It Can Happen Here

 In addition to witnessing a national embarrassment in the form of a presidential "debate", we also were subjected, in no uncertain terms, to an authoritarian demagogue's direct appeal to a neo-Nazi, white supremacist group to consolidate power, threaten violence, and actively promote the undermining of the democratic process itself. Make no mistake: the ugly face of Fascism was on full display tonight as a harbinger of what is to come in Trump's vision of America's immediate future.

A Timely Recommendation

Just finished watching James Baldwin's I Am Not Your Negro again on Netflix. In this pivotal time of societal change and collective reckoning, Baldwin's words echo with a clarion call for genuine understanding, thoughtful reflection, honest assessment of our troubled past, deep compassion, and a thoughtful recognition of our need for authentic reconciliation.

A Study In Contrast

While listening to President Obama's stirring tribute to civil rights legend John Lewis earlier today we were reminded of the eloquence of his oratory, the clarity of his thought, the sharpness of his intellect, the quality of his character, the depth of his feeling, the scope of his historical vision, and the warmth of his humanity. These perceptions stand in obvious and stark contrast with the Current Occupant's hateful and divisive speech, the discursive nature of his thought, his utter lack of intellectual curiosity, the corrosive meanness of his demeanor, his conspicuous lack of compassion, his appalling ignorance of history, and his inability/unwillingness to make genuine human connection. Today's speech by Obama revealed the duel realities of how far we have descended in terms of national leadership and also what is possible in terms of the expression of authentic American values.

Moving Toward Authentic Reconciliation

The issue at hand involves coming to an awareness, as a society, of the reality that the lives of POC (especially black lives) have not mattered in the same way that members of the dominant, white culture have been regarded. One of the principal reasons that this issue has reached a point of critical mass is the very real way in which the country is changing demographically. Very soon in our evolution, the white race will no longer be dominant in America and, as a consequence, our institutions are bound to reflect this change. For many of us, this change is a welcomed event, signaling a new, vibrant, multi-cultural, and more inclusive nation of fellow citizens. To others, it signals a loss of power and identity.
In order for us to move forward in unity and to heal internal wounds long left unattended, we must now come together in an honest confrontation of our past for the purpose of genuine reconciliation.
Once again, let us fully embrace the notion that all lives will never matter until and unless black (and all POC) lives also matter. Let's now commit to doing the work necessary to make this vision a living reality.

The Consequence of Stupidity

It was just announced that the freedom-loving patriots, who regard their defiance of the CDC's guidelines in the midst of a global pandemic as an act of personal liberty rather than necessary compliance to a public health imperative, have changed their battle cry/motto from 'live free or die' to the more accurate 'live free AND die'!

A Call For Reflection

In solidarity with Black Lives Matter and today's Black Out invocation, I invite you all to join me as we spend a period of time in deep reflection regarding ways in which we might help to eradicate racism...first in our own heart and then in the heart of the nation as we attempt to genuinely heal from this persistent wound. Perhaps we can make it a daily practice.

Hope Amid Tragedy

A hopeful consequence of the current upheaval in the wake of Mr. Floyd's murder is that in addition to 'justice' being regarded as an ideal and a somewhat abstract noun; it, like 'love', will now become an active and impactful verb commonly practiced throughout this ever-evolving society.