Category: Beloved Community

Our Diversity is Our Strength

I believe and often say, “Our diversity is our strength”. Now that has become a tag line of the Democratic Party. If you think about it, that wasn’t something that could have been said by many candidates throughout our history. It is hard to accept diversity when you are not accepting the differences among us. It is hard to champion diversity when the push towards status quo sameness is drilled into us from birth. It is impossible to honor diversity when fear of other is used from the pulpit and political soap box to provide scape goats for the powerful to hide behind. 

But there it was, loud and clear, “Our diversity is our strength”. Words are easy to mimic; more difficult to understand and nearly impossible to bring to fruition. But here it is, a clarion call to the wise to recognize what Nature has always taught. We are here because of what has come before and what will come after. We’re intrinsically tied to all living things. When one is elevated, we’re all elevated. And while we may not recognize it, when one is harmed, we too, are harmed.

The United States has been an experiment in humanity and we are by all accounts in a critical moment. Can we the people, recognize the value of “the other”. Can we care for “the other”? 

Our collective history is fraught with genocide of Indigenous peoples, slavery and other ongoing racial injustices. Our debates about helping immigrants is hypocritical and ironic, given the reality that most of us are born of settlers who infiltrated this land and its peoples.

Thought has its own evolution. And while the ideals of unity, compassion and caring are not new, maybe the time has come for their acceptance. Perhaps a wider audience is now ready for a new reality that’s not merely lip service. Time and actions will tell.

And high on the list must be the end of the apartheid of Palestinian people. We must end racism here and we must not support any forms of it throughout the world. Come on DNC, honor what the vast majority of our citizens want: #CeasefireNow and stop supplying Israel with war machines. Anything less is the continuation of a ruthless and inhuman history. This is now ours to change.

We are waking up.

I remain hopeful. Do the right thing.

We All Belong.

Recently I took a deep dive into the humanity that surrounds me. At the Juneteenth celebration I heard a Black spoken word artist tell the lynching of Mary Turner. I had never heard of this shocking cruelty. There are so many ugly moments buried in our history. Racism is the insane result of human ignorance. Bringing light to the darkness and holding memories in Love lead us to transformation.

I also learned a bit more about a new friend’s struggle. She lives where many chose to ignore the pain brought to her Jewish family by unkind ignorance. A photo of teenage males with arms raised in Nazi salute was given a pass by many. Excuses do not erase the fear of underlying hate.

The final blow of humanity gone mad was a story about a woman in Texas who tried to drown a three-year-old Palestinian child. The assailant declared the child doesn’t belong here. I have dear friends, whose children are half Palestinian. I have listened to them as they reckon with the derangement of hatred that knows no boundaries and the ignorance of uncaring that surrounds us. Note to the ignorant: We All Belong.

But here is the sweet truth of it. The Black poet is using his artistry to heal himself and everyone he touches. For him, Love is the sacred key that releases the darkness.

And my new friend and her family, chose to not run away, but sought comfort and allegiance in the diversity of people who have also felt exclusion and prefer community. 

And while my friends are facing the stark reality of Palestinian isolation and fear, they are simultaneously finding their voice and their strength to prevail. May a community of goodwill continue to surround them.

I have no doubt they will all chose humanity over hatred. I’m proud to know them all. In any way that I can I’ll help dispel the ignorance of separation that torments humankind. I suggest we all do the same.

Whether we like it or not we share this fragile and exquisite planet for a brief moment in time.

May Love Prevail.

And while we are still in Pride Month, I want to extend my forgiveness to those people who friend me on Facebook, but attack Queer love and lives on that medium. Whatever ignorance you harbor about diversity does not come from God. Not yours or anyone else’s. There is One Love and it manifests in many forms. Now, please forgive yourself and lets move on.

Affirmation of Resilience

The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves held in confederate states on January 1, 1863. But it wasn’t until the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865 that slavery was abolished in the entire country.

The Civil War ended in April and on June 19th of 1865 the Union Army made its way to Galveston, Texas to remind slave owners of their duty to set people free. Hence the celebration now recognized as our national holiday, Juneteenth.

Ah, but that slow boat to progress grinds on. 

It wasn’t until the passage of the 14th Amendment in 1868 that formerly enslaved people were granted citizenship, due process and equal protection. Voting rights were granted to all male citizens by the 15th Amendment in 1870. 

In October 1913, W.E.B. Du Bois and the NAACP celebrated the African diaspora and the progress made towards freedom. These celebrations have continued. They signify times of reflection and pride throughout the United States and Caribbean nations. They are an affirmation of the resilience of the People. 

In the ongoing struggles of systemic racism and the whitewashing of our history, the continued resurgence of Juneteenth showcases the strength and the courage of our Black family. 

It was an honor to participate in Baraboo’s first ever celebration of Juneteenth. Music, poetry, family, faith, food and brutal honesty mingled with love in the heart of Baraboo, and hosted by Humility, Inc.

“We Do This ‘Til We Free Us” is Mariame Kabe’s determined title to her book on human abolition / emancipation and community. We have so very much to learn from one another. Maybe next year I’ll trek to Milwaukee where Juneteenth has been celebrated for the past fifty- three years.

Let us never turn back the clock. 

Milwaukee’s Juneteenth celebration – photo by Angela Harris

Liberal Ambivalence

People take great pride in espousing what they believe to be true. “Hear it, repeat it, swear by it” should be our national motto.

People ask me what I believe and I say, “You don’t want to know what I believe. Beliefs change like clothing. Ask me what I know.”

I get a few sideways glances but few dare to ask. I understand why. Very few take the time required to delve into the realm of knowing. Comforted by belief, however ludicrous, we accept what we have been told as gospel. 

The annihilation of Palestine is peppered with belief. Belief in Zionism, belief in Rapture, belief that our leaders have our best interest at heart. I heard someone tell Tammy Baldwin that what is happening in Gaza is genocide. She replied, “We don’t use that word.” Why Tammy?

Does it have something to do with who finances campaigns?  Or do you really believe that what is occurring for the past eight months – and truly much longer – is not genocide? Cutting off food and water, bombing crowded markets, hospitals, schools…all with United States tax dollars and your support. Let’s call it what it is.

We are so into belief that we no longer push for what is right. Our beliefs keep us from any meaningful dialogue towards peace. Instead, we “save” four hostages by killing a few hundred civilians. And it is “we” since it is our money and weaponry so cavalierly being used to kill.

But, mustn’t say genocide. 

But I can’t blame you alone, Tammy. For every one of you there are countless numbers of people who shrug their shoulders and mumble something inane like, both sides are wrong (or are they right?). Ah, the delusion of ambivalence. How well we wear it. 

Ignorance must indeed be bliss. We can all do much more.

Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine – Learn more. Take action. Talk to people.

The Needle is Moving Toward Peace

As of April 30, 98 universities were engaged in civil disobedience across the US – with three more slated to begin over the next few days. 

This is not a one off.

These people are clear and determined. They’ve learned from history and from this very ugly present moment. This uprising of love and desire for peace is student led – with the support of their communities – family, clergy, faculty and more. They have absorbed the lessons of history and are putting everything on the line to say “no more”.

And what precisely is the “no more”?

They’re demanding an end to the genocide of Palestinian people, but not stopping there. They’re demanding their universities and colleges stop feeding the military industrial complex and divert the money towards peace building. 

By and large the encampments have been peaceful. But you don’t hear much about the peaceful. You hear about 1,000’s of arrests. You don’t read about ongoing debates between city and university police or how a few universities have negotiated with the students in good faith.

Now we see how Wisconsin will handle the students. This early morning brought a wave of militarized police following the orders to shut down the Madison encampment. 

I’ve been on the receiving end of militarized police with batons. I’ve witnessed provocateurs – both within and outside movements. They attempt to disrupt the peaceful – with intention or with ignorance. We can’t be distracted by sideshows.

This is an important and defining moment. These students have taken the passion of the 60’s and added the layered learnings of indigenous struggle, nonviolent actions, and the unnerving confidence of ones who know they’re on the right side of history. 

Beyond a doubt the needle is moving towards peace. And they are reminding us once again that there is another way. The question always remains, will we take it?

I was in Madison for the beginning of the encampment. I was impressed with the manner in which the students conducted themselves and cared for one another. They are working hard to break free from the tyranny of violence that robs this country of everything good. This action by authorities was not warranted.

From Wisconsin Bailout the People

For What Its Worth

Young people are at it again. Stirring up trouble and making us think. How dare they have peaceful protests about genocide. How dare they demand an end to their college’s funding of militarism and the slaughter of innocents. The hubris. The arrogance. Challenging the United States’ long held worship of war is not easy. Just ask those who stood up in the 60’s. Or at least ask the ones who remember how good it felt to be on the side of humanity.

Once again young people are forcing us to remember the creeds we extol. Freedom of speech being among them. It’s very hard to reckon how any of us can still believe the self defense claims of Netanyahu while we watch the horror unfolding and the lies exposed.

Now we’re learning that the Israeli claims of terrorists in UNRWA have no foundation – this after the US led the charge to defund the only consistent humanitarian aid available to Palestinians. And how long will it take Congress to reenact that aid?

Remember the pier the US was building to bring relief? Whatever happened to that? Yet the international humanitarian flotilla carrying 5500 tons of aid may not be allowed to leave Istanbul. And children starve to death.

What must it be like to be a Palestinian in this moment when revenge is promoted on a grand scale and the western world silently utters thoughts and prayers and watches. We were lied to from the beginning of this slaughter, both by the ranking Israeli government and by our President. 

But too many of us are saying, “Don’t rock the boat”, not realizing the boat sank a long time ago.

“It’s time we stop”. Listen to the youth. Remember our humanity.

For What Its Worth. This picture is of Jewish students enjoying and celebrating Passover Seder – while protesting the slaughter of innocent Palestinians at the hands of the extreme right wing government of Israel.

It is worth a lot. we must keep overcoming our ignorance to uphold our humanity.

Please take some time to listen to my conversation with Alan Chavoya on militarized police, the need for community control over policing and humanistic activism. It holds groundbreaking information for those ready for change.

From the River to the Sea

“From the River to the Sea” has become the latest casualty in the war of indoctrination. Congress has enacted a resolution calling the words “from the river to the sea” anti-Semitic, while adding millions to Israel’s defense and robbing United States citizens of proper care. But more significantly it comes as Congress supports the ongoing genocide of Palestinians and repression of pro-Palestinian voices grows. 

Lazy thinking. That’s how we’ve arrived here. 

Post WWII western countries wished to be rid of the Jewish refugees. The refugees were relocated to Israel and a Jewish state was recognized by the UN in 1948.

What could have possibly gone wrong with that decision?

Already a hotbed of division, Israel expanded its territory with violence and displacement of the indigenous Palestinian people. May 15 is known as Nakba, the day of observance of Palestinian “ethnic cleansing” and land theft that occurred then and continues now.

True to their imperialistic nature, the US, Great Britain and others, supported Israel to engage in resource grabbing. This included oil and soon will be for the natural gas off the coast of Palestine – that they have just acquired through removal, and killing of Palestinians and destruction of Gaza.

“Keeping the peace” meant condemning the Palestinians to brutal occupation, because Israel is a nationalistic state, not a democracy. Palestinians who live in Israel do not share the same freedoms as Israelis. Checkpoints, water rationing and illegal Israeli settlers’ ongoing violence to Palestinians and their land have only escalated over the past 16 years. Like the apartheid state of South Africa – that the US was reluctant to see abolished – we have continued to pour billions yearly into the defense of Israel and have been willing to witness the eradication of Palestinian lands and lives.

The brutal attack by Hamas on October 7 was anexcuse for more land theft and genocide. These are not empty words. Look at the reality, not the smear campaign of corporate media, not the profiteering war mongers and their congressional lackies.  I have never condoned the violence of October 7, and I will never accept the genocide that has been perpetrated by Israel since that day. 

“From the River to the Sea” is used by both sides. Israel has been able to dominate the narrative – both there and here in the US. It is time to turn the narrative around. It is time to pursue peace and stop listening to the voices of hate.

We have some unlearning to do…

And for some levity in the chaos.

The Play Goes On

We lost a local visionary. Unlikely that many knew of her unless you read her stinging commentaries and delighted in her unrelenting attacks on all things foolish. I feel the bite of sorrow but it has given rise to thought.

The play goes on. And that is how it should be. I often wonder why we don’t stop the madness, why so many of us choose unfulfilled dreams and chaos over the brilliance of being human. 

Out of laziness or mischief, we’re content with words that will never touch our hearts and we fall prey to blind belief too easily. We forget that life’s a game we’re meant to win. Winning is not success with dollar signs attached. That, my friends, is a lottery not a life’s win. 

Fear drives our choices, both individually and collectively, and we accept it as truth. We engage with puppeteers who hold us captive with fear. We give full attention to their musings and seldom question their legitimacy. Our understandings of what is precious in life and what is not meant for us have become twisted. From the touchstone of fear, we allow the domination of greed and power. We succumb to war as our only remedy whether at borders, offices, schools or churches. We play the parts of “us and them” and we act as if it is who we truly are… 

We’ve forgotten the brilliance of being human and forsake the reality of our connectedness. 

Life is our connector. Breath and being on this precious earth are what we share. I cherish those who help me remember. I honor those who refuse to let their candle dim in the darkness of ignorance that parades so triumphantly today. 

In this play of hide and seek with Reality, it’s ours to win. Don’t cower before ignorance. Shine.

“Boldness be my friend. Arm me, audacity, from head to foot.” From Shakespeare’s Cymbeline

Some of us must overcome timidity to have our voices heard. Some of us come into this world determined to be heard. Some of us are born for the struggle. Karen played her part magnificently.

Kindness and Sanity

Ramadan is the most cherished of Islamic holidays and begins on March 10 and continues to April 9. During this time members of the faith fast during daylight hours. It’s a time devoted to prayer and contemplation. 

With this as a backdrop, South Africa has urged the International Court of Justice to order Israel’s compliance with measures issued in January. These measures ordered Israel to halt acts that may be deemed genocidal against Palestinians. The new South African request noted “The threat of all-out famine has now materialized” and asked the court to order Israel to take “immediate and effective measures” ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches the starving masses. 

In Cairo, ceasefire talks continue between Hamas and Israel – with intermittent stalls. This as children are dying of starvation due to shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Also, in acknowledgement of Ramadan, Britain is circulating a United Nations ceasefire petition for both sides of the Sudanese civil war that has raged the past year with thousands being killed and displaced. At this time, the United States seems poised to agree with this Sudanese ceasefire request.

Yet our country has been a holdout in demanding ceasefire in Gaza. We remain in staunch support of the horrific actions against the Palestinian people. We’ve allowed Israeli characterizations of Palestinians as less than human to enter our discourse. We believe the false narratives of Hamas using Palestinians as shields and ignore Israel’s outright murders of Palestinian civilians and even of their own. 

We’ve allowed hatred and retribution to win.

There’s still time to do the right thing. Cities and counties are passing ceasefire resolutions and Democrats are voting uncommitted in a united voice against Biden’s support of genocide. As in reference, in Wisconsin the primary vote on April 2 is for “uninstructed”, if someone wants to voice a call for ceasefire.

Sanity must prevail.

South Africa to bring the US and Britain before the ICJ for Complicity in committing genocide.

The Challenge

I get it. No one wants to hear about the slaughter of innocent people day in and out. No one wants to hear that women and children are the highest casualties of the nearly 27,000 dead and 66,000 wounded. 

No one wants to believe the United States could be on the wrong side of this devastation, even as the International Criminal Justices’ nearly unanimous decisions to deter Israel may implicate us in acts of genocide. We still want to believe we’re the good guys.

And on top of the slaughtering of innocents with our bombs, the United States government has led nine of its allies to halt funds to the UN agency, UNWRA, that provides supplies to six million Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and those who are refugees in neighboring countries. Our government took no time to consider if the allegations leveled at the agency were true or not, nor did we consider the suffering we would be subjecting to innocent lives.   

Seems we are unable to slow Netanyahu’s reign of terror, but are quite capable of derailing food and life saving provisions to survivors.

And while the cries for permanent ceasefire echo around the world, there’s still a deafening silence in the media of our country. 

So here’s the challenge. Its time we stop waiting for our government to do the right thing. Its time we demand of our clergy and all humanitarian agencies and organizations to unite in one voice denouncing this senseless violence. 

We must break free of the propaganda that allows us to sleep walk through this blood bath. If you recognize that you have a voice and that every life counts, step up to your humanity and find a way to say, “No more”.

Here are some things that you can do:

If you are of a Christian faith, urge your clergy to help save lives. Here is a petition by Mennonites that welcomes all Christians to stand in conscientious objection to the violence of war.

If you live in Wisconsin, learn about and participate in the rallies, press releases, and actions happening around the state at the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine. With over 60 diverse organizations educating about and uplifting Palestine while demanding ceasefire and an end to occupation.

Learn from Palestinians, not the media. Friends of Tent of Nations. FOTONNA provides grassroots support through the Tent of Nations, a peace project located on Daher’s Vineyard – a 100-acre farm located about six miles from Bethlehem in the West Bank. 

Listen to my interview with Akram Abed on WDRTCommunity Radio show, Conversations, to understand life from a Palestinian point of view.

Sign petitions calling for ceasefire by Amnesty or OXFAM or a host of local and national organizations that are working towards that end.

Challenge your own personal beliefs and the indoctrination that allow us to go immediately to war and violence. Challenge your legislators to find peaceful solutions. We can do this. But it will take everyone who cares to speak up.

Olive fields in as-Samu. Photo compliments of Wikimedia Commons share alike license.