Thank you for this piece! As someone in circles that I expect to be largely dismal today, seeing something like this gives me hope. I needed to hear that I could, indeed, have something positive to look towards.
I am off to join a service day for Martin Luther King Jr. as part of an interfaith collaboration. These words resonate with what we should, and will, be doing. Thank you for the clarity.
I think we're on to a new slogan here, "Make America Great, Healthy and Whole Again".
Thank you, as always, Monica for your insightful thought's. Prior to 2020, I mainly watched CNN for my American news and, looking back, I am quite ashamed of myself for buying into all the hateful rhetoric. I cannot express enough how happy I am to have discovered voices like yours. My optimism for our future is growing steadily.
So well said, Monica! I really appreciate your comments and the goals of FAIR. Focus on the commonalities and the common good and not on how we differ - that should be the mantra moving forward. Each of us is capable of taking responsibility for our own self and also doing what we can to help others succeed. I am volunteering for an organization that provides free books to disadvantaged public school children from birth through 8th grade this week. Literacy is the key to success for EVERYONE in America.
Exactly, Laura. That's how we make America whole again. I think many of us tend to forget about the greater connection we have with those around us -- not out of ignorance or apathy, but simply because we're so focused on our own lives and struggles. Going forward, I think we need to make a conscious effort to acknowledge our connection to one another. There is such power in recognizing our common bonds. All we need to do is seize it, and I think there will be many opportunities to do so in the coming years.
Hi Monica and fellow commenters. I liked the essay and believe this momentum of positive vibes will be fruitful. I also admired Dr King and his quest for equality and not to be judged by the color of one’s skin but by their character. And as one who has been punished by DEI and Affirmative Action policies, programs, hiring and promotions; I ask how enthusiastic and supportive have you been about dismantling programs and practices that discriminate implicitly against straight white males soley because of their skin color, gender or sexual orientation? Let’s not dust off Dr King once a year and for only one race or gender. Racial, gender and sexual discrimination is wrong regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. But since 1964 the Democratic Party has not seen or implemented it universally. An irony is that those the programs were said to be designed for, especially blacks, have been ruined by them as evidenced by their 85% failure rate on grade level proficiency tests, declining IQ scores that were already on average the lowest of all races, 70% out of wedlock birth rates. Black on black crime that kills and injured tens of thousands each year.
So I say, repeal all the DEI and Affirmative Action policies, programs and practices because they harm white and black men disproportionately to all others.
Thank you for sharing perspective and thoughts, @Libertarian. As the Executive Director of FAIR, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for universal equality, irrespective of identity group, I share your values and concerns. Since its founding, FAIR has enthusiastically supported and committed itself to dismantling programs that discriminate implicitly against straight white males, or anyone else based on their skin color, gender, and/or sexual orientation. Far from being a mascot dusted off once a year for one race or gender, MLK's principles lie at the core of FAIR's mission. If you are not already familiar with our work, I invite you to learn more: https://www.fairforall.org
Ok. Read it. You’re legit not anti-white or anti-male. I read the case that Fair For All is supporting. From Forbes; “DEI Practitioners Have A Lot To Learn From Professor Zack DePiero’s Lawsuit Against Penn State
Susan Harmeling, Ph.D.”
Well done and thank-you, Ms Harris
As an aside, I’m 9th of 10 kids. Father was a bartender and mom stayed home. Grew up quite poor; Four of my brothers and I went in the US military. College via GI Bill. Hair on my head goes up when someone (not that you did!) implies all whites have white privilege and that all blacks need an advantage over them (regardless of how wealthy or smart the individual black is).
I think the cognitive dissonance of accepting a failure of blue government will prove too much for the wealthy CA residents, and ideology will win out over their own lying eyes.
It's certainly possible, Kate, but I think it will be difficult for them to ignore the fact that so many people across many different races, backgrounds, and cultures -- and especially the poor -- were impacted by these failed policies. These are the very people that wealthy CA residents claim to protect. More than anything else, though, I think self-interest will likely overcome the cognitive dissonance in many minds. It will be hard to defend policies that turned your home into rubble.
Ultimately, I don't think it's reasonable to expect that everyone will awaken and embrace the need to address common problems caused by failed government policies; I think it will be sufficient if only a critical mass awaken. That's all we need to create meaningful change.
Great piece. I, too, have noticed that there is a different feeling right now than there has been recently. While not huge, there seems to be a letting up of the tensions and hatred in some quarters. I think people are tired of the unnecessary conflict our nation has been experiencing, especially in light of the real problems we have right now.
Beautiful and convincing, Monica. I can no longer just let others support FAIR's work. I made my donation today! Let's keep doing our part to move the coalition and our country forward.
Thank you for this piece! As someone in circles that I expect to be largely dismal today, seeing something like this gives me hope. I needed to hear that I could, indeed, have something positive to look towards.
It’s my pleasure, Margo. It’s so important that we all embrace this opportunity to heal. We can do this 🙏
I am off to join a service day for Martin Luther King Jr. as part of an interfaith collaboration. These words resonate with what we should, and will, be doing. Thank you for the clarity.
You are so welcome, Joe! I hope you enjoy the service and that it brings peace and comfort to all who attend 🙏
I think we're on to a new slogan here, "Make America Great, Healthy and Whole Again".
Thank you, as always, Monica for your insightful thought's. Prior to 2020, I mainly watched CNN for my American news and, looking back, I am quite ashamed of myself for buying into all the hateful rhetoric. I cannot express enough how happy I am to have discovered voices like yours. My optimism for our future is growing steadily.
Thank you, Kim. Really grateful that you appreciate my perspective!
I hope you’re right. I am skeptical that such unity will emerge, but will try to stay optimistic.
Yes — please keep your faith.
So well said, Monica! I really appreciate your comments and the goals of FAIR. Focus on the commonalities and the common good and not on how we differ - that should be the mantra moving forward. Each of us is capable of taking responsibility for our own self and also doing what we can to help others succeed. I am volunteering for an organization that provides free books to disadvantaged public school children from birth through 8th grade this week. Literacy is the key to success for EVERYONE in America.
Exactly, Laura. That's how we make America whole again. I think many of us tend to forget about the greater connection we have with those around us -- not out of ignorance or apathy, but simply because we're so focused on our own lives and struggles. Going forward, I think we need to make a conscious effort to acknowledge our connection to one another. There is such power in recognizing our common bonds. All we need to do is seize it, and I think there will be many opportunities to do so in the coming years.
Hi Monica and fellow commenters. I liked the essay and believe this momentum of positive vibes will be fruitful. I also admired Dr King and his quest for equality and not to be judged by the color of one’s skin but by their character. And as one who has been punished by DEI and Affirmative Action policies, programs, hiring and promotions; I ask how enthusiastic and supportive have you been about dismantling programs and practices that discriminate implicitly against straight white males soley because of their skin color, gender or sexual orientation? Let’s not dust off Dr King once a year and for only one race or gender. Racial, gender and sexual discrimination is wrong regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. But since 1964 the Democratic Party has not seen or implemented it universally. An irony is that those the programs were said to be designed for, especially blacks, have been ruined by them as evidenced by their 85% failure rate on grade level proficiency tests, declining IQ scores that were already on average the lowest of all races, 70% out of wedlock birth rates. Black on black crime that kills and injured tens of thousands each year.
So I say, repeal all the DEI and Affirmative Action policies, programs and practices because they harm white and black men disproportionately to all others.
Thank you for sharing perspective and thoughts, @Libertarian. As the Executive Director of FAIR, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for universal equality, irrespective of identity group, I share your values and concerns. Since its founding, FAIR has enthusiastically supported and committed itself to dismantling programs that discriminate implicitly against straight white males, or anyone else based on their skin color, gender, and/or sexual orientation. Far from being a mascot dusted off once a year for one race or gender, MLK's principles lie at the core of FAIR's mission. If you are not already familiar with our work, I invite you to learn more: https://www.fairforall.org
Thank you!
Ok. Read it. You’re legit not anti-white or anti-male. I read the case that Fair For All is supporting. From Forbes; “DEI Practitioners Have A Lot To Learn From Professor Zack DePiero’s Lawsuit Against Penn State
Susan Harmeling, Ph.D.”
Well done and thank-you, Ms Harris
As an aside, I’m 9th of 10 kids. Father was a bartender and mom stayed home. Grew up quite poor; Four of my brothers and I went in the US military. College via GI Bill. Hair on my head goes up when someone (not that you did!) implies all whites have white privilege and that all blacks need an advantage over them (regardless of how wealthy or smart the individual black is).
Very well said. Greatly appreciate your "fair" and bridging perspective. Thanks!
I say, sometimes the universe "winks" at us/smile. Visionary essay as always.
Thanks, Wink ;-)
Thank you. It is nice to see an article with some balance and higher intellectual thought for a change.
Yeah, baby! It's about time. 🥳
I think the cognitive dissonance of accepting a failure of blue government will prove too much for the wealthy CA residents, and ideology will win out over their own lying eyes.
It's certainly possible, Kate, but I think it will be difficult for them to ignore the fact that so many people across many different races, backgrounds, and cultures -- and especially the poor -- were impacted by these failed policies. These are the very people that wealthy CA residents claim to protect. More than anything else, though, I think self-interest will likely overcome the cognitive dissonance in many minds. It will be hard to defend policies that turned your home into rubble.
Ultimately, I don't think it's reasonable to expect that everyone will awaken and embrace the need to address common problems caused by failed government policies; I think it will be sufficient if only a critical mass awaken. That's all we need to create meaningful change.
Classism and economic injustice is the final frontier.
Great piece. I, too, have noticed that there is a different feeling right now than there has been recently. While not huge, there seems to be a letting up of the tensions and hatred in some quarters. I think people are tired of the unnecessary conflict our nation has been experiencing, especially in light of the real problems we have right now.
Beautiful and convincing, Monica. I can no longer just let others support FAIR's work. I made my donation today! Let's keep doing our part to move the coalition and our country forward.
Thank goodness you and FAIR are out there doing the work and reporting you are doing. It's so important! It does provide guidance and hope.