#Four Characteristics that Foster Unity

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

by Costi Hinn | It’s all too true that when you put Christians together there will be conflict. Beyond denominational differences, in local congregations where most people agree on doctrinal distinctives there can still be personal preferences, opinions, and attitudes that break down unity rather than preserve it. We can all be guilty of making a spiritual law where there is no biblical law, or in an effort to embrace our Christian liberties, we can be guilty of flaunting our liberty...

[reflectionfamily]

Intro to Us - Masterpost

We’re The Reflection Family, a collective of over 200 members (so far) in eight different branches sharing a body. Our collective is organized into several distinct groups and categories, reflecting different origins, roles, and characteristics of our coanimans. Each branch has its unique dynamics and members, influenced by their proximity to certain fragments.

Types of Coanimans: A Guide to Our Color Coding

• The Original (White): Mckayla, the primary coaniman associated with the body.

• Core (Dark Grey): Human coanimans who are direct splits from Mckayla, sharing similar physical traits.

• Undead (Black): Coanimans disconnected from reality due to near-death experiences; not necessarily direct splits.

• Hypnosis (Desaturated Pink): Coanimans created via hypnosis, either accidentally or intentionally.

• Non-Human (Purple): Coanimans that are either direct splits or introjects of animals.

• Fiction-Sourced (Light Pink): Introjects named after fictional characters or celebrities.

• IRL-Sourced (Teal): Introjects from real-life relationships.

• Fragments (Green): Coanimans embodying singular characteristics and influencing nearby parts when co-conscious.

• Spirits (Light Grey): Protective entities or guides within the system.

Overview of Our Structure

Hosts: Who's in the background?

The hosts in the collective not only manage daily life, social interactions, and external relationships but also play a crucial role in preserving long-term memory recall within a collective memory bank. They act as the primary points of interaction with the outside world, ensuring that the collective's needs and responsibilities are met while maintaining a stable presence. By embodying qualities such as adaptability, resilience, and social awareness, the hosts effectively navigate diverse situations and challenges, presenting a cohesive identity to those outside the collective. Through their ability to coordinate with other parts and maintain access to shared memories, the hosts ensure continuity and a functional existence, bridging the internal world with external reality and fostering a sense of cohesion and unity within the collective.

• Veronica - 23-24 - Oversees relationships and social interactions.

• Sel - 17-24 - Manages school-related tasks.

• Selene - 18-24 - Focused on work and professional responsibilities.

• A39 - ageless - Responsible for switching between parts.

The Gatekeepers: Who Runs The System, Really?

The gatekeepers in the collective are vital entities responsible for managing and regulating access to various aspects of the inner world and the collective's complex internal landscape. They oversee the flow of memories, emotions, and information, ensuring that the right coanimans come forward when needed and that sensitive or potentially destabilizing memories are kept at bay until they can be safely processed. The gatekeepers also play a protective role, shielding more vulnerable members from traumatic recollections or overwhelming emotions. By maintaining a delicate balance between different parts and their experiences, the gatekeepers facilitate smoother transitions and interactions within the collective, contributing to overall stability and coherence in navigating daily life and therapeutic work.

• Charlotte - 20-45 - Gatekeeps the IRL subgroup.

• Jade - 15-24 - Oversees the Teens.

• James - 17-19 - Manages the Guys & Gays.

• Sarah - 8-20 - Responsible for the Middles.

• Elena - 8-14 - Oversees the Littles/Munchkins.

• Gemma - 25-45 - Responsible for the Hypnos.

• Patricia - 12-20 - Oversees the Shadows, managing more hidden or complex parts.

• Kara - 4-40 - Helps Fictional-Sourced members.

• Valzor - 30-43 - Manages parts connected to innerworld characters.

The Fragments - The 4 Corners of the Mind

The four fragments—Quietus, Reject, Bate, and Amends—each contribute to the collective's overall balance and resilience, shaping how the group interacts with both its internal landscape and the external world. These fragments represent different approaches to coping, healing, and navigating life's complexities, influencing the way coanimans respond to experiences and challenges. Together, they create a dynamic and multifaceted internal structure that fosters growth, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of self and surroundings, allowing for a cohesive yet varied approach to managing the collective's needs and interactions.

1. Quietus - Control and Repression - Quietus represents control, repression, and emotional suppression. As a fragment, Quietus embodies a deep need for stability, often at the cost of suppressing unwanted emotions and memories. This influence creates an environment where emotional expression is minimized to maintain order and prevent chaos within the system.

2. Reject - Identity and Exclusion - Reject grapples with feelings of rejection, self-worth, and exclusion. This fragment represents the internal struggle with identity and belonging, influencing coanimans who question their value and place within the collective. Reject’s influence is marked by a constant battle for self-acceptance and understanding, reflecting the complexities of identity formation and emotional growth.

3. Bate - Power and Anger - Bate embodies strength, power, and anger. This fragment channels defensive and assertive behaviors to protect or assert boundaries within the system. Bate’s influence is rooted in experiences of confrontation and resilience, shaping coanimans who are unafraid to express anger or assert their needs. This fragment also represents a willingness to fight against perceived threats or injustices, using power as a means of protection.

4. Amends - Comfort and Detachment - Amends focuses on comfort, detachment, and exploration. This fragment embodies the need for emotional solace and the detachment from painful or overwhelming experiences. Amends’ influence encourages exploration of inner worlds, seeking comfort through creativity, fantasy, and introspection. This fragment is characterized by a desire for emotional safety, often finding refuge in inner worlds and imaginative escapes.

Mckayla - The Original Lineage

Mckayla - 10 - The Original: The primary coaniman associated with the body, representing her current maturity level with therapy. Initially, she was stuck at age 6 when parts therapy began but has matured through therapeutic work.

Outside: The Ascended

Marah - The Unborn and Unique Presence

Marah - [Undead]: Represents Selene’s unborn daughter, a unique member within the collective, reflecting themes of unrealized potential and the complex emotional layers surrounding life, loss, and what could have been. She holds a special place in the collective, symbolizing a blend of innocence and the mysteries of existence.

Quietus’ Sphere of Influence - The Repressive Sphere

Quietus - Control and Repression - A fragment of control and repression, Quietus influences coanimans characterized by suppression, emotional restraint, and efforts to maintain stability by managing unwanted emotions and memories.

• Doe - The Watcher - A protective spirit animal within Quietus’ sphere, embodying caution and vigilance, overseeing the coanimans within this line.

Lil’s Line - The Innocence and Attachment Path

Lil’s line focuses on innocence, early childhood memories, and various forms of attachment and loss, exploring how these emotions manifest within the system.

Lil’s Subsystem - The Innocence Path

Lil represents the youngest, most innocent form, embodying early childhood. Her line expands through various aged-up versions that represent a progression from innocence to maturity:

• Lil - 2-4 - The Innocent [Core]: Represents the youngest, most innocent form, embodying early childhood.

• Lils - 5-9 [Core]: An aged-up version of Lil, representing an older and more developed form of innocence.

• Lily - 10-14 [Core]: Aged-up version of Lils; the “big” version, half-cat, half-human, based on the system’s cat.

• Lilith - 16-24 [Core]: The adult version of Lily, embodying a mature form of innocence.

Love’s Subsystem - The Attachment and Loss Line

Love embodies obsessive love and attachment, which further branches out into various representations of love and care, highlighting the complexities of relational dynamics within the system:

• Love - 13 - The Obsessive [Core]: Represents obsessive love, and splits into:

• Elena - 8-14 - The Caregiver [Core]: Represents sibling love and serves as a caregiver to the littles.

• Cherry - 17-18 - The Romantic [Core]: Represents romantic love.

• Nicole - 20-29 - The Sister [IRL]: Represents adoptive family connections.

• Michelle - 20-35 - The Protector [IRL]: Another representation of adoptive family ties.

Preciousy’s Subsystem - The Hypno Line

Preciousy, originally a cat, becomes a Hypno due to a traumatic loss. Her line focuses on themes of loss and trauma, represented by various parts that embody different aspects of these experiences:

• Preciousy - 6-16 - The Lost [Hypno]: Originally the system’s cat, now a Hypno due to trauma.

• Kat - 12-14 - The Feline [Hypno]: Represents a young version dealing with the emotional trauma of loss.

• Katerina [Core]: Further explores the themes of loss and attachment.

• Lindsey [IRL]: Represents deeper feelings of abandonment and healing.

• Bambi - 19 [Hypno]: Represents a mature aspect dealing with sensuality.

Clarissa’s Subsystem - The Machine Line

Clarissa, within Lil’s branch, is a unique entity representing non-human, mechanical aspects, emphasizing themes of emotionlessness and functionality:

• Clarissa - The Machine [Hypno]: A unique, machine-like entity that does not conform to typical human emotions.

• A39 - ageless [Hypno]: A drone responsible for mechanical tasks and operations.

• Syn - ageless [Hypno]: An AI system designed for processing and organizing information.

• Synth - ageless [Hypno]: A teen part handling intermediate tasks.

• Synthia - ageless [Hypno]: The adult part responsible for more complex operations.

Rosie’s Line - The Creative and Resilient Path

Rosie’s line focuses on creativity, resilience, and leadership, exploring themes of beauty, creative spirit, and artistic expression through various coanimans in this line.

Rosie’s Subsystem - The Creative Line

Rosie represents an early emotional split with creative tendencies, leading to various manifestations of creativity and artistic expression:

• Rosie - The Creative [Core]: Represents an early emotional split with a focus on creativity.

• Rose - 14-18 - The Resilient [Core]: Embodies themes of beauty and resilience.

• Rosalina - 10-14 [Core]: Represents a youthful creative spirit continuing Rosie’s theme.

Little Red’s Subsystem - The Survivor’s Path

Little Red explores themes of survival and caution, embodying resilience in the face of adversity:

• Little Red - 4-10 - The Survivor [Fiction]: Represents themes of survival and caution.

• Snow - 14-22 [Fiction]: Embodies themes of cold detachment and perseverance.

Cleopatra’s Subsystem - The Leadership Line

Cleopatra’s line is centered around leadership and heritage, embodying strength and leadership qualities:

• Cleopatra - 16-25 - The Leader [Fiction]: Represents themes of leadership and heritage.

• Marie - 14-18 [Fiction]: Embodies grace and poise.

• Mary - 16-19 [Fiction]: A youthful version dealing with innocence and purity.

Éponine’s Subsystem - The Unrequited Love Line

Éponine’s line represents themes of unrequited love and self-sacrifice, exploring emotional depth and complexity:

• Éponine - [Fiction]: Represents themes of unrequited love and self-sacrifice.

Reject’s Sphere of Influence - The Identity and Exclusion Sphere

Reject - Identity and Exclusion - Embodies the struggle with rejection, self-worth, and belonging, influencing coanimans who grapple with their sense of identity.

Angel’s Line - The Shadowed Innocence and Rejection Path

Angel’s line navigates themes of innocence entangled with feelings of rejection, exploring the dynamics of identity and self-worth through various manifestations within the system.

Angel’s Subsystem - The Shadowed Innocence Line

Angel, rooted in a childhood nickname, deals with themes of shadowed innocence and entrapment, reflecting on memories tied to familial nicknames and shadowy experiences:

• Angel - The Shadowed Innocent [Core]: Connected to a childhood nickname, represents innocence and purity.

• Angelica - [Core]: Trapped in the shadow realm as a child.

• Angelique - [Core]: Adult version who carries shared memories from Angelica’s time in the shadow realm.

Jordan and Caileigh’s Subsystem - The Almost-Identity Line

This subsystem explores identities that almost were, reflecting on alternate life paths and identities that the body might have had:

• Jordan - 8-16 - The Boy That Wasn’t [Core]: Represents a male identity that the body might have had.

• Caileigh - 8-14 - The Twin [Core]: Another almost-name, twin to Jordan.

• Lauren - [IRL]: Based on a real-life school friend.

BB Grrl’s Subsystem - The Nickname Line

BB Grrl represents another nickname that forms a distinct line exploring different facets of identity, shaped by external influences and introjections:

• BB Grrl - [Core]: Nickname-based coaniman.

• Miss Blank - [Core]: Views herself as the stepfather’s daughter.

• Gemma - 25-45 - The Anarchist [Fiction]: Connected to “Sons of Anarchy.”

• Tara - [Fiction]: Also inspired by “Sons of Anarchy.”

Nico’s Subsystem - The Bug Line

Nico’s line represents themes of fragility and resilience, characterized by nonverbal communication and various representations of small, resilient creatures:

• Nico - [IRL]: Introject of stepdad’s son.

• Bug - [Non-Human]: Represents smallness and fragility.

• Ant - [Non-Human]: Embodies diligence and teamwork.

• Flea - [Non-Human]: Represents resilience and survival.

• Ladybug - [Non-Human]: Carries themes of luck and protection.

Chica’s Subsystem - The Lost Doll Line

Chica, embodying a lost childhood object, explores themes of playfulness and loss, reflecting on childhood experiences and the creation of playful personas:

• Chica - [Core]: A Mexican doll reflecting childhood memories.

• Señorita Squishyface - [Core]: A playful persona that emerged from having her cheeks squished together to be cute.

Michaela’s Line - The Familial Memory and Identity Path

Michaela’s line is deeply rooted in family memories and identities, reflecting the various aspects of familial roles, relationships, and the complexities of family dynamics within the system.

Millie’s Subsystem - The Childhood Memory Line

Millie encompasses early childhood memories, capturing the innocence and experiences of youth and representing foundational aspects of the family identity:

• Millie - 0-14 [Core]: Embodies young memories, up to age 14.

• Tigger - [Non-Human]: Represents a past pet horse.

• Magic - [Non-Human]: Represents another past pet horse.

Kayla’s Subsystem - The Animal Care Line

Kayla represents a strong connection to animals and veterinary skills, showcasing a deep commitment to caring for and understanding animals:

• Kayla - [Core]: Represents veterinary skills and animal care.

• Abraham - [Non-Human]: Represents a specific animal connection.

• Sarai - [Non-Human]: Represents another specific animal connection.

• Winter - [Non-Human]: Represents care for a baby squirrel.

Mckay and Mikey’s Subsystem - The Twin Identity Line

Mckay and Mikey explore the dynamics of gender and twin identities, showcasing the fluidity and complexity of self-identification within the system:

• Mckay - [Core]: Represents a genderfluid aspect of Michaela.

• Mikey - 8-15 - The Boy Twin [Core]: Represents a boy version who eventually split into two parts.

• Mickey - 13-18 [Core]: A trans demi-girl.

• MJ - 16-19 [Core]: An older teen boy.

Jezebel’s Subsystem - The Protector and Fighter Line

Jezebel represents themes of protection and fighting spirit, embodying a defensive and assertive role within the system to manage conflict and anger:

• Jezebel - 24 - The Fighter [Core]: Emerged during a physical altercation with a family member.

• Valerie - 24 [Core]: Represents anger and protection.

Liz’s Subsystem - The Maternal Influence Line

Liz, along with her splits, embodies different aspects of maternal influence and roles, reflecting complex relationships with the mother figure:

• Liz - 30 [IRL]: Represents Michaela’s real mother.

• Eliza - 18-30 [IRL]: Represents a Catholic witch version.

• Lizzy - 18-30 [IRL]: Represents a nurse version.

• Bobbiette - 18-30 [IRL]: Represents a best friend from the mother’s high school years.

Support Figures Subsystem - The Guiding and Supportive Influences

This line also includes figures who have provided guidance, support, or therapeutic influence within the system, showcasing roles of caretaking and mentorship:

• Kristi - [IRL]: Represents Michaela’s therapist.

• Jenny - 30-35 [IRL]: Represents a surrogate mother figure.

Jade’s Line - The Intersex and Trauma Identity Path

Jade’s line reflects the complexity of intersex identity and trauma, exploring themes of gender, personal and adoptive identities, and the impact of past relationships and experiences.

Jade’s Subsystem - The Intersex Identity Line

Jade, embracing an intersex identity, due to PCOS, high testosterone, and genetic endometriosis, and navigates the interplay of personal and adoptive identities within hxr subsystem:

• Jade - The Intersex Identity [Core]: Integrates both personal and adoptive identities, reflecting an intersex identity and the navigation of related complexities.

• CJ - The Trans Demi-Guy [Core]: Represents a young trans demi-guy, highlighting an early stage of gender exploration.

• JC - The Teen Male [Core]: An older split from CJ, representing the evolution of gender identity into the teen years.

• James - The Adult Intersex Male [Core]: An adult manifestation of intersex identity, encompassing the culmination of gender exploration and identity solidification.

Selene’s Subsystem - The Trauma and Relationship Line

Selene’s line deals with trauma and relationship dynamics, reflecting on past experiences and the impact of relational ties:

• Selene - [Core]: Central co-host with a large subsystem.

• Chlöe - [Core]: A recent split due to medication changes.

• Leena - [Core]: Holds relationship trauma from the last ex.

• Sel - [Core]: School host, splits into Celeste, Ivy, and Ruby.

• Ruby - [Core]: Holds sexual trauma, splits into:

• Warren (IRL): an ex

• Wren (Core): tied to Warren, possibly undead

• Marissa - 19 - [Hypno]: a bimbo who spits into:

• Harley (Fiction): Harley Quinn

• Mav (IRL): of a past partner

Charlotte’s Subsystem - The Legacy Line

Charlotte’s subsystem encapsulates familial and fictional influences, integrating various introjects that represent different aspects of familial history and personal attachments:

• Charlotte - [Core]: Jade’s grandmother.

• Ty - [Core]: Represents Charlotte’s nephew.

• Midnight - [Non-Human]: Her Mother’s horse.

• Maxine - [Non-Human]: Her Cat.

• Nina - [Non-Human]: Her Sister’s dog.

• Laura Ingalls Wilder - [Fiction]: Fictional introject from “Little House on the Prairie.”

• Anne - [Fiction]: Introject from “Anne of Green Gables.”

Celebrity Influences Subsystem - The Iconic Personas Line

This subsystem reflects the integration of celebrity influences, embodying themes of understanding, strength, and mental health awareness through iconic personas:

• Carrie Fisher - [Fiction]: Represents a connection to mental health advocacy and trauma understanding.

• Amy Lee - [Fiction]: Symbolizes themes of emotional expression and resilience in dealing with personal struggles.

Bate’s Sphere of Influence - The Power and Anger Branch

Bate - Power and Anger - Influences coanimans who embody strength, power, and anger, often manifesting as defensive or assertive behaviors to protect or assert themselves.

• Amaraeth - The Guardian - A guardian spirit within Bate’s sphere, embodying spiritual power and protection, guiding coanimans under Bate’s influence.

Violet’s Line - The Undead Path

Violet’s line explores themes of survival, transformation, and undead characteristics, reflecting on near-death experiences and the journey of strength and resilience.

Violet’s Subsystem - The Undead and Flower Line

Violet starts the undead and flower line due to a near-death experience. This subsystem reflects themes of survival, transformation, and protection:

• Violet - The Survivor [Undead]: Created due to near-death experiences.

• Lilac - [Non-Human]: Represents another part of the flower line.

• Poppy - [Non-Human]: Represents another flower line extension.

• Jasmine - [Non-Human]: Represents further depth in the flower line.

• Iris - 19 - The Defender [Undead]: A defender coaniman above body-age, often managing protection roles.

• Kali - 19-25 [Undead]: Embodies themes of destruction and transformation.

• Cora - [Fiction]: A fictional mother introject, representing nurturing and protection.

• Kira - 14-18 [Undead]: A dominant part during high school.

• Ranèe - [Undead]: A bigender version of a high school best friend.

• Veronica - 23-24 [Half-Undead]: One of the current hosts.

Veronica’s Subsystem - The Host and Introject Line

Veronica’s subsystem explores themes of hosting and introjection, reflecting on relationships and the blending of internal and external influences:

• Veronica - 23-24 [Half-Undead]: One of the current hosts.

• Todd - [IRL]: An introject of the system’s boyfriend.

• Lady - [IRL]: A female introject of the boyfriend.

• April - [Hypno]: A happy hypno part.

• Doll - [Hypno]: Another, this time porcelain, doll

• Mistress - [Hypno]: A Mistress.

Patricia’s Subsystem - The Shadow Realm Line

Patricia, a vampire gatekeeper of the shadow realm, explores themes of memory manipulation and subconscious control, reflecting on the system’s shadow aspects:

• Patricia - 12-20 - The Gatekeeper [Undead]: A vampire gatekeeper of the shadow realm.

• Bryce - 18 [IRL]: Created accidentally during memory repression.

Kara’s Subsystem - The Fictive Gatekeeper Line

Kara (Supergirl) is the gatekeeper of fictives, reflecting on themes of imagination and the role of fiction in shaping internal experiences and identities:

• Kara - 4-40 - The Fictive Gatekeeper [Fiction]: Helps manage fictives and introduces fictional character elements.

• Minnie - 3-8 [Fiction]: Represents “Minnie Mouse,” the mini mom.

• Melody - 4-9 [Fiction]: Represents “Ariel’s daughter,” the mermaid.

• Mulan - [Fiction]: Represents “Mulan,” the warrior.

• Sara - [Fiction]: Represents “The Little Princess.”

• Annaliese - 18-19 [Fiction]: Represents “Barbie (Princess and the Pauper).”

• Hannah M - 12-15 [Fiction]: Represents “Hannah Montana.”

• Lilia - 8-18 [IRL]: Represents an introject from a real-life friend.

Shared Sphere of Influence - The Resilient Power and Comfort Sphere

Shared Influence from Amends and Bate - Power and Comfort -This sphere merges the influences of Bate, emphasizing power and anger, with Amends, focusing on comfort and detachment, creating a blend of strength and comfort-seeking behaviors.

Sarah’s Line - The Faithful and Spiritual Path

Sarah’s line encompasses themes of faith, spirituality, and resilience, reflecting on the journey of inner strength and spiritual connection within the system.

Sarah’s Subsystem - The Faithful and Spiritual Line

Sarah V is a core figure embodying faith and introspection. Her subsystem is diverse, exploring deep spiritual connections and biblical influences:

• Sarah V - The Faithful [Core]: Represents a deep connection to faith and internal reflection.

• Teva Levanna - [Core]: Represents a transformation during conversion classes to Judaism.

Esther’s Subsystem - The Biblical Triad and Protective Spirits

Centered around biblical and protective themes, this subsystem explores different aspects of familial and romantic stories, as well as protection within the system:

• Esther - 16-18 [Core]: Represents a Biblical influence with several splits:

• Rebecca - 8-12 [Core]: Represents a young, foundational Biblical character.

• Leah - [Core]: Represents the “unloved” Biblical figure.

• Rachel - 12-20 [Core]: Represents the “beloved” counterpart.

• Eliana - [IRL]: Represents a protective response to a traumatic experience.

• Belle - [Core]: Represents a romantic influence.

Zara’s Subsystem - The Intellectual and Feline Line

Zara’s line explores intellectual and feline themes, reflecting on scholarly aspects and protective instincts within familial relationships:

• Zara - [Core]: Formerly known as Sarah F.

• Natalie - [Core]: Represents a refined, scholarly aspect.

• Diana - 30-45 [IRL]: Represents a grandmother figure introject with specific traits.

• Cleo - 23 [Non-human]: Represents a sweet, black and white Persian cat.

• Shay - 12-16 [Non-human]: Represents a more reserved and cautious cat.

Aurora’s Kingdom Subsystem - The Inner World Builders

Sarah V also constructed an inner world known as The Kingdom of Aurora, a realm reflecting the system’s creative and spiritual depths. This world is inhabited by various characters and represents the complex interplay between creativity and spiritual introspection:

• Lizbeth - [IRL]: Represents a mother figure in the inner world.

• Valzor - 30-43 [Non-human]: Represents a metaphorical introject and antagonist.

• June - 2-15 [Non-human]: Represents a clone of Jade with embedded trauma memories.

• Scarlett - 8-15 [Non-human]: Represents a clone of Sarah with embedded trauma memories.

• Genie - 30-45 [Non-human]: Represents a shapeshifter with mystical ties.

• Solaria - [Non-human]: Represents a swamp witch with connections to inner narratives.

• Riku - [Non-human]: Represents an advisor to a fictional queen.

• Maya - 45-60 [Non-human]: Represents a slain dragon mother.

• Zayn - 6-19 [Non-human]: Represents her son turned dragon.

• Keeper of Secrets - [Non-human]: Represents a Gorian linked to subconscious thoughts.

• Daniel - 28-33 [Non-human]: Represents a pretty boy introject.

• Hunter - 18-30 [Non-human]: Represents a lover of animals.

• Xander - 25-35 [Non-human]: Represents a photography enthusiast.

• Zen - 35-50 [Non-human]: Represents a peaceful lover.

Amends’ Sphere of Influence - The Comfort and Detachment Sphere

Amends - Comfort and Detachment - Focuses on coanimans who provide comfort or exhibit a significant detachment from the core self, reflecting themes of exploration, longing, and searching for connection.

Callie’s Line - The Detachment and Exploration Path

Callie’s line focuses on themes of detachment, exploration, and the search for connection, often reflecting experiences related to childhood trauma and the longing for belonging and comfort.

Callie’s Subsystem - The Foster Care Twins and Fantasy Line

Callie embodies the detachment experienced during early childhood trauma in foster care. Her direct splits, Roslyn and Luna, explore themes of enchantment and escapism:

• Callie - The Explorer [Core]: Represents the first split in foster care, disconnected from Mckayla directly.

• Roslyn - [Core]: Represents a twin aspect, inspired by the first foster home experience.

• Nessie - [Non-human]: Represents a fae connection from a magical encounter.

Luna’s Subsystem - The Star Wars Galaxy Explorers

Luna’s fascination with space and escapism led her to craft an entire inner world inspired by the Star Wars galaxy, populated by various characters that reflect her desire to explore unknown territories:

• Luna - 8-16 [IRL]: Represents a space-loving, daydreamer persona.

• Tuila - 16 [Non-human]: Represents a “Star Wars” inspired character.

• Carina - [Non-human]: Represents a nebula-inspired character.

• Orion - [Non-human]: Represents another nebula inspiration.

• Venus - [Non-human]: Represents a planet-based inspiration.

• Eros - [Non-human]: Represents an asteroid-inspired character.

• Leo - [Non-human]: Represents a constellation-based character.

• Pluto - [Non-human]: Represents another planet-based inspiration.

Callie’s Fictive Subsystem - The Motherless Characters

Callie also developed a series of fictive alters reflecting themes of abandonment and searching for belonging, focusing on characters who are motherless or seeking maternal connections:

• Dorothy - 14-18 [Fiction]: Represents a motherless fictive who feels homeless.

• Eloise - 9-12 [Fiction]: Represents a character waiting for her mother’s visits.

• Lilo - 6-12 [Fiction]: Represents “Lilo” from “Lilo and Stitch,” symbolizing found family and resilience.

• Madeline - 6-10 [Fiction]: Represents a boarding school student.

• Rapunzel - [Fiction]: Represents a character given up by her parents.

Callie's Adoption and Friendship Subsystem

Callie’s experiences with adoption are explored through parts that reflect themes of identity formation and friendship within an adoptive context:

• Hannah S - [IRL]: Represents a friend introject who is also adopted, symbolizing shared experiences of adoption and identity search.

--- End.

[geniusmarketer101]

A Dynamic Guide To Agile Marketing

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, traditional methods often fall short in meeting the demands of rapid change and customer-centric approaches. Enter Agile Marketing – an energetic approach borrowed from software development that is transforming how marketing teams operate. In this blog post, we'll explore the world of Agile Marketing, shedding light on its principles and providing insights into how businesses can utilise its power for heightened marketing success.

Understanding Agile Marketing: A Paradigm Shift

Agile Marketing is not just a set of practices; it's a mindset that embraces flexibility, collaboration, and customer feedback. Unlike traditional marketing approaches, Agile Marketing acknowledges that plans may need to change rapidly based on real-time data and market dynamics. It has the following characteristics:

1. Repetitive Campaigns and Quick Wins

Agile Marketing thrives on repetition. Rather than investing months into a single, elaborate campaign, Agile teams break down projects into smaller tasks. This allows for quick repetitions and adjustments based on performance data, ensuring that campaigns remain aligned with evolving business goals.

2. Team Collaboration

Traditional marketing often operates in isolation, with different teams working independently. Agile Marketing, however, emphasises team collaboration. Teams work together, breaking down departmental barriers to achieve a collective goal. This collaborative environment fosters creativity and accelerates project delivery.

3. Data-Driven Decision Making

Agile Marketing relies heavily on data to drive decision-making. Real-time analytics and customer feedback play a crucial role in shaping marketing strategies. This approach allows teams to adapt quickly, optimising campaigns based on actual performance rather than relying solely on initial assumptions.

4. Customer-Centric Focus

In Agile Marketing, the customer is at the core of every decision. By constantly seeking and incorporating customer feedback, marketing teams ensure that their strategies align with the needs and preferences of their target audience. This customer-centric focus leads to more effective and meaningful marketing campaigns.

5. Flexible Planning with Sprints

Agile Marketing employs the concept of sprints – short, focused periods of work, usually two to four weeks long. This approach allows marketing teams to adapt their plans based on emerging trends, shifting priorities, or unexpected market changes. It ensures that the marketing strategy remains aligned with the broader business objectives.

The Impact of Agile Marketing on Success

1. Rapid Adaptation to Market Changes

The agility of Agile Marketing enables businesses to respond swiftly to changes in the market. Whether it's a shift in consumer behaviour, emerging trends, or industry disruptions, Agile teams can adapt their strategies in real-time, ensuring they stay ahead of the competition.

2. Improved Collaboration and Team Morale

The emphasis team collaboration in Agile Marketing not only improves the quality of work but also boosts team morale. The shared responsibility and collective ownership of projects foster a sense of unity, leading to a more engaged and motivated marketing team.

3. Optimised Resource Allocation

By breaking down projects into smaller, manageable tasks, Agile Marketing allows for better resource allocation. Teams can focus their efforts on high-priority tasks and quickly reallocate resources based on changing needs, resulting in more efficient use of time and budget.

4. Enhanced Customer Engagement

The continuous feedback loop with customers ensures that marketing efforts resonate with the target audience. Agile Marketing's customer-centric approach leads to campaigns that are not only more relevant but also more likely to generate positive responses and engagement.

In a digital landscape that demands adaptability and responsiveness, Agile Marketing emerges as a beacon of innovation. By embracing its principles – repetitive campaigns, team collaborations, data-driven decisions, customer-centric focus, and flexible planning – businesses can navigate the complexities of modern marketing with resilience and achieve heightened success in the ever-changing marketplace. As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, Agile Marketing stands as a powerful ally, providing a framework that empowers teams to thrive in an era of constant change.

[shivkriparudrakshakendra]

What Various Researches has Revealed about 1-5 Rudraksha?

Rudraksha beads have been treasured for centuries in various cultures for their spiritual significance and purported healing properties. These beads, believed to be the tears of Lord Shiva, are said to possess mystical powers. While exploring these revered beads, we have understood how they have been perceived in different cultures and scientific studies. In this article, we delve into the unique characteristics and benefits of the 2 mukhi rudraksha based on various research findings.

The Significance of Mukhi Rudrakshas

Rudraksha beads are categorized based on the number of mukhis or faces they have; each type is believed to have its own unique properties and benefits. Research and ancient texts suggest that these beads range from 1 to 21 mukhis, with the 1-5 Mukhi Rudrakshas being the most commonly known and used.

The Unique Attributes of Each Rudraksha

1 Mukhi Rudraksha: It is a highly rare and revered bead known for its powerful spiritual significance. It is distinguished by a single natural line, making it unique compared to other Rudrakshas. This bead is often associated with ultimate truth and is believed to bring enlightenment and a deeper connection with the spiritual world. According to various research and traditional beliefs, the 1 Mukhi Rudraksha is said to enhance concentration and focus, making it valuable for meditation.

2 Mukhi Rudraksha: This variety, characterized by two natural lines, is often linked with emotional stability and unity. Studies suggest that it can help in fostering relationships and creating a harmonious environment for its wearer. It's believed to symbolize Ardhanareeshwara, a combined form of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

3 Mukhi Rudraksha: With three natural lines, this bead is often associated with the release of stress and past traumas. Research indicates that it can aid in boosting self-esteem and releasing negative emotions. This bead is thought to represent Agni, the fire god in Hindu mythology.

4 Mukhi Rudraksha: This bead, distinguished by four lines, is connected with knowledge and learning. Scholars and students often seek it for its supposed ability to improve concentration and creativity. It's believed to be blessed by Lord Brahma, the god of creation.

5 Mukhi Rudraksha: The most common type, characterized by five lines, is linked with general health and well-being. Research points towards its potential in regulating blood pressure and calming the mind. It's associated with Lord Shiva himself.

The Scientific Perspective

Modern scientific research has started to explore these ancient beliefs about these beads, like the 3 mukhi rudraksha. Studies indicate that Rudraksha beads might have electromagnetic properties and can impact the human body when worn. This could partly explain their perceived healing abilities. However, more research is needed to fully understand these effects.

Cultural and Spiritual Relevance

In addition to their medicinal properties, these beads hold immense spiritual significance. They are often used in meditation and prayer, believed to bring clarity, serenity, and connection with the divine. Different cultures have embraced Rudrakshas, integrating them into various spiritual and healing practices.

On The Whole

As we uncover the mysteries and benefits of the 1 - 5 Mukhi Rudraksha, it's clear that these ancient beads hold a special place in both cultural and scientific realms. Whether seeking spiritual growth, mental peace, or physical well-being, Rudraksha beads offer a unique blend of tradition and science. If you would like to learn more about this timeless belief, then Shiv Kripa Rudraksha Kendra is the destination for you. They provide authentic and charged Rudraksha beads at affordable prices. To learn more about their offerings, head over to Haridwarrudraksha.com.

[highschoolharrier]

Adam Kedge is the head coach at Albuqueque Academy in New Mexico and has several trips to NXN in addition to a wealth of state championships for both boys and girls.

High School Harrier: You've been able to helm your programs to a combined 19 state titles in the past two decades. What has been the staple of success that has remained throughout that period?

AK: If there was one staple of our program it would be the value we place on our youth.  As coaches we work endlessly to assure that our younger kids receive the coaching and attention they need in order to give them the best opportunity for future success.

HSH: You've coached squads that have qualified and placed very well at NXN years ago. What qualities did those teams have that made them so successful?

AK: Unity and accountability to others are the positive characteristics of any outstanding team.  Our most successful squads originally consisted of a small core group of bonded and driven team members that elevated the workload and focus of the whole team.  Past leaders were uncompromising of their expectations of their varsity peers, but also very supportive of team member’s individual struggles and setbacks.

HSH: How involved are you in team goal setting?

AK: For the majority of the season we keep goals simple and process related.  Being a good citizen, a positive-spirited contributing team member, a consistent trainer are goals we work on daily.  Get a little better today is often a theme. Relative to athletic accomplishments and winning, those are goals we talk about once the leaves begin to turn.  We have a strong history of success at the state level making our performance related goals easy to come up with. Our kids want to be healthy,  hungry, in the 7, and ready to run well at the NM State Meet.  Usually, those teams and individuals that can excel at State are functioning on a high that can carry them into those later weeks in November. Accomplishments beyond early November relative to NXR, NXN, or Foot Locker are hugely dependent upon many factors falling into place perfectly.

HSH: Do you have any big regular season meets your team will be participating in this fall?

AK: For almost 20 years we’ve traveled 450 miles from Albuquerque to Denver, Colorado for the Liberty Bell Invitational.   This year we’ve switched over to the Joe I. Vigil Invitational in Alamosa, Colorado. The total number of teams will be fewer, but three or four of the scheduled participants have NXN pedigree.

HSH: Do you have any athletes you believe are ready to have a breakout season?

AK:  The boys squad returns 3 runners that have placed in the top-10 at the New Mexico State Championships; Julian Garcia (2017), Justin Hickey and Oliver Pilon (2018).  Even with those three runners, the true identity of our team will be our depth in our 4-7 spots.   Our girls are 3-time defending state champs and are working at replacing 6 varsity athletes.  Grace Archibeck is our lone returning scorer and the young girls are working hard to build around her.

HSH: What is your philosophical approach to coaching that shapes how you run your program?

AK: The program is based on training that is both age and ability appropriate in volume. Total body health and injury free running are two main guiding principles.  The objective is gradual and steady improvement over the course of the students’  high school career or beyond. Considerations are also taken into account for the stresses of being a student at a strong academic college preparatory school. Simply put, we stress consistency & gradual build-up over a heavy seasonal load that produces quicker results.

HSH: What is a sample week of training for your program during the cross country season?

AK: A sample mid-season week that includes a Saturday meet may look like this - - -

Monday:  3-4 miles of longer repeats (800’s, 1K’s, etc…), plus warm-up and cool down. Rest is generally slightly less than 1:1.

Tuesday: 5-7 miles of running followed up by short explosive hills & body weight calisthenics

Wednesday: 6-10 miles of  steady pace running followed up with some strides on the track.

Thursday:  4-6 miles with some form of pick up or light progression in pace. More core or calisthenics.

Friday: 2 ½-4 miles, 6-8 x strides, More core or calisthenics.

Saturday: Warm-up, race, cool down.

Sunday: OYO (On your own).  0-10 miles depending on age, ability, and personal motivation.

Notes:

  1.  Our program has a large number of young kids including 8th graders.  Some younger kids may do as little as ½ the total volume listed above.

  2.  Weeks that have Friday meets or off weeks will likely bump the mid-week longer run to Saturday and extend by 1-2 miles.

HSH: What type of mileage does your average top 7 runner do during their base phase?

AK: Average upper level boys are generally in the 40-50 mile / week range.  Some motivated varsity members that have been in the program for 3 or 3+ years may occasionally get into the 60’s.  With Albuquerque being hilly and over 5000 feet elevation, mileage in the 60’s is more than sufficient. Top 7 girls tend to be 5-10 mi. / week miles less, but may also incorporate a little more cross training on the exercise bike.

HSH: Do you have a staple workout you like to do with your program?

AK: Workouts at Albuquerque Academy attempt to address all major training components.  We definitely utilize our hilly topography often, especially early in the fall. Once meets start it becomes a tough balance between working in everything we want to do and still find time for competitions on fresh legs.  As we progress into the second half of the season many of our hilly runs and hill repeats transition into more race paced and race specific work.

HSH: What type of ancillary training does your team do?

AK: Our ancillary work varies from year to year. I’m always looking for new exercises. I tend to take routines implemented by coaching collogues and modify them to fit our athletes and our time schedule.  Recently, I’ve gravitated back towards very traditional calisthenics that incorporate a wide variety of muscle groups all at once, things like mountain climbers, burpies, and a variety of lunges and push-ups.  In addition, we have various planks and hip flexor routines that we do. Generally we try to work efficiently with most routines taking no more than 10-12 minutes total.

HSH: What do you think is the most important aspect of your training program?

AK: The most important aspect of ANY quality training program is recovery! Recovery, mainly in the form of recovery runs, ancillary exercises, and sleep.

HSH: I understand that you had brain surgery 15 years ago while you were coaching at Albuquerque. What impact did that have on your life and your coaching?

AK: In the event that I ever forget the date of my wedding anniversary I have a great excuse that the doctor took out part of my brain (he didn’t).  Seriously, the tumor allowed me to value all aspects of my life.  The 6 month process of recovering from a 2.5 centimeter brain tumor and the support I got during that time made me realize, with faith and family,  I am never alone.  The recovery process took time and clearly I became depressed. It wasn’t until I returned to the team, even if for 15-20 minutes a day, that I started to feel better. I count my blessings daily and enjoy serving others through teaching and coaching as much as ever. I work to be the best husband, dad, and man that I can. If I get close to being good at those things, being a good coach and having a good team will happen.

HSH: How much parent involvement do you have in your program?

AK: Our parents are willing to help out in a wide variety of ways.  We’ve been blessed with a number of parents that take a special interest in photography and are willing to share them with all that are interested.  We do tend to limit  team activities outside of practice and meets due to our school’s advanced academic requirements.  We keep organized team functions like team dinners to one or two a year.  Parents do provide our team with meet day snacks and an occasional “bagel and chocolate milk day”.

HSH: What do you do to help foster team camaraderie?

AK: Much of what we do is not forced by setting up full team social functions (see reply above). Like most all XC programs, we have great kids that are genuinely nice and enjoy each other’s company.  Our team is very supportive of one another and set the standard of sportsmanship that fosters team-to-team camaraderie.

HSH: Do you have any team traditions that you do each year?

Just last week most of our team hiked the 9 mile long La Luz Trail.  The trail begins at 6300 feet elevation and ends at slightly above 10,300 feet. Our mid-season traditional workout is another big hill run called the Blue Tower.  We begin at 6100 feet and climbs to 7100 feet in 1.7 miles. We’ve been doing the Blue Tower Run for 20+ years and the kids run it as hard as any race in order to be King of the Hill or Quadzilla.  And late in the year we’ve switched out one of the more competitive invitationals for an informal triangular where we race for pumpkins.

[adofom1]

On Class, Mainstream Media and the Police State in Jackson, MS and Beyond

Jackson Police Department’s Interim Police Chief Anthony Moore held a press conference on May 30, 2018 announcing the firing of Officer Vincent Lampkin. On May 14, 2018, Lampkin physically assaulted John Knight, III and placed a gun to his head. Not surprisingly, during his press conference, Moore framed Lampkin’s actions as that of a lone bad apple that should not be attributed to the rest of JPD.

The one bad apple explanation for police state violence is an old trope used by the police state to maintain its legitimacy and moral authority in the eyes of the popular masses. It is usually employed when the top brass in a police department has decided that an officer has to be made a sacrificial lamb for acts of violence against a civilian because to do otherwise might damage the entire department’s legitimacy.

Lampkin should have been fired. However, we must be clear about the social, political and economic underpinnings that led to his firing. We must also be clear that Lampkin’s firing alone is not justice, especially in light of the fact that Moore narrowly tailored his public statement on the incident to coincide with the false narrative that Lampkin was a bad apple that does not represent the “good cops” with JPD. JPD systemically perpetuates violence against poor Black people because it is a department comprised of a bunch of bad apples that need to be thrown in the garbage.

 “One Bad Apple Spoils the Whole Bunch”

 In trying to cast Lampkin as a lone bad apple, Moore must have forgotten about the old saying, “that one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” JPD has killed four people since November 2017. None of the officers involved in these killings have been held accountable for their actions. In each instance of police violence, JPD has told the public it would conduct an internal investigation or that it was passing the case along to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for an “independent” investigation. It has been seven months since JPD’s first victim was killed and the public still knows nothing about the findings of JPD’s investigation or if the officer was even held to account. JPD has refused to release the names of officers who shoot and/or kill civilians and has doubled and tripled down on this position while Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has given them cover while they operate with impunity.

 Lampkin’s assault of Knight took place in the context and culture of violence that has been fostered by JPD. This culture was not developed and nurtured overnight. To act as if Lampkin is an aberration within JPD is disingenuous and is an insult to the intelligence of the residents of Jackson. Even if Lampkin was an aberration, why did other “good cops” not come forward and condemn his criminal behavior? It is because JPD is violent to its core. Police officers are trained to control and dominate, not protect and serve.

 I am sure that this is not the first time that Lampkin has assaulted someone. Why else would he feel so comfortable brutalizing someone, putting a gun to their head and then cavalierly releasing them as if nothing happened? I know from my experience of representing individuals charged with crimes that JPD routinely assaults persons who are arrested. I have had clients who have been maimed by JPD and they will be brought into court brutalized and no one in the courtroom would ask one question about the person’s appearance except me. This is evidence that every official in this system is complicit in and provides cover for the violent thug operation that is the police state in Jackson and beyond. Officers get away with such violent acts because most of the people they brutalize are poor, Black and powerless. However, this time, Lampkin made the mistake of choosing a victim who society viewed as having great potential in line with society’s classist orientation.

 The Role of Classism in the Case of John Knight, III

 Class contradictions were apparent in the way that Knight’s assault was handled by the media, society at large and JPD. These glaring class contradictions should not be ignored or taken lightly. Knight is a former Jackson Public Schools student athlete. At the time he was assaulted, Knight was at home on a break waiting to begin school at Utah State University where he won a basketball scholarship to attend. Local media outlets, which have been notorious for engaging in character assassination of individuals killed by JPD, were very careful in how they framed the Knight incident.

 In reporting about Knight’s ordeal with JPD, the Clarion Ledger was sure to always refer to Knight as a student athlete and did not take any swipes at his character. However, when Crystaline Barnes, who was also a college student and mother, was killed by JPD officers under dubious circumstances, the publication decided to publish that Barnes had outstanding traffic tickets and that she had previously been in the Hinds County Pre-Trial Intervention program, a probation program that allows individuals to have their charges dismissed if they can pay money to the Hinds County District Attorney’s Office over a 12 month period. Clearly, both were college students, but the difference seems to be that Barnes was a single mother who was not deemed as worthy of sympathy as the student athlete who has “potential” in the eyes of a classist society.

 In a press conference called by Knight’s attorney, Dennis Sweet, III, Sweet and Knight’s parents repeatedly made comments that were rooted in respectability and classism. Knight’s father constantly made references to how he taught his son to respect authority, how he came from a “good” home, had a “good” upbringing and had never been in any trouble. Sweet highlighted how Knight was on the dean’s list at Southwest Community College and is the type of young man that Jackson should be proud of. On the surface, these comments appear to be merely statements made by individuals who are interested in getting justice for a client and a son. However, when we go deeper and look at the class dynamics of the society that we live in, the comments made set up a dichotomy that says individuals who are poor, Black, mentally ill, drug addicted and/or convicted felons are less deserving of justice than a young Black man who has the potential to be an American “success” story.

 This society has proven time and time again that Black people can be murdered in cold blood, accosted or otherwise harassed no matter what our station in life is. In short, our college degrees, the way we dress, the way we speak or the type of family we come from will never be enough to provide shelter for Black people from the reign of police terror. This is why it is dangerous for anyone to set up, whether it is intentional or unintentional, a classist narrative that centers on an individual’s characteristics, potential, or academic or athletic prowess. There should not be one case where we are not raising the names of all of JPD’s victims and pointing out that this is a systemic problem and not just an issue of a particular incident or case. When we don’t do this, we thwart our own chances for getting closer to establishing a system of justice where no one is mistreated regardless of race, class, gender or sexual orientation.

 Crystaline Barnes, Lee Bonner, Elliot Reed and an unidentified Black man were all working class or poor Black people killed by JPD officers. They all had their characters assassinated by JPD and the media after JPD killed them. None of them are less worthy of justice because of their interaction with the so-called criminal justice system are allegations of criminal activity at the time of their killings. Sadly, the deaths of these victims did not raise much concern or outrage in popular discourse and the little motion that was generated surrounding their killings certainly did not result in any officers being fired or criminally punished for their actions. As far as the public knows, none of these officers were criminally indicted, some of the cases likely never even made it before a grand jury.

 Working class and poor Black lives are deemed less valuable and worthy of redress. This is an elitist notion that we must vigilantly stand against and repudiate. We must engage in vigorous and unceasing class analysis and struggle. This is the only way that there will be justice for all of JPD’s victims. If Lampkin can be fired for assaulting Knight, there is no reason that the officers who killed the aforementioned victims should not be fired and criminally charged. Instead, they enjoyed a paid vacation on the tax payer’s dime and were allowed to return to work as if nothing ever occurred. That this has happened in a city that touts itself as “the most radical city on the planet” would be laughable if it were not so sad and angering.

 The Struggle for justice against police state violence cannot and must not be relegated to the legal realm of civil lawsuits of individual victims or their families. I am not opposed to victims seeking monetary damages, but that cannot and should not be all that is pursued. Police State violence is a systemic issue and must be attacked as such. We must build a political movement to challenge the systemic violence of these gestapo like police departments. This is the only way we can bring police violence to a halt. We must demand that police are disarmed and police departments are disbanded and replaced with institutions that are more just, humane and controlled by the popular masses.

 History is evidence that the only solution to police violence is disarmament and disbandment. Police have been killing Black people since the days they were called Slave Patrols. They have been used to subvert worker solidarity and class unity, both interracially and intra-racially. They are used to protect the economic interests of the ruling class elites. Police help to ensure that the popular masses never gain control over their own labor and ultimately, the means of production. The elite classes use the means of production to generate wealth for themselves on the backs of the popular masses. Police place profits, maintaining unjust class relations and the status quo before the wellbeing of people.  

   Is the Outcome in Knight’s Incident Truly Justice?

 Before we get too carried away with celebrating about the firing of Lampkin, we must reflect. The public still does not officially know the truth of what happened to Knight and why. We still don’t officially know whether this was Lampkin’s first time engaging in such criminal behavior. If it was not his first time acting so criminally, why didn’t all of the “good cops” report his criminality? How many other officers have had allegations of this criminal nature brought against them without consequence or repercussions? We don’t know the answers to these questions and we won’t know if we are satisfied with Lampkin’s firing. We must go deeper.

If a civilian was accused of assaulting a law enforcement officer, that civilian would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Why aren’t Lampkin and other violent cops being prosecuted for their crimes against the popular masses? I have seen countless instances where civilians are charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer when it was clear that the officer had not been accosted. So, if the people are being prosecuted on trumped up charges inside of kangaroo courts, certainly, these violent police officers should be prosecuted as well for their very real crimes committed against the community.  

Our Standing Demands

The America Mean Prison Initiative (AMP), a grassroots community effort aimed at addressing police state violence and supporting communities impacted by the violence and dehumanization of incarceration call on the Lumumba administration to do the following: 1) Fire all officers involved in violence against civilians; 2) Establish a use of force policy that includes tangible and direct participation by the popular masses; 3) Release the names of officers involved in acts of violence against residents immediately; 4) Conduct an internal audit into all JPD policies, procedures and practices and allow the popular masses to be involved at every stage of the process; 5) Establish a human rights charter and an elected human rights commission with subpoena and investigative powers to ensure that all civilian’s human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled and 6) Disband the task force appointed by Lumumba because it is not a genuine representation and expression of the popular masses, but instead is little more than an appendage of the state and its’ manipulative machinations of the people.

[themoderndesignstudent]

MDM620 Design Integration - Journal Post

Overview and Acquiring Competencies

This month focused on a range of creative and operational methodologies used to further develop the proposed brand identity, for McDonough, Georgia. There were several new concepts broadening my understanding, of project scope and process. The construction of solution statements derived from the proposed problem statement pushed our design thinking, from the perspective of a communal brand identity. This exercise required creation of three iterations of constructed solutions and associated rationales to support the integration of unique brand identity approaches. Media asset selection provided new opportunity to research a plethora of viable mediums to integrate into new brand identity system. From this, a media mix chart was leveraged to categorize media assets, into four primary categories (print, online, environment [OOH], and on-air), understand the advantages and disadvantages to each, and serve as a reference tool when making finalized asset selections.

Another major milestone entailed successful design and development of a client-facing design brief. Information collect from the two previous courses and current course are consolidated into a detailed and immersive proposal document with the ultimate goal being to communicate the new brand identity and seek approval for developmental progression. Other core components entailed voice and tone development, (tagline, mission statement, sample tone, and brand voice chart) and the creation of static and dynamic vision boards convey this chosen brand voice, tone, and underlying personality.

Connecting, Synthesizing, and Transforming

When determining three ideations for solution statements, research within associated rationales was used to support each unique perspective. Solution one focused on the identification of McDonough as a family/friendly community focused on promoting higher engagement and morale, among community members. As Cushing (2016) explains “when a community is a good place for young people to live and grow up, it can provide a positive environment for all people and enable healthy and satisfying lifestyle options” (Cushing, 2016). By identifying and attracting family units, there is greater opportunity for growth and livelihood, within the community, as relationships are developed and fostered between children and parents. Solution two focused on the identification of McDonough as an upbeat/cultural/artistic community focusing on citizen’s diverse backgrounds and the city’s rich historic background and architectural elements. Cherbo, Stewart, and Wyszomirski (2008) explain how “art and cultural participation contribute to community conditions in education, economic development, civic engagement, and to stewardship of place” (Cherbo, Stewart, & Wyszomirski, 2008). By emphasizing cultural events, community members have an opportunity to socialize with fellow citizens and understand the dynamic makeup of individuals and their families all while learning about new cultures. This artistic approach will also provide ample opportunity to revitalize all community areas and elevate the historic, architectural charm of McDonough.

Solution three focused on the identification of McDonough as an active community focusing on outdoor lifestyle, via recreational and leisure activities. Wahowiak (2016) mentions “getting outside and being active can work to greatly improve people’s health” (Wahowiak, 2016). This new city identity will demonstrate McDonough’s ongoing effort to take care of its citizens and instill positive thinking, throughout the community. In addition, this identity will promote a more unified, community spirit as an active, healthy lifestyle is commonly pursued with supporting family members, friends, or similar acquaintances. From this, the family/friendly approach was selected as McDonough portrayed stronger association towards familial and relationship development.

Problem Solving

Research conducted through interviews led the creation of a centralized design problem which states, “The citizens of McDonough need a way to identify the benefits of their community, because a lack of unity and excitement is felt by those living in the area.” The implementation of a wayfinding system will alleviate resident and visitor challenges when exploring McDonough. As an added benefit, “Visitors will thus have numerous “contact points” with the company’s brand, strengthening their experience with it and reinforcing their overall impression of their visit” (ASI Signage, 2017, p. 6). This creative asset proposition will enhance the physical user experience and add cohesive branding to existing and future community locations and benefits. Furthermore, an updated brand identity will cater to a community-centered initiative to increase brand awareness, generate positive morale, and instill new the city’s new characteristics of welcoming, desirable, charming, and involved.

Innovative Thinking

Companies are continually drawn towards the adoption and integration of digital and online assets to convey their brand identity. This new wave can result in the abandonment of traditional applications and decrease the physical engagement of brand identity through subsequent marketing collateral. To combat this issue and maintain the historic integrity of McDonough, select physical mediums were chosen to amplify this new identity through common and practical applications.  Custom vinyl stickers provide a tactile medium to engage with community members, visitors, and patrons. This small yet impactful sticker will serve as an extension to the McDonough brand identity and will be applied to high-exposure items such as vehicles, laptops, phone cases, and notebook covers. Billboards are effectively used to convey targeted messaging for surrou  nding communities and businesses based on location while brochures will serve as grab-and-go directories based on categorical needs (dining, shopping, parks and recreation, etc.). The application of vinyl car wrapping will provide an additional medium, for brand identity transference, while making all associated vehicles recognizable throughout the community. “Vehicle wraps attract attention without disturbance. Potential customers can easily spot your message without significant distraction from what they’re doing” (Design Office UK ltd, 2016, para. 4). This unique design application will display the city’s new brand identity and will increase brand recognition.

Reflection

Through this process, there were three primary takeaways which directly impacted my work methodologies. I relied heavily on strategic planning and organization of material as elements of the design brief were finalized. By simply organizing material into similar categories, thought processes became less strenuous while handling larger amounts of information. Rapid prototyping was heavily relied upon while designing layouts resulting in viable options for other page layouts and the ability to perform personal critiques. Defining the proposed brand voice, tone, and associated personality will attribute to a constructed theme before asset creation and integration is applied to the design brief.

Coming into this process I had a good understanding of the various steps that entailed the successful creation of a client facing design brief. I knew that all relevant information which has been worked on over the last three months would be accumulated and transposed into this single document. What I learned from this experience is the amount of time, patience, and commitment one must put into creating an impactful design brief. I also was exposed to the process of researching, curating, and selecting specific media assets that would pair together and form a cohesive ecosystem for brand identity integration.

The knowledge and experience I have gained through this process can be directly applied to my current role in visual communications. Working with layout design, this assignment provided me with new process and thinking methodologies for designing larger amounts of information. The creative environment I work in allows me to see each phase of this process in real life as new campaigns are created and brand identities are updated. Furthermore, this specific process will be vital to the revision of past assignments and creation of new material for future courses.

References

ASI Signage. (2017, January). Pathways to Success - The Benefits of Wayfinding Signage. Retrieved from https://asisignage.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/White-paper_wayfinding1.pdf

Cherbo, J. M., Stewart, R. A., & Wyszomirski, M. J. (2008). Understanding the Arts and Creative Sector in the United States. Rutger's University Press.

Cushing, D. F. (2016). Youth Master Plans as Potential Roadmaps to Creating Child- and Youth-friendly Cities. Planning Practice & Research, 31(2), 154–173. https://doi-org.oclc.fullsail.edu/10.1080/02697459.2015.1110472

Design Office UK Ltd. (2016, May 20). 7 Benefits of Using Vehicle Graphics to Advertise Your Business. Retrieved from http://www.sccci.co.uk/portal/blog/1026/7-benefits-of-using-vehicle-graphics-to-advertise-your-business/

Wahowiak, L. (2016). Park prescription: Recipe for healthy success. Nation’s Health, 45(10), 20. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.oclc.fullsail.edu:81/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=111926881&site=ehost-live

[grenwodirishwica]

How to Spot a Fascist

Merriam Webster: fascism noun fas·cism \ˈfa-ˌshi-zəm also ˈfa-ˌsi-\ A political philosophy, movement, or regime, that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. Unfortunately, Hitler, the Holocaust, and the Nazis have become an unhelpful example of fascism. Exterminating six million people and militarily dominating an entire continent by ground force in the name of racial supremacy are not prerequisites for fascism. These are outsized yardsticks by which to measure the current phenomenon. The notion of fascism originated under Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. He founded the Partito Nazionale Fascista (National Fascist Party) in 1921, which emphasized the need for national strength through political and industrial consolidation of power. Naziism under Hitler was the most extreme version of fascism we’ve known in modern history. Perhaps it’s helpful to think of fascism like the chicken pox. The severity of the case varies widely on the basis of the patient. You don’t have to be in traction in a full body cast covered in burst blisters to be sick. But if you’ve never been exposed to the virus before, sooner or later, you’re bound to get sick. Think of Hitler’s Nazi domination of Europe as the Guinness World Record of chicken pox outbreaks. Indeed, as a result, smaller fascist regimes took hold in most of continental Europe. America is notable for its enduring liberal democractic republic, committed to rule by the people for the people. We’ve had more than 240 strong years, and managed to survive more than half a dozen ground wars. As a country known for the potency of its checks and balances and its Bill of Rights, fascism seems an unlikely affliction. It’s easy to wave it off as something that just couldn’t happen here. But if you look closely, you can see it starting to rear its head, if you know where to look. Scholar Laurence W. Britt compiled the following characteristics of fascism, based on an analysis of a handful of successful regimes. (His list gained notoriety earlier this year when the Holocaust Museum turned it into a poster). Britt’s 13-point list is a lot to swallow, but it essentially breaks down into five sub-groups. Step 1: Emphatic nationalism, controlled mass media, and unifying enemies and scapegoats “Make America Great Again” is perhaps the most nationalist slogan our country has ever touted. The President’s treatment of Muslims as terrorists and Mexicans as criminals nicely checks the box on using enemies and scapegoats to foster unity. But what about the free press? By comparative standards, America’s press is extraordinarily free. While many countries have for years endorsed a partisan press, where certain outlets speak for the left and others for the right, in America, this phenomenon is relatively new. American journalists are by nature and training staunchly objective and by and large politically independent. They will criticize anyone in public office like it’s their job, because it is. In the UK, certain laws protect what photography can and cannot be published and how the crown is portrayed. America’s first amendment does away with such false promises. Because of the industry’s endurance and strength, its devolution can be hard to believe. But for fascism to take root, the free press must be weakened. Control of the media is a critical first step for fascists, as it allows them to unify their message of nationalist supremacy and finger-pointing. Banning reporters from campaign rallies was just the first suggestion that something was off. From the press pulpit, Sean Spicer, Stephen Miller, and Kellyanne Conway have all played into the active distortion of fact, and how highly controversial decisions (like the recent Muslim ban) were portrayed. Bret Stephens, a conservative columnist for the Wall Street Journal, delivered the Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture last week at UCLA, which was published by Time. He cited a recent interaction between Bill O’Reilly questioning the President’s denial of facts. Stephens provided some critical analysis on the President’s response, and how it relates to his notion of facts.” “As far as he is concerned,” Stephens said, “facts, as most people understand the term, don’t matter: That they are indistinguishable from, and interchangeable with, opinion; and that statements of fact needn’t have any purchase against a man who is either sufficiently powerful to ignore them or sufficiently shameless to deny them — or, in his case, both.” Journalism is at its core the purveyance of fact for public consumption. While such truths can be as simple as today’s weather or the time of tomorrow’s baseball game, our society is predicated on a fundamental trust that what journalists say is true. When facts become meaningless, the press loses its power, which it would seem is exactly what the President is working to do. Step 2: Rampant sexism, disdain for human rights, and suppression of intellectuals and the arts The President’s rampant sexism is without question and need not be debated. The Access Hollywood tape is evidence enough on that point. The Administration’s Muslim ban, particularly targeting refugees, is clear evidence of its disdain for human rights. On February 19, the White House budget office included the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities and the Corporation For Public Broadcasting as selected targets for budget cuts. Suppress the arts? Check. As previously stated, it’s been less than a month in a four-year administration. This is certainly an area we can expect to get worse. Step 3: Obsession with crime and punishment, national security, and the supremacy of the military The President has made crime and punishment a central pillar of his platform. From his campaign announcement calling Mexicans rapists and criminals, he has emphasized how he plans to bring law and order back to the inner cities of America. He also turned his penchant for punishment on his opponent, allowing “Lock Her Up!” to become a favorite rally cry. The resignation of his national security advisor in his first month in office has certainly made any significant military action difficult, but the closing of borders to Muslims and the harsh treatment of travelers affected by the ban doesn’t bode well. While the President hasn’t necessarily championed the military yet, he has been a vocal advocate for the power of the 2nd amendment to foster a well-armed militia, suggesting that if Hillary Clinton had won the election, “the second Amendment people” might have been able to do something about it. He’s also asking for 10,000 more ICE agents, and 5,000 more border guards. More punishment for more crimes? Check. Often fascists use a grave threat to law and order or national security to justify their use of greater military force on the population. While he’s been up in arms about the need for a crackdown on rampant crime and the power of the people to protect themselves with guns, the big event hasn’t happened yet, but, without a National Security advisor in place, could well be in the works. The 1933 Reichstag fire, in which Germany’s government building was ostensibly set ablaze by Communists, is often credited as a critical moment in Hitler’s consolidation of power: “On 27 February 1933, just as the campaign moved into its final days, the Reichstag (Parliament building) was set on fire and burnt down. A young Dutch communist (Van der Lubbe), was arrested and imprisoned along with 4,000 other Communists. Hitler exploited the Reichstag fire. On 28 February, the ‘Decree for the Protection of People and State’ was drawn up by the Nazis and signed by Hindenburg. The ‘emergency’ powers contained within the decree marked the beginning of the breakdown in the democratic process. Frontpage 1933 New York Times In the aftermath of the fire, during the final week of the election, the SS and SA arrested thousands more Communists and other enemies of the Nazis. The new powers meant that they could be imprisoned indefinitely without trial. Again, using these new powers, the Nazis banned newspapers, leaflets and meetings of opponents. The ensuing violence led to the deaths of more than 50 people and injuries to many more.” While the national security crisis they need may be just around the corner, it’s also possible the catalyzing event is already behind us. Perhaps the towers falling on September 11 were in fact the only Reichstag fire our country needed. All this to say that what starts as a crime and punishment candidate decrying the breakdown of law and order on the campaign trail can quickly devolve into brutal militarism. It’s just a matter of time. Step 4: Power of corporations protected, and power of labor suppressed or eliminated The 45th President’s emphasis on dealmaking has always put corporations at the center of his platform. As a businessman, he’s allegedly repeatedly managed to avoid paying for construction work done on his hotels. His unwillingness to release his own tax returns and his prevailing secrecy around his own business operations would suggest he intends for business to do as it pleases, with no concern for its effect on labor. Many anticipate lower taxes for companies as well. It’s fair to say that corporate power is already on the rise. What remains to be seen if the rise of a crime and punishment attitude and the degradation of the free press can eliminate the power of labor to fight back. Step 5: Rampant cronyism and corruption, religion and ruling elite tied together, and fraudulent elections The plurality of religious beliefs across America (and the rising trend of secularism) make it harder for the administration to co-opt religious mandates for their own purposes as other fascists have done in the past. While there are certainly early signs of cronyism (appointments of Cabinet picks who have no expertise but have donated millions to the campaign, for example), it’s likely that the strength of American institutions can provide a brake on pervasive political corruption, at least at first. While most fact-based sources believe that operationally the November 2016 elections were free and fair, it’s somewhat ironic that the President has decried the elections as fraudulent. Here’s what Britt has to say on how fascists use fraudulent elections: “Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.” The use of smear campaigns and character assassination of opposition candidates? The manipulation of the media? Sounds pretty familiar to me. All this is to say that an objective analysis of a broad range of factors would indicate that it’s not just a matter of name-calling. The 45th President and his administration all laud and uphold a number of traits and political practices that are indicative of a fascist regime. On February 13, Stephen Miller, the President’s 31-year-old “senior” adviser appeared in the press room for comment. Speaking with John Dickerson on Face the Nation, he said the following: “Our opponents, the media and the whole world will soon see as we begin to take further actions, that the powers of the president to protect our country are very substantial and will not be questioned.” Buckle your seat belts, folks. This is just the beginning. Source: How to Spot a Fascist https://ift.tt/3imyUQW An Objective Look at Fascist Behavior Under the 45th President via Blogger https://ift.tt/31B3el5

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Exploring Coffee Culture at The San Diego-Tijuana Border

A significant portion of the line between the United States of America and Mexico is made up of the San Diego-Tijuana Border, and this sprawling urban area is home to almost five million residents. Here, you’ll find a unique culture that’s fuelled by the mingling of thousands of residents and tourists – both of whom venture across the border each day for work and play. 

This meeting of different lifestyles, customs, and traditions has left its mark on everything – including the coffee consumption habits of locals. For specialty coffee enthusiasts looking to establish a presence here, these unique differences are worth exploring. Here’s what the coffee culture is like at the San Diego-Tijuana border.

You may also like Tips to Turn Your Coffee Shop Into a Must-Go Destination

An aerial view of the San Diego Coastline.

How do Locals Consume Coffee?

To get more insight into local coffee consumption behaviour, I spoke to a group of residents for more information. 45 individuals between the ages of 22 and 50 were interviewed, consisting of people from different walks of life, including students, homemakers, and office workers from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

The results revealed that almost half of the respondents drink coffee every day. Those that don’t cite health as their reason for abstaining from it, with some saying that it’s difficult for them to digest and others that they find it overstimulating.

When it comes to why they drink coffee, most respondents drink it for the caffeine boost, and just under half add milk, cream, and sugar to improve the taste. Home brewed instant coffee and filter coffee are the primary ways they consume coffee. There’s also a greater interest in how their coffee was brewed than in details such as its origin, and how it was roasted.

When it comes to participating in specialty coffee events such as cupping, most respondents have never heard of them or attended one in Tijuana or San Diego. But despite responses suggesting a lack of familiarity with specialty coffee, further responses suggest that they could be open to learning more about it in the future. 

For example, almost a third of respondents already state that they consume coffee for the sensory experience, with just under half describing its taste as depending on the coffee beans in question. In addition, a few respondents list specialty coffee shops such as Café Sur a Norte, Dinastía 12, Café Baristi, and Malvia Coffee Bar as being their favourite places to enjoy coffee.

The D´Volada branch at Playas de Tijuana in Tijuana. Credit: Valeria Arámburo

Exploring Coffee Shops in The Area

Like many urbanised areas in the world, the San Diego-Tijuana Border offers coffee to its residents through convenience outlets, chain stores, and specialty coffee shops. While no official statistics exist on how many there are, figures for Mexico and San Diego suggest that the area hasn’t yet been saturated with coffee shops, let alone specialty coffee shops. 

Currently, one coffee or tea shop exists for every 10 000 Mexican residents, with the number of shops estimated to grow by four percent by 2021. As for San Diego, the number of independently owned coffee shops has also grown over the past two years.

You’ll find plenty of chain outlets in the area, with Starbucks having 360 cafés in Mexico, and 

Mexican restaurant operator CMR planning to open 150 Nescafé coffee shops in the next eight years. These chains are followed closely by Café Punta de Cielo (who have 13% of the market) and The Italian Coffee Company (who have 11%).

According to Euromonitor International’s analysis of Mexico’s Coffee Consumption Market for the Mexican Coffee Association Amecafe, coffee shops are instrumental in offering consumers a greater variety of coffee in a cozy and modern environment, and customers are increasingly paying attention to their coffee’s quality, preparation and characteristics. 

This is where specialty coffee shops are stepping in.

An acoustic music session takes place in La Barra, Tijuana. Credit: Diana Hirata

Specialty Coffee Shops on The Border

While there might not be as many specialty coffee shops on the border in comparison to other areas of the US or Mexico, the ones that do exist have adapted to the demands and resources available in the area.

It’s estimated that Mexico currently exports 65% of its beans, with local demand accounting for the rest. One coffee shop embracing local production is Caffe Sospeso. Founded by certified Q-Grader Albert Song, they offer a range of certified organic Mexican beans from smallholder producers in San Pedro Pochutla, Atoyac Álvarez, Cordova, and Sierra Madre de Chiapas. 

While some specialty coffee shops have embraced locally produced coffee, others have turned towards cultivating something rarer. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is a roaster and retailer with coffee shops in the region that offers the first-ever San Diego grown Geisha coffee, directly to the public and for online purchase. This award winning coffee is typically produced in Panama, and can cost over $600 per pound.

When it comes to menu offerings, many specialty coffee shops in the area offer drinks unique to the region, such as Mexican coffee. This drink is typically prepared with cane sugar, cinnamon, and specialty cacao. There’s also Café de Olla, which is usually brewed in a clay pot with cinnamon and piloncillo (evaporated raw sugar cane juice).

There are signs of a chocolate renaissance taking place in Mexico, which has seen a resurgence in interest in local cacao production – as well as in eating and drinking it in a Mexican style. Several specialty coffee shops in this area now offer cacao drinks. Pop by popular cafés like Café Sur a Norte and Café Punta del Cielo and you’ll find beverages like the mocha oaxaqueno – a hot drink made with raw cacao, almonds or hazelnuts, sugar, and milk.

Green coffee beans are inspected in Tijuana. Credit: ABBC

Developing Tomorrow’s Coffee Culture

The specialty coffee scene on the border has plenty to offer, but in terms of education and unity across those involved in it, there’s still a way to go. According to Gildardo Peralta, president of the Asociación de Baristas de Baja California (ABBC), there’s large scale disinformation on coffee, and insufficient spaces for sharing specialized and impartial information.

The ABBC aims to tackle this by training specialty baristas, creating an awareness of coffee culture, and fostering a respect for the process of making coffee. Their mission is to inform and educate baristas and consumers on the farm to cup process.

To facilitate this, they follow parameters outlined by the Specialty Coffee Association, and foster alliances with universities and roasters. In addition, they regularly hold events like Tijuana Huele a Café, which is aimed at bringing consumers and professionals together to celebrate specialty coffee.

Gildardo feels that the organisation provides legitimate information, supports professionals, and establishes a dialogue between the industry sectors. He adds that “the scene is transforming. I bet that in five or six years the coffee industry will refine itself and the ones who really care about the product quality will remain”.

Another initiative with similar goals is the Barista Battle. This binational event (held in alliance with the San Diego Coffee Network) organises everything from latte art competitions and tasting sessions to international reunions, where coffee professionals from all industry sectors can network with each other. 

According to the organisation’s co-director, Aracely Germán, the events build a stronger sense of community in the coffee scene. It also improves how baristas are perceived, so that they can transmit their knowledge and passion to the consumer. 

A Das Cortez branch in Tijuana. Credit: Valeria Arámburo

The San Diego-Tijuana border may not be as well known as other regions for its coffee scene, but by straddling two vastly different countries, it’s created its own and evolving to meet the needs of its diverse population. 

For those looking to enter the local scene, an understanding and acknowledgement of these differences will be instrumental in increasing local awareness and demand for specialty coffee. 

And while specialty coffee shops here may not be supported by as many guiding organisations and groups as other regions, the emergence of both Barista Battle and the ABBC are good signs that coffee culture is primed for expansion along the San Diego-Tijuana border.

Enjoyed this? Then Read Café Careers: How To Launch Your Own Specialty Coffee Shop

Written by Valeria Arámburo. Feature photo caption: Tijuana, Mexico in the afternoon. Feature photo credit: Guillermo Buelna

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WASHINGTON’S FAREWELL could hardly have been published at a better moment. Released on the day when President Obama gave his own farewell address in early January in Chicago, John Avlon’s elegant book about the best-known Founding Father was poised to strike a deep chord in us. For, like Washington himself in his time, we live today in a climate marked by high political fragmentation, divisiveness, and immoderation. Once again, ideological intransigence promoted by purists of various persuasions, on both sides of the political spectrum (but especially on the right), dominates our politics and risks tearing apart the social fabric of our republic.

That’s precisely what Washington feared as he was leaving office in 1796, resisting calls to stand for a third term. The voluntary relinquishment of power was then — as is still now — a remarkable display of moderation and restraint. Washington could have easily been elected for four more years, but his health was not good and he was tired of politics. Moreover, he really wanted to enjoy at last the peace and comfort of his Mount Vernon estate with his beloved wife Martha. Ambition could have overcome all these doubts, and he, too, might have succumbed to the temptation of power. In the end, however, Washington decided to step down, giving posterity an inspiring example.

To be sure, his personality had something to do with that. On the one hand, Washington had a pretty good idea of what he had achieved by the end of his second term; he had played a key role in securing the independence of the colonies from Great Britain and in the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. On the other hand, he had always been a humble person: “neither a Man of learning, nor of much acquired knowledge,” he conducted himself in an honest and unaffected manner in political life. His heart was always in the right place, even if he may have been, as John Adams once ungenerously put it, “too illiterate, unlearned, unread for his Station.”

Be that as it may, Washington was a man of moderation determined to maintain his independence from the various factions of his day. This theme dominates Avlon’s book. “I was no party man myself,” Washington once said, “and the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them.” He was rightly concerned that factions would hijack his administration and try to impose their own policy priorities to the detriment of the common good.

Washington had his reasons to be concerned about the fragility of the fledgling republic, which was not doing too well after the ratification of the US Constitution. It was confronted with rebellions at home (such as the Whiskey Rebellion) and difficult treaty negotiations abroad, and the specter of the French Revolution was looming large. Washington had to navigate prudently between those who called upon him to come to France’s aid in its war against Great Britain and those who recommended neutrality. His endorsement of the Jay Treaty with England, ratified by Congress in 1795, led Washington’s critics to attack him for having surrendered to the demands of the English king — whose “puppet” he allegedly was.

To make things worse, Washington was no longer able to count on unity within his own administration. He tried hard to reconcile Hamilton and Jefferson, but failed to bring a lasting agreement between them and their allies. The task was almost impossible even for a politician of Washington’s vision, who believed in the importance of “liberal allowances, mutual forbearances, and temporizing yieldings on all sides.” Hamilton and Jefferson were speaking for two different constituencies, which eventually formed two different parties that would clash in the 1800 election. Hamilton and his friends stood for energetic federal government and the interests of finance, while Jefferson and his admirers represented the interests of individual states and of the farmers in the country.

As Avlon reminds us, the differences of opinion between the two camps grew stronger toward the end of Washington’s first term, causing him to consider withdrawing from politics altogether. He even enlisted James Madison’s support in drafting a possible farewell address in 1792. When Washington finally decided to stand for and serve a second term, it was mainly because he feared, as many did at the time, that the fragile republic would self-destruct under the weight of hyper-partisan politics.

Four years later, Washington’s realized his desire to retire from politics. He carefully planned his final act, this time enlisting the help of his Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. (Avlon’s book deftly retraces the drafting of the Farewell Address, showing Hamilton’s contribution.) The text was revised by Washington himself, who then planned its publication in a non-partisan Philadelphia newspaper, the American Daily Advertiser. He wanted to bequeath to his fellow Americans a useful document, one that would also speak to future generations.

Washington was quite successful in this regard. His Farewell Address continues to inspire us today as we struggle with hyper-partisanship, an inefficient education system, and a crippling national debt. The 6,000-word text laid out what Avlon identifies as the “six […] pillars of Washington’s philosophy of liberty” — natural unity, political moderation, fiscal discipline, religion, education, and a foreign policy of independence.

They are all related to each other. Without unity, there can be no liberty. “Nothing but disunion can hurt our cause,” Washington said, warning against the perils of parochial interests and local jealousies. Liberty is also inseparable from fiscal responsibility, he insisted. For a nation to remain free, it must manage its public credit wisely and not incur a great amount of debt; it should not throw upon posterity the burden that the present generation ought to bear. Finally, a free nation must also be a moral and educated one.

Of all these six pillars of liberty, the most important one seems to be political moderation. Moderates are few and rare, said Montesquieu, one of the inspirations of the Founding Fathers. Washington’s case shows why this is so. It is difficult to practice moderation when all the factions around you seek to push you in their own directions, and when the majority will seems to go against prudence.

As Avlon points out, Washington’s was a form of moderation that combined firmness and self-restraint with a conciliatory temper. “To Washington,” he writes, “moderation was a source of strength” that allowed him to resist the demagogues and factions of his time while defending the common good. This is an important and often neglected point, which I have also tried to make in Faces of Moderation. For moderation is sometimes equated with weakness and pusillanimity, while in reality it requires a good dose of courage and readiness to swim against the current. Washington was not afraid of doing precisely that; he played the role of a convener on common ground, and incarnated the image of the man of the center, the trimmer able to balance different factions and prevent the ship of state from capsizing in rough seas.

Such a statesman, moderate and firm at the same time, looking at the present and taking into account the needs of the future, always above the fray, is badly needed today. The fringes — or, to use the title of Avlon’s previous book, the “wingnuts” — have been much more vocal than the center lately, and moderates have been increasingly sidelined, losing in primaries to purists committed to litmus tests.

Daniel P. Moynihan once claimed in jest that “everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.” If he were alive today in our age of post-truth, he would be baffled, as many of us are, by the proliferation of alternative facts and fake news. We have slowly self-segregated ourselves into hyper-partisan tribes that see political reality through radically different lenses and display a dogmatic commitment to an extreme “politics of faith.”

Extremists on all sides have always had several things in common. They confuse partisanship with patriotism and see politics in black and white, us versus them. They are unwilling to compromise and are moved by the spirit of revenge. In their pursuit of power, they also espouse a discourse of doom, full of exaggerations and conspiratorial fantasies. Half a century ago, Richard Hofstadter described what he called “the paranoid style in American politics”; among this style’s many characteristics are fervent appeals to religious suspicion, the encouragement of ethnic and racial divisions, the demonization of political opponents, the cultivation of fear, and the fostering of adversarial politics with no middle ground for compromise.

This fundamentalist, immoderate style of politics is fashionable again in the United States, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. If we care about our polity and want to do something to reverse the trend, we would do well to read John Avlon’s wonderful book carefully, and to reflect again on the enduring wisdom of Washington’s Farewell Address.

¤

Aurelian Craiutu is professor of Political Science at Indiana University, Bloomington, and author, most recently, of Faces of Moderation: The Art of Balance in an Age of Extremes (Penn Press, 2017).

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How to Spot a Fascist

Merriam Webster: fascism noun fas·cism \ˈfa-ˌshi-zəm also ˈfa-ˌsi-\ A political philosophy, movement, or regime, that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. Unfortunately, Hitler, the Holocaust, and the Nazis have become an unhelpful example of fascism. Exterminating six million people and militarily dominating an entire continent by ground force in the name of racial supremacy are not prerequisites for fascism. These are outsized yardsticks by which to measure the current phenomenon. The notion of fascism originated under Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. He founded the Partito Nazionale Fascista (National Fascist Party) in 1921, which emphasized the need for national strength through political and industrial consolidation of power. Naziism under Hitler was the most extreme version of fascism we’ve known in modern history. Perhaps it’s helpful to think of fascism like the chicken pox. The severity of the case varies widely on the basis of the patient. You don’t have to be in traction in a full body cast covered in burst blisters to be sick. But if you’ve never been exposed to the virus before, sooner or later, you’re bound to get sick. Think of Hitler’s Nazi domination of Europe as the Guinness World Record of chicken pox outbreaks. Indeed, as a result, smaller fascist regimes took hold in most of continental Europe. America is notable for its enduring liberal democractic republic, committed to rule by the people for the people. We’ve had more than 240 strong years, and managed to survive more than half a dozen ground wars. As a country known for the potency of its checks and balances and its Bill of Rights, fascism seems an unlikely affliction. It’s easy to wave it off as something that just couldn’t happen here. But if you look closely, you can see it starting to rear its head, if you know where to look. Scholar Laurence W. Britt compiled the following characteristics of fascism, based on an analysis of a handful of successful regimes. (His list gained notoriety earlier this year when the Holocaust Museum turned it into a poster). Britt’s 13-point list is a lot to swallow, but it essentially breaks down into five sub-groups. Step 1: Emphatic nationalism, controlled mass media, and unifying enemies and scapegoats “Make America Great Again” is perhaps the most nationalist slogan our country has ever touted. The President’s treatment of Muslims as terrorists and Mexicans as criminals nicely checks the box on using enemies and scapegoats to foster unity. But what about the free press? By comparative standards, America’s press is extraordinarily free. While many countries have for years endorsed a partisan press, where certain outlets speak for the left and others for the right, in America, this phenomenon is relatively new. American journalists are by nature and training staunchly objective and by and large politically independent. They will criticize anyone in public office like it’s their job, because it is. In the UK, certain laws protect what photography can and cannot be published and how the crown is portrayed. America’s first amendment does away with such false promises. Because of the industry’s endurance and strength, its devolution can be hard to believe. But for fascism to take root, the free press must be weakened. Control of the media is a critical first step for fascists, as it allows them to unify their message of nationalist supremacy and finger-pointing. Banning reporters from campaign rallies was just the first suggestion that something was off. From the press pulpit, Sean Spicer, Stephen Miller, and Kellyanne Conway have all played into the active distortion of fact, and how highly controversial decisions (like the recent Muslim ban) were portrayed. Bret Stephens, a conservative columnist for the Wall Street Journal, delivered the Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture last week at UCLA, which was published by Time. He cited a recent interaction between Bill O’Reilly questioning the President’s denial of facts. Stephens provided some critical analysis on the President’s response, and how it relates to his notion of facts.” “As far as he is concerned,” Stephens said, “facts, as most people understand the term, don’t matter: That they are indistinguishable from, and interchangeable with, opinion; and that statements of fact needn’t have any purchase against a man who is either sufficiently powerful to ignore them or sufficiently shameless to deny them — or, in his case, both.” Journalism is at its core the purveyance of fact for public consumption. While such truths can be as simple as today’s weather or the time of tomorrow’s baseball game, our society is predicated on a fundamental trust that what journalists say is true. When facts become meaningless, the press loses its power, which it would seem is exactly what the President is working to do. Step 2: Rampant sexism, disdain for human rights, and suppression of intellectuals and the arts The President’s rampant sexism is without question and need not be debated. The Access Hollywood tape is evidence enough on that point. The Administration’s Muslim ban, particularly targeting refugees, is clear evidence of its disdain for human rights. On February 19, the White House budget office included the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities and the Corporation For Public Broadcasting as selected targets for budget cuts. Suppress the arts? Check. As previously stated, it’s been less than a month in a four-year administration. This is certainly an area we can expect to get worse. Step 3: Obsession with crime and punishment, national security, and the supremacy of the military The President has made crime and punishment a central pillar of his platform. From his campaign announcement calling Mexicans rapists and criminals, he has emphasized how he plans to bring law and order back to the inner cities of America. He also turned his penchant for punishment on his opponent, allowing “Lock Her Up!” to become a favorite rally cry. The resignation of his national security advisor in his first month in office has certainly made any significant military action difficult, but the closing of borders to Muslims and the harsh treatment of travelers affected by the ban doesn’t bode well. While the President hasn’t necessarily championed the military yet, he has been a vocal advocate for the power of the 2nd amendment to foster a well-armed militia, suggesting that if Hillary Clinton had won the election, “the second Amendment people” might have been able to do something about it. He’s also asking for 10,000 more ICE agents, and 5,000 more border guards. More punishment for more crimes? Check. Often fascists use a grave threat to law and order or national security to justify their use of greater military force on the population. While he’s been up in arms about the need for a crackdown on rampant crime and the power of the people to protect themselves with guns, the big event hasn’t happened yet, but, without a National Security advisor in place, could well be in the works. The 1933 Reichstag fire, in which Germany’s government building was ostensibly set ablaze by Communists, is often credited as a critical moment in Hitler’s consolidation of power: “On 27 February 1933, just as the campaign moved into its final days, the Reichstag (Parliament building) was set on fire and burnt down. A young Dutch communist (Van der Lubbe), was arrested and imprisoned along with 4,000 other Communists. Hitler exploited the Reichstag fire. On 28 February, the ‘Decree for the Protection of People and State’ was drawn up by the Nazis and signed by Hindenburg. The ‘emergency’ powers contained within the decree marked the beginning of the breakdown in the democratic process. Frontpage 1933 New York Times In the aftermath of the fire, during the final week of the election, the SS and SA arrested thousands more Communists and other enemies of the Nazis. The new powers meant that they could be imprisoned indefinitely without trial. Again, using these new powers, the Nazis banned newspapers, leaflets and meetings of opponents. The ensuing violence led to the deaths of more than 50 people and injuries to many more.” While the national security crisis they need may be just around the corner, it’s also possible the catalyzing event is already behind us. Perhaps the towers falling on September 11 were in fact the only Reichstag fire our country needed. All this to say that what starts as a crime and punishment candidate decrying the breakdown of law and order on the campaign trail can quickly devolve into brutal militarism. It’s just a matter of time. Step 4: Power of corporations protected, and power of labor suppressed or eliminated The 45th President’s emphasis on dealmaking has always put corporations at the center of his platform. As a businessman, he’s allegedly repeatedly managed to avoid paying for construction work done on his hotels. His unwillingness to release his own tax returns and his prevailing secrecy around his own business operations would suggest he intends for business to do as it pleases, with no concern for its effect on labor. Many anticipate lower taxes for companies as well. It’s fair to say that corporate power is already on the rise. What remains to be seen if the rise of a crime and punishment attitude and the degradation of the free press can eliminate the power of labor to fight back. Step 5: Rampant cronyism and corruption, religion and ruling elite tied together, and fraudulent elections The plurality of religious beliefs across America (and the rising trend of secularism) make it harder for the administration to co-opt religious mandates for their own purposes as other fascists have done in the past. While there are certainly early signs of cronyism (appointments of Cabinet picks who have no expertise but have donated millions to the campaign, for example), it’s likely that the strength of American institutions can provide a brake on pervasive political corruption, at least at first. While most fact-based sources believe that operationally the November 2016 elections were free and fair, it’s somewhat ironic that the President has decried the elections as fraudulent. Here’s what Britt has to say on how fascists use fraudulent elections: “Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.” The use of smear campaigns and character assassination of opposition candidates? The manipulation of the media? Sounds pretty familiar to me. All this is to say that an objective analysis of a broad range of factors would indicate that it’s not just a matter of name-calling. The 45th President and his administration all laud and uphold a number of traits and political practices that are indicative of a fascist regime. On February 13, Stephen Miller, the President’s 31-year-old “senior” adviser appeared in the press room for comment. Speaking with John Dickerson on Face the Nation, he said the following: “Our opponents, the media and the whole world will soon see as we begin to take further actions, that the powers of the president to protect our country are very substantial and will not be questioned.” Buckle your seat belts, folks. This is just the beginning. via Facebook https://ift.tt/3imyUQW via Blogger https://ift.tt/2YRnxcd