Purveyors of Hope

Throughout history, great leaders have always been purveyors of hope. I believe that is why Barack Obama was able to become the first Black elected to the presidency. He came along at just the right time and told us to hope. But, more important than just words, he lead the way. His actions confirmed his words.

Now, we are at a crossroad in our history. Do we want to take the road that leads back to the past? Or do we want to step boldly into the future? Again, President Obama is telling and showing us the way forward. He changed his views on marriage equality and he is leading us to examine our core beliefs regarding many other issues from pay equity to race relations. He's challenged us to look at poverty, segregation by income rather than merely race. He's asked us just recently to look at how we view gun ownership and the ease by which individuals can obtain guns.

But, here's the deal. Great leaders can't do it alone. We must all become purveyors of hope, right where we are! How, you ask? I know you have all kinds of reasons why you can't. But, you can! You  know you can. Everyone can do something!

Pick an issue dear to your heart. Give it some thought, do some research. Then, tell the world what you believe. #SpeakUP There are many ways to #SpeakUp for issues/causes that grip you. Here's just a few:  get a button or bumper sticker and display it proudly; write a letter to the editor of your local paper; start a blog and share it with friends on Facebook. Find a group that also supports your cause and join up to volunteer your time and money.

If we all answer our president's call to action, everyday in our own ways, we can make this world a better place for everyone.

A Comfortable Silence

Today our president, Barack Obama, gave a powerful eulogy at the funeral of Rev. Clementa  Pinckney. He told the story of Pinckney's life like he always tells the stories, with grace, eloquence, and dignity. He reminded Americans of the challenges ahead of us as we face the racism and hatred that plagues our society. He asked us not to fall into a "Comfortable Silence". He reminded us how racism and easy access to a gun took the lives of nine people having a prayer meeting in a historic AME church in Charleston, SC. He also reminded us of how we stirred when another person used a gun to take the lives of innocent first graders in Newtown. We asked for change; but were met by resistance.

Will you answer Barack Obama's call to action? Or will you fall back into a comfortable silence? Everyday, in every way, we make our decisions of how we will spend our time and money. There's much you can do. Start here:  http://www.splcenter.org/ Use it's resources to educate yourself about the hate groups pervading our country. Send them some money.

Here's another place:  http://www.ywca.org/site/c.cuIRJ7NTKrLaG/b.7515807/k.2737/YWCA__Eliminating_Racism_Empowering_Women.htm  They have two mandates:  eliminate racism and empower women. Do those ideals appeal to you? Then, send them money. Support your local YWCA.

There are literally hundreds of organizations working to improve life for ALL Americans. Pick one, sign up, use your time and money to make our world a better place. But, don't fall into a comfortable silence ever again.

Root Out and Replace

I had a plant in the corner of my garden. I put it there for a reason. It was to fill up an empty space. That's why I planted it. And for awhile it worked well.

But, it soon became a menace. It took over my garden. I tried to cut it back and contain it. But, it was relentless! I determined that it had to die. But, I soon learned that killing it was easier said than done. I put weed killer on it, covered it with tarps and old rugs, and even piled lawn furniture on it in hopes of success. After the winter, I uncovered it. It was still alive. So I burned it.!

But, I wasn't finished yet. The root was still there and it would send out shoots to re-establish itself. So, I had to dig! And then, we hooked a chain around it and used our truck to uproot that plant!

Finally, I'd won. I raked and covered the area with weed prevention fabric and rocks and added containers all around. Now, I had a rock garden in place of the invasive plant.

I'm telling you about this project because I think America must begin a similar one in confronting the pervasive and invasive racism that has grown up in our garden. It's roots go deep like the ones in my garden. We have our challenge ahead. But, if we persist and try whatever methods we need, we can get the job done.

Will you help? Here's an article to get you started: http://illinoistimes.com/article-14969-rooting-out-systemic-racism.html

No Apologies

If you are waiting for Barack Obama to say he's sorry he used the word "nigger" in his podcast with Marc Maron, you may have to wait a long time. He's not backing off from his comments and I support him. Occasionally, someone has to hit the proverbial nail on the head. That's what he did today and it's time we all #SpeakUP. We must take a hard look at the racism in our society. You can get the podcast here:  http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_613_-_president_barack_obama

The Mean Progressive tells media to grow up. She lays out in video clips how RW/GOP speakers get a pass on their racist comments. I would encourage everyone to read her post and view the video clips. She charges (and I agree) that media is complicit in the " racism so pervasive in our society when you give a voice to the racist actors and do not either condemn them or ask your audience for reflection. " http://www.meanprogressive.com/2015/06/dear-media-grow-up.html?m=1

Do you agree that racism is alive and thriving in our USA? Then,  let's #SpeakUP and do something positive to further the dialogue.

 Here's a place to start:  http://www.charleshamiltonhouston.org/  Charles J. Ogletree, Jr. , Obama's former law professor at Harvard is the founding member. This project is a way to share the stories of places striving to be inclusive:  http://www.charleshamiltonhouston.org/portfolio/one-nation-indivisible/

There are many groups who are working for justice. We can erase the stigma of racism if we band together. 

#StandingUp to Bigotry

When confronted by someone's bigotry, have you ever lectured/moralized, gotten sarcastic, tuned out, questioned, changed the subject, walked away, etc? These responses usually end up in a lose-lose outcome. We can and must do better.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has produced a booklet suggesting effective ways for us to respond to bigotry. You can access it here:  http://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/downloads/publication/splcspeak_up_handbook_0.pdf

This booklet covers: WHAT CAN I DO AMONG FAMILY? WHAT CAN I DO AMONG FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS? WHAT CAN I DO AT WORK? WHAT CAN I DO AT SCHOOL? WHAT CAN I DO IN PUBLIC?

A section towards the end covers six steps for Speaking Up to Everyday Bigotry:
Be Ready
Set Limits
Find an ally/be an ally
Identify the Behavior
Be Vigilant
Appeal to Principles

Will you take the pledge to Speak up?

THE SPEAK UP! PLEDGE Commit to respond to everyday bias and bigotry. Sign and place this pledge card in your wallet, book bag or desk drawer, or post it on your wall. Also use these pledge cards as a part of a campaign in your workplace or school, making as many photocopies as you need. Post the pledge in public places, encouraging others to join. Because what we say matters. I PLEDGE TO SPEAK UP! In pledging to respond to everyday bigotry, I will:  Speak up when I hear or see bigotry;  Question and identify bias when I see it;  Be mindful of my own behaviors;  Promote and appeal to higher principles;  Set limits on what is said or done around me;  Seek help and help others to work against bigotry; and  Remain vigilant and persistent.

Together, we can erase the stain that has infected our country.

Juneteenth

I wrote this before the Charleston AME church shootings. The Black community is now in mourning. How can they celebrate their freedom when they are still being murdered in church? Now, can we, as a nation, face the reality that we have a very long way to go in our fight for justice for ALL? Read on to learn the meaning of this day and for a call to action.

If you go to Juneteenth.com, you can read the story of what is considered Independence Day for Black Americans. In this day and age of instant communication, it's hard to realize how long it took for news to travel.

"Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19^th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment,the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance."

We know that many did not celebrate the end of slavery. We know that forces to this day have conspired to keep Black people at a disadvantage. But, Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the beginning of freedom and to celebrate and educate. 

While it has been 152 years since Lincoln signed the document, we still have our work cut out for us in combating racism, fighting for economic justice, standing up for voting rights and many other issues facing our country. 

Working together, we can elect candidates to represent us at all levels from the school board and town council to the United States Congress and the White House. We need to take care that those whom we elect are committed to fighting for social justice and economic opportunity for all Americans.

Will you help? Find a way to get involved. Learn about candidates and issues. Be sure to register to vote. Help others get registered and informed. 

The Propaganda Machine

Nearly a year ago, I warned readers to beware the propaganda machine. Every election cycle, we have professional campaign managers who know these techniques. As consumers of information about candidates and their agenda's, we need to be knowledgeable of the ways they attempt to sway us and command our attention. So, here's a repeat of the major propaganda strategies:  

1. Panic Mongering: "This goes one step beyond simple fear mongering. With panic mongering, there is never a break from the fear. The idea is to terrify and terrorize the audience during every waking moment."
2. Character assignation/ad hominem: Here the media "go after the person's credibility, motives, intelligence, character, or, if necessary, sanity. No category of character assassination is off the table and no offense is beneath them. "
3. Projection/Flipping: " involves taking whatever underhanded tactic you're using and then accusing your opponent of doing it to you first. "
4. Scapegoating/othering: "The simple idea is that if you can find a group to blame for social or economic problems, you can then go on to a) justify violence/dehumanization of them, and b) subvert responsibility for any harm that may befall them as a result."
5. Rewriting history: "This is another way of saying that propagandists make the facts fit their worldview."
6. Conflating violence with power and opposition to violence with weakness: "it has the potential to make people feel falsely emboldened by shows of force - it can turn wars into sporting events. "
7. Bullying: "Bullying and yelling works best on people who come to the conversation with a lack of confidence, either in themselves or their grasp of the subject being discussed. The bully exploits this lack of confidence by berating the guest into submission or compliance."
8. Confusion: "As with the preceding technique, this one works best on an audience that is less confident and self-possessed. The idea is to deliberately confuse the argument, but insist that the logic is airtight and imply that anyone who disagrees is either too dumb or too fanatical to follow along."
9. Populism: "This is especially popular in election years. The speakers identifies themselves as one of "the people" and the target of their ire as an enemy of the people. The opponent is always "elitist" or a "bureaucrat" or a "government insider" or some other category that is not the people."
10. Invoking the Christian God: " This is similar to othering and populism. With morality politics, the idea is to declare yourself and your allies as patriots, Christians and "real Americans" (those are inseparable categories in this line of thinking) and anyone who challenges them as not. "
11. Saturation: "There are three components to effective saturation: being repetitive, being ubiquitous and being consistent. The message must be repeated cover and over, it must be everywhere and it must be shared across commentators."
12. Disparaging Education: "There is an emerging and disturbing lack of reverence for education and intellectualism in many mainstream media discourses. "
13. Guilt by Association: "Here's how it works: if your cousin's college roommate's uncle's ex-wife attended a dinner party back in 1984 with Gorbachev's niece's ex-boyfriend's sister, then you, by extension are a communist set on destroying America. Period."
14. Diversion (also known as Wagging the Dog): "This is where, when on the ropes, the media commentator suddenly takes the debate in a weird but predictable direction to avoid accountability. Any attempt to bring the discussion back to the issue at hand will likely be called deflection, an ironic use of the technique of projection/flipping."
This information is shared from this article: http://truth-out.org/news/item/1964:fourteen-propaganda-techniques-fox-news-uses-to-brainwash-americans

You've been warned.

Obama Defeat - Think Again Part II

On May 12th it appeared that President Obama was defeated in the Senate on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) yet a few days later it passed. At that time, I wrote a blog cautioning supporters to not give up.  http://pageposts1123.blogspot.com/2015/05/obama-defeat-think-again.html Today, it seemed that President Obama had lost another round, this time in the House. Yet, let's take another look. Was it really the astounding defeat the media is presenting it to be?

Perhaps not. According to a Reuter's article, there will be another vote on Tuesday for the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) portion of the bill that was defeated today. This is the part that aids workers who have been displaced by trade. Many Democrats joined with Republicans today to defeat this measure. Why would Democrats vote against something that benefits workers? The article says it was done to defeat the entire bill and deny the president TPA. If this passes, then President Obama will have the bill to sign and he will have Trade Promotion Authority as designed by our Congress.

So, my advice is to stay tuned because this isn't over. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/12/us-usa-trade-idUSKBN0OS0CC20150612

A Man with a Plan

President Obama is a man with a plan. He recognizes how crucial it is to address #ClimateChange both here at home and in developing countries throughout the world. That's why he has pledged resources to address the issue. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/09/white-house-climate-plan-developing-countries You can read about this initiative at the link.

At home, his plan is ambitious, but, doable. That is, if we can get the GOP on board. The Republicans in Congress have vowed to fight the new rules put forth by the EPA and they are aiming to cut back the money that President Obama has pledged to help developing countries deal with #ClimateChange.

There will always be challenges to the President's authority and to the EPA authority to put limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. But, there will be victories in the battle. Today was such a victory. The US Court of Appeals barred the coal mining companies from challenging EPA at least until they get all the regulations in place. Once the EPA adopts and releases the rules, then the challenges will begin anew.

Here is another issue where there is a clear distinction between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats tend to favor regulations to protect citizens and the environment and Republicans tend to fight those regulations to protect coal companies and their profit margins.

Let's all support our president and his efforts to address #ClimateChange. Read all about it here:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate-change

Real People

"Karen Hines is worried about getting two pieces of very bad news this June. The first would be her cancer returning. The second would be her health insurance becoming abruptly unaffordable."

This is the lead in the Huffington Post article today regarding the Supreme Court decision coming soon on the ACA. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/07/obamacare-subsidies-supreme-court_n_7503600.html?ncid=newsltushpmg00000003

Folks who purchased their insurance coverage through exchanges run by the Federal government, stand to lose their subsidies if the court rules in favor of the plaintiff. "Hines would be one of over 6.4 million people in 34 states whose subsidies would disappear." Read her story and also Joe Lucas' in the article.

Tomorrow, at 11:45 AM ET President Obama will give a speech about healthcare. You can sign up to watch. https://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-in-america.  Please RSVP.

Voting Rights

"There are many problems in life that we can’t fix, at least not quickly. But preserving fairness and equality in our voting system is one that we can—and we should."

- Hillary on voting rights

I am so thankful that Hillary Clinton is making the assault on voting rights and issue in the 2016 Presidential Campaign. http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/06/04/3665728/hillary-clinton-voting-rights/ 

Today, she will give her first major campaign speech in Texas and this will be her topic. Why Texas? She chose Texas because they are working very hard to keep people from voting.

Last night, Rachel Maddow had a segment on efforts to obtain valid voter ID's for citizens in Texas. If you missed it, it's worth watching. It told of a Black man who'd voted all his life but now didn't have proper ID under new Texas law. After obtaining his birth certificate, they took him to register; only to be denied because of a typo on his official birth certificate. His only recourse now was to go to court to legally change his name to match the typo. That is how ridiculous efforts are to restrict peoples' voting rights. The story is at about the 17:59 minute mark.  http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/texas-keeping-thousands-registering-voting-group-alleges

We have the Supreme Court to thank for this spate of voter ID laws that are currently making it a challenge for many to exercise their right to vote. When they issued their ruling in June 2013, they made it easier for states to restrict voting rights. http://billmoyers.com/2013/06/25/supreme-court-guts-voting-rights-act/ 

If you'd like to help change this, please check out the ACLU website for more information:  https://www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights/fighting-voter-suppression/fighting-voter-id-requirements 

Another place to sign up to help is:  http://www.votingrightsmatter.com/ We can all do something. At a minimum, we can support and vote for candidates who are working to uphold voting rights for all Americans. Thank you Hillary. 

Facing Poverty

We must face the facts. According to the United Nation's Millennium Project over one Billion people world wide live on less than $1.00 per day! Contrast that with an Aspen Colorado Millionaire Mountain's ski home on sale for only $65 million! http://www.businessinsider.com/aspen-home-selling-for-65-million-2014-10 Something's wrong with this picture.

Before you turn away and move on to other tasks, please stop for a few minutes and read some of the horrid facts. http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/3-MP-PovertyFacts-E.pdf

Our president has addressed the topic of income inequality. In February, President Obama sent a report to Congress on our Economy. It's called The Economic Report of the President.  https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/cea_2015_erp.pdf  I'm glad that he has a plan and is looking at the big picture.

Yet, we need to look at the faces of poverty. Abstract ideas and policies are wonderful but we need to ground ourselves in reality. Occasionally, journalists attempt to draw our attention to the topic. Bill Moyers shared a photo slide show back in 2013. http://billmoyers.com/content/slideshow-poverty-in-todays-america/

Another source for first hand information on what it's like to live in poverty is: http://americanpoverty.org/photoessay/index.html

Or you can read actual stories written by people who have lived it.  http://thevoicesofpoverty.org/

But, nothing will change if you move on and get busy with your life and forget what you've seen.

Act. Contact your representatives in Congress and at the state level and ask them what they are doing to address this issue. The Voices of Poverty website has a resources tab that details many programs which are trying to help. Pick one and send them some money. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or food pantry. Just don't ever forget those faces and stories.

Gun Violence in America

In any discussion of gun violence you will hear the phrase, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people." The ones using that argument seem to believe that any effort to curb gun violence is an affront to the 2nd amendment.

Yes, violent people will find a way to kill even if all guns magically disappeared. But, guns make it so much easier. They are the tool of choice for the violent person because they are effective.

When we had the Ebola crisis last fall, everyone was concerned about the number of people effected. Yet, when confronted with real data about gun violence, people don't seem to react with the same level of fear and concern.

The media that is supposed to inform us is not doing an adequate job in regards to gun violence. Here is a link to a website that collects data on gun violence in America. Gunviolencearchive.org

Please take a few minutes to check out the information available. Then, if you want to do something, write a letter to the editor. Or call your representatives in Congress and start a dialogue with them.

Nothing will change until we are as concerned about gun violence as we are about other issues effecting Americans. #WearingOrange

Gun Violence Awareness

Will you wear orange on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 to support gun violence awareness? National Gun Violence Awareness Day is tomorrow. I hope you will join me in wearing orange and being prepared to tell why.

“The idea was inspired by a group of Chicago teens who asked their classmates to commemorate the life of a slain friend by wearing orange,” gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety said in a statement. “They chose the color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods.” http://www.guns.com/2015/05/14/everytown-wears-orange-to-mark-first-gun-violence-awareness-day/

Let's make this inaugural event a success. Wear orange Tuesday!