Not allowing our good nature to be corrupted is the charge of humanity. A charge that far too many people fail. Our goodness should compel us to act. And yes our goodness should be shown to those who turn from their evil ways. But until they do, my goodness compels me to resist.
Thank you for such a gorgeous read Stanley. It took me back to childhood, because of course, going to school in Germany meant we had to read Anne Frank more than once!
There were times when I couldn't resonate with that sentiment. Of hope, of still believing no matter what.
I still sometimes can't. But I realised that it's not hope that motivates me. It's love. I don't keep going because I have much hope. But because I love people, I love this earth. I love myself. So I HAVE to keep going because of that. Without big hopes of specific outcomes...
What I really find hard to comprehend is why people can't see someone's humanity, when they do see their own, or the humanity of people they love. It always always baffles me.
Thank you for your post and your commitment to love. God bless you and I sincerely wish you the best. I’m a Christian and recognize the turn the other cheek ethos of your commitment. I’m just not feeling it for myself. I used to be African American, born into a family with about 100 years in the US from the Caribbean. In this moment, I feel rage towards the people to whom you choose to show love, as did James Baldwin before leaving for Paris. I hope to leave for Great Britain, whose people largely believe what is happening here is bonkers. I recognize you are righteous but I believe they are right. I want my children to know that they can find a way out too and can stop singing “we shall overcome”. As the great poet said: ain’t nobody got time for this- life is short. God bless and keep you brother.
I love the quote at the end of this. We are in hard times and we gotta be willing to do what's necessary to take care of ourselves. Save a spot for me in Great Britain, I may be trying to join you if things keep going left here.
This is beautiful and inspiring, Stanley, and gives me the hope I wasn't even looking for today. Thank you for your heart and your words and your openness.
Stanley!!! thank you for this. A fellow comrade here in Michigan passed away this week, a child holocaust survivor and while I've been pretty sad this week, I've also felt a lot of inspiration from his life. He told his life's story at the Holocaust Center here hundreds and hundreds of times. And last year, they severed ties with him because he laid down in the street outside of the Center to protest the genocide in Gaza and demand that they speak out against it. You and others make me at least feel like we're in this together. Sending you care!!
I’m so glad you feel rested and inspired. I just read through the comments here and I must say—I think there’s room for all of the feelings and opinions this piece has invited. There is room enough for justice in love. Or, as many wise people have noted…justice is love in action. It’s not always clear what to do with the fear and the anger. But even so, love can remain the underlying intention. If we lose sight of that, then truly, all is lost.
In the beginning of the paragraph when you made the statement about people who voted for Trump are “the ones who think that undocumented people should have no rights,” undocumented people aren’t legally eligible to be granted any ‘rights’, when that power lies solely in the hands of American people. The required documentation that clearly states a person is authorized with legal American Citizenship is for “a person born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof”.
The 14th Amendment has never been interpreted to automatically extend to every person born within the USA and has always excluded from birthright the citizenship of individuals born in the United States but not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” 1) when that person’s mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or not a lawful permanent resident at the time of birth (2) when that person’s mother’s presence in the United States at the time of said birth was lawful but temporary (Visiting on a student, work, or tourist visa) and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth.
Protecting the meaning and value of American Citizenship is not a dig at you or your people, if you’re living and working within a country but not actively contributing to society, such as joining the rest of the United States in becoming a tax paying citizen and help provide the support it takes to hold up a (sometimes corrupt) legal system, create more job opportunities and openings for EVERYONE to have a seat at the table. Immigrants have been illegally working and therefore taking up slots where actual American Citizens can’t fill in since those spaces are already taken up!
We are just as deserving to have rights and be chosen first in line.
I think you're missing the forest for the tree's here. The people who come to this country as undocumented would like to be a part of society. There is not a coherent, or affordable path to citizenship. And many of the people who come to this country as undocumented folks are here because their country is in shambles or lacks opportunity. And that's usually because of something our country has done. Venezuela for example. Our Government has spent decades pummeling them with sanctions and trying to overthrow the government. We have succeeded, and it has thrown that country into turmoil, those people are now coming here for opportunity.
But let's put that aside for a second, this country was not originally ours. White settlers came here looking for opportunities. Black people were kidnapped and forced to be slaves, no one has a clearly black and white trajectory of citizenship. But if we are going to be here, we should try to treat each other with dignity, and humanity, even if we don't all agree with each other. I do not believe our current government wishes to do that. Instead they are playing off of the fears and insecurities of people wo implement something that will cause more suffering across the board.
Just trying to follow ur logic here, so undocumented people (living, breathing, human beings) hold no ‘rights’. An individual without that required documentation for citizenship has no rights, amazing.
Not allowing our good nature to be corrupted is the charge of humanity. A charge that far too many people fail. Our goodness should compel us to act. And yes our goodness should be shown to those who turn from their evil ways. But until they do, my goodness compels me to resist.
Thank you for such a gorgeous read Stanley. It took me back to childhood, because of course, going to school in Germany meant we had to read Anne Frank more than once!
There were times when I couldn't resonate with that sentiment. Of hope, of still believing no matter what.
I still sometimes can't. But I realised that it's not hope that motivates me. It's love. I don't keep going because I have much hope. But because I love people, I love this earth. I love myself. So I HAVE to keep going because of that. Without big hopes of specific outcomes...
What I really find hard to comprehend is why people can't see someone's humanity, when they do see their own, or the humanity of people they love. It always always baffles me.
I love this comment, it’s how I feel. My hope is low these days, but I can’t turn off my love. It’s what’s keeping me present!
❤️
Thank you for your post and your commitment to love. God bless you and I sincerely wish you the best. I’m a Christian and recognize the turn the other cheek ethos of your commitment. I’m just not feeling it for myself. I used to be African American, born into a family with about 100 years in the US from the Caribbean. In this moment, I feel rage towards the people to whom you choose to show love, as did James Baldwin before leaving for Paris. I hope to leave for Great Britain, whose people largely believe what is happening here is bonkers. I recognize you are righteous but I believe they are right. I want my children to know that they can find a way out too and can stop singing “we shall overcome”. As the great poet said: ain’t nobody got time for this- life is short. God bless and keep you brother.
I love the quote at the end of this. We are in hard times and we gotta be willing to do what's necessary to take care of ourselves. Save a spot for me in Great Britain, I may be trying to join you if things keep going left here.
This is beautiful and inspiring, Stanley, and gives me the hope I wasn't even looking for today. Thank you for your heart and your words and your openness.
Thank you, I have been struggling with hope to be honest. But I don't want to let the darkness of the moment change me. Thanks for reading!
I think hope is a choice. Sometimes it’s an easy choice and other times it’s really hard. But we have to keep making it.
Stanley!!! thank you for this. A fellow comrade here in Michigan passed away this week, a child holocaust survivor and while I've been pretty sad this week, I've also felt a lot of inspiration from his life. He told his life's story at the Holocaust Center here hundreds and hundreds of times. And last year, they severed ties with him because he laid down in the street outside of the Center to protest the genocide in Gaza and demand that they speak out against it. You and others make me at least feel like we're in this together. Sending you care!!
We are in this together, and thank you for sharing that story of what he did. It gives me hope that people won’t forget about each other.
Thank you for the love Stanley. I will resist and show love through my words. ♥️🖤 ✌🏾
Thank you!
I’m so glad you feel rested and inspired. I just read through the comments here and I must say—I think there’s room for all of the feelings and opinions this piece has invited. There is room enough for justice in love. Or, as many wise people have noted…justice is love in action. It’s not always clear what to do with the fear and the anger. But even so, love can remain the underlying intention. If we lose sight of that, then truly, all is lost.
In the beginning of the paragraph when you made the statement about people who voted for Trump are “the ones who think that undocumented people should have no rights,” undocumented people aren’t legally eligible to be granted any ‘rights’, when that power lies solely in the hands of American people. The required documentation that clearly states a person is authorized with legal American Citizenship is for “a person born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof”.
The 14th Amendment has never been interpreted to automatically extend to every person born within the USA and has always excluded from birthright the citizenship of individuals born in the United States but not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” 1) when that person’s mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or not a lawful permanent resident at the time of birth (2) when that person’s mother’s presence in the United States at the time of said birth was lawful but temporary (Visiting on a student, work, or tourist visa) and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth.
Protecting the meaning and value of American Citizenship is not a dig at you or your people, if you’re living and working within a country but not actively contributing to society, such as joining the rest of the United States in becoming a tax paying citizen and help provide the support it takes to hold up a (sometimes corrupt) legal system, create more job opportunities and openings for EVERYONE to have a seat at the table. Immigrants have been illegally working and therefore taking up slots where actual American Citizens can’t fill in since those spaces are already taken up!
We are just as deserving to have rights and be chosen first in line.
I think you're missing the forest for the tree's here. The people who come to this country as undocumented would like to be a part of society. There is not a coherent, or affordable path to citizenship. And many of the people who come to this country as undocumented folks are here because their country is in shambles or lacks opportunity. And that's usually because of something our country has done. Venezuela for example. Our Government has spent decades pummeling them with sanctions and trying to overthrow the government. We have succeeded, and it has thrown that country into turmoil, those people are now coming here for opportunity.
But let's put that aside for a second, this country was not originally ours. White settlers came here looking for opportunities. Black people were kidnapped and forced to be slaves, no one has a clearly black and white trajectory of citizenship. But if we are going to be here, we should try to treat each other with dignity, and humanity, even if we don't all agree with each other. I do not believe our current government wishes to do that. Instead they are playing off of the fears and insecurities of people wo implement something that will cause more suffering across the board.
Just trying to follow ur logic here, so undocumented people (living, breathing, human beings) hold no ‘rights’. An individual without that required documentation for citizenship has no rights, amazing.