Social Media Savvy for Political Activists

Everyone has their favorite social media outlet and everyone has their own learning curve. Becoming social media savvy is essential for effective political activism. So, are you willing to step out of your comfort zone (your favorite social media outlet) and learn about other ways to share your political messages to a wider audience?

For years, my favorite site was Facebook. I joined to connect with family and friends and share updates. Then, I started naturally sharing political posts of interest to me and quickly found that many of my family and friends did not share my political values. For some it became a sticking point in our relationship.

Later, I got started on Twitter. I felt such freedom over there as most family and friends weren't on Twitter and I could really share things important to me without fear of offending them. I gradually learned my way around Twitter and then was able to help others find their way. Soon, I connected with some amazing Liberals whom I've grown to love and admire.

With the page and group features on Facebook, I was able to connect and share information with thousands more like-minded people. I have now set up my own Facebook page, Liberal Ledger and a group by the same name. I've also liked many liberal pages and joined many liberal groups.

How does one become savvy with social media? No one is born knowing how; so it's no shame  to not know. Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know. Seek out people who do know and who are willing to teach you. Don't forget to Google  your questions! That's how I've leaned to do things. They even have wiki's that teach you how. If you don't know what a wiki is then use your Google machine.

Here's an old article from Forbes to get you motivated:  http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/15/social-media-social-activism-facebook-twitter-leadership-citizenship-burson.html

Try to remember this: If someone else can learn to do it, then you can too! Then, just think of the impact that we together can have on the next "Most Important Election of our Lifetime."

Oh, and if you're on Twitter, look me up @bannerite I'll be glad to help you if I can.

Here We Go Again

Another day, another mass shooting. Television pundits say, "We must try harder to stop it!" The same old tropes are used to describe the shooter. Officials tell the same old story of a person who decides his only option is to use his weapon to take innocent lives. Right now, they don't know how this shooter was able to obtain his weapon. The spokesperson said it was too hard to trace. Why is that? You can trace a vehicle by its vehicle identification number. Why is it so difficult to find out where and when and how this shooter obtained his weapon?

Now is the time to do something about gun violence. Don't you agree? The President has a plan. You can read it here:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/preventing-gun-violence

Can we stop all gun violence? No. But we must not let that deter our efforts. We must strengthen our background check system to cover ALL gun sales and make it instantly available to all law enforcement agencies.

As the president says, "No single law – or even set of laws – can prevent every act of violence in our country. But the fact that this problem is complex can not be an excuse for inaction." 

Every one of us can do something. We can contact our representatives in Congress to ask what they are doing. We can write letters to the editors of our local newspapers. We can support http://momsdemandaction.org/  Whatever we do, we must not give up!

The Progressive Dilemma

Here's the issue confronting Progressives - is racial inequality a symptom of the disease of income inequality or is it a disease of its own? The #BlackLivesMatter movement butted heads with progressives at Netroots Nation Saturday as activists took over a forum featuring Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders.  Here's a great article explaining the gist of the dilemma:
 http://www.vox.com/2015/7/20/9001639/bernie-sanders-black-lives-matter

The article explains that the #BlackLivesMatter Movement supporters view any attempt to delegate racial inequality to symptom status is actually an attempt to sideline the movement and to not listen to what the supporters are trying to tell progressives about what really matters to the Black community.

The #BernieSoBlack hashtag trended Sunday as Bernie supporters tried to defend their man and remind people that he'd marched with MLK 50 yrs. ago. But the #BlackLivesMatter folks weren't and aren't going to be silenced.

In the Guardian, Elizabeth Day, contends that the #BlackLivesMatter movement is essentially the birth of a new civil rights movement. This movement is about far MORE than income inequality and refuses to be delegated to symptom status by Bernie Sanders or any other Progressive leader. I encourage the reader to refer to her article to see the issues driving this movement:  http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/19/blacklivesmatter-birth-civil-rights-movement

If we who would be allies, shed our #WhitePrivilege and stop talking and start listening, maybe we can stand with #BlackLivesMatter activists and do our part for this civil rights movement. Go to http://colorofchange.org/ and read about ways to assist.

About:
"ColorOfChange.org exists to strengthen Black America's political voice. Our goal is to empower our members - Black Americans and our allies - to make government more responsive to the concerns of Black Americans and to bring about positive political and social change for everyone."

There are many other organizations working to support this movement. In fact, they have their own website:  http://blacklivesmatter.com/  There are many ways to get involved on this site. Let's all do our part to be a part of the solution.

Nelson Mandela International Day

Did you know that Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918? "Nelson Mandela International Day was launched in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s  birthday on 18 July, 2009 via unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly. It was inspired by a call Nelson Mandela made a year earlier, for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices when he said that “it is in your hands now”. 

It is more than a celebration of Madiba’s life and legacy. It is a global movement to honour his life’s work and act to change the world for the better." http://www.mandeladay.com/content/landing/What-is-Mandela-Day

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead” – Nelson Mandela 

What can you do? Everything and anything! Give a smile to the clerk in the grocery store. Write a check to a cause you believe in. Volunteer on a political campaign to support a candidate who holds your values. Everybody can do something to make the world a better place. Accept Mandela's challenge and find a place to serve. 

Are You Ready For Monday?

In case you missed it, Monday July 13, 2015 is going to be huge in politics! First, there's the President's Conference on Aging at the White House. see this for more:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/07/29/horizon-2015-white-house-conference-aging

Then, there's Hillary Clinton's big speech on the economy and her agenda.
 https://www.hillaryclinton.com/the-four-fights/economy-of-tomorrow

TIME says she will set out a Progressive economic vision:  http://time.com/3954633/hillary-clinton-progressive-economic-vision/  I am looking forward to hearing her plans.

Next, AP says that diplomats are ready to announce that they've reached an historic deal!  http://news.yahoo.com/us-secretary-state-hopeful-iran-nuke-deal-near-094325871.html

And last and certainly LEAST, Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin is set to announce his plans to jump into the GOP Clown Car.  http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/scott-walker-tweets-his-presidential-run-119972.html

I don't know what else is going to happen Monday, but, don't say I didn't warn you!

The Dog Whistle Politician

In Las Vegas at the Freedom Fest, Trump said, "People believe what I say." The reason they believe what he says is that Trump is the Dog Whistle Politician. He speaks their language. Every time he mentions Obama, the racists sit up and pant. When he talks about illegal immigrants, the bigots eat it up!

In his book,  DOG-WHISTLE POLITICS, Ian Haney Lopez, explains how right wing politicians have used coded messages to play on people's fears and tear at the social safety nets.
 ww.salon.com/2014/01/20/the_rights_dog_whistle_trick_how_it_exploits_racism_to_rip_apart_the_social_safety_net/

This is Trump's specialty. He uses lies, innuendo's, fear-mongering and hyperbole to pander to the racists and bigots of America. In Phoenix, he has a capacity crowd waiting eagerly for his next pronouncements!

Some are suggesting that Trump's appeal has its limits. Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal says that sooner or later there will be a boom. She said, "Blowhards don't wear well."
http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trumps-appealand-its-limits-1436479851

He's trying (and in some cases, succeeding) to convince the public that he's a truth teller. Many are frustrated with the state of our politics and he's also appealing to folks who just want to hear more than rhetoric from our politicians. http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/news/donald-trump-bully-blowhard-or-truth-teller/nmxKY/

While may people and corporations are distancing themselves from Trump, others are flocking to his next public appearances. Soon, he will be speaking to a crowd of 9,000 in Phoenix.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/07/11/donald-trump-wont-stop-talking-about-immigration-next-stop-phoenix/

Every time he speaks, we must fact check and get out the truth to our friends and neighbors. Politifact does it:  http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2015/jun/17/fact-checking-donald-trump/

Christian Science Monitor, just published an article on Trump:  http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Decoder/2015/0711/Fact-checking-Donald-Trump-How-he-gets-a-lot-of-things-wrong

Let's beat him with facts! Don't let people you know fall for his bag of tricks.

Love Did That

"Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love… Our aim must never be to defeat or humiliate the white man, but to win his friendship and understanding. ——— The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy, instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. ——— Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. ——— Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. ——— Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. ——— Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. ——— Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Emanuel Nine knew those words and they practiced them by opening their prayer circle to the hater. He refused their love and chose to slay them in a terrorist act of racism and bigotry. But the families of the nine showed him true compassion by choosing forgiveness over hate. They told him that in spite of his hatred they were going to forgive. And those actions humbled all of us. By those acts of forgiveness they set forth a tide of compassion that went all the way to the statehouse.  That is what love can do.

Choose love.

A New Day in South Carolina

A symbol of racism and hate is coming down. It's a new day. It took an act of terrorism to get it done. Early this morning the South Carolina House of Representatives voted to send a clean bill back to Senate and Governor Haley will sign the bill calling for the removal of the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds. Listen to the impassioned speech given by Rep. Jenny Horne asking her collegues to do the right thing. http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/09/us/south-carolina-jenny-horne-speech/ By the way, Horne is a white Republican who is a descendant of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy!

This speech should be required viewing for anyone trying to make the case that the flag represents some type of noble heritage.

Now, that the flag is coming down, we must attend to fighting racism and injustice because they aren't going away. Let the removal of the flag become a call to action for all who care to fight for social justice and an end to racism. Fighting for civil rights is a constant fight. The Southern Poverty Law Center has many ways you can help. Check it out here:  http://www.splcenter.org/

Taking Back The Senate

Aside from winning the Presidency in 2016, Democrats' major task is to take back the Senate from Republican control. We really do have a good chance of doing this. Here's why:  First, Democrats have fewer seats to defend with only 10 versus Republicans 24. Second, Republicans will be defending seats in seven states that President Obama won in 2012. We only need to win four to take back the Senate. And, finally, 2016 electorate will skew Democratic with a strong Democratic candidate at the head of the ticket! https://www.dscc.org/content/taking-back-senate

Two great sites to be watching this election cycle (or any cycle actually) are Cooks and Sabato. You can read about the Cook Political Report here:  http://ballotpedia.org/Cook_Political_Report
And Sabato's Crystal Ball here:  http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/
Ballotpedia is my personal favorite source for up to date information on candidate, races, and ballot measures.  http://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_elections,_2016  At the end of each Ballotpedia article are links to current articles about the election.

I will be writing more about specific candidates and offering suggestions on how you can help them.
Let's make this happen!

Twisted Thinking

In his statement from the Pentagon today, President Obama used the term, "twisted thinking" in reference to ISIL and their contortions of Islam. In pondering his meaning, I think we have our own groups right here in America that use "twisted thinking" in their contortions of the message of Christianity.

"Twisted thinking" seems to be a pervasive problem that greatly impacts our ability to attack many of the issues that confront our domestic tranquility. Isn't it "twisted thinking" when some think it makes sense for CEO's to make millions; but workers don't need more money or adequate healthcare benefits?

Isn't it "twisted thinking" that blames the victims of a church massacre for their own deaths because they weren't armed? "Twisted thinking" says our violence problem will only improve if we have more guns everywhere.

Isn't it "twisted thinking" to say we don't have racism when folks who can afford it move out of our cities, enroll their children in private schools, and isolate themselves in private clubs that only wealthy folks can afford?

I contend that "twisted thinking" gets in the way of real problem solving.  Can we do better? Yes! We need clear thinking and logical problem solving. If you were never taught problem solving, it's not too late. Check out this source for training:  http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_TMC.htm Then, form a local group or join one to attack some of the issues that are impacting people in your area. Together, we can defeat "Twisted Thinking" at every level.

It's All About Context

Religion was a sore subject back when our Founding Fathers authored the Bill of Rights. It remains so today. The first part of the first amendment reads: "Congress shall make no laws respecting the establishment of religion , or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Considering that many who came to America came here to escape persecution because of their beliefs, it was sensible of them to include the establishment clause. They wanted to ensure that no ONE religion was set above others and to ensure that citizens were free to worship as they chose. That's why they said NO Laws could be made to establish a state religion or prevent citizens freedom to worship as they wanted.

What makes this scary today is that we now have several Republican candidates who are saying that Christianity needs to be our state religion. Theocracy Alert! Does this alarm you? It should. Take a look at what they are proposing.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2015/05/republicans-call-for-christianity-as-official-religion-of-us/

It is hard to believe, but, a majority of Republicans surveyed believe in establishing Christianity as the state religion.  http://www.politicususa.com/2015/02/25/57-republicans-dismantle-constitution-christianity-national-religion.html  "Dominionism calls for imposing a theocracy in America where Christianity is declared the official religion, and the nation is governed by “Biblical law”.

I don't know about you, but, I don't want to live in a country where one group of people gets to decide what is right and best for all other peoples. 

People for the American Way is a group dedicated to monitoring and exposing the activities of the right-wing movement. They sponsor Right Wing Watch. I would encourage the reader to check out their website:  http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/about-right-wing-watch

Edited Out

No one taught me that what we know as the Declaration of Independence was actually an edited version. Yes, the original had something in it that many didn't want to declare.

Here's the part of the Declaration of Independence that Thomas Jefferson wrote that didn't make it into final version:

"He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither.  This piratical warfare, the opprobrium of infidel powers, is the warfare of the Christian King of Great Britain.  Determined to keep open a market where Men should be bought & sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or restrain this execrable commerce.  And that this assemblage of horrors might want no fact of distinguished die, he is now exciting those very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, by murdering the people on whom he has obtruded them: thus paying off former crimes committed again the Liberties of one people, with crimes which he urges them to commit against the lives of another." - 

See more at: http://www.blackpast.org/primary/declaration-independence-and-debate-over-slavery#sthash.YYpEvr2t.awgVeU5n.dpuf

The reason is pretty obvious, but, if you want the whole story, please go to the link. Remember this as you go to your parades, picnics, and fireworks today. And ask yourself why must we always leave someone out of our freedoms.

Independence Day

Did you know that July 2, 1776 was the actual day that the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia? After this vote the Congress then approved the Declaration of Independence, prepare by a Committee of Five with Thomas Jefferson as the principal author. Congress debated and revised it until the final vote on July 4, 1776. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)

You can read the actual Declaration here:  http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html  I encourage you to do so.

What is more patriotic and vital to a Democracy than the right to vote? In my email today, I received one from the League of Women voters.  We know what it's like to not be able to vote and we do everything we can to help others to exercise their right to vote. Will you help? Go to Vote411.org and check out the tools available to ensure that everyone eligible gets to vote.  Share VOTE411.org with your networks and remind the people in your life to update their voter registration information or register for the first time. 

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are just as vital today as they were so many years ago!

Black Churches Burning

How many more Black churches have to burn before we get to the truth? Will the Department of Justice investigate? Will local authorities find out who's doing it and stop them? Will Black Panthers have to start guarding Black churches to prevent more fires? Lots of questions, but very few answers.

According to a Grio article dated June 29th, six Black churches had burned in past seven days and at least three were NOT accidents.  http://thegrio.com/2015/06/29/black-church-burnings-fbi/ Reportedly, the FBI is investigating the incidents. Let's hope they find out who's behind this.

Just last night, another Black church was ablaze. Mt.Zion AME church in Greenville, SC had previously been burned to the ground by KKK 20 years ago. Were they involved? We need to find out. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/south-carolina-black-church-once-torched-kkk-burns-again-n384876  Local authorities don't think KKK were involved.  They say lightening may have been a factor. Hmm!

NAACP sent out warning tweet for all Black Churches to take necessary precautions in the wake of the recent church fires.  Why do racists target Black churches?  According to a Washington Post article, "Since at least 1822, when the first recorded burning of a black church occurred in South Carolina, church arson has been the default response of racists frustrated with progress — or even the faint specter of progress — on civil rights. More than even lynching, burning houses of worship remains a go-to weapon in hate groups’ arsenal." http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/01/why-racists-burn-black-churches/

Do you know the meaning of sanctuary? It's more than a place to worship. It means a place of safety. In the past even criminals could find safety by fleeing to a church. It meant a safe haven.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary

This is why racists burn Black churches. They want to send Blacks a message that there is no sanctuary for them. And that is why we must find a way to stop them!