Tag: Racism

Opinion

Warriors against Evil

A core characteristic of evil is the belief that what one person desires is more important than what others want. Putin and his followers in Russia believe that what they want matters more than what the people of Ukraine want. Ukrainian refugees who abuse persons of color also attempting to escape war are guilty of exhibiting the same characteristic. I am not saying the evil acts are the same. I want to point out and clarify that evil can easily exist in any human being. The way that we can fight evil is to be clear about what it is. Rabbi Hillel described the Old Testament as telling us to ‘treat others as we would wish to be treated’; but modern life is full of examples and prompts that lead us to diminish others to maximize ourselves. Prompts for evil can be subtle or overt; a real estate commercial with testimonials from customers who all happen to NOT be Black or Asian people (are they too different or not transact real estate?), A presidential candidate telling police to handle suspects roughly, a political party denying accountability for criminal behavior while constantly lying and then saying “both sides do it”, state legislatures reducing the rights of women to control their bodies. Jesus told us “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. Liars attack decency and reality because they want to set up a world that puts them at the top of a hierarchy with EVERYONE else diminished. Do not buy the fascist idea that your group or tribe will be elevated over others, ultimately liars play everyone else for pawns in their delusional pursuit of power. Real power comes from controlling ourselves, not stealing it from others. Demand the truth and hold liars who damage reality to undermine others and aggrandize themselves accountable. Having a decent world depends on us being warriors against evil in all of it’s forms.

Opinion

Threats and harassment in a war against truth

Far-right Republicans (who are rarely rebuked by other Republicans with Trump never held accountable) and Fascists around the world have adopted a strategy of lies and threats to shape their version of self-centered reality. Everything that does not elevate the disturbed people who are filled with self-hate and repression is attacked. If you are different that is attacked with the victim portrayed as less than human. The fascist typically slip up and reveal the truth – there is not a threat from others driving their behavior; it is a profound disturbance inside themselves that they lack the courage to face. Every person who dreams of better days for humanity and the world must first seek the truth while fighting indecency, disrespect for others, and violence. Humankind is facing the increasing threat of climate crisis that will reveal our true nature; we will learn to work and live together as brothers, or die as fools. Act and prepare now to resist the power of hatred, greed, and deception. Ukrainians are seen on the front line of the battle against fascism now, but it is really all of us.

Opinion

Dysfunctional Democracy

America today is a dysfunctional democracy. One party is under the control of Donald Trump, a person who tried to overthrow the will of the American people in 2020. Trump maintains his control of the Republican party through fear, so it is hard to claim the elected persons in that party are leaders. The Republican Party is full of cowardly followers and opportunistic charlatans who will say and do anything to advance their personal careers. The dysfunction of the Republicans has been a long journey fueled and bolstered by racism, misogyny, and fascism. Ridiculous lies and criminal actions by Republicans have become meaningless because their supporters seem not to care. We may be drifting towards a crisis where the usual loudmouths threaten and harass the republic; the real explosion will come when the silent democracy-loving majority responds in the streets. Republicans will use voter suppression, gerrymandering, harassment, lies, and propaganda to win or appear to win elections. We all should do everything that we can to avoid Republican political victory due to apathy or confusion. Research and act to preserve peace and hope in America.

Opinion

Evidence to vote Democrat and save the Republic

Examples of Republican weakness in the face of an attempted fascist takeover byTrump and his followers continues to grow. Many Republican officeholders appear to have participated in a conspiracy to overthrow a democratic election in 2020; but former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich threatens Democrats with imprisonment if they keep investigating. The saying that power corrupts absolutely is played out daily in front of the American people by Republicans who offer racism and victimization of the other as a rationale to vote for obviously corrupt liars. We can no longer pretend that both sides do it when one party has made an effort to overthrow the will of the people and is planning to block access to the ballot after manipulating voting districts. Tribalism is a powerful force but so is love of the truth and freedom. America is at a crossroads where one road leads to a land of lying politicians whose only goal is power as they increase their control of reality through media propaganda outlets. When you see or hear stories about how terrible Biden and the Democrats are think of Trump and the weak twisted liars running the Republican Party.

Opinion

There was good news in 2021

We live in a time of steroidal bad news, but there is reason for hope as we finish 2021 and roll into 2022. Joe Biden is President and Donald Trump is not, and the failure of the Trump coup effort to date is a reason for hope. The truth is stronger than it was in 2020 because Trump is not in office spewing a stream of lies. Scientist say that the climate crisis is bad, but could be worse. Because government and private industry are responding to the challenge the worst version of climate change may be avoided. More will need to be done on climate, but the good news is we have reason for hope, and must push for a more human-friendly planet on all people (as well as other creatures and living things). Governments and institutions are making progress in protecting society against COVID. You can feel the potential for a return to a comfortable new normal after the pandemic has become manageable. Responsible institutions and organizations are pushing the idea of human dignity and against far-right hate, misogyny, and nazism. Major issues will remain with us, but there are reasons to hope for progress and improvement in 2022 if we remain engaged.

Opinion

2022 and 2024 elections are about white fragility/supremacy (same thing)

Upcoming elections are really about white supremacy. Why is this the situation we are in? Republicans continue to lie and support the Big Lie to gain power and provide fascist sympathizers with an excuse if they cannot face the truth. Evidence: 1) Republicans refuse to hold Trump or his insurrectionists accountable for January 6, or an ongoing attack on the Rule of Law and the US Constitution. 2) Republicans claim that Critical Race Theory is taking over the schools as a racist trope to stage attacks on factual history (George Orwell said “who controls the past controls the future”) in the education system. 3) Republicans undermine the right to vote, ease of voting, and the primacy of the vote (if Republicans don’t win they seek the right to overturn or replace the election results). 4) Republicans consistently support welfare and government support for the rich while blocking any investments in working American citizens. The list of authoritarian and anti-democratic acts and behaviors by Republicans could continue, but the most important thing is for Americans to act and vote to stop the creeping disaster that is the Republican Party today.

Opinion

Darkest before the dawn?

The saying that it is darkest before the dawn is hopefully true. We are living in a time of pessimism with good reason. Climate crisis, threats of authoritarianism, COVID and pandemics are a few examples of threats to our way of life. I think we have to stay hopeful and act to minimize the worst extinct of ourselves and others. It is hard to be positive at a time where the evidence says to prepare for the worst. Prepare for increasing threats to liberty and life, but work and hope for the better days ahead.

Opinion

Critical Race Theory

Professor Timothy Snyder wrote a brilliant article titled “The War on History is a War on Democracy” for the New York Times (June 29,2021). He did the public service of defining Critical Race Theory – a set of decades-old arguments about how racism works in law and society that has recently become a fixation of Republican politicians. Associated with the U.C.L.A. and Columbia Law School professor Kimberlé Crenshaw and other African American scholars, Critical Race Theory asks why discrimination did not end with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and recommends critical scrutiny of laws focusing on their consequences rather than upon the avowed intentions of their authors.

Professor Snyder also wrote how authoritarian regimes (and now Republicans in several states) try to control what people know and think about so that they can maintain power or control society. Here is an example from the article of how Florida is making the teaching of facts illegal while attempting to confuse the issue with Holocaust denial:

the Florida Department of Education’s new policy states, “include the denial or minimization of the Holocaust, and the teaching of Critical Race Theory, meaning the theory that racism is not merely the product of prejudice, but that racism is embedded in American society and its legal systems in order to uphold the supremacy of white persons.” Professor Snyder reminds us all that truth and liberty are under attack. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance and the will to act on the truth.

Opinion

Rosa Parks to Darnella Frazier; the struggle continues

Rosa Parks was a person who didn’t seek fame, but did not shrink from doing her part in the struggle for civil rights. After Mrs. Parks stood up for the civil rights of African-Americans on public transportation she was economically targeted, and had to leave Birmingham, Alabama. Darnella Frazier was not looking for recognition either, but she did the right thing when she saw evil. She held up a mirror not just to police behavior, but to America and what we allow in our public servants. Derek Chauvin would probably have gotten away with murder if Darnella had not stood up to his evil. With Darnella leading the way the Minneapolis community defined itself as people who would not tolerate clear evil. The struggle between those who will allow evil to triumph as long as it leaves them comfortable, and those who will not make a deal with the devil goes on. Hopefully new laws will protect decency for everyone and diminish opportunities for evil, but as the quote says “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty/“

Opinion

America remains the world’s best hope and potential greatest disaster

The United States offers so many strengths and so much hope that it cannot be ignored by people around the world. Americans seem to be stuck in repeating cycles of conspiracy theories, assault rifle mass murders, abusive police incidents, failing infrastructure events, and an ongoing cold civil war revolving around culture, race, and politics. Americans say they want change, but vote for the same politicians who deliver the same results and threaten worse. There is no way that people with integrity can continue to ignore the reality that what we say we are, and who we actually are during elections is different. People are known for being deceptive and conflicted (demanding morality in others while being ruthless and amoral in pursuit of selfish goals for instance), but we are capable of enlightenment and acting in our ultimate best interest. Make sure that you know the stakes in the events of our time and act for a better future. George Floyd’s trial is a milestone on our journey to somewhere; let’s hope and work so that it is not hell.