GOOD TROUBLE

As Americans, we value our freedom. So, we naturally find it difficult to accept the notion that we are living in a fascist state under authoritarian rule. Our president is a dictator, a despotic madman, a tyrannical would-be king.

How was this highly flawed, totally corrupt, profoundly stupid person able to ascend to the presidency? How did we end up with the most incompetent president in US history?

Failed Leadership

What are we going to do about a president who continues to lie to the American people? Breaks laws? Obstructs justice? Abuses power? Enriches his family and friends? Takes bribes? Removes critical social programs? Tramples rights?

He regards himself as above the law, he acts with impunity, and he assumes no accountability.

How did we get to this point? Why did we elect a president who threatens to take away our rights? Why are we willing to so thoroughly ignore our Constitution and allow a corrupt regime to dismantle our democracy?

How do we get out of this political mess?

Corrupt Government

"Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice? Or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?"
-Martin Luther King Jr

NATIONAL CRISIS

SOCIAL JUSTICE

SHARED HUMANITY
CHURCH AND STATE
PATRIOTIC LESSONS

POPULAR CULTURE

CHURCH AND STATE

Theocracy in America

Conservatives do not seem to grasp the important concept of the separation of church and state. Despite their constant bickering, religious people in America are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. They are guaranteed the freedom to practice their faith without interference from the government.

Our founders came from a place where religious liberty was not granted. They came from theocratic political settings where the government dictated all church activity. They created a new nation that demanded an end to such oppression and established the free practice of all religions.

Religious Liberty

The United States was founded on religious liberty, not Christian principles.

It would seem that conservative Christians do not want to share. They are insisting that Christianity rule and that other religions take a back seat. They are seeking to impose their religion in schools, in laws, in government, and in the public square.

In their greed and ignorance, Christian Nationalists continue to muddy the waters of religious liberty.

Separation of Church and State

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
-Barack Obama

PATRIOTIC LESSONS

The American Dream

What does it mean to live in the United States of America? What rights and privileges do we enjoy? What are our duties and obligations as citizens?

Every Fourth of July, it is helpful to remind ourselves that this democratic experiment is a work in progress. Over the past 250 years of growing pains, the United States of America has been in the process of learning what it means for all its citizens to be free.

The Principles of Democracy

Little by little, the promise of liberty has been reluctantly extended beyond wealthy, straight, white, christian males. While progress has been made, it has taken far too long for the blessings of freedom to eventually make its way to women, blacks, minorities, non-christians, gays, the poor, and those otherwise disenfranchised and powerless.

As we continue to fight for our rights and defend our freedoms, may we soon come to appreciate the ongoing internal struggle that is inherent to living in a less than perfect union.

Good Citizenship

"When injustice becomes the law, resistance

becomes a duty."
-Thomas Jefferson

NATIONAL CRISIS

SOCIAL JUSTICE

SHARED HUMANITY
CHURCH AND STATE
PATRIOTIC LESSONS

Zohran Mamdani: Standing Up For Human Rights
Remarks From Rep Melanie Stansbury
Trump Renames Lake Ontario "Lake America"
Country Music Icon Dolly Parton Dies

Trump's Latest Threats Against Canada

GOP's Islamophobia Against Abdul el Sayed

Rosie O'Donnell Hosts Jimmy Kimmel Show

Liberal Wokeness vs Right Wing Authoritarianism

TOPICAL

NATIONAL CRISIS

SOCIAL JUSTICE

SHARED HUMANITY
CHURCH AND STATE
PATRIOTIC LESSONS

POPULAR CULTURE

"When we see something that is not right, not fair, not just... we have a moral obligation to say something, do something, get in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble."
-John Lewis

SHARED HUMANITY

Finding Common Ground in a Divided Nation

At a time when our country is divided, is it still possible to find common ground? Can we get past our differences and come together as a nation?

Can we engage in healthy dialogue? Are we able to be civil with each other? Are we willing to be respectful? Is it still possible that we can agree to disagree?

Or has our situation become too difficult to manage? Are our differences more than just ideological? Perhaps our impasse is a moral dilemma? Perhaps we are past the point of left vs right and maybe we are feeling like the conflict is more about right vs wrong.

Celebrating Our Diverse Community

Can we still celebrate our differences and affirm the variety of people we share our communities with? Can we appreciate, accept, and respect the rich diversity of our country?

Do we seek harmony in our interactions with all people, regardless of their background, values, and identities?

It seems we may all still have a lot to learn about equity, inclusion, and our shared humanity.

Integrity and Ethics

"People fail to get along with each other because they fear each other. They fear each other because they don’t know each other. They don’t know each other because they have not properly communicated with each other."
-Dr Martin Luther King Jr

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Liberty and Equality for All People

We must believe that change will eventually come. If we are activists for social change, we must remain optimistic. If we are advocates on behalf of human rights, we must feel hopeful we can make a difference.

We envision a world that is fair, just, and equitable. We seek an end to bias, discrimination, hate, oppression, abuse, torture, and violence. We work to eradicate bigotry, racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia. We imagine a day when there are universal rights and freedom for all.

Human Rights Activism

How do we demonstrate the radical notion that all people deserve to be treated equally? How do we resolve issues of inequality between black and white, men and women, rich and poor, gay and straight?

Social justice is about protecting a person's basic dignity and ensuring equal treatment. It includes promoting the rights of women and children, people of color, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and people of various ethnicities, minority groups, identities, traditions, and religions.

Just and Fair Society

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest
accomplishment."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

POPULAR CULTURE

Social Trends | Current Events

As a conduit of civilization and education, popular culture is the set of ideas, perspectives, and attitudes that are mainstream and widely favored within a society.

Many important insights, unique opinions, and profound thoughts arise from popular culture. As we pay attention to current trends and events and the contributions from a wide array of influencers, we become aware of interesting and inspiring content in music, literature, the arts, history, science, fashion, entertainment, and the media.

Media | Arts | Entertainment | Lifestyle

It is important, therefore, to be informed and educated. We need to be intentional about seeking relevant information, listening to news reports, conducting research, and gathering data.

There is much to be learned from the daily lives and poignant experiences of the people in our community. While remaining skeptical about the sources and ensuring their legitimacy, wisdom and life lessons can be found in the most unlikely of places.

Education | Critical Thinking | Human Interest