I also refuse to call him the “P” word… he doesn’t deserve my respect, or anyones respect.
I am in. A friend and I were talking on the phone the other day, and I said we seem to be saying “fuck” a lot more than we used to. She said, “Hard times call for hard words.” Fuck yeah.
I am Australian ,and this So called President has the power to impact the whole world with his idiotic behaviour .It is all a reality show scenario to him .What a petulant blob he is .If he was my child he would have his bum slapped every day until he grows up !!!He has the capacity to end the world as we know it ,just with a temper tantrum .I feel angry at all the people who did not vote in America .What a waste of opportunity .!! At least compulsory voting may have helped your country .I am 62 and sick of idiots ruling our world .!!!!!I hope we are all here to see him gone at your next elections .,sadlyI fear not .Good luck to the world .——–
I’m here for good! I despise this asshole of a president & I’m shocked by the people who support him! He can’t even string a sentence together and it’s bigly driving me crazy
You are stuck with me darlin…Drumpf is an asshat..I am sad..mad..and refuse to stfu..68 years of quiet is over..hugs to all
Thank you so much for being so brave and giving so many of us a place to feel support instead of fear.
I too am sickened about what is happening in this country. We have to resist the “rich white men” who are out to destroy all we know that is right. My son told me that I was supposed to demonstrate when I was a teenager, I did do one by accident – but that’s another story. My Mom told me that I had a vendetta against trump, and this is true. I demonstrate, I send post cards, I donate and I thank the Senators and Congressmen and women who are in there fighting for us. I am glad we can have fun but still be aware of what is happening. I love pretty quilts but I am awed by the political ones we are seeing.
I’m with you sister!
I have only made one quilt in my life. A Lone Star baby quilt for my sister in law’s hard won pregnancy. BUT, I know as I have always known, “What you do for the least of humanity, you do for me”.My late husband and I raise 3 strong girls, whole became 3 strong women who follow the same philosophy. No one has the right to tell you what to believe, much less say on your own page . You are a superstar in my book. Keep fighting for what you believe.
I have found my home!
Thank you. Every day, I am more disheartened, but sometimes a litle nugget of hope (like this from you) shines amidst all the dross/dregs…as they said in the olden days of the 60s…keep on keepin on!
Just recently started getting your emails! Love the BadAss attitude. Resist, empower and be heard!!
Wonderful words well said!!
Thank you!
Oh hell YES!
I’m in.
The good thing is that a lot of us, myself included, who have been pretty quiet are becoming more active and paying attention. We all have issues that we believe in; mine are abortion, gay equality, and adoptees’ rights. They will continue to be my main focus, but I will not sit by and allow someone who encourages hatred to take away rights of anyone!
I’m with ya, sister!
<3 vive La resistance!
You go, babe!
Thank you. I need a place to be angry and, as a retired therapist, I know that this is not a time to play neutral or act helpless in fear. I have used the word fuck more times in the last three months than the previous 68 years combined. And I am a also part of a sew along who erases any mention of the women’s March so…thank you for giving us a creative space to talk about the crazy emperor. Not making the naked man any clothes but I will share my quilts with anyone, any color, any faith…and support the rest of the Constitution
I’m a Canadian but I’m with you, full on.
You go girl.
thank you Maddie! people like you speaking up is what makes the quilting community open to all of us.
I’m in!
Well and truly said.
Amen! This is not the time to be silent. We are needed by those that cannot speak for themselves. Be ever vigilent my sisters
I am in!
Hear! Hear! Amen! Agree whole heartedly with the previous commenter who stated “there are no room for bystanders”.
OH, And…I want you to know that my sign at the Women’s March in Boston 2 weekends ago was a pink women’s lib insignia (70’s) appliquéd onto a quilted background. It also had a ribbon to hand around one’s neck. I made two. I gave one to an 8 year old girl who was sorry she didn’t have a sign. I’m hoping this will hang in her room a long time, making her an activist and a quilter for the rest of her life! #resist
Super!!! I’m not healthy enough to march, but I was with you in spirit
Well said. I’m in! We must fight this hatred and fear mongering and restore human rights–for all–in the USA.
I’m in! While I am sickened and disheartening at the trump presidency, I am just as encouraged at the level of activism that his presidency has spawned. I wondered if we would ever again see the great protests reminiscent of the Vietnam War era, and here we are. Keep on being badass, we need more badass in the world!
I’m in.
Thank you! I found this site post-election and was so very relieved. I love the “Create Resistance” artwork. Is it yours?