Tag: Humanity

Dolly(s) of the World Unite

We lost a great example of what humanity could be this week with the passing of Dolly Parton. There are many new and old stories being told about her kindness, her fierce independence, her brilliant wit, her love of life, and of her fellow human beings and her God, but that is not my focus here. Those tellings will live on as her legend continues to grow and touch people, as it surely will.

What I want to highlight is the significance of the outpouring of love and appreciation that is being offered in her name. What I want us to consider is how the Goodness of one human being has had the capacity to touch so many of us. And most importantly how this moment of recognition can create a wave of kindness among us. The greatest reciprocity that we could offer this magnificent, bright light of a human being is to walk our own path as she did. To be valiant in the face of hardship, to be resilient before those who would diminish us and to never give up.

The greatest homage we could pay at this time would be to step fully into ourselves as she did. To embrace the gift of life with celebration and joy. If we can unleash the freedom of spirit and the unrelenting care for all people that she demonstrated; it would be the honor deserved.

A gay interviewer once asked Dolly how she felt about drag queens loving and emulating her, in so many words she told him she appreciated them, and then she said, “If I hadn’t been a girl, I would have been a drag queen.” There is an abundance of freedom in that. There is unbridled love.

Compassion was her constant companion. That compassion exists in all of us. It was not unique to her. She embodied it; she owned it. And so can we. Dolly(s) of the world arise. You are needed.  

Forget-Me-Nots

The Curse of Militarized Police

Ten years ago, I had my first taste of militarized police. For weeks and months at Standing Rock, Natives and other citizens of this country were brutally treated. I wrote then about my concerns that this was the tip of the iceberg. That was under Obama. Since that time, more and more police are equipped and trained to protect property over people, and now with ICE they have been given permission to destroy families, communities and take lives, as we watch.

The police execution of Corey Ruiz in broad daylight in Madison on July 22 was inevitable if you follow the trajectory of permission granted to those in authority. Couple that with decades of killings by police and now ICE and you have a tinder box waiting to be ignited. And the refusal of government to uphold the law on murder by police is without conscience or compassion. 

How long must a family wait for accountability? Emmett Till’s family waited 65 years and still there is none. How long must a community suffer the lack of dignity afforded them? 

What is even more heart wrenching are the people and bots who deny the victim’s humanity with cruel accusations and chiding. 

And to those who refuse to see what has always been true and is now on steroids, we are a lawless people who hide behind wealth and power. But there is hope. The marginalized and youth are not accepting our history to be our future. People are rising up, in large part due to the increased inhumanity, income disparity, and stripped safety nets. People want humanity to win. And no amount of power and arsenal will keep that tide from turning.

If you don’t like “Defund the police” or “Abolish ICE” and you’re OK with your tax dollars funding a genocide, you have betrayed yourself. It’s time to come back. Come home to your self and your humanity.

“No One Else should be hurt in Corey’s name”. Ruiz family statement:

“Corey was quiet, soft-spoken, and giving. He thought about other people before he thought about himself. He had a family who loved him. He was not alone in this world, and he was not without help. We ask that he not be reduced to a label he never carried.

“To the activists who have shown up for Corey, thank you. Keep fighting for justice, peacefully and together. Our family is not affiliated with any group, and you do not need our approval to demand accountability. Please work through our liaison rather than contacting our family directly.

“Our family did not organize or authorize the encampment at Williamson and Baldwin streets. We learned of it the day after it was set up. We were never asked, and we never agreed to the statement released in our name.

“The city cleared that intersection yesterday. We ask everyone at that corner and everyone wearing a badge to keep this peaceful. No one else should be hurt in Corey’s name.

 “This family has authorized one GoFundMe, and only one:https://gofund.me/1d3ee8937. Any campaign raising money for protest or advocacy work should say so plainly, and should not tell donors the money is going to Corey’s family.

 “We would welcome a respectful memorial for Corey that honors the man he was. 

 “We are asking for privacy while we grieve. Please work through our legal representatives and liaisons on any requests for our family.”

  • Courtesy: Senator Chris Larson / Facebook

Juneteenth

Let’s celebrate that which is worthy of celebration!

Some things never took on me. As a teen I had a fierce reaction against the Vietnam war when most people were blindly in support, before the narratives changed and the body count rose. I remember at even younger years, I was not willing to mistreat or even speak poorly of children less advantaged. And I never understood the disregard and dehumanization of Black children who I counted as friends. I hated the stigmas on diversity or anything that smacked of difference issued by “God fearing, church goers”. Their hypocrisy was repugnant to me. It chased me from religion, but not from my Creator. 

A favored aunt tried to help me “see the plight of white people”, offering books that spoke of being outnumbered and more. I felt sorry for her. I didn’t realize at the time she was unwittingly warning me of what was yet to come. That those Sunday worshiping, people of God were about to unleash hatred so vile as to make me want to withdraw from society as a whole.

But that’s not my fate. I choose instead to champion the truly Good in all of us. And however desperate the times appear; I’m committed to fulfilling my life’s purpose: to be fully human, fully alive. I’ve lived a life of questioning and choosing. And my choices, while not easily executed, have allowed a love of humanity and of the earth that I cherish.

Baraboo, Wiscsonsin will be celebrating Juneteenth for the third year. It’s a community refusing to surrender to the racism that has haunted it. Haunted all of us. I’ll be there again. This is what we need. To celebrate our stories of victory, to revel in the colors of the rainbow and to delight in our diversity which is our strength.

It’s time for the silent to waken. The line is drawn. We are either human or we are not. There is no other choice. Time to dance.

Abolish ICE. End racism. Choose humanity. Celebrate Juneteenth.

Fragility

Fragility is not always a weakness. It can be the direct result of living in an insane world.

Today began with another reminder of how fragile we are. The call came early; the voice was shaky and broken. I sat down. Another youth made the ultimate sacrifice. Another life lost in the crush of a society that refuses to walk away from inhumanity and senseless hatred. We’re living in a death wish that pretends to be civilization. And for some, suicide becomes the last resort and a final slap to the world that refuses to listen. 

This upside-down world filled with contradictions and dead ends are too much for many. They are the Ones whose empathy becomes the sword they fall on. The Ones whose question “Why?” is screamed into an abyss. The Ones we say “were not meant for this world”, instead of saying “we must repair the garden we have destroyed”. We carry on. We say prayers, raise money to cover burials and refuse to look deeper. Those closest to the departed will feel the sting of shame and the torment of guilt, but that should not be their burden, as we all have a hand in this human spider web. 

In a land where guns outnumber humans and children are taught their lives are political fodder, how could we expect anything else?

In a country steeped in empty faith with compromises and contradictions so great a camel could pass through the eye of that needle. We missed the boat of humanity. We prefer lies and excuses. We prefer beliefs of Santa Claus and heaven. We want sugar coated exceptionalism to reign. And the ugly truth is something we refuse to handle. Fear is and has always been the driver of this country, but today it’s on steroids.

But not for all of us. It has never been all of us. Some of us have always known better. And perhaps it is time for the fearless to lead.

For those unafraid of facing truth, let us recognize one another with dignity and compassion. Let us help one another. Love and peace are not only possible; they are our birthright. It requires a deeper dive and a willingness to accept and celebrate the incredible gift that is life. Help one another. We can do this.

LGBTQ+ Rights and Our Duty to Protect-2Download

Transformation

It’s easy to say, “We need transformation’; it’s yet another thing to be actively engaged in it. Transformation, by its nature, implies urgency to move from one state of being into another. Nature repeatedly shows us this. The butterfly is not alone in this emerging. Whether nature’s rapid transformations of insects and amphibians or the slow altering of the seasons, these shifts are essential for survival and the balance of life’s systems. And what are the consequences of not transforming?

Stagnation does not serve us. In traditional Chinese Medicine stagnation refers to restriction that hinders vital energy and ultimately causes pain and dis-ease. That’s why people seek movement in the forms of Tai chi and Qi Gong, to avoid stagnation and to maintain health’s optimum balance. And to a great extent it works.

But when we are identifying disease within our communities, our state and world, movement alone will not suffice. There must be clear thinking and honest assessing of the conditions causing our illnesses – literally and figuratively.

Wisdom would dictate that no single individual should be saddled with the obligation and responsibility of what we have come to know as leadership. Marx had it wrong, following is in fact the opium of the masses, organized religion is only a symptom. The giving away of our individual accountability to ourselves, our communities and the earth has led us to this imperiled moment. Handing our power to a leader brings a stagnation that we can not afford in this urgent time. Cooperation and community where everyone assumes responsibility to the whole is what is needed now. And that will be a transformative step that we have not yet tried.

Many of us prefer status quo thinking and are not prepared to rock the boat. Understood. There are people desperate to crown a new king to follow, both on the left and the right. Tucker Carlson and Pete Buttigieg come to mind in this delusional attraction. But transformation requires immediacy and I would say to you, if this is not your moment to be accountable as a human being, capable of clear thinking and decisive action, please step aside.

There are many brilliant minds and stellar hearts seeking to bring more than hope back to our existence. There are communities of people readying for the transformation needed for all of us to create better ways forward. Look to the ones creating community. Look to the ones invigorating more than resistance; look to the determined, to the unrelenting. The people refusing to accept ‘this is how it must be’. And maybe then you will realize you are an essential part in this massive shift – for all of us.

Stand Up

Social media was abuzz prior to the nationwide March 28th rallies. There were legitimate concerns over allegiance with Democratic leadership that still refuses to accept that the vast majority of people want the US to stop funding Israel’s war machine – and to admit we are complicit in genocide. I understand those critiques and agree. In deciding my attendance at the rally, I weighed heavily the pros and cons. Being invited to emcee the Madison No Kings Rally, made my decision for me. I could have my say. And I was impressed with the speakers also invited for that day. The event challenged every nay sayer, in a good way. I am very glad I said “yes”and proud to be among everyone who attended.

Some people have asked to hear my opening – so here it goes. And you can find the full hour of amazing speakers below.

“When our humanity is under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back.

When our dignity is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.

When our love is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.

First, I want you to look around and take in the tapestry that we are. Feel the courage and the kindness that we share. There is an attack on our humanity occurring daily. It manifests through ICE raids and separating families; it happens through the incessant war industry that’s always searching for targets instead of working towards peace. 

And it is in the destruction of our home, the earth, with unnecessary pipelines, and data centers destroying our health and our communities. 

Both parties have created this moment and it is incumbent upon us, “we the people”, to restore human dignity, compassion and trust.

You’re not sheep. I have sheep. I know the difference. Sheep are wonderful, but we share something that sheep don’t have. We have the ability to choose. By being here, you are choosing hope over despair, empathy over disregard, and action over ineptitude.

We are the ones refusing to let ignorance win. You and others who couldn’t be here or are gathering in over 100 locations in Wisconsin, are stepping up to be frontline.

We’re the defenders of our mutual humanity, regardless of our differences. We are here together to show each other how powerful peace can be, and I, for one, love you and thank you for your efforts. 

There are 50 grassroots groups, non-profits and pro-democracy organizations participating in this event. Find some that resonate with you and get active. You are needed. 

Speakers and speeches from March 28 in Madison.

They include: Paul Smith, United Turtle Clan, Oneida Nation; Sinceree Dixon, League of Women Voters; Ajak Johnson, Badger Collective; and Rev. Judge Everett Mitchell, Solid Rock Baptist Church

Photos from NO Kings Madison

Over 10000 in Madison on March 28. Over 70,000 throughout Wisconsin.

We Carry On

We’ve really done it this time, haven’t we? It doesn’t seem to matter how many innocents are lost. We’ve been tallying the death and dismemberment of children in Gaza for years, what’s another 181 Iranian girls going to matter? We’ve allowed racism disguised as good Christian values to rip families apart and while the polls show the majority are not in favor of these draconian acts, we carry on. 

We carry on. The cheers of “USA, USA” drown out the realities of the horrors we support and keep us tied to the tribalism that forgets our humanity. The Epstein files throw light on the belief of eugenics and flagrantly flaunt White male superiority, and we carry on. 

Our military boasts of its killing capabilities and many of us get paid handsomely in stocks when weapons of mass destruction are deployed. The earth is ravaged, water and air polluted, making simple living impossible. But we carry on. Mars is waiting for us, right?

Legacy media is absolutely corrupt. But we’re addicted to the play by play and most of us stopped thinking critically long ago. Who needs to think? We have pundits and AI chats now.

But most importantly, we believe. We believe in heaven and hell. We believe in White dominance and that the United States can do no wrong. We believe in Santa Claus and all the lies embedded in our history and so we carry on.

Sons and daughters go to war and we are told not all will make it home, as if that makes it better somehow. It’s honest at least.

I have always hated hypocrisy. If god is love, why can’t love be our choice? Why can’t saving humanity be our rallying cry?  Please leave your beliefs behind, get to your knowing and let us carry on.

Let us climb out of the ashes and create a better day. Because we can.

An anonymous author from 1583 depicts the immortal phoenix rising from the flames. In is in our DNA to rise again and again. And our time to rise is now.

We’ve Had Enough

The $tate of the Union is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24. Groundswells of people, including Congressional members, will be tuning it out. What better way to steal the thunder of one who feasts on false accolades than to ignore him? Media will be paid to record, regurgitate and correct or bolster every line, saving us our precious time. After the speech we will be force fed false stories of grandiose exceptionalism as they desperately try to have us not look behind the curtain of illusion. Bets could and should be made on how many times the Epstein files are mentioned. Odds are not at all. And there will unlikely be no mention of our “peace” president’s blockade on Cuba that is crippling that sovereign nation. Nor will we learn any more clarity on the possibility of going to war with Iran and what role Israel plays in our ongoing militarism. 

And this administration has refused to reel in the inhuman acts of the mercenaries called ICE, paid for by the “big beautiful bill” with Congressional approval. Our tax dollars are funding Department of Homeland Security detention centers that are essentially prisons, and one must wonder, if criminal deportation is the point, why are so many prisons necessary?

We live in an imperialist and racist nation. One that hid the truth of Native American genocide and the anguishes of slavery. We’ve allowed the myths of grandeur to cloud our vision and to promote this grotesque new normal we are living in. 

But as the realities of child rape and sex trafficking through the elite world cabal comes to light, surely, we are ready to say, “We’ve had enough”. 

It’s time for a revolution of kindness. Kindness to ourselves, to our children and to the children and people throughout the world harmed by imperialism, environmental extraction and debauchery. 

It’s time for a worldwide human revolution. Let’s stop letting ignorance lead. Do something meaningful during the $tate of the Union that will help bring power to its knees. Not listening to there $tate of the Union is a start. Create a new narrative of love, community, diversity and joy. Because we can.

Abolish ICE

Created as part of the Homeland Security Act; ICE began in 2003. Currently, if separated from the federal government, it’s estimated that ICE would rank 13th in the world as a militarized army. And now as people are beginning to challenge the legitimacy of militarized and masked police in neighborhoods, smashing car windows, brutally accosting men, women and children one has to wonder who still supports this and why?

Have we not had enough violence? Why have we allowed, without conscience or dignified care, families severed and human beings detained in deplorable conditions? Is our hatred of people who are different so great that we’re willing to see an escalation in inhumanity? Three shots to the head of an unarmed woman and no one is in custody. A Black father and citizen killed by an off-duty agent because he celebrated New Year’s Eve. Are the screams of the children not reaching our ears? Who are you: the ones who cheer these obscene acts? Who are you: the silent ones? 

We have another opportunity to reel in this rogue organization. An appropriations package to further inflate ICE’s budget is being considered by Congress. It must pass with 60 votes. If Republicans hold to their capitulation to this administration, there would still be a need for seven Democrats to support the increase to ICE. Democrats must not support this increased funding. We can and must make that clear. The January 30th deadline to stop this vote is looming. We have time to bring it to an end.

This is when ordinary citizens must become extraordinary. This is when the silent must speak.

Frederick Douglas famously reflected, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will”. 

Demand legislators vote against increasing ICE funding. And while you’re at it call for ICE to be abolished. 

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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PEOPLE OVER PAPERS

Graphic by Just Seeds

Dismantling the Master’s House

When Audre Lorde wrote, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house,” the door opened again to the dismantling of the systems that oppress us – if we let them.

And just what is the master’s house? The patriarchy that continues to subjugate women the world over are the pillars. In the walls are hidden the abuse of women and children and the inhumane secrets of generations. The floors are made of capitalism dependent on extreme extractions of the earth and of human blood, sweat and tears.  And religions, that abandon simple truths in order to align with power, are the roof of the master’s house. The master’s house is a tight little package that we have accepted and we continue to support – until we don’t.

And what are the tools that we should not use to dismantle this prison? The lies of scarcity, that there is not enough; that life is about ‘dog eat dog’ and ‘might is right’. That heaven can only be found in dying and life is about sacrifice and pain and that we are separate from one another and all Creation.  These are the tools the master has used to build his house. 

What then are the tools to dismantle this prison? Knowing who you are is key. Recognizing the preciousness of life and the connection we all carry to our Creator and to one another sweeten the effort of dismantling. Love and compassion are our strengths. Courage and clarity are essential. And the hope that is born on this effort is never forsaken. It carries on.

“Nobody’s free until everybody’s free”. Let us join the host of human beings who have traversed this course. Enough of inhumanity. It’s time we depart the master’s prison and bring the willing home. 

For inspiration, courage and clarity:

Fannie Lou Hamer – “Until I am Free You are Not Free Either”

Angelou “No One of Us is Free until Everybody’s Free“