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FEAR. False Evidence Appearing Real.
"Every action we take in our lives can be compared to either offering a cup of water, or a sponge with vinegar to the dying man on a cross." - Yolanda.
Following the recent election, I have received numerous calls and text messages seeking my perspective and feelings. One person noted in her message, "I need your perspective because you will help me temper my own feelings."
Although I considered not addressing this through a blog post, as an independent, non-conforming individual who dislikes "labels," I focus on policies that benefit people rather than the labels we use to convey them.
After this election, I must be candid. The fact that over half of the nation voted for someone embodying the worst rather than the best in us, is what truly frightens me. Teaching our children to love our neighbors because its a virtue, seems like a challenge.
It is concerning that we have opened the door to things that cause fear. The things that go bump in the night. We have unleashed the boogeymen, reminiscent of Stephen King's 'It'.
While policies affecting the majority of citizens are crucial, this election was not solely about the economy or crime, as some were led to believe.
Moreover, the election did not revolve around crimes committed by individuals crossing the border, despite the fabricated stories. Most voters have never been affected by crimes committed by those from the southern border.
It is essential to remember that many indigenous and Hispanic people in the country are native and have been here for generations. The impact of immigration policies has been seen before, affecting our food supplies, our businesses, our economy.
So, what did the majority of voters choose? They voted out of fear, fear of being replaced, the loss of power, and the loss of privilege.
Years ago, I wrote about the "Browning of America" in E'lon Magazine, addressing the narrative around women of color. Today, Project 2025 reflects the fear response to this demographic change.
The world we see today is a result of the fear we have cultivated. Our nation reflects our collective consciousness.
I did question my own feelings and fears about the future. Am I afraid? Am I afraid of communicating, trusting in love over hate?
No, I am not.
I fear that when hate prevails, some believe they will remain unharmed. Such thinking has led to the downfall of great powers in history.
As we move forward, let's consider how we can truly achieve greatness. Let's start by asking ourselves if we would be the person offering water or vinegar to the dying man on the cross.
The WEBB Advisory Group
The WEBB Center for Social Impact was created and shaped by over 50 years of lived experience as a Black woman in America.
Focusing on domestic policy specifically, our institute provides a global worldview perspective for black and brown women from the diaspora living in America today.
Using research data, lived experiences, and stories of impact, policymakers and leaders can understand the social impacts various policies have on black and brown children and women, today and tomorrow.
In response to various incidents in our country's recent history, history mustn't repeat itself. Therefore, the WEBB Center For Social Impact strives to provide voter information, information on issues for policymakers, information for community activists, and information for anyone who seeks to understand the social impacts of public policy on individuals and communities.
Attention Bias
What is attention bias? Attention bias is our tendency to prioritize certain types of stimuli/information over others. At any given moment, an individual's senses can perceive countless stimuli in our immediate surroundings. Threat-related attention bias refers to the tendency to prioritize the processing of threats over benign or neutral stimuli. Is it no wonder we have biases related to race, ethnicity, disability, and more?
Each of us individually generates more information than ever before in human history. We take in almost 90,000 pieces of information daily, yet our brains can only filter in about 10 percent of that information. The rest, well is stored in our subconscious minds and often when we perceive a threat we act upon it.
How do you perceive the world around you and how can you understand your attention bias?
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Prayer for the Week
Dear God,
It’s so easy to be overwhelmed by what hasn’t happened yet. When we think about the future we can be excited or we can be fearful. The future can fill us with anxious thoughts. Help us to trust in the goodness of the story you are writing from beginning to end. Give us the faith and the trust to keep going. We've been around this mountain too many times. The future seems unstable. Give us the confidence to trust our fellow man. Bless us with the strength to move forward. Let us not be the one's to offer the dying man on the cross vinegar, but give us the strength to offer the water of love and hope. Amen.
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