Teaser: I hear all the time about Real Americans – who is and who is not. All the time! And as a Native American I get to listen to a lot of people who here SECOND, about their thoughts on immigration, all the time. How they hate DACA or criminalize DAPA parents – and as a Native Person I would point out no one “followed the process to get here”

 

Today’s podcast is on Immigration – DACA and DAPA and the way forward in the view of an inclusive activist

 

Welcome back to the podcast! Its been a while since I have been able to record, so I am enjoying the opportunity to sit down and get to talk with you. Its been a good 3 weeks since I have had the chance to sit down and really podcast!

 

So the podcast experienced a really positive week in that I didn’t really run any ads for new listeners. But we had some strong downloads none the less. The last podcast I will have posted as of this date is the interview with Eric of New Found Power, and it has been a minute since I have posted and interview. But it seems like the single issue podcasts overall are more of a hit. But its nice to see the podcast stand on its own with downloads even when I don’t push it. And tonight I have a voicemail! Which is a nice change of pace. Please remember you can email me at inclusiveactivism@cox.net or leave me a voicemail at 860-576-9393. I would love to hear your thoughts!

 

Also remember to rate and review us on iTunes, or Stitcher, or if you could please share the podcast on social media, All these things go a long way to making a significant difference for us here at the inclusive activism podcast. Also please subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play as these are great ways for me to show “proof of work to potential sponsors”. It would also go a long way in getting my producer Sara paid for her work someday too!

 

So checking in on my Activism:

Its been 3 meeting since I have joined the opportunity Valley Leadership Advance – it is for people who do leadership in AZ but are not yet considered pillars in the community – its been ok

I met with friends to see how we might assist the undocumented

I finished COM101 which helps to wake folks up

And this Wednesday I will hold a Civil Conversation Series: DACA Allies Training

 

Self Care:

Lift X5 times a week so far so good

Got 2X Cardio done this week which is very cool

And Meditated for 3X for at least 10-15 mins as well

And I finally had a full weekend off of work!

 

So on to the podcast for today! I wanted to look at Immigration from an Inclusive Activist and Native’s Perpective

 

 

First thing: We all are immigrants to America, even natives however we did walk here first. But that is immigrating. With that said in Western Society we talk like the white Europeans were the first to get here. When people have to migrate they don’t do so because life if awesome or amazing. No one moves because life is awesome they move because the need the opportunity for a better life.

 

That is why we as Native people originally came to the United States – there are many theories on how or why we did so. The land bridge theory, the theory of potential exploration. Either way those folks had a yearning to get to a new place with new opportunity.

 

So when migrants, refugees, settlers etc come to the United States they do so for a reason. And I’d like to point out these folks form other countries are not doing so in an exploitive manner so they can just siphon resources as is framed my many anti-immigrant arguments. Ponce De Leon, Columbus they were

 

 

 

Second: Out –groups are a large problem too! Out groups – Now here is what you do know, what your mind is already consciously aware of, you know of some people you outgroup. Jocks, Nerds, Activists, Fashionistas, what every you know of that group, and you just don’t like or generally identify with that group. But this sense of disconnection is casual. These might not be connections or opportunities in which a lack of connection seems to be any big deal.

 

This if both parties are relatively ambivalent then there is no real hard feeling that get created for the most part I will concede. But I do get concerned about the potential of missed opportunities. For more on this topic specifically check out my podcast in relational vs interactional thinking. This given the general apathy on both sides – seems like the most likely downfall here.

 

The next level of disconnections are the ones which you see as an anathema – something or someone that is to be detested or outright shunned. These things you identify as almost Anti-You. So for me it might be a neo-Nazi, white supremacist, or self-identified misogynist,

 

What is interesting about the people whose other group identification is SO far from your own, means you will not allow yourself to see them as human. To identify the humanity in this group of people means it is a treat to your very existence! Wow now that is a LOT of power to give to someone you don’t even really like! I am not saying you should be like that group, trust me the Inclusive Activism Podcast is not looking to make it easier to identify with neo-Nazis. But I am saying you might look into understanding your human connections with say Bill or Jill who happen to be Neo-Nazis…

 

And I am sure at this point you are saying to yourself, Why? Why Rowdy, give me one good reason why I should try to find the humanity in someone who degrades my own humanity or that of others I care about???

 

Because see as your own sense of identity rises, the threat of other those like you in an attempt to validate that identity rises…

 

Well its because this person learned this behavior from someone, see hate and love is a viral Phenomenon. It happens person to person – but hate tends to spread better online specifically. When you choose to leave someone in an out-group they never get the chance to break the that hate code. And the only hate code breaker that exists is – love.  And also this is about you, right you listen to the inclusive activist podcast to develop personally as a leader correct? Well hotshot here is your opportunity. You can choose to have an effect with patience, empathy, and the opportunity of human connection.

 

***Situationally of course don’t approach a group of skinheads at a protest and attempt to love them, you might get killed. You can only really choose to attempt this in very specific situations and circumstances***

 

Lastly – we have to break the pattern! This pattern keeps repeating! This comes from US. This is an our fault issue. We just get lazy and pick in in and outgroup.

 

And we just make the choice to create these outgroups. Think about you and how you choose to respond to dissent on social media. Do you attempt to talk and respond or react with rational conversation that makes you hard to dismiss, or do you proactively take control of that conversation, talking about your motivations your concerns and making appeals to the humanity in people?

 

And that this happens is with consistent use. You need loving kindness and human connection reps!

 

And you need more chances to do this in with many different people. You need to practice your connection skill with middle aged dads, with black nationalists, with segregationists, with catholic nuns, or Buddhist monks, many many different people!

 

You can choose to be a person of infinite connection, with other humans, if you want to! And if you want to get better and better, practice listening. Try to hear for the wants, and needs in another person. I need isn’t build a wall, it might be a need for safety and connection to one’s community – this is possible with exposure to other people. A concern of people taking jobs, might be a need for economic security.

 

This method of communication is referred to as Nonviolent Communication. And if you interested in having me explore it more please let me know

So in review major points of this podcast were:

1. You – yep even special sweethearted lil ol you – constantly and consistently defer to ingroups – and either on purpose or unintendedly leave people out
2. Out-groups can be seen as at least an interaction you are just trying to be done with, or those folks at worst can be a threat to your very sense of person hood.
3. We personally should practice creating bigger and wider in-groups. The more we practice human connection the more others will learn to undue the hate code indoctrinated into them.

 

SO if this made you think something, if you have a question or even more shocking a critique let me know. You can call me at 860-576-9393

 

This space is a place to talk back ask me questions, hit me with scenarios of how to react to situations real time. Depending on how good your stuff is I will give it my “first take response” or if it’s good it might be a future podcast!

 

Also as always if you’re interested in booking me to bring the power of inclusive activism to your organization you can always do so at inclusiveactivism@cox.net or you can learn more about this organization at www.inclusiveactivism.com