United Against Anti-Semitism??

I see a lot of these signs on the roadside lately and, yes, of course I'm united against anti-semitism.

I'm also united against Islamophobia. And homophobia. And racism and bigotry and prejudice. And so many other things.

Basically, I am united against "otherism". If you look at another person and instantly categorize them by some attribute other than the human being, then sorry, I think you are part of the problem facing all of us right now.

Most of you know that I spent most of my twenties in the military. And while I'm not saying there are no problems in the military, it is the greatest meritocracy that exists (as far as I know). You either can get shit done or you can't and that is all that matters. Not your race, not your religion, not ancestry, not anything other than your skillset and the job in front of you.

I served with people of all faiths and people of no faith. I served with people of every skin color and every accent & dialect (although sadly, my own Boston / New England dialect was rather rare 😔). I commanded a team of over sixty people. The only thing they were ever judged on was whether they got their shit done or not.

James Taylor tells us to "shower the people you love with love". I'm sorry. As much as I love me some good JT from the '70's, he missed the mark by a long shot with that one. I say shower the people you can barely stand with love. Do that and we might just have a future.

I don't know about you, but I am praying for Gaza and Israel this weekend. Please join me if you are so inclined.

🙏✝🙏☦🙏✡🙏☪🙏🕉🙏☸🙏☯🙏🛐

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Stephie · F

I do pray that this ceasefire will result in a true peace between Gaza and Israel.

Any kind of phobia against a minority, religion or nationals of countries at war only targets the wrong individuals; those that either cannot help having been born the way they are or could not chose to be of a specific nationality or belief.

Giving people a fair chance and not condemning them because of the actions of their leaders in this particular case is what the world needs.

Freedom can only be achieved with peace and peace only with freedom.

While constructive criticism is good, destructive criticism leads to more people having to suffer either emotionally of physically from it.

Why is it that we humans can never learn from our past mistakes? Yes, it takes willpower but it also needs resilience and humility to admit that one has made mistakes and I am not immune to being misled by my own feelings but I can learn from them.

Living in harmony is what most people desire the most and Gaza and Israel have now this chance to heal their wounds and to shake hands.

That reminds me of a quote from the 2008 movie "When the Earth Stood Still" with Keanu Reeves (Klaatu), Jennifer Connelly (Helen Benson).

Klaatu: This one can't be allowed to perish.
Helen Benson: We can change. We can still turn things around.
Klaatu:: We have watched. We have waited and hoped that you would change.
Helen Benson: Please.
Klaatu: It has reached the tipping point. We have to act.
Helen Benson: Please.
Klaatu: We will undo the damage you have done and give the Earth a chance to begin again.
Helen Benson: Don't do this. Please, we can change. We can change.

"We can change, we can change"... Those are the acts that humanity needs.