Better as a Memory? Chapter 2

​Chapter 2 

Saturday morning.

She wakes & looks at her phone…

has a text message from the guy she was dating,  one from her ex-husband & her best friend. 

The guy she was dating, well went on three dates with. She’ll just call him another liar. She caught him smoking a cigarette while she was in pool. He said that he liked hanging out at the pool, but there he was in jeans and a T-shirt sitting at a table. Then in his hand a cigarette, that he was trying to hide. Yeah she noticed, but didn’t bring it up cause her friends were there. She just kept quiet, kept her distance so after the date,  that night he messaged, did I do something wrong? She texted, Yep actions speak louder than words and I saw you smoking. He texted, So we’re done talking ? Yep we’re done talking, she texted back. 

 He texted something about another chance & that he hadn’t smoked in 20 years. She texted, stop texting or I’ll block you, we are not going to work out. 

Then she reads what her ex husband texted.  “I’m not in a financial position to go on trip, it’s not fair that you won’t give me a chance. Do you even know where I live or work?.” She text back, “ none of that matters don’t you see that we don’t have the same interest? Nothing more to say.” 

She texted her best friend back, “Good morning. I ended it with the smoking liar by text & then I stupidly texted the ex husband.” She texted , “Oh no and why text the ex husband?” She text, “Well he sent me a message again about giving him another chance and I just gave him an ultimatum, that if he goes on the singles cruise than I would.” 

She text, “oh no, why you do that? You know you got to stop hoping he’s changed? Isn’t he engaged to someone else.” She text, “ I just want him to see that we don’t like to do the same things. He texted a few weeks ago that he is engaged but that she is still married, that he really wants me back. Which is exactly the opposite of a changed person. I can’t even believe that he has the nerve to ask me out! I’m so frustrated with relationships & dating that I stupidly texted him back!” 

She text Beth, “Do you actually want him to show up on the cruise?” 

She returns with this text, “I don’t know anymore, is my life a movie? In the movies the ex shows up & everyone lives happily ever after. I just want a vacation. I’m trying to put myself out there. I doubt I’ll fall in love on a cruise but perhaps make friendships. I’m looking for establishing friendship first. I’m a mess, I’m guarded and not looking for hookups.” 

She text Beth back, “I know you are frustrated and are going through this as best you can in being business-like. I’m sorry about the smoking liar. You got to ignore your ex husband, he’s not truthful and not sure what he’ll do knowing about your trip.” She texts, “I know better than to play into his messages, but then I did, ugh well I’m not gonna stress over it. I’ll just ignore him. Thanks for listening to me & being my best friend.” She text Beth back, “I’m sorry you gotta go through this but I’m here for you, want the best for you and love you.” 

Beth knows she is so blessed to have best friends like this. She delete her ex husband’s new text messages about how he’s changed & deserves a second chance. She deletes the message from the lying smoker too.

 She opens the match app to see if she has any new messages. She has a few so she responds, “Thanks for the likes. however, be sure to read my profile and then let me know if you are still interested in texting to get to know more about each other I’m not looking for a hook up but friendship first.” 

The singles cruise is in 50 days. 

Better as a Memory? Chapter 1

 Better as a Memory?

It’s in a line from a song on the Kenny Chesney album, The Poets & Pirates album. Little did Beth know that it would become her reality. 

Back when she was young & dumb, she fell in love. The hard & fast kind. Something just overtook her, the summer she turned 19. 

This person is better as a memory. They didn’t work. They just don’t, but years after their divorce, he came to her, by text message, begging for another chance. Usually, she ignored these texts, but one night she texted him back.  

She gave him an ultimatum. Did he go for it? 

This is that story. 

Chapter 1

 

Memories, oh how they can haunt you but then they can make you smile. Beth does not regret the memories she has because they have made her who she is. She is a single mom, of a college aged kid, who has survived divorce. She started to put herself out in this dating world. First, by doing things that she has interest in. She took a solo road trip in an RV, that 8 month adventure is another story for another day. She got scuba diving certified, went diving in Ohio’s Lake Erie and thought about skydiving, but then the thought of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, well that is an adventure she just hasn’t brought to fruition. Now she is trying online dating and oh what an adventure that is. So far, they all tell her what she wants to hear, but their actions don’t match. 

She has gone to several therapists and did a local Divorce Survivor class. She has learned to be business-like. She has chosen to be a person of chastity. What does that mean? Well it looks like this, she is looking for friendship first and dates that include going for a meal, walks, swimming or a similar activity. Her dating profile states; 

 

“I’m a single mom, Educator, Teacher and inspiring changemaker. In 2021, I wintered in Florida; Ohio is my home. Warm weather adventures needed! Applying & thinking about a Doctorate.

I’m confident that with the right person, a long distance, committed relationship can work. I don’t want to pay your way, I’m self employed and pay my own. 

I told God, you’ll have to send a BIG sign, I do not trust easily and I’m probably jaded. I’m for building friendship first. 

My future husband is a Father and/or Uncle, responsible, kind, helpful & understands who I am; plans Weekend fun! I Want to be fun Grandparents some day. 

Prenup is a must! 

Biden Harris 2020 

I don’t always vote under 1 political party. 

I have alopecia so I wear a hat or hair clip in, like Dolly Parton! 

I’m a Writer of stories & songs, lyricist in addition to my blog. 

I’m allergic to Dogs, like them but can’t share a bedroom etc.”

This is what she decided to say. What would you say? Anyways, business like she keeps telling herself and remember you going to meet a lot of people, so be prepared to be nice but stick to the business, friendship plan. This is the only way she can even allow herself to go through this process. 

She messaged those who sned her a like or Hi, she texts, “Any questions? Did you read my profile ?’ Most of the men don’t, she assumes they message her after liking the pictures. This is flattering at first, but it’s not real. She says thanks and ask them to read & review because, remember, she is being business like with friendship first. Some delete her & some ask to meet up. 

Also, she is business like with her ex husband, father of her child. He messages and usually ends up asking her out. Asking for another chance, why or why is he? To her, he’s better as a memory. The past is the past. She was frustrated one weekend after a failed date. Her ex-husband sends her a text. 

 

“Just want to spend time with you and be with you and love each other is that too much to ask to want to be with you no matter what, I have changed.” 

Seriously, she thought. His actions don’t match his words. We don’t even like doing the same things. We share a child together, that’s the only reason I take his texts and don’t block him. He never learned to be business like. Ugh 

As she was drinking a rum & diet, she text him back. 

“Well I joined Match dating site again … they have a singles trip… I’m going … if you have changed & think you are for me then you’d be able to go too… that’s what I’m

looking for… someone who can & would go on trips like this…”

He text back “really, send me info”

She sends a number to the travel agent, “you call & set it up. I’m not helping you.”

“I’m really gonna try to make it” he texted 

 Then he text, so if I can’t go you won’t give me another chance?”

She waits, takes a drink, starting to feel a little tipsy she texts… 

“Yes, that’s right this is an ultimatum… and I’m playing the field, weighing my options & being business like … friendship first… if you want to prove to me you’ve changed & have same interests, then you will go on the trip.”

She laughed out loud to herself and decided to go to bed.

Non-matching washer and dryer kind of people - that’s me

 Recently, I downsized and moved into a one bedroom manufactured home. 

I have an area just at the end of my kitchen for my washer and dryer so you can see them from my living room, bedroom and from everywhere so they are a focal point. I only needed to purchase a dryer, so I looked for a used one. I ended up purchasing one that does not match. 

Immediately I thought to myself why is this bothering me? Why am I overthinking this? 

Why am I overthinking this, Ahhhhh the joys of anxiety & overthinking!!!

I use to have them in my basement. 

Then I had to research it.

How many have a washer & dryer? 

“… But how many live above the "Wash line?" Rosling asked. How many of the world's seven billion have access to a washing machine? Only two billion.”

Only 2 out of 7 billion do !!! Wow, I’m fortunate. Can you imagine handwashing clothes? 5 billion are. Read that again 5 billion people in the world are hand washing their clothes.  

I remember that my Grandma didn’t have a washing machine. 

I remember comments about clothes drying on the line being a sign of someone less than. Yet, when I owned my big house I clotheslined & dried stuff which saved me hundreds in electricity. I enjoyed hanging clothes on the line. I still hang some things up to air dry.  

I am still getting used to my new living arrangements. I am missing some of the things about my old big house. I am fortunate that I have a washing machine and now a dishwasher. Yes, I never had a dishwasher before. 

So yeah I’m one of those people, non matching washer & dryer people. If you don’t understand that then you don’t get me.

Book Proposal - Dear White Son

 Book Proposal/Synopsis/Manuscript

1/ Who I am as an Author;

I am a 25+ year teacher, who tutor, reads to children and coaches a swim team. I resigned in July of 2021, from my 22 year assignment as an urban, inner city public school teacher. Also, I was an alumnus of this same district. During this time I became a divorce survivor and single mom. Mom of an almost 19 year white male. 

The Trump presidency era has brought out so many details in the reality of my life and I can no longer be quiet.

I need to tell my story to white people, especially white men, because I know they can take it. 

As an aspiring writer, during the Covid Crisis, I spent time working on my writing again. First, I met with a song lyricist and shared a piece I wrote. I have a BMI account but I am not sure, write songs, short stories or a book. I read books and am always researching. 

2/ Similar Books;

-White Fragility

-Hillbilly Elegy

-The American Dream

-Why I no Longer Talk to White People About Race

-Push Out; The criminalization of black girls in schools

These are just a few of the books that I have read in the last few years and that lead me to want to write my own story. 

3/ Why my book matters & who needs to read it;

 My white son, father and brother need to read it, or atleast listen to the audio version because I love them but I can still tell them and other white males that they need to wake up!

 My brown/black cousins and students need to read it because I want them to know that I saw them, I heard and I want to do better, actually I want all Americans to do better. 

I know we, as Americans can do better! 

Synopsis

Am I Just a White Female Teacher?

11-2-2015

As I sit in the airport terminal in Washington DC, I reflect upon the journey that has brought me here. I began my teaching career, as a High School student enrolled in an Early Childhood Education career center class. I wanted to be a Kindergarten Teacher. I was always one who put the children first, thinking how I could teach them in a fun way. I was eager to learn so I took every internship, class assignment and babysitting opportunity that came my way. I was very observant and would help tie shoes, wipe noses, entertain or do what I felt was needed. Supervising teachers told me that I had the gift.

As a career center student I decided to create a community service project. I wrote a skit to teach young children the importance of bike safety and helmet use. A group of my classmates helped me pull this off and we presented to several preschool and elementary settings. I presented my project at the regional and state FCCLA competition in hopes of winning and being able to go to nationals in Florida. I was young and wanted to get out of Ohio. I ended up losing the competition and not traveling to Florida with my school. I was angry but the following year came back as an FCCLA judge, because I understood the power that the project gave me, even though I lost.   

I worked two part time jobs and attend a community college full-time but still stayed networked with my former career teachers and FCCLA. I was finding my path. In 2011, I was hired as the Early Childhood Education Career Teacher for the district I graduated from and replaced one of my mentor teachers. I am one of her success stories because she empowered me and modeled. I had no idea of the battle I would have to obtain a Teaching License in Ohio and that is an even longer story... I will share my survivor story of the Ohio Resident Educator process another day, because today I want to tell you how I came to be in DC by joining the Teacher Leadership Initiative.

My grandfather was very stern, real and set in his humble ways. He told me that unions are what saved Americans from the great depression and he should know, he lived it. My grandfather retired from the Columbus Fire Department the year I was born. I knew as a young girl that my Dad, who was a non-union blue collar worker, struggled to make ends meet and would tell me of the corruptness at his job. My Mom, a devoted stay at home Mom and Grandma, worked briefly for a retailer. My Dad would say get a union job, if you’re going to do this teacher thing. Teaching and little Director Experience in the private sector frustrated me and I was feeling a call to public school.

At 21 with an Associate Degree and Ohio Pre-Kindergarten teaching certificate, my mentor Teacher asked me to apply for an assistant position. In 1999, I started my career teaching public school children. I was a non-traditional college student, back before it was defined. For two years I got involved in the school and with my local classified union. In 2008, after earning my Master’s Degree in Education, I transferred unions and positions, becoming a Teacher and part of the NEA. I have passion for what I do and for all Teachers! It makes me upset that Charter and Private school teachers are underpaid. They are not my enemies; I know that they have a passion to educate, just like I do.

The education systems in America frustrate me, as I read about mismanagement of money, data scrubbing in all school settings and as a classroom Teacher who was navigating my own district’s confusing path to obtain funds, for real world field trip opportunities; I read my local union’s newsletter for the TLI project. I signed up that day, back in the fall of 2014. I had no idea that my work would be selected to represent the 1,000 public school teachers who make up TLI. I am humbled and thankful for the honor of this opportunity. My work is not over and that is why I am joining my local union as a member of the “Social & Economic Justice Committee,” advocating for education and poverty in America.

The journey still continues, so stay tuned, because I will need your help in making sure our point is heard by the powers in Washington D.C. 

11-19-2017

"This Wednesday was the 298th day of the year. There are 67 days left in 2017. If the current pace of killing keeps up, 2017 might close with 132 homicides. The city’s record, which came in 1991 when Columbus was in the throes of the crack-cocaine epidemic, stands at 139." -Decker (The Columbus Dispatch 10-27-17)

What is common about today & 1991... Racial tension, poverty, drug addiction, gun violence, homicides...

I have had so much weighing on mind over the past couple of years. Racism and prejudice is something I strive to be aware of and to not fall to everyday. I want to believe that I am colorblind and just see people, especially students, for who they show me that they are. The reality is that I have prejudices. It was so powerful on Tuesday 10-24-17, when Suzanne Roberts of Unifying Solutions, as a white women, who grew up in Bexley, Ohio said, "I am a racist." This was during a training meeting with fellow teachers, who are a part of the "Social and Economic Justice" group. I began to think, well then we all are racist. 

I chose to be apart of this group because I am a survivor of poverty and the inner city, just like the students I teach. I really want to be involved with issues regarding the affects of social & economic injustices. I tend to follow my ideology that poverty is what connects us; us meaning all of the races; Caucasian/white, African-american/black, Hispanic, Asian, Native-American and etc. I feel that the media and people of wealth use our skin color & race differences, to turn us against each other. I have to admit that it is difficult to explain my thoughts to my white friends or any of my friends. I said in a group meeting that I feel that my white family and friends struggle to see "white privilege," because they are still struggling with poverty. The struggle is real. 

I work 2 jobs trying to make ends meet. I have applied and looked for 1 job that would pay me more, but I don't think it exists. My son attends a public suburban school and I have to pick up working events that puts funds in his account along with the booster's, because I can't afford to pay the "pay to play fees." If a scholarship was available, I probably just made a little too much for it. My white friends will say things well how much did they spend on entertainment... that tattoo...that vacation? Then I start to feel ashamed that I go on vacations or buy tickets to a concert. Does this really matter? Poorer than you or me people don't deserve to travel or take a vacation, to relax or enjoy paying to be entertained? If I can't help my white friends see that poor people deserve a life too, then how will I help them see white privilege?

I had no idea that states drew red lines, meaning banks give home loans in certain zip codes to white families and then other zip codes of depreciating value to blacks. I had no idea that blacks were not recruited to fight in World War II which meant they were not recipients of the first GI Bill monies. I knew, from my urban public school 8th grade African-american history teacher, Mr. Milner, that a slave only counted as 3/5 of a person. Also, I graduated from East High School, located in a historical African-American neighborhood, because at the time I was white and got bused there due to the desegregation efforts of the district; meaning instead of walking to my neighborhood school, I got on a bus and went from the west side to the east side, so the school could be more equal of white and black students. Again, I learned that we collectively have more in common, mostly due to the struggles of poverty, than are uncommon factors, meaning the color of our skin. 

Another thing I know is that my grandparents were born into poverty and 3 generations later that I am doing a little better then they were. My fraternal Grandfather enlisted in the Army during World War II at the age of 17. My maternal grandfather was Cherokee Indian, looked it up and was a butcher in Columbus, he knew not to tell people that he was an Indian from Kentucky. Even my fraternal Grandfather, who I love dearly, said that my mom came form the other side of the tracks, from the hillbillies. In his time you married your own people, my Dad was Irish Catholic but didn't marry someone more like him. The fact is, my Indian Grandfather got paid a lot less in his lifetime compared to my white Irish Grandfather. I got the impression from my grandparents that we don't trust black people. Thus, in the 1990's when one of my white girl cousins got pregnant with a black baby, it brought some of this up. 

Prejudice and racism is always a part of who we are and it is around us. I do not have all the answers, but what I have shared today, is what is in my heart.

I had insulting racist comments said to me, from both white and black people, while I was a 16 year old carrying my 5 month old baby boy cousin, who is biracial but looks black, so is he just black? Today he is in his twenties and he has to face this world as a black man, I worry about that. I can't fully know what that is like. I refuse to just be another white female teacher, yes I am white and yes I chose to be a teacher but I question everything around me. I always think twice before I write up a student, is it because of a repeated behavior and does have to do with their color or if they are male?

I can see that the education system is leaving African-Americans out. How have I seen this? A few years ago, my teaching assignment including me reading test questions to students who was given this accommodation. I began to see that these students were mostly African-American males, next group white males, so mostly males and then a few African-American girls with a couple bilingual children. I began reading about the school to prison pipeline. I believe "white privilege," because I can see it year after year, in the number of African-American children retesting or having challenges to get to that Ohio High School diploma, this is just one of the main things I see directly. 

I will leave you some resources to reference. One is a quiz I took from Harvard that helps you determine your bias. I scored as moderate, "automatic preference for white over black images of people's faces. Also, I preference males with family and females with career. I was trying to not show any bias as I sorted face images to good or bad words and I have been told I am pro women, but my results showed differently. Thus, I have to own it. 

I will use my voice to provide equity of opportunity for all to eliminate division and promote coexistence. 

IAT test/s is available at;  http://havard.ed/implicit/takeatest.html 

Other sources; 

Elliot, Jane. "Blue-eye/Brown-eye Experiment" Retrieved 10-27-17 https://youtu.be/1CtrpLh6TKk

Green, Laci. "Is Racism Over Yet? Retrieved 10-24-17 https://youtu.be/h_hx30zOi9I

Johnson, Tracey D. (March 2016). Columbus Education Association, Community in Crisis Summit. 

Pinto, Erica. "The Unequal Opportunity Race." Short film for the African American Policy Forum" Retrieved 10-26-17 https://youtu.be/vX_Vzl-r8NY

NEA (2014) Restorative Practices: Fostering Healthy Realtionships & Promoting Positive Discipline in Schools."  Download toolkit: www.otlcampaign.org/restorative-practices 

Roberts, Suzanne and Erin Upchurch. (September 2017) Unifying Solutions in conjunction with Safe Conversation About Race. 

The Southern Poverty Law Center. Let's Talk! Discussing Race, Racisim and other Difficult Topics with Students. Teaching Tolerance. Retrieved tolerance.org/materials/orders 

White, Sr., James A. (October 2017) Performance Consulting Services. www.safeconversationaboutrace.com   https://www.facebook.com/healingtheSCAR

Dear White Son

Dear White son, Dear white father, brother

I love you but sorry not sorry.

America gave you a leg up, steps forward. 

It’s time, time for you to listen, that your journey is not ours. 

Those who are female,

Those who are black, brown, those behind the whites.

Dear White son, Dear white father, brother

I love you but sorry not sorry.

America gave you a leg up, steps forward. 

I am a woman. 

I have not gone mad.

I have become educated, knowledgeable, powerful, sad.

Fucking furious as Sophie Heawood.

Dear White son, Dear white father, brother

I love you but sorry not sorry.

America gave you a leg up, steps forward. 

It’s not easy to make it in your Daddy’s world,

This man’s club of founding fathers,

Can you hear me,

Can you hear me,

Can you hear the brown and black voices,

Can you hear?

Can you do better?

We can do better.

Dear White son, Dear white father, brother

I love you but sorry not sorry.

America gave you a leg up, steps forward.

Can you see?

See, 75% black brown verses 17% white taken 

Taken out by police.

Let’s talk about these games,

Games on these streets. 

We gotta question this system 

Dear White son, Dear white father, brother

I love you but sorry not sorry.

America gave you a leg up, steps forward.

It’s time to stop fighting change. 

What are you afraid of?

Poverty?

Whatta you gotta lose?

By Rebecca McGrath-Hinkle

mrs.mcgrathh@gmail.com

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http://linkedin.com/in/rebecca-mcgrath-hinkle-289856b8

 

I need support financially to focus on and continue writing my story. 

I hope you enjoyed my start. 

I appreciate any support or feedback. 

• Mrs. McGrath- H.

“Ain't no gangsters living in paradise”

 October 2022 

Coolio the writer and rapper of the song, “Gangsters in Paradise,” passed away a few days ago. It has me thinking about my childhood in Columbus, Ohio &  my 20+ years teaching in Columbus public schools…Damn how the gangster life has just grown and or how the idea of it has flourished.

Instead of it stopping, or slowing like I thought it would back when Coolio first rapped this song along with LV who so beautifully sang.

It is chilling. 

Ain’t that the damn truth…. there ain’t no gangsters living in paradise ! 

The inner city looks like a living hell to me, like a zombie apocalypse as real as ever to my eyes.

I survived these streets. I got out, barely.  

I drive these streets, I see them, someone’s child out here chasing something or running. 

They’ll survive, like me or will they die? 

But they’ll never forget because these streets define you…

This gangster paradise will cause trauma; trauma that you got to overcome.

Many leave and never look back. Some have so much anger that they blame the ones still in it, the ones playing the game? 

They become afraid to return and paint them worse than what they once were.

They have recovered & rebuilt, but they forget how one falls into that paradise illusion.

I became an educator. 

I watched young people, over and over keep stumbling into this gangsters paradise. 

Thinking they can do it better than those before, or thinking that they are gonna die anyways so why not chase it. 

It’s a hard lesson to learn.   

With young adults not having a developed prefrontal cortex, how can we stop the risky gangsta paradise try out period that some gotta try? 

I don’t see an end in sight, the Gangsters Paradise lures some in and then spits them out. 

One thing is clear as Coolio’s song, “There ain't no gangsters living in paradise.”

What do you think?

-Mrs Mc

My lived experiences with regard to Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in ECE setting

 My lived experiences with regard to Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in ECE setting

My lived experiences with regard to justice is that I have seen bad things happen to good people. I have seen those with wealth get less jail or prison time than a poor person who committed similar crimes. I have taught numerous young children who have incarcerated parents. More often, these children have been or are African-American or Hispanic. I have had conversations with the parent or guardian who is raising the child of the incarcerated parent, about how to support learning for the child. I have had to prove that I am different, that I care and teach with meaning, To change the reality of the moment for them and to empower them to find their place in this world as a learner. That is why I am an advocate for social, economic injustices and system reform in America. 

My lived experiences with regard to diversity is that I have been the only whilte person to walk into a room. The first time, I realized how one feels to not see a familiar face. While attending a historically Black High School as a white student, I became awakened to diversity in a new context. It forever changed me. I wrote a poem, lyric titled, “Dear White Son.” I explain that it has not been easy growing up in my White Father’s world. I do not believe anyone hates white men, however, it is time for them to be woken up. To be aware of their implicit bias and change the old ways. Diversity needs to be embraced and more people need a leg up. I look for children’s books that tell real historical fiction stories of triumphs from living in poverty stricken rural and urban settings. 

My lived experiences with regard to equity is that as a single woman, I am paid less for the degrees that I have. I am trying to survive and provide for my child as the breadwinner. On average, as a divorced single mom my net worth is quite less than a single father. Equity is not the same as equality, that saying equal but separate, is living proof of this. As a white single mother, I can fake it and blend in easier. I do not like to, but I have learned my power in that. This is why I am an advocate for and pointing out inequities by questioning the status quo. I want to talk to parents who are not able to come to Open Houses, Conference nights, etc. I make phone calls and make home visits to meet them where they are. I need to get their feedback on the school their child attends by putting a live face to the school name. It is getting to know all the parents, not just the ones who can donate money or time to school events. 

My lived experiences with inclusion is that it is not easy. Real inclusion means trying new things to help children achieve the learning outcome. I question teachers who blame the parents and who refuse to think outside of the box to help a child gain new skills. I question teachers who say, “They won’t have it easy in the real world, I‘m not spoon feeding them now.” I questioned this mindset because to embrace real inclusion we do need to rethink the cruelty of the world and how we are dis-included people. I have held leadership accountable to provide equipment and technology to achieve learning outcomes. I have been the Intervention Specialist and the General/Regular Education teacher in an inclusion classroom setting. I strive to include all students by building relationships with them to help them meet learning outcomes.

What are your lived experiences ?

FaceTime, Zoom & Video Conferencing; Technological Innovation for Positive Social Outcomes

 Communication through video calling advances in technology have created positive social outcomes, especially during the Pandemic but in ways to help all of us who get busy living life. I often video conference using FaceTime with my immediate family. It brings a sense of closeness to a phone conversation. During the Covid Closure of 2020, I learned to use Facebook Messenger with my android friends and family. Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meets, and other formats have added social interactions to phone calls and added to our message of togetherness, even when we can’t actually be together. 

I know that some people had Video call fatigue, however, without it we would have lost valuable connections with our workplace, colleagues, friends, and family during the Pandemic. The fatigue comes with all staff meetings.  I feel that the effects of loneliness during the Pandemic would have been worse without video calling. I remember playing video games with groups of people through Facebook Messenger and the laughs were nonstop. I know that the service of the internet showed inequities in certain neighborhoods during the Pandemic, but overall most found ways to communicate using some type of video platform. 

I do not have statistics on the positive effects at the moment, but I feel that video calling is here to stay and has positively impacted our personal and professional phone conservations. I did find this quote, 

“VIDEOCONFERENCING HAS BECOME TOO BIG A PART OF LIFE FOR APPLE TO TREAT AS A MINOR PART OF ITS PORTFOLIO (Fast Company 6-9-2021).” 

This confirms that video calling platforms are in need when articles are mentioning that companies need to invest more time to improve them. Many people have to work far away from beloved family and friends, so video calling can connect us and has made a positive impact on our relationships. 

What are your thoughts?

-Rebecca McGrath-Hinkle

mrs.mcgrathh@gmail.com