Hidden Stories

Our American history is full of unique stories that are a part of our national heritage.  Many of these historical events, characters, places and times have been recorded in various forms, books and encyclopedias.  Quite a few of us have grown up taking history courses and have even gone on to major in history while in college.  However, in our quest to learn more about our American history we soon discover that what has been recorded is not often the full story, but only a brief observation as reflected by historians of that era. 

There is a lot to learn about our American history and to also realize that a lot of it has been omitted, altered or “hidden” due to racism, intolerance and indifference.  In fact, much of our American history has been told through the eyes of immigrants and not by those Native Americans who were here long before the Mayflower or explorers.  And it is important to note that after Native Americans; everybody else came to these shores as immigrants, slaves and indentured servants. 

Our American experience is a collection of stories about immigrants and includes so much more.  These stories include struggle, faith, endurance and courage.  They also include stories of change, discovery, inspiration and firsts.  And every day and as time passes by, someone finds a sliver of knowledge from the past that lifts the vail on the truth or how something was accomplished.  These kinds of discoveries help to change future perceptions; alter dreams and reveals that the contribution of a few is what made the difference when it counted the most.  

The recently release “Hidden Figures” movie is just one of those unique stories from history that most of us have never heard of or knew about until now.  This bit of history, about an all-black group of female mathematicians assigned to the West Area Computing unit at NASA in the late 1950s and how their work helped to put a man into space as well as several other space missions is truly remarkable.  The telling of their story of overcoming racial and gender barriers, shattering stereotypes and doing the math is truly inspirational.  Today, this is also the story of so many people who can relate to what these women of color when through just to do a job.  I wonder what other “stories” are just waiting to be brought to the light.          

Alternative Facts

If you think things will change since the election and inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, don’t hold your breath. Things are really going to get very interesting in some aspect or another real soon.  For some these changes are just what the doctor ordered, but for the majority of us the socioeconomic nightmare persists, dreams shattered, limited opportunities, and prejudice and discrimination continue to be on center stage.  If you are feeling this way, I just want to remind you that this is only the first week of a new administration.  

It is one thing to share your side of things, what you value, political views, background and faith, but it is another thing when you cite things that are clearly not supported by the facts on the ground or by photos taken in history.  It is truly remarkable that people will put their reputations on the line to support a position that is clearly not the truth.  And even when being confronted with the truth or facts, they blame others, the media and insist that what they shared is their observation and “it is the truth.”   

        

No doubt we have learned a lot during this “unprecedented” election cycle, where a number of things that were “never done” or “known before” became the new normal.  This election cycle has also shined a “new light” on how far we have come in terms of our civil discourse and yet how far we have to go.  For many of us, this has opened our eyes to see that there is a lot more work that needs to be done to close the gaps.  

Without a doubt, our way of viewing patriotism, nationalism and respect for dignity and order is now on the table for debate.  It’s just not politics anymore.  What is more discerning is that when so much attention was spent on the elections, a lot of the issues of so many people were ignored.  The clear facts remain; people are struggling to find affordable housing, livable wage employment, health care, safe neighborhoods and quality education for their children.  Regardless of what people say or to blame others, the “facts” remain on the ground and they speak the loudest.         

Looking For More

When you believe you have seen or heard it all, something out of the bizarre occurs and it leaves you wondering what just happen.  It also sets the stage to what might transpire next.  It is worth noting that this election year has been quite entertaining, alarming and depressing all at the same time.  On one hand, a number of things were called “unprecedented” or unusual for a presidential campaign.  While on the other hand, several of the old tricks of “dirty” politics, name calling, voter suppression, intimidation and fear mongering remained the norm.  

What is so surprising this year, unlike other years was the high level of sophistication, shifting tactics, key operatives, shallow narratives, email hacking and the role social media played.  This does not over shallow the impact of “fake” stories, draining the swamp, lock her up, suspicion of voter fraud, recounts and the possible hacking of voting machines.  And to take a few steps further, repealing the Affordable Care Act, rebuilding the Military, getting people back to work, returning jobs and businesses from overseas, changing the tax codes, revising social security, cancel or renegotiate trade agreements…the list is long and continues to grow each day due to new special interest groups. 

All of these sound bites are pretty interesting issues to tackle, but what most of us really know is that “talk is cheap” and that change takes a lot longer than the first 100 days.  What people are choosing to talk about is one thing, but what they are not willing to talk about is the “elephant the room” and that is how to “Unite the Nation.”  For many this will never happen during this presidency due to not winning the popular vote and thus a presidency that is considered illegitimate.  The second major underling issues in the room include how to tackle rising drug additions, mental health, economic disparity, immigration reform, affordable housing and improving education.   

I know that for many of us, the 2016 election did not turn out the way you had hoped or dreamed about.  I know you were looking and expecting more, but this is “what we got.”  The next few years are going to be one for our life time and it is going to be perhaps a real bumpy ride.  It will not be business as usual or one of comfort, so I suggest to… “Strap yourself in and hold on to something tight.”  

Keep Hope Alive

Trying to find a way to deal with some of the complex issues of urban America continue to be at the top of the list for most concern residents.  It is not an easy task to say the least, especially when there is so much that needs to be done in terms of providing better housing, reducing crime, making health care affordable, access to quality education, alleviating poverty, creating  sustainable employment and dealing with overt racism.  And this is just a partial list of issues to address...you perhaps have more.  There is more than enough to deal with that gives even the staunchest advocate a reason to pause and to take a deep breath every now and then. 

Each day the beat goes on and the challenges do not get any easier as the cycle of issues keep on repeating themselves regardless of who is running for the highest office in the land.  There is so much to do and for many people... their lives too often hang in the balance by the decisions and policies made by those in charge.  Finding real solutions to growing problems takes a lot of energy, vision, goodwill, collaboration and building strong community relationships.     

I must admit to you that being out on the front lines is a job that is not clearly understood or appreciated most of the time.  But people do know that it is necessary to have someone out there helping some of the most vulnerable people of our society deal with homelessness, domestic violence, mental illness and drug addiction.  If those issues are not addressed they can soon grow into something more.  There is a great need in our society to have people standing and fighting for equal rights, human rights and voting rights.  The sad reality is the fact that there are not enough people making that kind of difference.

Sometimes progress is slow and that sometimes good intentions are misunderstood, but it takes people who accept the calling to “be the difference” that keep things moving in the right direction.  I know that a lot of people just believe that it is someone else’s job and that they are not a part of the solution.  They would rather sit on the sidelines and become a part of something that requires less personal responsibility or to just do things for comfort sake.  But in the end and regardless of political views... “The needs are real and the people are real too.”    

We're Just Getting Started

It’s been quite an emotional rollercoaster ride over the past few weeks for most of us who believe in fairness, truth and the American Dream.  We also believe that a person should be viewed by the content of their character, by what they say and how they conduct themselves; than by the color of their skin, faith or gender.  But like a lightning bolt during this political season a lot of what we hold as basic values and common sense treatment was all but thrown out the window.     

Many Americans woke up on the day after the election in total shock and soon began to realize that many of the social gains made over the past eight years will soon be gone.  Each of us expect some change, but “racial change” is another story altogether.  It is especially more painful if it affects you and your family directly.    So regardless of who was going to win the race to be president of the most powerful nation in the world, we certainly did not expect this outcome. 

If this political cycle has taught us anything is that we can never take things for granted and to always cherish these special moments to participate in the political process.  We also learn how to not surrender our emotions to anxiety, complacency, fear and hopelessness.  This season has also taught us that we have to participate in the process, to not sit on the sidelines and hope for another day or look for more qualified candidates to appear.  Like my mother use to say… “This is what we got to deal with and so let us deal with it.”    

I know that this is going to be an interesting chapter in our American experience of presidential leadership.  But like all things that begin, a day will come when things will change again.  Our mission then it to keep focus on what we can do for there is plenty of work that remains undone in our communities.  So in the meantime, let’s see how things go, get more involved in the process and by all means let us continue to pray for better days.          

Doubling Down

Just when you thought you have heard it all, more comes out… and it is not good.  At times it has us all shaking our heads in disbelief that a statement has been made that is as far from the truth as all get out.  And even when confronted with the truth, they insist that what was said is what they are going to stay with.  For some of them there is no walking it back or a change of heart from their earliest opinion.  And even when pressed as time goes by, they become more tenacious, zealous or resolute in their position.  Sadly, this is where much of our 21^st century of politics and civic discourse have come to. 

Today, it appears that more people who are running for some sort of public office are more interested in playing to their base of supporters then trying to appeal to a much boarder base of American voters.  Instead of working on addressing the issues that concern most residents, people would rather “play the game of politics” than finding solutions to everyday problems.   It is no wonder that so many people have lost faith in our modern day political system and with the people who are representing them at various levels of government.  

In some communities, residents are sick and tired of the politics as usual and are looking for candidates who are listening to solve local needs for better jobs, better schools, more health services and economic opportunities.  Local residents are not interested in who gets the credit from working on their problems, they are only interested in knowing that their issues are being worked on.

No matter how any of us see it, cut it or feel about it, each of our communities deserve better support than what they are getting.  Residents who feel that they are locked out of the process must remain actively engaged in holding those in office more accountable.  And as the old saying goes… “If you keep on doing what you are doing, then you will keep on getting what you are getting.”  It’s time for a change and we should learn how to take our stand and demand better.     

Missing The Point?

Nothing is more liberating than learning the truth about something that has been portrayed as something totally different.  It is shocking at first, hard to digest or get your mind wrapped around the idea of what you have learned.  But as time passes and more details emerge, a light of reason appears and what now stand are only the facts and they speak for themselves.  With this “new revelation” of news we see that so many people who once jumped at the chance to react negatively, have now grown silent and faded away.  

    

It is quiet incredible that so many people get caught up in the emotions of an event, that they don’t see or think things through.  This just does not occur at the grass root level of our society, it also occurs at each level of our political system, government and private sector.  This is the inability to “see the forest for the trees.” Sometimes we get too involved in the details of a problem and not able to look at the situation as a whole.  In other words, we are so close to the situation that we can’t see a way out or listen to other ideas.  Remarkably, there is always a need to take a step back and gain some perspective.

Of course there are others who simply do not care about gaining some perspective or involving others in the process to find the best way forward. They are only interested in getting things done their way or the highway.  They work to find ways to circumvent the system, leave others out of the loop or to go at it alone.  Their interest is always a personal agenda and believe they have the right to do what they do.    

But what is so troubling about it all, is the fact that so much is at stake when other lives are affected.  For nothing good can come from decisions done in a vacuum and when there is a disregard of input from other stakeholders. What is needed these days are people with interpersonal skills that not only listen, understand, but also see what is possible.