Guest Commentary
--- Guest Commentary by Gayle Brauner 2-13-21
Downed trees blocking exit of bus near Forks, WA. Photo credit: (9) https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2020/06/05/spokane-family-harrassed-by-forks-area-residents-accused-of-being-antifa/
Why Antifa Matters on the Olympic Peninsula
Across our Country, a steady, urgent awareness has grown these past five years, but especially since the Jan. 6 mob desecration of our U.S. Capitol. Simply observed, this riot was attended mainly by a braggadocious, reckless, gunslinging, flagpole pummeling fellowship of toxic masculinity, assisted by the judgmental zealotry and gratuitous fears of hysterical, privileged women.
We must support and grow grassroot activism focused on citizen-directed democratic governance. Let’s be keenly involved in our communities, enthusiastically comprehending the disparate ideologies and plethora of information which influence our opinions and conduct.
In this article, I propose two undertakings – one specific and immediate, the other the work needed in our County for resistance against autocratic inclinations.
First, we must find and prosecute the criminals who harassed and threatened the Spokane camping family last June in Forks, and who cut down those trees. This includes knowing and understanding the misinformed rationale for such conduct.
Second, let’s learn about Antifa, and the antifascist resistance movement. This involves exposing and preventing the acceptance of authoritarianism from infiltrating and polluting our government, law enforcement, military, community leaders, politicians, and populace.
To begin with, in our County, a specific way to start this new determination to build trust and accountability is for the people who harassed and threatened the Spokane camping family last June 3rd, to turn themselves in to Law Enforcement. (1) (2)
If you are a teenager, choosing to hide your criminal acts will preoccupy you for the rest of your life. It will haunt you, eat at your spirit, and affect your relationships and future. You may think since you got away with it once, you can continue a path of criminal activity and the accumulation of a closet full of skeletons. Those guilty feelings may harm your self-esteem and ability to lead a successful, confident life.
Turning yourself in will cleanse you of the misdeed, and help you learn how you were manipulated by adults who spread disinformation about “Antifa” and supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement. It wasn’t the people in a white bus who threatened the well-being of the Forks community, but locals drawn into the calculated, fabricated conspiracy theories which cause brainwashing, distrust and viciousness.
At about age 12, I joined my cousin “in town” for Halloween. We were set free to roam the streets with hundreds of other kids to trick or treat. Following my cousin’s lead, we pulled up one family’s beautiful dahlias, as a trick, laid them on their front porch, rang the doorbell, and laughingly ran away. Haunted still, I imagine the look of disbelief, pain and anger of the family who grew those colorful flowers, opening their door, thinking they’d see little kids asking for treats. I still feel the shame of my behavior, unable to blame my cousin, since I fully participated and didn’t say, “No”.
We carry wrongdoing and crimes all our lives. Better to choose ethical behavior. (3) If you know who participated in the violent acts in Forks, whether teenagers or adults, call the County Sheriff’s Office: 360-417-2259. This is not being a fink, not snitching, but rather being a responsible, law-abiding citizen. Help Forks and our County right this horrible wrong.
Secondly is to discount disinformation campaigns leveled at the Antifa movement. It’s important to know that most people who align with Antifa are not causing violent, destructive problems, but are protecting people and freedoms that fascists attack. (4)
Historically, ordinary people became ardent antifascists when their lives were endangered. Currently, some, like Antifa, confront neo-Nazis, and other creepy white power militants, who influence millions of our White neighbors. The lethal focus of white supremacist terrorist groups is our main national threat, as FBI Director Wray explicitly stated (5). Antifa goes home when there are no fascists to oppose.
Anti-Fascist: This is a political movement in opposition to fascist ideology, groups, and individuals; started in the early 1920s, was one of dozens of resistance movements, from across the political spectrum, in all occupied European countries during
WWII. (4)
Fascism: This is a political system based on a powerful leader, state control with no political opposition allowed, and propaganda designed to advance extreme pride of one’s country and race. Far-right ultra-nationalistic ideology was used by Italian fascists and Nazis in WWII, but started about 1910. (4)
Antifa is not anarchism. I have no patience for the inflammatory chaos and destruction promoted by self-important, “lone wolf” anarchists of any stripe. Keep these two movements and their goals separated.
To think that talking about Antifa and fascism is irrelevant or overblown, I encourage these doubters to research extensively, not only of the history of the anti-Fascist movements of WWII, but of current countries who lately have moved away from liberal democratic forms of government: Such as Poland, Turkey and Hungary; At the present time German and Austrian governments and people continue to fight the influence of those wanting mythical “purity” and totalitarianism; Also be aware of the crushing of the freedom movement in Hong Kong; the imprisonment – or killing - of opposition leaders and critics in Myanmar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries. (6)
In our own USA, insurrectionists, incited and directed by the former POTUS, became adherents of despotism when they denounced the national election outcome and refused the peaceful transfer of power from one party to the other.
People who do not believe in equal rights, opportunities, and protections for all residents of our County, State and Nation and the reforms needed to ensure these principles, need to wrench themselves free of their prejudices. Those who are mesmerized by indoctrination and hateful, malicious violence directed at certain people, sponsored by the white power movement, need to be deprogrammed, subjected to intervention, and received back by family and friends. If it is difficult for them to fully let go of the warped, anti-human rights, anti-government rhetoric, then they must at the very least disengage themselves from perverting other people.
Multitudes of people are working tirelessly to ensure that democracy prevails. Take Stacey Abrams of Georgia, for example. to name one courageous woman, who led voters in her State in a successful effort to put control of our U.S. Senate in the hands of leaders who will have the common good in mind. Please contribute in your own way to the acceptance of diversity and the promotion of democratic principles and processes that we need in our Olympic Peninsula community. This land is our land, from sea to shining sea.
(1) Spokane Family harassed, accused of being from Antifa. https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/crime/family-harassed-in-forks-after-being-accused-of-being-members-of-antifa/
Hundreds of Clallam County residents apologize to Spokane Family. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jun/11/from-hundreds-of-clallam-county-families-an-apolog/
(2) Extended October 2020 report of Forks “Antifa” bus debacle. https://www.wired.com/story/antifa-social-media-rumor-forks-washington/
Sheriff’s Department halts investigation. https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/forks-probe-halted-with-no-arrests/
(3) Ethical values, such as honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility; developing good habits of character: Doing the right thing, at the right time and place.https://www.ethicssage.com/2017/03/why-do-we-need-ethics.html
(4) What is Antifa? Antifa is an abbreviated term for anti-Fascist. https://www.livescience.com/what-is-antifa.html
Definitions: Antifascism and Fascism. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-fascism
(5) FBI Director Wray: racially motivated white supremacists have been responsible for most lethal attacks in U.S., not Antifa. https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-archive-bdd3b6078e9efadcfcd0be4b65f2362e
(6) Democracy and Disorder: The Struggle for Influence in the New Geopolitics: https://www.brookings.edu/research/democracy-disorder-the-struggle-for-influence-in-the-new-geopolitics/
(7) Book: Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism by Anne Applebaum. With a focus on Poland and Hungary, Anne delves into the identity politics and alternative realities that divide political parties and countries.
(8) Book: How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley. Understanding the history and tactics of fascistic ideology, and how to counter this deadly movement.
(9) https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2020/06/05/spokane-family-harrassed-by-forks-area-residents-accused-of-being-antifa/
We must support and grow grassroot activism focused on citizen-directed democratic governance. Let’s be keenly involved in our communities, enthusiastically comprehending the disparate ideologies and plethora of information which influence our opinions and conduct.
In this article, I propose two undertakings – one specific and immediate, the other the work needed in our County for resistance against autocratic inclinations.
First, we must find and prosecute the criminals who harassed and threatened the Spokane camping family last June in Forks, and who cut down those trees. This includes knowing and understanding the misinformed rationale for such conduct.
Second, let’s learn about Antifa, and the antifascist resistance movement. This involves exposing and preventing the acceptance of authoritarianism from infiltrating and polluting our government, law enforcement, military, community leaders, politicians, and populace.
To begin with, in our County, a specific way to start this new determination to build trust and accountability is for the people who harassed and threatened the Spokane camping family last June 3rd, to turn themselves in to Law Enforcement. (1) (2)
If you are a teenager, choosing to hide your criminal acts will preoccupy you for the rest of your life. It will haunt you, eat at your spirit, and affect your relationships and future. You may think since you got away with it once, you can continue a path of criminal activity and the accumulation of a closet full of skeletons. Those guilty feelings may harm your self-esteem and ability to lead a successful, confident life.
Turning yourself in will cleanse you of the misdeed, and help you learn how you were manipulated by adults who spread disinformation about “Antifa” and supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement. It wasn’t the people in a white bus who threatened the well-being of the Forks community, but locals drawn into the calculated, fabricated conspiracy theories which cause brainwashing, distrust and viciousness.
At about age 12, I joined my cousin “in town” for Halloween. We were set free to roam the streets with hundreds of other kids to trick or treat. Following my cousin’s lead, we pulled up one family’s beautiful dahlias, as a trick, laid them on their front porch, rang the doorbell, and laughingly ran away. Haunted still, I imagine the look of disbelief, pain and anger of the family who grew those colorful flowers, opening their door, thinking they’d see little kids asking for treats. I still feel the shame of my behavior, unable to blame my cousin, since I fully participated and didn’t say, “No”.
We carry wrongdoing and crimes all our lives. Better to choose ethical behavior. (3) If you know who participated in the violent acts in Forks, whether teenagers or adults, call the County Sheriff’s Office: 360-417-2259. This is not being a fink, not snitching, but rather being a responsible, law-abiding citizen. Help Forks and our County right this horrible wrong.
Secondly is to discount disinformation campaigns leveled at the Antifa movement. It’s important to know that most people who align with Antifa are not causing violent, destructive problems, but are protecting people and freedoms that fascists attack. (4)
Historically, ordinary people became ardent antifascists when their lives were endangered. Currently, some, like Antifa, confront neo-Nazis, and other creepy white power militants, who influence millions of our White neighbors. The lethal focus of white supremacist terrorist groups is our main national threat, as FBI Director Wray explicitly stated (5). Antifa goes home when there are no fascists to oppose.
Anti-Fascist: This is a political movement in opposition to fascist ideology, groups, and individuals; started in the early 1920s, was one of dozens of resistance movements, from across the political spectrum, in all occupied European countries during
WWII. (4)
Fascism: This is a political system based on a powerful leader, state control with no political opposition allowed, and propaganda designed to advance extreme pride of one’s country and race. Far-right ultra-nationalistic ideology was used by Italian fascists and Nazis in WWII, but started about 1910. (4)
Antifa is not anarchism. I have no patience for the inflammatory chaos and destruction promoted by self-important, “lone wolf” anarchists of any stripe. Keep these two movements and their goals separated.
To think that talking about Antifa and fascism is irrelevant or overblown, I encourage these doubters to research extensively, not only of the history of the anti-Fascist movements of WWII, but of current countries who lately have moved away from liberal democratic forms of government: Such as Poland, Turkey and Hungary; At the present time German and Austrian governments and people continue to fight the influence of those wanting mythical “purity” and totalitarianism; Also be aware of the crushing of the freedom movement in Hong Kong; the imprisonment – or killing - of opposition leaders and critics in Myanmar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries. (6)
In our own USA, insurrectionists, incited and directed by the former POTUS, became adherents of despotism when they denounced the national election outcome and refused the peaceful transfer of power from one party to the other.
People who do not believe in equal rights, opportunities, and protections for all residents of our County, State and Nation and the reforms needed to ensure these principles, need to wrench themselves free of their prejudices. Those who are mesmerized by indoctrination and hateful, malicious violence directed at certain people, sponsored by the white power movement, need to be deprogrammed, subjected to intervention, and received back by family and friends. If it is difficult for them to fully let go of the warped, anti-human rights, anti-government rhetoric, then they must at the very least disengage themselves from perverting other people.
Multitudes of people are working tirelessly to ensure that democracy prevails. Take Stacey Abrams of Georgia, for example. to name one courageous woman, who led voters in her State in a successful effort to put control of our U.S. Senate in the hands of leaders who will have the common good in mind. Please contribute in your own way to the acceptance of diversity and the promotion of democratic principles and processes that we need in our Olympic Peninsula community. This land is our land, from sea to shining sea.
(1) Spokane Family harassed, accused of being from Antifa. https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/crime/family-harassed-in-forks-after-being-accused-of-being-members-of-antifa/
Hundreds of Clallam County residents apologize to Spokane Family. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jun/11/from-hundreds-of-clallam-county-families-an-apolog/
(2) Extended October 2020 report of Forks “Antifa” bus debacle. https://www.wired.com/story/antifa-social-media-rumor-forks-washington/
Sheriff’s Department halts investigation. https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/forks-probe-halted-with-no-arrests/
(3) Ethical values, such as honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility; developing good habits of character: Doing the right thing, at the right time and place.https://www.ethicssage.com/2017/03/why-do-we-need-ethics.html
(4) What is Antifa? Antifa is an abbreviated term for anti-Fascist. https://www.livescience.com/what-is-antifa.html
Definitions: Antifascism and Fascism. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-fascism
(5) FBI Director Wray: racially motivated white supremacists have been responsible for most lethal attacks in U.S., not Antifa. https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-archive-bdd3b6078e9efadcfcd0be4b65f2362e
(6) Democracy and Disorder: The Struggle for Influence in the New Geopolitics: https://www.brookings.edu/research/democracy-disorder-the-struggle-for-influence-in-the-new-geopolitics/
(7) Book: Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism by Anne Applebaum. With a focus on Poland and Hungary, Anne delves into the identity politics and alternative realities that divide political parties and countries.
(8) Book: How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley. Understanding the history and tactics of fascistic ideology, and how to counter this deadly movement.
(9) https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2020/06/05/spokane-family-harrassed-by-forks-area-residents-accused-of-being-antifa/
Photo of bus leaving Forks. Photo credit: (9) https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2020/06/05/spokane-family-harrassed-by-forks-area-residents-accused-of-being-antifa/
Guest Commentary
Guest Commentary submitted by Gayle Brauner
While doing research on Alt-right groups, I came across this Nov. 2020 article in The Atlantic by Mike Giglio. Analyzing the precipitous evolution of the Oath Keepers, started in 2009, by Stewart Rhodes, a concerned ex-military man who wanted to "protect the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic", he solicited and enlisted law enforcement, active military and veterans to join him in keeping their oaths to the Country and Constitution. A main goal, even today, he encourages recruits to become involved in their local communities, states and the nation. Their tactics have morphed into planned violent actions, as seen on January 6th at the D.C. Capitol insurrection.
The article is a thorough, thoughtful, objective look at how The Oath Keepers' initial goals (10 oaths) became encrusted, like so many other supposedly “patriot” groups, in an alternative reality. This radicalization was influenced by conspiracy theories, espoused by such groups as QAnon; extremist alt-right and religious ideologues; ardent gun rights groups; rampant disinformation campaigns by nefarious parties; misunderstandings about Black Lives Matter, "Antifa", and other civil rights groups; the pandemic deniers and opponents of the COVID-19 government mandates; and eventually the “stop the steal" 2020 POTUS election result deniers.
This article holds key concepts showing why our Country became polarized.
With the current trend toward violence aimed at people and groups who The Oath Keepers see as their "enemies", even locally and around our State, understanding the beliefs of groups like them, how influential they can be, and alerting the public is extremely important.
Here is a verbatim statement by Rhodes from the article, which indicates to me how he has succumbed to the blinding force of propaganda - or he’s just plain deceiving others[LR1] : “Us old Vets and younger ones are going to have to end up killing these young kids (Antifa adherents) … and they’re going to die believing they were fighting Nazis.”
We can’t let this happen.
Gayle Brauner
Port Angeles
Article link: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/11/right-wing-militias-civil-war/616473/?fbclid=IwAR1zplShSWuGgShsjG4uzesiPXPyRkzfuKQ2Ohj72xw5hziIDq2kmxQrf-k
[LR1]
The article is a thorough, thoughtful, objective look at how The Oath Keepers' initial goals (10 oaths) became encrusted, like so many other supposedly “patriot” groups, in an alternative reality. This radicalization was influenced by conspiracy theories, espoused by such groups as QAnon; extremist alt-right and religious ideologues; ardent gun rights groups; rampant disinformation campaigns by nefarious parties; misunderstandings about Black Lives Matter, "Antifa", and other civil rights groups; the pandemic deniers and opponents of the COVID-19 government mandates; and eventually the “stop the steal" 2020 POTUS election result deniers.
This article holds key concepts showing why our Country became polarized.
With the current trend toward violence aimed at people and groups who The Oath Keepers see as their "enemies", even locally and around our State, understanding the beliefs of groups like them, how influential they can be, and alerting the public is extremely important.
Here is a verbatim statement by Rhodes from the article, which indicates to me how he has succumbed to the blinding force of propaganda - or he’s just plain deceiving others[LR1] : “Us old Vets and younger ones are going to have to end up killing these young kids (Antifa adherents) … and they’re going to die believing they were fighting Nazis.”
We can’t let this happen.
Gayle Brauner
Port Angeles
Article link: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/11/right-wing-militias-civil-war/616473/?fbclid=IwAR1zplShSWuGgShsjG4uzesiPXPyRkzfuKQ2Ohj72xw5hziIDq2kmxQrf-k
[LR1]
Make the Best Choice for our City Council
--- Written by Marsha Maguire
The partisanship expressed by a majority on the City Council this year has only served to turn neighbor against neighbor and divide us further in an already tense and divided political environment. Many residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the extreme ideologies evident in the words and actions of several Council members and some residents.
In 2019 County Republican Party Board member Donnie Hall, said in an interview on KONP Radio (here's the URL https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2020/01/23/the-making-of-a-city-council-conservative-mentors-aim-to-change-sequim-policies-from-the-inside/?fbclid=IwAR1fjzI0gKkGH67XsRKTdLOWMwvQaDAWwCTOkU6Y1cA_LTfkEmEJPuN_L_c), that he “coached” three candidates to run on his stated attempt to turn the Council sharply to the right. High on their agenda was stopping the MAT clinic, even at the risk of expensive legal action against the city (this was stated during the interview). The three he coached were elected – although they ran unopposed – in Nov. 2019.
Our City Council is supposed to be nonpartisan, which, given the civic issues the Council considers on a regular basis, makes good sense (they address topics regarding streets and roads, access to broadband, budgetary issues, etc.). But the two appointments that were made when we lost Council members Ted Miller and Jennifer States reflected the same sharp-right political points of view. While it might be human nature to select people who agree with our views, the ideological stands on issues such as the MAT Healing Clinic, and decisions regarding the prevention of COVID-19, have led to raucous behavior at City Council meetings, and area residents insulting one another on social media and elsewhere.
I'm asking our City Council members to do something extraordinary. Extremely well-qualified citizens of varying political opinions are likely to apply for the vacant City Council seat. I'm asking Council members to select the most qualified applicant, regardless of personal political beliefs. We all know that diversity and long-term knowledge and experience of the issues that face Sequim will make for more informed decision-making, and will be more representative of the people of Sequim. We might even become a model for how to treat one another – how to make well-reasoned, non-partisan decisions – for other places currently contending with extreme partisan rancor. That will make our city and our beautiful Sequim-Dungeness Valley a more tranquil, economically strong, and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.
We are watching and depending on you to make the best choice – the most courageous choice – for all of us.
In 2019 County Republican Party Board member Donnie Hall, said in an interview on KONP Radio (here's the URL https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2020/01/23/the-making-of-a-city-council-conservative-mentors-aim-to-change-sequim-policies-from-the-inside/?fbclid=IwAR1fjzI0gKkGH67XsRKTdLOWMwvQaDAWwCTOkU6Y1cA_LTfkEmEJPuN_L_c), that he “coached” three candidates to run on his stated attempt to turn the Council sharply to the right. High on their agenda was stopping the MAT clinic, even at the risk of expensive legal action against the city (this was stated during the interview). The three he coached were elected – although they ran unopposed – in Nov. 2019.
Our City Council is supposed to be nonpartisan, which, given the civic issues the Council considers on a regular basis, makes good sense (they address topics regarding streets and roads, access to broadband, budgetary issues, etc.). But the two appointments that were made when we lost Council members Ted Miller and Jennifer States reflected the same sharp-right political points of view. While it might be human nature to select people who agree with our views, the ideological stands on issues such as the MAT Healing Clinic, and decisions regarding the prevention of COVID-19, have led to raucous behavior at City Council meetings, and area residents insulting one another on social media and elsewhere.
I'm asking our City Council members to do something extraordinary. Extremely well-qualified citizens of varying political opinions are likely to apply for the vacant City Council seat. I'm asking Council members to select the most qualified applicant, regardless of personal political beliefs. We all know that diversity and long-term knowledge and experience of the issues that face Sequim will make for more informed decision-making, and will be more representative of the people of Sequim. We might even become a model for how to treat one another – how to make well-reasoned, non-partisan decisions – for other places currently contending with extreme partisan rancor. That will make our city and our beautiful Sequim-Dungeness Valley a more tranquil, economically strong, and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.
We are watching and depending on you to make the best choice – the most courageous choice – for all of us.
Opening Statement for Silent Vigil - by Vicki Lowe
--- June 5, 2020
A silent vigil commemorating Black Lives Matter and trauma caused by racism was hell on Friday afternoon, June 5, 2020, from 4 to 5 pm at the Sequim Civic Center. An estimated 130 people showed up and participated. This vigil was organized by Vicki Lowe and Karen Hogan. The intent of this vigil was not only to remember the slaying of George Floyd, but also to have a time of acknowledging, remembering and healing from historical trauma inflicted upon Americans of color by racism embedded in American society and culture. Part of the process of healing from trauma is to have those feelings of trauma validated by other members of the public. The following is the opening statement given by Vicki Lowe as she opened the vigil.
Thank you for joining us here this afternoon. My name is Vicki Lowe, I am a lifelong resident of Sequim and a descendant of both the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and Bella Coola First Nations. I want to thank my friend, Karen Hogan for her work in organizing this event and to Tim Wheeler for his leadership with the Voices for Health and Healing, also the VFHH steering committee, and to all of you who want to understand and help with the healing.
In difficult times, we want to comfort ourselves and each other. Comfort seems difficult to find right now. Protests about injustice are important, they bring attention to what is happening now. The last two days, our City has seen its citizens rise-up and peacefully join in the protests. This has been such a great act of caring for one another.
Tonight we are having a silent vigil to mourn the deaths and losses from the ongoing violence of racism, racism that has embedded itself in our institutions and our society, and to acknowledge that healing the ongoing impacts of historical trauma that is inflicted on Americans of color is incumbent on us all.
Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart tells us about historical trauma is “cumulative emotional and psychological wounding across generations, including the lifespan, which emanates from massive group trauma.”
Historical trauma is the phenomenon where those who never directly experienced trauma (enslavement, rape, lynchings, murder) can still exhibit signs and symptoms of the trauma.
Historical trauma can be observed in unresolved grief, expressed as depression and despair and harboring of unexplained anger. Often oppression is internalized by accepting the lie of inferiority, which can then lead to self-loathing.
Brian Cladoosby, Former President of NCAI shared in 2016 - “We have inherited an anguished history that should not be ignored but understood—so it will never be repeated. Our history produced generations of trauma, poverty and abuse that we are still fighting to undo.”
We cannot change history, but we need to acknowledge what happened. We need to acknowledge these traumas have impacts that we see playing out today in communities across our nation. This is not about blaming and guilt. It is certainly uncomfortable to talk about this history, but it is necessary. Pretending the trauma did not happen or saying it was in the past, get over it, contributes to the hurt. How do we move forward? By saying it out loud- the trauma is real, these atrocities happened.
More than that, we need to learn to accept each other and honor that we have different experiences, beliefs, and values. When we are able to honor the beliefs of others, they are able to be who they were truly meant to be and not who they are expected to be. Assimilation continues. When we talk of historical trauma we also need to talk about ongoing discrimination and racism. These acts are often not intentional but need to have attention called to them, so they can begin to be addressed.
Discrimination is acts of superiority and hierarchy and unjust treatment of groups of people based on race, including culture, systems, beliefs and values on the grounds of RACE.
There are three levels of racism:
Institutionalized racism: different access to goods, services, and opportunities;
Personal Mediated Racism: assumptions about abilities, motives, and intent of other races; and
Internalized Racism: acceptance of the stigma of the negative messages about our own abilities and intrinsic worth value.
In this country, we have many rights and responsibilities, but all do no share those rights equitably. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not the same for all. Many lives have been lost to these inequities. Tonight, we acknowledge these losses and the impacts they have had to their families and communities.
The opposite of oppression is acceptance.
I would just like to close by saying, the loss of lives due to racial violence, keeps us from knowing the true potential of those who are killed. We will never know what they might have been able to accomplish. That opportunity was robbed from them, their families and communities.
Normally we would sing a prayer song. Because the coronavirus is more easily spread from loud talking/singing, even with our masks on, I have asked permission to play a recording of the Chief Dan George Prayer Song from Squamish Nation in North Vancouver. This prayer song has been shared with the Coast Salish People as the Coast Salish National Anthem. In this recording, Joe Price, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Member is leading S’Klallam singers.
Then we will have 45 minutes of silence to mourn our losses.
Footnotes:
Yellow Horse Brave Heart, M., & DeBruyn, L. M. (1998). The American Indian holocaust: Healing historical, unresolved grief. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 8, 56–78. 9 Whitbeck, L.B., Walls, M.L, Johnson, K.D., Morrisseau, A.D., & McDougall, C.M. (2009). Depressed affect and historical loss among North American indigenous adolescents. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 16(3), 16-49. 10 See, e.g., Kuzawa, C.W., & Sweet, E. (2009). Epigenetics and the embodiment of race: Developmental origins
In difficult times, we want to comfort ourselves and each other. Comfort seems difficult to find right now. Protests about injustice are important, they bring attention to what is happening now. The last two days, our City has seen its citizens rise-up and peacefully join in the protests. This has been such a great act of caring for one another.
Tonight we are having a silent vigil to mourn the deaths and losses from the ongoing violence of racism, racism that has embedded itself in our institutions and our society, and to acknowledge that healing the ongoing impacts of historical trauma that is inflicted on Americans of color is incumbent on us all.
Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart tells us about historical trauma is “cumulative emotional and psychological wounding across generations, including the lifespan, which emanates from massive group trauma.”
Historical trauma is the phenomenon where those who never directly experienced trauma (enslavement, rape, lynchings, murder) can still exhibit signs and symptoms of the trauma.
Historical trauma can be observed in unresolved grief, expressed as depression and despair and harboring of unexplained anger. Often oppression is internalized by accepting the lie of inferiority, which can then lead to self-loathing.
Brian Cladoosby, Former President of NCAI shared in 2016 - “We have inherited an anguished history that should not be ignored but understood—so it will never be repeated. Our history produced generations of trauma, poverty and abuse that we are still fighting to undo.”
We cannot change history, but we need to acknowledge what happened. We need to acknowledge these traumas have impacts that we see playing out today in communities across our nation. This is not about blaming and guilt. It is certainly uncomfortable to talk about this history, but it is necessary. Pretending the trauma did not happen or saying it was in the past, get over it, contributes to the hurt. How do we move forward? By saying it out loud- the trauma is real, these atrocities happened.
More than that, we need to learn to accept each other and honor that we have different experiences, beliefs, and values. When we are able to honor the beliefs of others, they are able to be who they were truly meant to be and not who they are expected to be. Assimilation continues. When we talk of historical trauma we also need to talk about ongoing discrimination and racism. These acts are often not intentional but need to have attention called to them, so they can begin to be addressed.
Discrimination is acts of superiority and hierarchy and unjust treatment of groups of people based on race, including culture, systems, beliefs and values on the grounds of RACE.
There are three levels of racism:
Institutionalized racism: different access to goods, services, and opportunities;
Personal Mediated Racism: assumptions about abilities, motives, and intent of other races; and
Internalized Racism: acceptance of the stigma of the negative messages about our own abilities and intrinsic worth value.
In this country, we have many rights and responsibilities, but all do no share those rights equitably. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not the same for all. Many lives have been lost to these inequities. Tonight, we acknowledge these losses and the impacts they have had to their families and communities.
The opposite of oppression is acceptance.
I would just like to close by saying, the loss of lives due to racial violence, keeps us from knowing the true potential of those who are killed. We will never know what they might have been able to accomplish. That opportunity was robbed from them, their families and communities.
Normally we would sing a prayer song. Because the coronavirus is more easily spread from loud talking/singing, even with our masks on, I have asked permission to play a recording of the Chief Dan George Prayer Song from Squamish Nation in North Vancouver. This prayer song has been shared with the Coast Salish People as the Coast Salish National Anthem. In this recording, Joe Price, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Member is leading S’Klallam singers.
Then we will have 45 minutes of silence to mourn our losses.
Footnotes:
Yellow Horse Brave Heart, M., & DeBruyn, L. M. (1998). The American Indian holocaust: Healing historical, unresolved grief. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 8, 56–78. 9 Whitbeck, L.B., Walls, M.L, Johnson, K.D., Morrisseau, A.D., & McDougall, C.M. (2009). Depressed affect and historical loss among North American indigenous adolescents. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 16(3), 16-49. 10 See, e.g., Kuzawa, C.W., & Sweet, E. (2009). Epigenetics and the embodiment of race: Developmental origins
Why Trump is the likely 2020 winner
Written by Tony Corrado
2-27-2020
2-27-2020
Regardless of the measure, 2020 is shaping up to be both a momentous and a game changer in terms of American democracy. Many Americans have come to accept that Trump is a misogynist, racist, narcissistic and corrupt sociopath. He has absolutely zero redeeming personal qualities as a human being, and much less as a President. Yet, the chances are very high he will be re-elected.
The reasons are becoming all too obvious to any serious observer that is tuned to the current political wars.
Republicans are as organized as they ever were, despite losses in their ranks of traditional memberships. They have lots of money, a truly elegant data machine and the help of every anti-American country in the world today. Their strategy is elegant in that it relies not on destroying the Democratic candidate; rather, it is hell bent on letting the Democrats destroy themselves by attacking the ability for Democrats to achieve unity.
The Democratic National Committee has not learned the most vital lesson of 2016.
They continue to believe that politics as conducted for the last 50 years is still relevant. They want the “establishment” to choose the candidate as well as the issues and method by which major concerns of voters will be addressed. They resist the populist liberal movement that the Democratic base so desperately wants, and in truth, needs to survive.
One classic error is the emphasis on getting out the vote (GOTV).
Traditionally, this is the single most vital pursuit of candidate parties, as it ensures that the Democratic voters cast their vote. Common knowledge shows that when a majority of Democrat turn out to vote, they invariably win. This will be essential once a candidate is chosen.
For 2020 however, voter motivation is NOT the issue. People are highly motivated to vote. In 2020 the two most important issues are to prevent voter intimidation/suppression, and to ensure that the peoples’ choices are not overruled.
Millennials (a group larger than baby boomers) are out in force and they favor the most progressive candidates, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. As much as these voters may claim to grasp the dictum that any candidate must be supported in order to beat Trump, they are also expressing their reluctance to vote, at all, if they perceive the process to be rigged and therefore illegitimate. Has Bernie Sanders yet committed to this ????? policy?
The Democrats, from local party apparatus thru to the state organizations and at the national level, continue to ignore this very viscerally felt fact. These young voters realize that they face existential threats such as climate change, lack of medical access, decent paying jobs, nuclear war and a dysfunctional government. However, if their dreams are not to be addressed by either party, then why bother supporting “any-Democrat-that-is appointed-will-be-better-than-Trump, if not also a paradigm shift from any Republican? They believe that any result will be the same as the “corporate” Democratic Party, and not deliver the bold initiatives that these troubled times demand. They are correct in this conclusion.
The Russians and others are already using social media to disrupt the Democratic party processes.
They are raising the very same specter that this article addresses. If voters perceive in the facts, or fake news reports, that their desires don’t matter, again Republicans win. History simply has little to add to the changes that are necessary in 2020 and is not a prognosticator. Social media news, and the fact that Democrats are the party of inclusion are both strengths and a weakness. Both black and brown voters, for instance, cannot be taken for granted as they have in the past. The social injustice issues must be addressed. The Democratic party, falsely believing that they must continue to react to large money donors, big pharma, big insurance and big banks in order to win is no longer a valid theory. Continuing to believe that their base will still follow them through the gates of hell are seriously flawed. In fact, it is the traditional big money supporters who have no choice but to support the Democratic candidate regardless of who it is or regardless of their policies.
Voters will react viscerally and the party cannot win with anything but a cohesive, transparent people’s choice. The Democratic effort for the next several months should be focused solely on ensuring that the people’s voice is heard and respected.
The reasons are becoming all too obvious to any serious observer that is tuned to the current political wars.
Republicans are as organized as they ever were, despite losses in their ranks of traditional memberships. They have lots of money, a truly elegant data machine and the help of every anti-American country in the world today. Their strategy is elegant in that it relies not on destroying the Democratic candidate; rather, it is hell bent on letting the Democrats destroy themselves by attacking the ability for Democrats to achieve unity.
The Democratic National Committee has not learned the most vital lesson of 2016.
They continue to believe that politics as conducted for the last 50 years is still relevant. They want the “establishment” to choose the candidate as well as the issues and method by which major concerns of voters will be addressed. They resist the populist liberal movement that the Democratic base so desperately wants, and in truth, needs to survive.
One classic error is the emphasis on getting out the vote (GOTV).
Traditionally, this is the single most vital pursuit of candidate parties, as it ensures that the Democratic voters cast their vote. Common knowledge shows that when a majority of Democrat turn out to vote, they invariably win. This will be essential once a candidate is chosen.
For 2020 however, voter motivation is NOT the issue. People are highly motivated to vote. In 2020 the two most important issues are to prevent voter intimidation/suppression, and to ensure that the peoples’ choices are not overruled.
Millennials (a group larger than baby boomers) are out in force and they favor the most progressive candidates, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. As much as these voters may claim to grasp the dictum that any candidate must be supported in order to beat Trump, they are also expressing their reluctance to vote, at all, if they perceive the process to be rigged and therefore illegitimate. Has Bernie Sanders yet committed to this ????? policy?
The Democrats, from local party apparatus thru to the state organizations and at the national level, continue to ignore this very viscerally felt fact. These young voters realize that they face existential threats such as climate change, lack of medical access, decent paying jobs, nuclear war and a dysfunctional government. However, if their dreams are not to be addressed by either party, then why bother supporting “any-Democrat-that-is appointed-will-be-better-than-Trump, if not also a paradigm shift from any Republican? They believe that any result will be the same as the “corporate” Democratic Party, and not deliver the bold initiatives that these troubled times demand. They are correct in this conclusion.
The Russians and others are already using social media to disrupt the Democratic party processes.
They are raising the very same specter that this article addresses. If voters perceive in the facts, or fake news reports, that their desires don’t matter, again Republicans win. History simply has little to add to the changes that are necessary in 2020 and is not a prognosticator. Social media news, and the fact that Democrats are the party of inclusion are both strengths and a weakness. Both black and brown voters, for instance, cannot be taken for granted as they have in the past. The social injustice issues must be addressed. The Democratic party, falsely believing that they must continue to react to large money donors, big pharma, big insurance and big banks in order to win is no longer a valid theory. Continuing to believe that their base will still follow them through the gates of hell are seriously flawed. In fact, it is the traditional big money supporters who have no choice but to support the Democratic candidate regardless of who it is or regardless of their policies.
Voters will react viscerally and the party cannot win with anything but a cohesive, transparent people’s choice. The Democratic effort for the next several months should be focused solely on ensuring that the people’s voice is heard and respected.