Immigration.....A Walk In Their Shoes!

On April 23, 2018, the U.S. government ordered the departure of all U.S. government family members from Nicaragua and authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. government personnel due to escalating crime, civil unrest, and limited access to healthcare. This was not a routine precaution—this was an evacuation. Even personnel who remained were encouraged to return to the United States, where they would continue employment but be unable to meaningfully contribute to our mission. When conditions become so dangerous that our trained diplomatic staff must leave, it is clear how dire daily life is for the people who have no option to simply board a flight to safety.

Crime and instability across Central America span multiple sectors and stem from decades of deep-seated corruption within both public institutions and private industries. These forces extend far beyond gang violence; they reflect generations of systemic dysfunction that ordinary citizens have been powerless to escape.

The United States has long intervened in Latin America—often supporting dictators who protected our commercial and military interests at the expense of their own citizens. Under these regimes, corruption flourished and the innocent paid the price. Our government contributed to the erosion of these societies and helped create environments where criminal networks could thrive. While the United States is not solely responsible for the current instability, we undeniably share a measure of accountability. Now that these nations no longer provide the strategic benefits they once did, are we prepared to turn our backs on the people whose suffering we helped create?

Donald Trump and his advisors promote a nationalist vision of America as a Christian nation. What they fail to grasp is that diplomacy does not allow do-overs. International relationships are built over decades—sometimes centuries—and when you assume the presidency, you inherit the full weight of that history. Responsible leadership requires recognizing past actions, acknowledging accountability, and building foreign policy with an understanding of how those actions continue to shape the present. Democracies do not get to erase their past. And if the United States truly embraces Christian values, we cannot abandon those who are simply trying to live another day. We cannot rip children from the arms of parents whose only “crime” is attempting to survive.

Can we open our borders to every individual seeking entry? Of course not. But we can offer compassion, protection, and practical support to those who have no other refuge. That is, after all, the foundation of Christian teachings.

These immigrants are not running to the United States to steal jobs or exploit social programs. They are running toward safety—toward hope—because we are the most powerful nation on earth and we are their closest neighbor. They have nowhere else to turn. We must revisit our foreign policy in Central America and prioritize not only financial assistance but meaningful partnership, guidance, and long-term development. A stable and prosperous Central America is not simply a humanitarian ideal—it directly benefits the United States and future generations of Americans.

In the meantime, take a moment to imagine what life is like for these families who risk everything for the smallest chance to survive. If we can approach this issue with empathy—even briefly—we may begin to find solutions that honor both our values and our responsibilities.

OXFORD – THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Returning to Oxford for Module 2 was filled with anxiety and mystery unlike my initial journey.  My first sojourn to Oxford was filled with excitement and a sense of accomplishment of having been accepted to this prestigious institution.  I now faced the initial assessment after having experienced Module 1 and spending five short weeks at home reading and attempting to comprehend a series of frameworks to which I had never been exposed.

During our course intermission I had the opportunity to engage with several members of my cohort during online and conference call study groups.  We had lengthy discussions about our course material and experiences during our first module and shared our understanding of the frameworks.  Interestingly these calls ended with a consensus despite exploring a variety of positions on the application of the frameworks to which we were exposed.

My study group calls were like riding a rollercoaster vis-à-vis my feelings.  I would end one call with a self-confirmed notion that I had a complete understanding of the material and how to apply it in an actual business climate only to end the following call with a total and complete conviction that I was drowning.  I was convinced that I was the only person in the entire cohort who had no understanding of the material and every other colleague of mine had a complete grasp of these concepts, I was surely doomed to fail! Possessing a bit of a flair for the dramatic no doubt.

After getting my acceptance letter I was so excited that I immediately made all of my travel arrangements for the entire year I would spend traveling to and from Oxford.  As I was preparing to travel back to Oxford for Module 2 our class representatives began forming plans for a study group that would take place the afternoon before the assessment on day one of the module.  WAIT! A final study group, I can’t attend a final study group I am going to be traveling.  True panic ensued and I was close to complete meltdown mode.  After a delay with my flight and negotiation with the airline I was able to adjust my schedule to join my group in Oxford.

Study group complete, a few of us decided a relaxing dinner and a good night’s sleep was in order.  The dinner was relaxing and the discussion primarily avoided any of the subject matter for the assessment the next morning.  We are all experienced professionals and at this point if you had not prepared then the onus and outcome is on you.  The morning arrived and following a solid breakfast I donned my sub fusc and arrived with my fellow cohorts for our assessment.

As I entered the examination hall with other cohorts and students from other courses taking place simultaneous to our class, there it was a sea of non-descript desks all accompanied by a single chair, all of them identical.  It reminded me of a large high school gymnasium built in 1960 and as a result of this familiar institutional setting I exhaled and found comfort in the feeling I have been here before.  Arriving with a feeling of despair I soon realized my flair for the dramatic was wasted energy as I turned over the page with the assessment questions. I discovered the cohesiveness and open communication developed among my classmates had adequately prepared me for the task at hand.

Though my assessment evaluation will be forthcoming at this point I am glad to have crossed yet another hurdle in life and that is I experienced a test at one of the world’s most notable universities and survived, the journey continues!

Reaching - An Oxford Experience

There are times when life presents you with a curiosity and opportunity collectively and the end result leads to something very special.  I have experienced this scenario a few times in my life but most recently it required an expertise level completely out of my wheelhouse.  If by definition of being compensated means being a working professional then by definition I retired a few years ago.  Since that time I have been pursuing interests that are passionate to me primarily in the humanitarian sector working with non-profits and NGO’s. I have spent the past several years working in the diplomatic arena on initiatives impacting marginalized groups in developing democracies and had the opportunity to travel throughout the world meeting with influencers, government leaders, elected officials and even Prime Ministers and Presidents strategizing on plans to pursue equality for all people.

None of these experiences typically leads one to a pursuit of educational advancement, however I have rarely followed a typical path.  Last summer I relocated back to my home in the United States after living abroad for three plus years.  Though I love playing golf, tennis and reading there is only so much of that one can do before the mind begins to beg for challenges, so I decided to return to school.  Following my undergraduate degree from a public university I immediately entered the workforce.  My plan had always been to go to law school but unfortunately at the time resources were not available to me to pursue that goal.  After 30 years in the public relations and sales industry I decided to return to the educational environment and accomplish what I had wanted to achieve 30 years ago.  I live walking distance to a prominent university in my hometown and began to explore options for attending a program there, but as I began my research I realized I was restricting myself instead of reaching for something greater.

I started exploring the idea that if I could attend any university I wanted, anywhere in the world, what would that look like?  And so I discovered Oxford University and the Diploma in Global Business.  I researched the program and the Said Business School discovering not only is the program extremely distinctive but the learning environment and tools at your disposable for achieving success are extraordinary and the educators and staff are extremely responsive and encouraging.  I have completed my first module and unlike being thrown into the deep end of the pool and expected to swim, we were thrown into the deep end of the pool with the most amazing lifeguards and are being taught how to swim.  The University of Oxford is an amazing environment providing encouragement and resources at every turn.  The program is clearly designed to provide you with the tools to achieve success and advance your personal goals and initiatives.  I entered the first module on day one with a huge amount of apprehension and anxiety only to exit it with the excitement that our entire cohort is developing a network of educational and professional excellence on which we all can build our dreams for the future.  The University of Oxford, the City of Oxford, the Said Business School, the staff, my fellow classmates and our fellow alumni is a community I already feel very much a part of and a responsibility and dedication to contributing my very best.  As I move forward in DipGB2018 I extend my most sincere wishes for our collective success and making a contribution that will benefit a better future for all of you.

Ambassador Brewster Responds to President Trumps Immigration Policy - Embajador Brewster responde a la politica de immigracion de Trump

The United States executive branch of government or more commonly known as the White House is continuing to move toward a more isolationist approach to immigration and in recent weeks it appears to be gaining momentum.  President Donald Trump has made aggressive approaches to alter current immigration polices for no other reason than an attempt to negotiate an archaic campaign policy at the expense of human compassion.  He promised to build a wall along the border between the Unites States and Mexico.  A few days ago President Trump began referring to a long-standing U.S. immigration policy promoting family reunification as “chain migration”.  Mr. Trumps specific terminology is being used in a defamatory and insulting tone to cast objectivity on those being marginalized by his new proposed immigration policy. According to Ambassador James Brewster, the former U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, he says, “President Trump once again is showing his racism toward other cultures and trying to shut our borders to those values and ideas that created the worlds greatest nation”.  His expression of contempt and disapproval for human beings who have no other purpose but to build a better life for themselves and those around them is beyond being psychopathic it is honestly non-human. 

As of October 5, 2017 there were approximately 690,000 registered “Dreamers” in the United States.  These are human beings who voluntarily registered their illegal status with Homeland Security with the understanding by doing so they would avoid the risk of deportation and ultimately find a path to legal resident status in the United States.  Unfortunately by executive order President Trump has rescinded that promise by the previous administration and has demanded that the U.S. Congress negotiate a new path of legalization for these young people.  The challenge is President Trump is demanding that as a part of this legislation an agreement is made to fund the construction of the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.  This leaves a very uncertain future for those “Dreamers” who trusted the U.S. government to protect them providing they cooperated by self-identifying their status.  As of October 5, 2017 the United States is no longer accepting new DACA applications and beginning early this year the clock will start ticking for those who are currently registered and their deportation will become imminent. 

This past week President Trump declared that, “Chain migration is a total disaster which threatens our security and our economy and provides a gateway for terrorism,” he said, referring to the current system that allows many immigrants to sponsor their extended family members including spouses, children and parents.  Of all the domestic terrorist attacks on U.S. soil involving mass shootings not a single one was a result of family reunification immigration policies.  Not ONE!  According to Ambassador Brewster, “President Trump is wrong in saying that family reunification is a threat to the United States.  Immigration from countries such as the Dominican Republic is what makes the U.S. a strong and stable democracy”.  There is a fear-based culture that has concerned themselves with the untruth that every immigrant in the United States can bring every blood relative to the United States and this is simply false. There is a very strict application process and required documentation that must be presented to not only begin the process of immigration but also it can take as long as twenty years for the final process to come to fruition.  Under the current U.S. immigration system, not every relative can be sponsored for a green card. For example, uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents are not eligible for green cards through family-sponsored immigration. Only parents, spouses, children and siblings of U.S. Citizens and spouses and children of green card holders (lawful permanent residents) are eligible. Second, of those family members, only spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of U.S. citizens may be sponsored for a green card without being subject to any quota.  All other applicants are subjected to certain annual numerical caps. The comprehensive immigration reform bill passed by the Senate last year further restricts family-sponsored immigration by eliminating the ability of U.S. citizens to sponsor their siblings and adult children over the age of 30.  In addition, it establishes a merit-based point system whereby intending immigrants can accumulate points for English language proficiency, education and skills, towards getting a green card. Ambassador Brewster says, “Dominicans should know as well as all others around the world the immigration rhetoric coming from the White House is not in line with the values of the majority of Americans.  All countries should be inclusive societies, not exclusive Mr. Trump”.  If these measures become U.S. law it will continue to restrict the opportunity for those applicants hoping to immigrate to the United States. 

“It is the diversity and inclusion of our society and all societies that make our countries strong.  Trump is wrong and does not stand for the values of the majority Americans. Family reunification has always been, and should continue to be, a cornerstone of our immigration system.  But how we define “family” is as equally important” said Ambassador Brewster.  We need to continue to promote the idea of what being a “Dreamer” is, not just for immigrants but also for Americans instead of promoting that we all become afraid of inclusion.

ESPANOL

La rama ejecutiva del gobierno de los Estados Unidos, mejor conocida como la Casa Blanca, continúa avanzando hacia un enfoque migratorio más aislacionista, la cual parece estar ganando impulso en las últimas semanas. El presidente Donald Trump ha adoptado enfoques agresivos para modificar las actuales políticas de inmigración sin otro motivo que un intento de negociar una política arcaica a expensas de la compasión humana. Prometió construir un muro a lo largo de la frontera entre los Estados Unidos y México. Hace unos días, el presidente Trump comenzó a referirse a una política de inmigración estadounidense, existente desde hace mucho, que promueve la reunificación familiar como “migración en cadena”. La terminología específica que está usando el Sr. Trump en un tono difamatorio e insultante sirve para arrojar objetividad sobre los marginados por su nueva política migratoria propuesta. Según el Embajador James Brewster, ex-Embajador de los Estados Unidos en la República Dominicana: “El presidente Trump una vez más pone de manifiesto su racismo hacia otras culturas, tratando de cerrar nuestras fronteras a los valores e ideales bajo los cuales se fundó la nación más grande del mundo.” Sus expresiones de desprecio y desaprobación para los seres humanos, que no tienen otro propósito más que el de construir una vida mejor para ellos y para quienes los rodean, es algo peor que ser psicópata, y honestamente es inhumano.

El 5 de octubre de 2017, había aproximadamente 690,000 Dreamers (“Soñadores”) registrados en los Estados Unidos. Estas son personas  que registraron su estado indocumentado de manera voluntaria con el Departamento de “Homeland Security” (Seguridad Nacional) en el entendido de que así evitarían el riesgo de deportación y, finalmente, encontrarían el camino hacia el estatus de residente en los Estados Unidos. Desafortunadamente, por orden ejecutiva, el presidente Trump ha anulado esa promesa de la administración anterior y ha exigido que el Congreso de Estados Unidos negocie un nuevo camino de legalización para estos jóvenes. El desafío yace en que el presidente Trump exige, como parte de esta legislación, que se llegue a un acuerdo para financiar la construcción del muro fronterizo entre los Estados Unidos y México. Esto ocasiona que el futuro para aquellos “Dreamers” que confiaron en que el gobierno estadounidense los protegerían, se torne incierto. A partir del 5 de octubre de 2017, el gobierno estadounidense ya no está aceptando nuevas solicitudes de DACA y, a principios de este año, el reloj comenzará a correr para aquellos que están actualmente registrados y su deportación podría ser inminente.

La semana pasada, el presidente Trump declaró: "La migración en cadena es un desastre total que amenaza nuestra seguridad y nuestra economía y abre la puerta al terrorismo", dijo, refiriéndose al sistema actual que permite que muchos inmigrantes patrocinen a sus familiares, incluyendo cónyuges, niños y padres. De todos los ataques terroristas internos en suelo estadounidense que involucraron tiroteos masivos, ninguno fue el resultado de políticas de inmigración de reunificación familiar. ¡Ni uno! Según el Embajador Brewster, "el presidente Trump se equivoca al decir que la reunificación familiar es una amenaza para Estados Unidos. La inmigración de países como República Dominicana es lo que hace que los EE.UU. sea una democracia fuerte y estable.” Hay una cultura basada en el miedo, bajo la falsa premisa, de que cada inmigrante en los Estados Unidos puede traer a cada pariente de sangre a los Estados Unidos, lo cual es completamente falso. Hay un proceso de solicitud muy estricto y la documentación requerida que se debe presentar para iniciar el proceso de inmigración  puede tomar hasta veinte años para que el proceso final llegue a buen término. Bajo el actual sistema de inmigración de los EE. UU., no todos los parientes pueden ser patrocinados por una tarjeta verde o de residencia. Por ejemplo, tíos, tías, primos y abuelos no son elegibles para tarjetas verdes a través de la inmigración patrocinada por la familia. Solo los padres, cónyuges, hijos y hermanos de los ciudadanos estadounidenses y los cónyuges e hijos de los titulares de la tarjeta verde (residentes permanentes legales) son elegibles. Segundo, de esos miembros de la familia, solo los cónyuges, los hijos solteros menores de 21 años y los padres de ciudadanos estadounidenses pueden ser patrocinados por una tarjeta verde sin estar sujetos a ninguna cuota. Todos los demás solicitantes están sujetos a ciertos topes numéricos anuales. El proyecto de reforma migratoria integral aprobado por el Senado el año pasado restringe aún más la inmigración patrocinada por la familia al eliminar la capacidad de los ciudadanos estadounidenses de patrocinar a sus hermanos e hijos mayores de 30 años. Además, establece un sistema de puntos, basado en el mérito, que intenta que los inmigrantes puedan acumular puntos por dominio del idioma inglés, educación y habilidades, para obtener una tarjeta verde. El Embajador Brewster manifiesta: “Los dominicanos deberían saber tan bien, como todos los demás en todo el mundo, que la retórica sobre el tema migratorio que proviene de la Casa Blanca no está en línea con los valores de la mayoría de los estadounidenses. Todos los países deberían ser sociedades inclusivas, no exclusivas, Sr. Trump.” Si estas medidas se convierten en leyes de los EEUU, continuarán restringiendo la oportunidad de los que aspiran a emigrar.

“Es la diversidad y la inclusión de nuestra sociedad y todas las sociedades lo que fortalece a nuestros países. Trump está equivocado y no representa los valores de la mayoría de los estadounidenses. La reunificación familiar siempre ha sido, y debe seguir siendo, una piedra angular de nuestro sistema de inmigración. Pero cómo definimos ‘familia’ es igualmente importante,” dijo el Embajador Brewster. Necesitamos seguir promoviendo la idea de lo que es ser un “Dreamer”, no solo para los inmigrantes sino también para los estadounidenses en vez de tener miedo a la inclusion.

America’s Current State of Affairs

America’s Current State of Affairs

The list of controversial policies seems endless, and these are undeniably troubling, anxious times. Controversy—often by design—is divisive. It creates a sense of instability among the general population and is used by those in positions of influence to keep their opposition off balance. When deployed strategically, controversy can be an effective tool to distract competitors in business or athletics, shifting focus long enough to create an opportunistic environment in which one can flourish.

We have lived through difficult eras before, but during those times we had faith in our leaders—faith that they would guide us with purpose, helping us emerge stronger and more determined to improve the world. We believed in the institutions they served, trusting that history and precedent would guide them toward outcomes that reflected wisdom and collective benefit.

Today, traditional media, social media, bloggers, writers, editorialists, and journalists remind us daily of the widening divisions not only in the United States, but across the globe. Power and influence are no longer consistently used for the greater good. Instead, some elected officials are exploiting them for personal gain and to exert control over the very people who entrusted them with authority. Most recently, power and influence were weaponized to dismantle procedural norms in one of our most revered legislative bodies—the United States Senate.

“Them” and “we” have become weapons in our modern vocabulary, casting blame and driving us further apart, even though, ultimately, there is only we. We share one planet—made smaller every day by instantaneous communication and satellite imagery. Yet we have reached a moment in history where the pursuit of power has overshadowed our willingness to extend a hand to anyone with even the slightest difference of opinion. Diplomacy and dialogue have been set aside, replaced with antagonism and an absence of adult communication.

Wars were once fought to maintain stability and protect freedoms, yet today too many are launched for personal gain or control, benefiting powerful elites while ordinary people die as a consequence of their ambitions. A few weeks ago, my pastor reminded our congregation: “We are safer when we are friends with our neighbors rather than fearing them or viewing them as enemies.” Simple words—but profound. If we cannot build friendship with our neighbors, whether they live next door or across the world, we risk turning them into adversaries.

The future of our democracy—built and sustained over 238 years—is being undermined by leaders who are no longer looking forward, but instead remain obsessed with resurrecting policies of the past. Never before have those in power been so fixated on dismantling the progress of previous administrations. Change is inevitable. Evolution is necessary. Effective leaders must adapt if they are to remain relevant and serve their constituencies—even when change is uncomfortable. But erasing history destroys the very foundation upon which a better future must be built.

Dialogue is the answer. And dialogue requires both sides to engage. Otherwise, we are left with finger-pointing and name-calling—the tactics of schoolyard bullies whose only true objective is power and control.

Is this America’s current state of affairs…?

Curated Insight Blog Post – Bob J. Satawake, 2017

Why Do You Hate? ¿Por qué odious? (Versión en Español Incluida)

For the past 40 years I have been exposed to the hostility of hate without any understanding of the reason.  Now I am not claiming to be a perfect human being and there is no doubt during my lifetime I have reacted in a way that generated hostility toward me, usually in response to some verbal or physical attack but my actions may not have been the best approach to a resolution.  However, I still have never understood as a teenager, a young adult or a grown man why some people have hate in their heart for other human beings.  When I was a young boy I was bullied beyond your imagination.  I was called names, very vulgar names and was subjected to physical abuse, this abuse wasn’t directed to just me, my abusers also made jokes about my family, about the fact that we were poor and didn’t have trendy clothes to wear or the latest style of shoes, but I powered forward.  I remember vividly being held down by a group of boys and had fireworks placed down the back of my pants and the burns it left on my skin.  I remember working as a young man to help my family make enough money to feed our family, pay rent, pay the electric bill and while I was working the kids from my school would come to where I worked and make jokes about me in front of my fellow co-workers.  I remember walking the hallways of my school and being pushed and shoved by the kids, having my textbooks taken away and thrown into the trash.  I remember when the teacher asked questions in the classroom and I wanted to answer a question and knew the right answer but was terrified to respond because I would be beaten up after class for my knowledge.  I remember all of these things but what I can’t understand about any of these experiences is why?  Why did these young people despise me so much simply because of who I am?

I was fortunate enough to survive my teenage years and leave home to go to college and found a new world.  I found a world of acceptance and socialization.  I found a world where I could learn and experience friendship.  I found a place where I could be a man, but I didn’t find me.  I knew without a doubt that the hate would continue, the verbal and physical abuse would remain a part of my world unless I pretended to be a man I was not, you see I had to live a life that was not true, not genuine, I had to pretend.  I successfully fulfilled this task and lived a life for a few years pretending to be someone I was not and made many friends who never knew the real me.  It was a very sad and horrible experience.  I was very popular, I had many friends and I was able to get the best jobs during my college years because of my status at school and my relationships with the right people.  But the reality was, everything about me during that time was false, fake, not real. I was pretending and the people who thought they knew who I was as a person, as a friend, didn’t know me at all.  There was no doubt in my mind if they knew the real me, the genuine me . . . they would hate me too!

After college, as a grown man, I needed to be me, no longer pretend, no longer be afraid.  I had to live, or I had to die.  I wanted to live; I wanted to embrace the man that God created.  I wanted to be loved for who I was, how I was born, and the good deeds I wanted to provide to my fellow man.  I didn’t want to be loved for the person I was pretending to be and I didn’t want to be hated for the person I was; I wanted to be loved for who I am!  I never made a decision to be gay; I don’t have a preference about my sexuality.  When people say to me how did you know you were gay? I ask them how did you know you were straight?  When men ask me why are you attracted to men? I ask them why are you attracted to women?  This is something that we as human beings do not choose.  We do not make choices about our sexuality, it is something inside us that is created when we are born, and it is part of the human being God made.  So when you choose to hate a person because they are gay I don’t understand your hate.  I don’t understand why hate exists at all, why people hate someone because the color of their skin is different, why people hate someone because the person speaks a different language, why people hate someone because we pray to God in a different way, why people hate because their neighbor doesn’t have enough money to live in a bigger house or drive a fancy car.  Why do people hate? I will never understand the concept because if we just extended our hand in friendship we would realize that all anyone wants in life is to be accepted. 

I have been called names my whole life, I have been hated by many people, I have been verbally and physically abused because of who I am, but I am still here.  I am the luckiest man alive because through all the hate, I found love.  To find love you must live, you must be genuine and you must be whom God made you.  I pray for those of you who read these words and are experiencing hate in your life, I pray your family will embrace you and provide you a world of peace and comfort, I pray you will realize it is better to be loved for who you are than to be loved for pretending to be someone you are not.  Hate will never go away, or at least it has never gone away for me, but I still believe in God and I still believe the world is a good and a beautiful place created just for us.

I am a man, so you can call me any name you want, you can call me a faggot, you can call me a maricon, you can call me a freak, a degenerate, abnormal, you can all me anything you want because we all know the only reason you call me or anyone else names is to make yourself feel better about the sins you commit yourself! You do this so you can convince yourself that God will ignore your transgressions if the world is focused on what you believe are mine.  The Lord does not work that way, you know it and I know it, we all know we must all answer for our own actions and for the record...judging others is committing sin! Only God may judge us, and he will judge us. I am comfortable and confident that the Lord will forgive my transgressions because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and protector, I have asked him to forgive my transgressions, I hope you have too!

Why do people hate, I have no idea but I do know God gave us life, not to hate, but to love. So for those of you who continue to call me vulgar names, hate me for who I am . . . my only question is, why do you hate?

En Spanish

En los últimos 40 años he estado expuesto a la hostilidad del odio sin comprender en absoluto la razón.  Ahora bien, no pretendo ser perfecto y no me cabe duda de que a lo largo de mi vida puedo haber reaccionado en ocasiones de una forma que haya generado hostilidad hacia mí, usualmente en respuesta a un ataque verbal o físico, pero mis acciones podrían no haber sido la mejor estrategia para la resolución.  Sin embargo, aún no he logrado entender--ni de adolescente, ni como joven adulto ni tampoco en mi madurez--la razón por la que algunas personas guardan odio en su corazón hacia otros seres humanos. 

A lo largo de mi niñez fui acosado de forma inimaginable; me insultaban con calificativos muy vulgares y fui víctima de abuso físico, dirigido no solo a mí sino a toda mi familia.  Los abusones se mofaban porque éramos pobres y no vestíamos a la moda ni llevábamos el calzado “de última”, pero logré perseverar y avanzar a paso firme.

Recuerdo perfectamente cuando un grupo de chicos me tiró al suelo para colocar una sarta de cohetes dentro de mis pantalones, y cómo me quemaron la piel.

Recuerdo también como ya de joven trabajaba para ayudar a mi familia, con el dinero que ganaba contribuía a la compra de alimentos y al pago del alquiler, la electricidad, etc.; los chicos de mi escuela solían presentarse a mi trabajo y gastar bromas a mis expensas, frente a mis compañeros.

Recuerdo asimismo cómo era valpuleado al caminar por los pasillos del colegio, los chicos me arrebataban los libros para tirarlos a la basura.  Recuerdo cuando el profesor hacía preguntas en la clase y aunque supiese la respuesta correcta sentía pavor de levantar la mano por temor a que, envidiosos de mi conocimiento, me golpeasen a la salida de la escuela.

Recuerdo todas estas cosas pero lo que no logro comprender es el porqué de esas experiencias.  ¿Por qué me despreciaban tanto esos jóvenes simplemente por ser quien soy?

Fui bastante afortunado por sobrevivir a esos años de adolescencia y poder irme de la casa para asistir a la universidad, donde me recibió un mundo nuevo.  Allí encontré un mundo de aceptación y socialización.  Encontré un mundo donde pude conocer y vivir la amistad.  Encontré un lugar donde podía ser un hombre, pero no me encontré a mí mismo.

Sabía, con absoluta certeza, que el odio no se detendría, que el abuso verbal y físico seguiría formando parte de mi mundo a menos que pretendiera ser el hombre que no era; es que debía vivir una vida que no era auténtica, no era genuina, debía fingir.

Cumplí con éxito esa tarea y durante unos años viví fingiendo ser alguien que no era, hice muchos amigos que nunca conocieron al verdadero yo.  Fue una triste y horrible experiencia.  Era muy popular, tenía montones de amigos y pude conseguir los mejores empleos durante esos años gracias a mi “estatus” en la universidad y a que me relacionaba con la “gente correcta”.

Pero la realidad es que todo sobre mí durante esos años era falso, fingido, no era auténtico.  Fingía y las personas que creían conocerme, conocer quién era como persona, como amigo, no me conocían en absoluto.  No me cabía la menor duda de que si hubiesen conocido al verdadero yo, al auténtico yo…también me odiarían!

Tras la universidad, ya de adulto, necesitaba ser yo mismo y no seguir fingiendo ni seguir sintiendo miedo.  Debía vivir o debía morir.

Yo quería vivir; quería asumir al hombre que Dios había creado.  Deseaba ser querido por quien verdaderamente era, por cómo nací, y por las obras de bien que quería brindar a mis semejantes.  No deseaba ser querido por la persona que fingía ser ni quería ser odiado por la persona que era, deseaba ser querido por mí mismo! Nunca tomé la decisión de ser gay; no tengo preferencia sobre mi sexualidad.

Cuando me preguntan, ¿cómo supiste que eras gay?, les respondo, ¿cómo supiste que eres heterosexual?  Cuando los hombres me preguntan, ¿por qué te atraen otros hombres?, les respondo, ¿por qué te atraen las mujeres?

Esto es algo que como seres humanos no escogemos; nosotros no escogemos nuestra sexualidad, es parte de nuestro ser, se encuentra en nuestro interior y se crea al nacer y es parte del ser humano creado por Dios.

De modo que cuando decides odiar a una persona simplemente porque es gay, yo no comprendo ese odio.  No comprendo porqué existe el odio, porqué algunas personas odian a otras por tener la piel de un color diferente, porqué hay personas que odian a otras porque hablan un idioma diferente, porqué hay personas que odian a otras porque le rezamos a Dios de manera distinta, porqué algunas personas odian al vecino que no tiene dinero para vivir en una casa más grande o comprarse un auto más llamativo.  ¿Por qué odia la gente?  Nunca entenderé ese concepto porque si extendemos nuestra mano en amistad nos daríamos cuenta que lo único que desea una persona en su vida es ser aceptado.

Durante toda mi vida he sido insultado, odiado por muchos, he sido víctima de abusos verbales y físicos simplemente por ser quien soy…pero aquí me tienen.  Soy la persona más afortunada del mundo porque a pesar de todo ese odio encontré el amor.  Para encontrar amor uno debe vivir, uno debe ser auténtico y uno debe ser la persona que Dios creó.

Oro por aquellos de usedes que están leyendo estas palabras y tienen vivencias de odio en sus vidas, rezo porque sus familias les asuman y les brinden un mundo de paz y consuelo, rezo para que se den cuenta que es mejor ser amado por quién uno verdaderamente es y no por la persona que uno pretende ser.

El odio nunca desaparerá, o por lo menos no ha desaparecido en mi caso, pero aún así creo en Dios y creo que el mundo es un lugar de bondad y de belleza que Dios creó para nosotros.

Soy un hombre y puedes usar contra mí el calificativo denigrante de tu preferencia, puedes llamarme maricón, engendro, degenerado, anormal…lo que quieras, porque todos sabemos que la única razón por la que empleas esos calificativos contra mi o cualquier otro es para no sentir culpa por tus propios pecados!  Lo haces para convencerte a ti mismo que el Señor no tomará en cuenta tus transgresiones si el mundo vuelca su atención sobre aquellas que consideras son las mías.

El Señor no actúa así, tú lo sabes y yo lo sé, todos sabemos que debemos responder por nuestros propios actos y, para que quede claro, ¡juzgar a los demás es pecado!

Sólo Dios puede juzgarnos, y lo hará.  Me siento confiado que el Señor perdonará mis transgresiones porque he aceptado a Cristo Jesús como mi salvador y protector, le he pedido que perdone mis pecados, ¡espero que también lo hayas hecho tú!

¿Por qué odia la gente?  No tengo la menor idea pero sí sé que Dios nos dió la vida, no para odiar sino para amar.  Así que para aquellos de ustedes que siguen llamándome por todos esos calificativos vulgares, que me odian por ser quién soy, les tengo una sola pregunta…¿por qué odias?

Anger In Politics (Traducción Español Incluido)

The current state of our election cycle in the United States has revealed a level of anger and discourse that I have not seen in my lifetime.  We are witnessing outright hostility and direct personal attacks to a level that makes the gutter appear to be a crystal clear spring.  Political positions, policies and records are certainly a product of debate in the election cycle, however our candidates as well as the voter has resulted to a level of personal attacks, not only on the candidates but also on the candidates family members.  There was a day when the spouses of a candidate and their children were considered “hands off” by not only the candidates but also the media.  We have witnessed in our most recent campaigns a level of name calling and personal attacks that are not appropriate in a house of ill repute, in fact in some cases you might actually be thrown out of such a place for expressing such language.

On a personal reflection I admit I have engaged in political banter that can be construed as less than diplomatic.  I have responded to a variety of personal opinions in social media that was in some cases unnecessary and without merit, after all I don’t claim to be perfect, I am human.  On another note, I am not a candidate for office.  The current state of affairs in our political arena has become so marginalizing that almost no one is immune from reactionary responses.  The professional and social media encourages us to engage in such dialogue by baiting us with inflammatory headlines and opinionated reporting.

The result of this type of communicated responses does not inform the public or raise awareness of the issues.  It only initiates an anger that continues to perpetuate hostility and violence.  Yes, violence.  We have seen an increase in the level of anger in our society that instead of utilizing adult dialogue to find a common ground on which we can resolve our differences, we are instituting the use of insults and innuendo that has resulted in a level of violence in certain sectors we never could have imagined.

Are we not astonished that candidates are willing to publically attack their opponents wife on their personal appearance (as if they don’t own a mirror themselves) and because of party loyalty eventually endorse that candidate without so much as a public apology?  Were we not appalled that journalists were willing to publically criticize the attire of the elected official’s daughter at an inauguration, which I must declare was more than appropriate for a young lady her age, and yet experienced no professional accountability?  You have to wonder why these diversionary tactics have become acceptable.  I have to ask… When did it become socially appropriate for a man to publically criticize the appearance of another man’s wife without recourse?  When did it become socially appropriate for a “professional” journalist to criticize the appearance of another man’s daughter for the clothes she chose to wear?  One must conclude the only motivation behind such behavior is to instigate anger.  As a person who lives a very public life or anyone who chooses to present himself or herself for public acceptance or as a candidate for elected office has to accept the occasional inappropriate comment, however when you attack my spouse or the child of an elected official, you have crossed a line that a public apology cannot repair. 

No doubt this election cycle is irreparable, we as a society have crossed to many lines.  We have collectively allowed the integrity of our process to be denigrated to unimaginable levels.  However, we can and should begin the healing process now.  We still have an opportunity to internalize the anger that has been forced upon us and heal our hearts and souls.  We have an opportunity to seek the truth beyond the intentional deceit that has been presented to us and find a personal resolution allowing us to develop a truly objective position.  For the future of society and our democracies we cannot ignore the damage we created, but instead recognize the opportunity to engage in a respective dialogue for the greater good of our people.  Vote in this election cycle with a clear mind, heart and soul and allow your voice to be unfiltered.  At the end of the day you do have a choice, a choice to participate with anger or to participate with objectivity.  An objective evaluation of any candidate never resulted from…..Anger in politics.

EN ESPAÑOL 

Ira en la política …………

El estado actual de nuestro ciclo de elecciones en los Estados Unidos ha puesto de manifiesto un nivel de ira y un discurso que jamás había visto en mi vida.  Estamos en presencia de una abierta hostilidad y los ataques personales directos a un nivel que hace que los desagües parezcan ser un manantial de agua clara y cristalina.  Las posiciones políticas, las políticas y los registros son sin duda un producto de debate en el ciclo electoral, Sin embargo, nuestros candidatos, así como el votante han dado lugar a un nivel de ataques personales, no sólo de los candidatos en sí, sino también de los familiares de los candidatos.  En otras épocas los cónyuges de un candidato y sus hijos eran considerados como "intocables" no sólo por los candidatos, sino también los medios.  Hemos sido testigos en las campañas actuales, de un nivel de insultos y ataques personales que no son apropiadas ni siquiera en un burdel, de hecho, en algunos casos, podríamos ser sacados de un lugar como este por expresarnos con este tipo de lenguaje.

Tras una reflexión personal, debo admitir que he participado en bromas políticas que pueden ser interpretadas por debajo de los niveles diplomáticos.  He respondido a un sinnúmero de opiniones personales en los medios sociales, que en algunos casos era innecesario y sin mérito, A fin de cuentas, yo no pretendo ser perfecto, soy un ser humano.  Por otro lado, no soy un candidato para un cargo público.  El estado actual de las cosas en nuestra arena política se ha vuelto tan marginando que casi nadie es inmune a dar respuestas reaccionarias.  Los medios profesionales y sociales de comunicación nos animan a participar en este diálogo dándonos el cebo de titulares inflamatorios e informes con trasfondos de diferentes opiniones.

Los resultados de este tipo de respuestas de comunicación no informan al público, ni aumentan el nivel de conciencia sobre los problemas actuales.  Solamente inicia una ira que continúa perpetuando hostilidad y violencia.  Violencia, sí.  Hemos visto un aumento en el nivel de ira en nuestra sociedad que en vez de utilizar el diálogo adulto para encontrar un terreno común sobre el cual podamos resolver nuestras diferencias, estamos instituyendo el uso de insultos e insinuaciones que ha dado lugar a un nivel de violencia en ciertos sectores nunca antes visto.

¿No estamos asombrados de que los candidatos están dispuestos a atacar públicamente la apariencia física de las esposas de sus oponentes (como si ellas no fuesen dueñas de un espejo) y debido a la lealtad a su partido respaldar finalmente a ese candidato, sin ni siquiera una disculpa pública?  ¿Nos horrorizamos con el hecho de que los periodistas estuviesen dispuestos a criticar públicamente la vestimenta de la hija de un funcionario electo en una inauguración, que debo aclarar que era más que adecuado para una joven de su edad, y sin embargo estos profesionales no sufrieron de consecuencias por su responsabilidad en dicho hecho?  Hay que preguntarse por qué se han vuelto aceptable estas tácticas de distracción.  Debo preguntar… ¿Cuando llegó a ser socialmente aceptable que un hombre criticase públicamente la apariencia de la mujer de otro sin decoro?  ¿Cuándo llegó a ser socialmente apropiado que un periodista "profesional" criticase la apariencia de la hija de otro hombre por la ropa que eligió llevar?  Uno debe concluir que la única motivación detrás de este tipo de comportamiento es instigar la ira.  Como una persona que vive una vida muy pública o cualquier persona que opta por presentarse a sí mismo para la aceptación pública o como candidato a un cargo público se debe aceptar el ocasional comentario inapropiado, sin embargo, cuando se ataca a mi cónyuge o el hijo de un funcionario electo, usted ha cruzado una línea que una disculpa pública no puede reparar. 

Sin duda, este ciclo electoral es irreparable, nosotros como sociedad hemos cruzado muchas líneas.  Hemos permitido que colectivamente la integridad de nuestro proceso se denigrase a niveles inimaginables.  Sin embargo, podemos y debemos comenzar el proceso de sanación ahora.  Todavía tenemos la oportunidad de internalizar la ira que ha sido forzada sobre nosotros y sanar nuestros corazones y almas.  Tenemos la oportunidad de buscar la verdad más allá del engaño intencional que se nos ha presentado y encontrar una solución personal que nos permita desarrollar una posición verdaderamente objetiva.  Para el futuro de la sociedad y de nuestras democracias, no podemos ignorar el daño que hemos creado, sino reconocer la oportunidad de participar en un respectivo diálogo por el bien de nuestro pueblo.  Voten en este ciclo electoral con una mente clara, el corazón y el alma y permitan que sus voces sean escuchadas sin filtro alguno.  Al final del día, usted tiene una opción, una opción de participar con ira o de participar con objetividad.  Una evaluación objetiva de un candidato nunca surgió de ... .. la Ira en la política.