Thank you for your words. I am not as informed as I should be - the news about our so called leader just makes me sick. I’m trying not to consume or be exposed to the nasty business. I’m hoping he has enough rope - eventually he will do us all a favor and use it!
I’ve always “thought” I was vocal about speaking up on racism, sexism and gay rights. What I’ve had to “forgive myself” about, is not speaking up when it’s small, micro-aggressions…lewd jokes, etc. as you don’t want to be “that person”…and there
Is definitely a difference of joking “with” the person…vs. outright joke (hate) about a group. I’ve had to “deprogram” myself…and now DO speak up…and it doesn’t have to be righteous, in judgement, loud or even angry…it can sometimes be a quiet “ No…” I’ve found that sometimes, that simple statement “No”….will completely stop everyone in their tracks…I don’t need to explain anything…they know exactly what/why I’m saying it! I’m not saying you can’t hold those beliefs…I’m saying…I have no room for your beliefs in my presence….I’m saying, here are my boundaries….I am also saying…I will no longer stay silent, to make you comfortable…when I am being made to be uncomfortable…..more times than not….ppl do not even realize what they are saying is rooted in ….ism. When you say “No”….it shifts back onto them….go figure out “why” you are so uncomfortable with my “No”….its not my job to make you feel better….I’m trying to re-educate myself….its not up for debate…but I’m also willing to be open, and show grace…when those same ppl, are open to also re-educating themselves…as many that I love…have given me this same grace…. I’m gonna go wash my behind now…still working on being kind..❤️🩹😮💨
I also did not watch the UFC fight primarily because I don't consider an actitivity where the goal is for the opponents to use violent means to pummel and injure each other almost to death sport but also hecause I will not do anything that could be construed to support the Trump snd MAGA agenda. This is base animalistic behaviour that should not be tolerated by a civilized society. The character of those individuals who love and support such violent activity should be called into question and should certainly not be in our government. It's no wonder those who participate in this activity spread racist, misonogytic ideas.
I read a The Guardian article about this event and every word made me sick to my stomach.
Great assessment of last night's fiasco on White Houses Grounds. The Circus event was over the top and to add insult to injury Hokit's remarks about MS Obama. Also i saw some of the fighters, after their fights quoting the Bible about being Christian men. After beating up on a fellow human being. I just don't understand this kind of America!!!
Staying silent is not an option for me. I can no longer stand by and let people make their comments and “jokes”. Racist comments and bigotry are not funny or acceptable. I have learned to calmly say that I will not allow that behavior around me, I am a woman of color, whether they realize it or not (I am a light skinned Latina), and that it offends me. No matter who it is aimed at. Have I lost friends? Absolutely! Do I miss them? No, I do not. I now choose to keep my circle small.
My dad once wrote to me a quote from Schiller "In a narrow circle the meaning narrows, / Man grows with his greater purposes." It means: If you only stay in the same small environment, your thinking becomes rigid and limited. Only when you set yourself big tasks, you grow on them and develop further. And then he added, „But the circle of your closest friends keep small!“ I have always lived by this and the circle of my true friends is small, everyone else are acquaintances! 😉
That event appealed to the lowest common denominator in society - those who are still rooted in what Freud called the ID; the primal, unconscious part of the human mind present at birth. It is the biological engine of personality, driven entirely by the pleasure principle to demand instant gratification of basic urges, desires, and aggressive or sexual impulses without considering logic or consequences. Schiller's quote is right on target. These people are still bound up in their infantile state and have failed to grow as humans.
Yes. I know staying silent would haunt me. I have told friends to not make jokes like that. Sometimes I have lost a friend. Doing this can be harder in a situation where you feel you have less power. I don’t understand why someone, anyone, did not get up and leave. Take back your power.
Yes, Slade, it's character that counts. The current administration has none of value, rather it's more of the swamp its leader said he'd drain. They're providing the circus but making it hard for folk to pay for their own bread. Too bad they only care about power and deny, if they ever knew it, the results which the misuse of power brings. History, guys: it's real.
"While there is a widespread consensus that martial arts provide immense mental health and self-control benefits, opinions on the spectator aspect of cage fighting are mixed. Some view the UFC as a legitimate, highly strategic "human chess match" that requires immense psychological discipline. Others argue it leans into extreme aggression, channeling ancient Roman spectacles where human bodies are commodified for entertainment." NIH, April 2024
This spectacle is one more of Trumps juvenile attempt to appear strong and powerful. He facies himself as some worldly strongman and it appeals to the most base instincts of his followers. I have black belts in judo, jiu-jitsu, and taekwondo, that I used for fitness and in my profession as a soldier and then as a law enforcement officer. As much I enjoyed the workout, it was just that - a workout. The skills I developed were for protection and professional competence....in my humble opinion, we'd have a lot fewer shootings and other unnecessary violence perpetrated by the current crop of law enforcement officers if extensive training in jiu-jitsu was required. The idea of paying to watch hand-to-hand combat in an arena is less than distasteful for humans in this century. These shows degrade the meaning and philosophy of all martial arts - being so prepared that you don't have to fight.
We are way beyond time for everything connected to Trump and his band of treasonous morons to be booted out of our government and into prison where they belong.
The friends that I keep around me are just like me and would NEVER allow hate speech like this and that is why they are my chosen family.
My blood family on the other hand is another story. But I have to keep telling myself that you can’t chose in what kind of family you are born into, but you can chose how you react to hateful comments by your family. I don’t allow it… Period. I fought with my brother and sister many times about it and after a long time back and forth I hope they finally get it. I told them if you want to have any kind of relationship with me, you better watch what you say around me or what you post online, cause I will call you out on your 💩!
I am the only one who is living here in the US, everyone else is back in Germany. It would be easy for me to completely cut them out of my life and they know that. I have built a life without them over here, so they know I don’t need them.
On another note, it saddens me to say that Germany is unfortunately heading back to 1933 if they don’t watch out. The AfD is getting way too powerful and they are doing the same thing Trump is doing to our country here!!
Years ago, my then 8 year old daughter came home from school and repeated a 'Polish' joke that she said she'd heard at school. I didn't shame her but used that opportunity for a 'teaching' moment. I told her, that type of humor is always funny when it's about someone else and asked how she would feel if that joke was about her ? I also reminded her that staying silent when others are using slurs etc., gives the impression of condoning the behavior. I never used the word tolerance, because its definition is 'to be put up with'. I prefer the word respectful.
I am disgusted & saddened that, in that moment, people stayed silent & anyone when asked, could not condemn these remarks.
Thanks you for putting this information all together and giving us the bigger picture as always. I simply do not comprehend how so many people can stay silent when confronted with that behavior. Just get up and walk out! Thats says something.
Thank you, for this great article. I can't get that creep's statement out of my head. It is a little comforting to know there are still many decent people out there. I can only imagine how Michelle Obama must feel, and it's stuff she has put up with her entire life. It's just so wrong, and this man thinks he's a Christian, disgusting!
Thank you for your words. I am not as informed as I should be - the news about our so called leader just makes me sick. I’m trying not to consume or be exposed to the nasty business. I’m hoping he has enough rope - eventually he will do us all a favor and use it!
I’ve always “thought” I was vocal about speaking up on racism, sexism and gay rights. What I’ve had to “forgive myself” about, is not speaking up when it’s small, micro-aggressions…lewd jokes, etc. as you don’t want to be “that person”…and there
Is definitely a difference of joking “with” the person…vs. outright joke (hate) about a group. I’ve had to “deprogram” myself…and now DO speak up…and it doesn’t have to be righteous, in judgement, loud or even angry…it can sometimes be a quiet “ No…” I’ve found that sometimes, that simple statement “No”….will completely stop everyone in their tracks…I don’t need to explain anything…they know exactly what/why I’m saying it! I’m not saying you can’t hold those beliefs…I’m saying…I have no room for your beliefs in my presence….I’m saying, here are my boundaries….I am also saying…I will no longer stay silent, to make you comfortable…when I am being made to be uncomfortable…..more times than not….ppl do not even realize what they are saying is rooted in ….ism. When you say “No”….it shifts back onto them….go figure out “why” you are so uncomfortable with my “No”….its not my job to make you feel better….I’m trying to re-educate myself….its not up for debate…but I’m also willing to be open, and show grace…when those same ppl, are open to also re-educating themselves…as many that I love…have given me this same grace…. I’m gonna go wash my behind now…still working on being kind..❤️🩹😮💨
Thank you, Kim.
I also did not watch the UFC fight primarily because I don't consider an actitivity where the goal is for the opponents to use violent means to pummel and injure each other almost to death sport but also hecause I will not do anything that could be construed to support the Trump snd MAGA agenda. This is base animalistic behaviour that should not be tolerated by a civilized society. The character of those individuals who love and support such violent activity should be called into question and should certainly not be in our government. It's no wonder those who participate in this activity spread racist, misonogytic ideas.
I read a The Guardian article about this event and every word made me sick to my stomach.
Great assessment of last night's fiasco on White Houses Grounds. The Circus event was over the top and to add insult to injury Hokit's remarks about MS Obama. Also i saw some of the fighters, after their fights quoting the Bible about being Christian men. After beating up on a fellow human being. I just don't understand this kind of America!!!
You are 100% correct.
Staying silent is not an option for me. I can no longer stand by and let people make their comments and “jokes”. Racist comments and bigotry are not funny or acceptable. I have learned to calmly say that I will not allow that behavior around me, I am a woman of color, whether they realize it or not (I am a light skinned Latina), and that it offends me. No matter who it is aimed at. Have I lost friends? Absolutely! Do I miss them? No, I do not. I now choose to keep my circle small.
My dad once wrote to me a quote from Schiller "In a narrow circle the meaning narrows, / Man grows with his greater purposes." It means: If you only stay in the same small environment, your thinking becomes rigid and limited. Only when you set yourself big tasks, you grow on them and develop further. And then he added, „But the circle of your closest friends keep small!“ I have always lived by this and the circle of my true friends is small, everyone else are acquaintances! 😉
That event appealed to the lowest common denominator in society - those who are still rooted in what Freud called the ID; the primal, unconscious part of the human mind present at birth. It is the biological engine of personality, driven entirely by the pleasure principle to demand instant gratification of basic urges, desires, and aggressive or sexual impulses without considering logic or consequences. Schiller's quote is right on target. These people are still bound up in their infantile state and have failed to grow as humans.
Yes. I know staying silent would haunt me. I have told friends to not make jokes like that. Sometimes I have lost a friend. Doing this can be harder in a situation where you feel you have less power. I don’t understand why someone, anyone, did not get up and leave. Take back your power.
Thank you for writing this. I have been so mad since I heard about this last night. It’s gross, and an unconscionable thing to say.
Yes, Slade, it's character that counts. The current administration has none of value, rather it's more of the swamp its leader said he'd drain. They're providing the circus but making it hard for folk to pay for their own bread. Too bad they only care about power and deny, if they ever knew it, the results which the misuse of power brings. History, guys: it's real.
"While there is a widespread consensus that martial arts provide immense mental health and self-control benefits, opinions on the spectator aspect of cage fighting are mixed. Some view the UFC as a legitimate, highly strategic "human chess match" that requires immense psychological discipline. Others argue it leans into extreme aggression, channeling ancient Roman spectacles where human bodies are commodified for entertainment." NIH, April 2024
This spectacle is one more of Trumps juvenile attempt to appear strong and powerful. He facies himself as some worldly strongman and it appeals to the most base instincts of his followers. I have black belts in judo, jiu-jitsu, and taekwondo, that I used for fitness and in my profession as a soldier and then as a law enforcement officer. As much I enjoyed the workout, it was just that - a workout. The skills I developed were for protection and professional competence....in my humble opinion, we'd have a lot fewer shootings and other unnecessary violence perpetrated by the current crop of law enforcement officers if extensive training in jiu-jitsu was required. The idea of paying to watch hand-to-hand combat in an arena is less than distasteful for humans in this century. These shows degrade the meaning and philosophy of all martial arts - being so prepared that you don't have to fight.
We are way beyond time for everything connected to Trump and his band of treasonous morons to be booted out of our government and into prison where they belong.
The friends that I keep around me are just like me and would NEVER allow hate speech like this and that is why they are my chosen family.
My blood family on the other hand is another story. But I have to keep telling myself that you can’t chose in what kind of family you are born into, but you can chose how you react to hateful comments by your family. I don’t allow it… Period. I fought with my brother and sister many times about it and after a long time back and forth I hope they finally get it. I told them if you want to have any kind of relationship with me, you better watch what you say around me or what you post online, cause I will call you out on your 💩!
I am the only one who is living here in the US, everyone else is back in Germany. It would be easy for me to completely cut them out of my life and they know that. I have built a life without them over here, so they know I don’t need them.
On another note, it saddens me to say that Germany is unfortunately heading back to 1933 if they don’t watch out. The AfD is getting way too powerful and they are doing the same thing Trump is doing to our country here!!
Years ago, my then 8 year old daughter came home from school and repeated a 'Polish' joke that she said she'd heard at school. I didn't shame her but used that opportunity for a 'teaching' moment. I told her, that type of humor is always funny when it's about someone else and asked how she would feel if that joke was about her ? I also reminded her that staying silent when others are using slurs etc., gives the impression of condoning the behavior. I never used the word tolerance, because its definition is 'to be put up with'. I prefer the word respectful.
I am disgusted & saddened that, in that moment, people stayed silent & anyone when asked, could not condemn these remarks.
Name the tech billionaires and celebrities. We need to know and you are a reliable source. Thank you for all you do.
https://www.businessinsider.com/ceos-business-leaders-celebrities-at-white-house-ufc-fight-photos-2026-6#ari-emanuel-3
Thanks you for putting this information all together and giving us the bigger picture as always. I simply do not comprehend how so many people can stay silent when confronted with that behavior. Just get up and walk out! Thats says something.
Two peas from the same spoiled pod.
Thank you, for this great article. I can't get that creep's statement out of my head. It is a little comforting to know there are still many decent people out there. I can only imagine how Michelle Obama must feel, and it's stuff she has put up with her entire life. It's just so wrong, and this man thinks he's a Christian, disgusting!