The Truth Is Knocking. Let It In

You might as well answer the door, my child, the truth is furiously knocking.

- Lucille Clifton

What does holding power to account mean?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, to make someone accept that they are responsible for something and explain their actions or decisions: Holding those in power to account is the essence of democracy.

Power and Corruption

Here are two examples of abuse of power and the result of two recent investigations that hold power to account. Both are from an article in Slate, 

The Matt Gaetz Report Is a Reminder That Investigations Actually Matter

By Dahlia Lithwick

When the long-awaited House Ethics committee report on Matt Gaetz came out Monday morning, it offered a stark reminder of how vital it is to continue to carry out thorough investigations, especially as investigators are being increasingly vilified. Today we know much that we did not previously know about Gaetz’s fitness to hold public office. That is to the benefit of absolutely everyone. And anyone who thinks differently should have to explain why we should have remained in the dark.

Matt Gaetz

The committee’s findings were horrific. The 42-page document, which Gaetz tried unsuccessfully to suppress, found the former congressman had “violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress.” (Gaetz has denied all of the allegations). Their investigation found that Donald Trump’s first pick for the chief law enforcement officer of the United States had, among other things, purchased drugs including cocaine and ecstasy on multiple occasions; accepted gifts, including transportation and lodging in the Bahamas, in excess of permissible amounts; paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for sex; lied to the State Department about the identity of one of these women so that she could get an American passport; and paid a 17-year-old girl—a high school junior. 

Justice Clarence Thomas

All of this brought to mind another recent investigation: the brand new 93-page report released by Democratic staff members of the Judiciary Committee, detailing yet more ethics violations committed by Justice Clarence Thomas. Amid the new revelations were two additional trips paid for by Thomas’ billionaire patron Harlan Crow that had not been disclosed, even as Thomas has scrambled to amend his various filings to keep up with journalism. The new trips came to light only because the committee had subpoenaed Crow.

Is It A Moot Point?

No charges have been brought, Republicans deny accountability, and attack the investigators, but the word is now out, and that matters. It matters because the truth is a way forward. Acquiescence to power ends our democracy. 

We now have the emergence of the very powerful Tech Brotherhood within the MAGA alliance. They are pro tech, pro capitalism, anti-regulation, and pro H-1B visa. They are causing a split in MAGA world over their stand on allowing certain people of color into our country. I am not comfortable with the new tech oligarchy ruling America. Will they feed the hungry? Will they house the homeless, including 155,000 children sleeping in the streets tonight? Will they make sure our health care system is affordable, and includes empathy and compassion unlike the algorithms that deny coverage to millions? I'm not optimistic. They are condescending to the MAGA base and to the rest of us. 

Push back is essential from the free press and from everyday citizens. Hold our elected representatives to account, or in a very short while we will hardly recognize our country. 

I Am Only One Person

First, you are not alone. You've heard, "Where two or three gather...?" That's the beginning of something much larger. Small groups grew into the civil rights movement.

We have power over our elected officials. Even in gerrymandered districts, it is possible to affect change. Representatives are chosen by the public to decide on its behalf the policies and actions to be pursued by a Government and are charged with acting in the best interests of his and her constituents. In doing so representatives are accountable to their constituents for their actions. 

-gao

Being There on Christmas

Offering Hope

Back before automation, back when we were actually spinning the disks, I had an experience that helped me understand the value of the personal interaction radio offers.

I often worked holiday shifts, filling in for staff who wanted time with their families. On one particular shift on Christmas Eve or Christmas Night, I got a call from somebody who was having difficulties. The holidays can easily amplify loneliness among individuals going through tough emotional times.

We spoke on the phone for about 20 minutes. I listened mostly. Finally, he said he was doing a little better, but asked if he could call back later that night. I assured him he could. 

After I got off the phone with him, I called my pastor. I asked him if he thought he might call back. He said, "probably not." Listening was going to be the best thing I could offer. I was a voice in the night. He was able to reach out and connect when he needed it.

 I’m not sure what happened to him.

Because we were not automated, we were there when he needed us to be. In a way the live presence eliminated a barrier between the listener and the station. I like to think that connection was valuable for both of us.

The song I was playing just before he called, "I'll Never Be the Same."

Dealing with Racism at the Table

 You're gathered around the table. Then, somebody says something racist. Perhaps it was meant as a joke. It's mean, not humor. Unfortunately, confronting the commenter head on may not work. 

The hard part is the comment is a personal affront to your values. A response that attacks the racist won't deescalate the issue. Their reaction will be defensive, and the confrontation could easily spiral out of control. Instead focus on the issue. 

I found some replies on WebMD that don't let the offensive remark slide, but offer some space before dealing with the issue more directly.

Health & Balance/Feature Stories

What to Say When Someone Says Something Racist

Medically Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, MS, DO on July 23, 2021Written by Candina Jordan

Listen

It can be hard to know how to respond when someone makes a racist comment, especially if they are close to you or in a position of power over you. There are several different responses to racist remarks that you can use. The response you choose when talking with family members or friends may be different from that you choose when talking with a work colleague. 

Plan Ahead

It can take courage to stand up to someone who makes a racist comment or joke. Resolving to be someone who speaks up for others might help you overcome any awkwardness you feel about confronting racism. It can also help if you decide ahead of time that you won't tolerate racial slurs or derogatory remarks. ‌

It's easy to get caught off guard when you hear a derogatory remark in a situation where you aren't expecting it. You may not be able to think of an appropriate thing to say quickly enough. Memorizing some responses may help you prepare for the next time you find yourself in that situation. Pick a few phrases, and practice saying them until it feels comfortable. ‌

Here are some simple phrases you can use as responses to racist remarks: 

That's not how we do things here. 

That's not funny to me.

That sounds racist. 

That was not necessary. 

Is the person’s race relevant to your story? 

I'm sorry, what?

I need a moment to process that. 

Let's be careful that our words are respectful of everyone. 

Racial jokes are not okay. 

That comment makes me uncomfortable. 

Maybe you don't realize the impact of your words. 

If these don't work, maybe a pie fight?

Just to be clear, all that racist rhetoric used by Trump and his surrogates was not okay. It still isn't.

Does DEI instill fear? It shouldn't.

 

Diversity, equity and inclusion

Everything that made that giant tree is already contained inside this tiny little seed. All it needs is some time, a little bit of sunshine and rain, and voila!

- Flik, “A Bug’s Life” (1998) 

It is four words strung together that would offer the American dream to millions who have been systemically excluded. DEI is a term used to describe policies and programs that promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals. DEI encompasses people of different ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, disabilities, genders, religions, cultures and sexual orientations.

The goal is aspirational. The goal is to value the gifts each of us bring to the whole. It's about the opportunity to succeed.

These goals are woven into the fabric of our country. The Declaration of Independence states three basic ideas: (1) God made all men equal and gave them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; (2) the main business of government is to protect these rights; (3) if a government tries to withhold these rights, the people are free to revolt and to set up a new government. (-Britannica)

Diversity

Diversity is about what makes each of us unique and includes our backgrounds, personality, life experiences and beliefs, all of the things that make us who we are. It is a combination of our differences that shape our view of the world, our perspective and our approach (vic.gov)

Monoculturalism

In the context of cultural diversity, monoculturalism is the opposite of multiculturalism. Rather than the suppression of different ethnic groups within a given society, sometimes monoculturalism manifests as the active preservation of a country's national culture via the exclusion of external influences. A monocultural mindset is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others and that their own experiences are the definition of "normal". People with a monocultural mindset may:

See themselves as superior

Have little or nothing to learn from other cultures

Be arrogant and short-sighted

Believe that their cultural practices are superior to those of minority groups

Judge another culture based on the values and standards of one's own culture
(Online sources including Encyclopedia of Multicultural Psychology and Tracking Genocide: Persecution of the Karen in Burma". Texas international law journal.)

Equity

The term “equity” refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances.

Inequity

Inequity, unfairness. injustice by virtue of not conforming with rules or standards of those who would keep control over others. (vocabulary.com)

Inclusion

Inclusion is seen as a universal human right. The aim of inclusion is to embrace all people irrespective of race, gender, disability, medical or other need. It is about giving equal access and opportunities and getting rid of discrimination and intolerance (removal of barriers). (inclusion.me.uk)

Exclusion

It's us vs them. All sorts of barriers are erected to keep others out. Often starting with exclusionary language goes way beyond the understanding and application of grammar. It's embedded with deeper meanings, peppered by shared history, values, experiences, class, gender, and much more, overt and covert. The goal of subverting inalienable rights has evolved into something like this. Anybody who opposes the in crowd is guided by demonic forces, and they need to be eliminated in a battle of good versus evil.

From Fast Company - The Four Reasons for DEI Backlash. (Amira Barger)

DEI threatens meritocracy.

Some opponents of DEI initiatives express fears about the possibility of “reverse discrimination.” These critics view society as a zero-sum game.

Political ideology and correctness

Of course, many misconceptions about DEI stem from misinformation. Misinformation and misunderstandings about the goals and methods of DEI often drive opposition to DEI initiatives. These efforts—specifically framing DEI as anti-white—attempt to create a narrative of preferential treatment or enforcement of ideological conformity. It is also common for people to misunderstand or conflate three key elements of DEI: equality, equity, inclusion and systemic change.

A tangential observation

Empathy

At it's worst, driving resistance to DEI is a lack of empathy for fellow human beings. The term “empathy” is used to describe a wide range of experiences. Emotion researchers generally define empathy as the ability to sense other people's emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling.

 Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by self-absorption, grandiosity, exploitation of others and lack of empathy. People with that disorder may switch from an overt form, mainly with grandiosity, to a covert presentation, with fears, hypersensitivity and dependence from others. Empathy represents a key point in detecting people affected by narcissistic personality disorder because, even if it is described as reduced, it plays a fundamental role in exploitation and manipulation. (nih) This lack of empathy was on full display at Madison Square Garden.

“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.” (Proverbs 14:21)

Be still and listen

Susan Wilkinson

 After reading accounts of the Fox interview, I was struck by the interviewer's inability to set aside preconceived notions and actually listen. Why would a journalist use their platform to attack? He could have a meaningful conversation and gained insights if he had been willing to listen.

Listening is important. I found this at Deepstash.com.

The 5 Purposes Of Listening

Listening makes people feel like they matter, which in turn makes them work harder.

Arrogance talks. Humility listens. Practice humility by letting others speak.

Listen to help others learn what they really think and find clarity.

Listen to understand what needs to be acted upon.

Curiosity. Listen to ask a question.

But MAGA world doesn't want us to gain a deeper understanding. Their message is the same as the abusers manipulation of the victim. Make us fear change, make us fear differences, because they will protect us from the unknown. It is a dark message laced with anger, rage, and hate.  Belief in "I alone can fix this," is a warning that he is desperate to hold power over us. The really scary part, too many of us are buying into the abuser's message.

“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare” (Prov. 13:20 ).

The Fundraiser Anxiety Dream

I had that dream again. It's the fundraiser dream. We're on the air making great case arguments, followed by inspiring closes.

Nobody is calling. Nobody is pledging on-line. In a moment of clarity, I understand the audience has gone elsewhere. The CUME is down 50 percent. Time spent listening among the core has dropped from 10 hours a week to four hours a week.

I shared my concern, and got ignored. "I was too focused on the numbers."

I pointed out we couldn't be considered a community service if we aren't serving anybody. The response was cool. I don't know how it turned out. My mind moved on. The dream ended.

Then I thought, "I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore."

Must We Fear the Other?