We Are Groomed

We are groomed. From our toothpaste to our choice of presidents and everything in between we are groomed. From blue to pink, trucks and dolls, prince and princess we are sold a way of life that we accept. 

The unity that everyone is suddenly seeking is not a unity of plurality. It is a unity of homogenization. 

Pundits and tricksters are clever at finding weaknesses and preying on the vulnerable. We are still falling for the “pick yourselves up by the bootstraps” mentality and we are willing to line up behind those who tell us they have succeeded. 

We’ve stopped teaching our children about universality and wisdom. We teach right and wrong and demonstrate that wrong is often right. 

We brag about our exceptionalism, salute the flag and honor those who died for our freedom, but are quite willing to sacrifice those same freedoms to someone who willingly admits he would be an autocrat.

And of course, the flip side of the coin holds the same empty rhetoric but is geared towards those who fear evil – but not enough fear to really want to see change. 

Because what would change mean?

Change would mean finding ways that work for all of us. It would mean building communities, not tearing them apart by militarized police.

Change would mean understanding we are part of a global humanity and the family of man is faced with consequences of climate change and wars that are causing migration the world over.

Change would mean recognizing that capitalism and empires have wounded us so we may begin to actively and consciously dismantle those crippling enterprises. While we’re at it, let us begin with defunding Israel and demanding the end to its apartheid regime. 

“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” Camus

Demand a New Way

July Fourth rolled around again. The time when veterans and pets cower from the indiscriminate overuse of fireworks. Our celebration of “freedom” is reduced to a celebration of war. Our current telling of history leaves out the tactical actions of people who refused to be enslaved by unjust taxes, imposed curfews, restricted speech and more. History omits the effort to garner the support of the majority, and forgets the internal struggles with loyalists to the King. And while we praise the Constitution as a significant milestone in human history, we allow politicians attempt to dismantle it, much the way we allowed the dismantling of Reconstruction – refusing Black peoples’ rights to the very same freedoms we claim.

And then there is our ongoing history of crushing “freedom” for people the world over. The most current is our funding of the slaughter of Palestinians who also seek “freedom.” 

We’ve used war and our stories of “freedom” to keep us in a cycle of violence. We’ve never shrugged off the dominance of the wealthy class and we are suffering greatly for it. We are divided and ignorant of the calamities before us. We accept lies as truths and we have lost sight of the power of “We the People”, as we clamor for another King. 

But wait! The story of the United States may yet again resound with hope. The stepping aside of Biden – should it happen – could signal the possibility of transformation. 

Could it be too much to ask that the majority of our citizens rally to this moment and not simply choose a president, but demand a new way of life and the beginning of a new history?

Let’s bring to an end the exploitation of people and resources. Let cooperation and compassion lead. Let’s demand peace.

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.

Our Resistance is Growing

I was grateful to participate in the recent Army Corps of Engineers’ hearing on the proposed re-route to Line 5. The opportunity to be with people who hold the land and water sacred is an honor and reaffirms all that is good in us. The Bad River and Red Cliff Tribal members, their allies and community came with great words of defiance and resilience as they try to stop Enbridge’s Line 5. I am proud to stand with them. NEW IN: THE HEARING HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO AUGUST 4. READ DETAILS BELOW.

Here is a portion of my testimony: There comes a time when clear thinking people must admit that the course of exploitation and usury is no longer viable. And when those people come to that conclusion, it’s vital they ensure a change of course that is just, equitable and sound. 

Both the current Line 5 and the proposed Line 5 expansion pose potential threats to drinking water and ecosystems. Both violate tribal rights. Line 5 is operating nearly 20 years past its lifespan. And we know, the Great Lakes hold 95 percent of the surface freshwater in the United States.  A pipeline breach will be catastrophic. 

These facts alone should be enough to end the existence of Line 5 and it’s re-route. But too many of us still believe the propaganda of the oil industry and are frightened about a change of course. 

The Army Corp has an enormous responsibility to provide stop gap measures and allow clear thinking to prevail. By ordering a Federal Environmental Impact Statement you can expose the true risks of the pipeline.

By reviewing Enbridge’s record of misrepresentation, violating permits, spilling oil, and covering up environmental damage you can end past injustices.

In shutting down Line 5 we can justly transition to safer, more sustainable energy. 

Our resistance is growing and will continue to grow. 

Learn more on Line 5: Communities United by Water. or 350 Wisconsin.org and be sure to see the Bad River Film

*****!!!!!! Due to an overwhelming amount of requests, the U.S. Army Corps has extended the public comment period on Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 reroute project for an additional 30 days 📆

💥 The new deadline is August 4th 💥 Feeling stuck? Check out this toolkit ➡https://tinyurl.com/LINE5GUIDE⬅ to help you during the process

Thanks to 350Wisconsin.org

📝

Our Red Line

Will the fiery massacre of displaced civilians in Rafah be the assault that drives our citizenry to demand ceasefire? The slaughter of over 36,000 human beings has not done it. The arrests of over 3,000 students demonstrating for divestment has not done it. The rulings of the International Court of Justice and the potential arrest warrants of Israeli and Hamas leaders by the ICC did not do it. In fact, every time there has been a request for Israel to halt or slow its offensive, the opposite has occurred. 

For seven months, world opinion has moved against Israel. Only the United States and a few allies have supported the bombing of civilians.

Our willingness to support the annihilation of Palestinian people and their way of life is intertwined in our economy. The U.S. spends hundreds of billions yearly on the war industry, reaping the benefits of global conflicts in the name of securing our interests. 

Students and watchdogs alert us to lobbying money paid to legislators to keep the war industry booming and Israeli interests as top priority.  Polls show a rising number of people will not vote for Biden or other Democratic candidates. Yet the arrogance of power refuses to bend towards the will of the people.   

We’ve overcome great lies to arrive at this red line. We were told all Palestinians are terrorists, and all Jews are Zionist. Neither are true.

What is true is that people want peace.

What is true is there will be no peace without the majority of people demanding it.

We need a very bold step towards peace. We must find the courage to rise to this urgent moment and say, “No more.” This is our red line.

Compassion for Rafah.

red line. noun  a limit beyond which someone’s behavior is no longer acceptable: 

Weary of War

The United States will again hinder the course of international justice and challenge universal standards of morality. Biden has denounced the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for top Israeli officials and Hamas leaders. 

Since its inception, the International Criminal Court has strived to establish rules of engagement for war and peace – a monumental undertaking given the diversity of thought that exists in the world.  Driven by a desire for human dignity to prevail, the court seeks to create a system of justice that would offer solace to victims and direct the course of human interactions towards peace.

The United States is a non-member of the ICC, and has supported the International Court when the Court has sought to employ justice against its foes, but has balked when the same Court has attempted to enact jurisdiction over the United States or its allies. Perhaps it’s time we evaluate our relationship to power and militarism and attempt peace keeping through diplomacy.  

The United Nation’s effort to establish peace among nations is repeatedly hindered by the United States. We’re often the first to veto efforts to rein in aggression. This we have seen throughout Israel’s inhuman assault on Gaza. Even our allies are turning toward peacebuilding and away from supporting arms sales to Israel.

And in a major turn of events, Norway, Ireland and Spain have begun to recognize the statehood of Palestine. As the three countries united in this action, they expressed it as a step towards peace – for both sides of the conflict. 

Many of us are weary of the normalization of war and the devastation of human life and the environment. Polls are bearing this out. 

Those fearing Biden will lose the election would do well to push him towards peace. 

Countries that recognize the statehood of Palestine.

Study Peace

The hope for peace has been around a long time. Pete Seeger’s song “Study War No More” came from a Negro spiritual and its often thought the words “Down by the Riverside” referred to the Ohio River. The song encouraged and pointed the way for slaves to escape to freedom.

A “Mother’s Day for Peace”* was promoted by suffragette Julia Ward Howe in 1870. In her Mother’s Day Proclamation, she beckoned mothers, the world over, to ask that their husbands and sons would no longer be killed in wars. She called upon mothers to band together to promote the “amicable settlement of international questions, (with) the great and general interests of peace.”

And one might ask what ever happened to Armistice Day? Armistice is Latin for “to stand (still) arms”. It was celebrated on Nov 11 to celebrate the end of WWI. In 1938, it became known as a day dedicated to world peace and became an official holiday. But war is such an integral part of our culture, it served our militarism to honor the lives lost and Armistice became Veterans Day and peace again took a back seat in 1954.

As someone who has understood the intrinsic need we all have to feel peace, I am often perplexed at the silence from those who, by default, continually support war. I understand our economy is now based in militarism with the sales of arms to friends and foe. I get that women have lost their voices to Hallmark, and that false rationales and reasonings dictate the need for war, but seriously, what will it take for the majority of us to recognize that peace is not only possible but is truly our only way out?  

We’ve studied war. It’s time we study peace.

Path to Peace
Guidance towards inner peace without dogma. Study peace.

The original Mothers’ Day Proclamation, Julia Ward Howe, 1870:

Arise, then… women of this day!

Arise, all women who have hearts, whether our baptism be that of water or of tears! Say firmly: We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We, women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.

From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own. It says: Disarm, Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice. Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence vindicate possession. As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of council.

Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead. Let them then solemnly take council with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace, each bearing after his own kind the sacred impress, not of Caesar, but of God.

In the name of womanhood and of humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress of women, without limit of nationality, may be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient, and at the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.

Study War No More / Down By the Riverside – Pete Seeger

Bring Peace to Rafah

Democrats are terrified of Trump. They admit that Biden’s choice to support Israel and the slaughter of over 35,000 human beings, including 15,000 children is “wrong”, but they are terrified that if they speak out, Biden will lose and democracy will be no more.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but democracy took a back seat to militarism in this country a long time ago. Militarized police on university campuses should be telling us this. 

Biden is turning a blind eye towards Rafah, regardless of what his words say. Rafah is the last holdout for 1. 5 million Palestinians who ran there for safety. The government of Netanyahu is showing no sign of letting up on his seven month march of destruction and death. And Biden is showing no understanding at the consequences of his unequivocal support of Netanyahu from the start.

And one day, as we saw with Bush’s Iraq horror, we will come to know Biden’s complicity in these war crimes as calculated resource and land grabs – costing countless lives and ways of life.

War will never bring us peace. 

It’s beyond time that we stop the United States war machine. Biden is little more than a puppet to the industries of war and fossil fuels, as were the presidents of both parties before him. Choose your poison.

Students are again the conscience of the United States. The rallies and encampments are the culmination of a sincere desire for peace – with the recognition that divestment from war is our way out. End war and save the environment. End war and save our humanity.

We have a bigger choice before us than who will be in the White House in 2025. We have the choice of who will emerge from this nightmare. Peacemakers or warmongers. 

To all the terrified Democrats: try being in Rafah right now.

Silence is Betrayal – King’s moral stance against the Vietnam War continues to teach us.