Category Archives: About Us

About the American Diversity Report

Glee, Anger and the Unprecedented State of National Affairs – Elwood Watson

For some people, November 5, 2024, was one of the greatest days in American history. Others may well remember it as a day that will live in political infamy. The 2024 presidential election is over, and Donald Trump has been reelected as the forty-seventh president of the United States of America. One can only imagine what Grover Cleveland would think of this chain of events. Cleveland was the only other president to serve nonconsecutive terms — he was the twenty-second and twenty-fourth US president from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893 to 1897.

If most people are honest with themselves, they would probably admit that Tuesday’s results shocked but did not totally surprise them. Trump went on to win both the popular vote and the Electoral College. The latter ultimately determines who wins the presidency. In all fairness, despite what many pundits, critics, radio hosts and numerous other commentators assessments, the election was not a blowout as opposed to the democratic presidential elections of 1972 between presidential-election-of-1972 Richard Nixon and George McGovern and 1984 contest between presidential-election-of-1984 Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale. These elections were indeed BLOWOUTS!

Continue reading Glee, Anger and the Unprecedented State of National Affairs – Elwood Watson

Are we better than this? Well, obviously not – by Terry Howard

Call it stealing shamelessly, opportunism or laziness, or whatever you choose to accuse me of after reading this narrative. Okay, I plead guilty.

You see, when the unexpected results from the recent election settled into our imaginations, reactions were immediate, passionate and all over the place. 

Now like the opportunist you may accuse me of, like the hungry grizzly bear wading into the cold Alaskan waters with her pick from hundreds of spawning salmon, as a writer I got to pick and choose kernels from an assortment of writers who poured out their heartfelt reactions to the results.

Continue reading Are we better than this? Well, obviously not – by Terry Howard

Coming together in our climate crises – by Papa Balla Ndong

climate crises After a full work week, I am volunteering with my daughter to help people and villages impacted by the devastating floods in Spain’s city of Valencia, representing SIETAR Europa,  (a nonprofit organization: Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research) SIETAR España, and Valencia.

Intense rainfall in eastern Spain produced deadly and destructive flash floods in the province of Valencia. On October 29, 2024, more than 300 millimeters (12 inches) of rain fell in parts of the province, reported Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET. In the town of Chiva, nearly 500 millimeters (20 inches) fell in 8 hours. ~ NASA Earth Observatory

But just days ago, I was in Madrid, participating in the United Nations International Day for Care and Support( October 29th), discussing the migrant diaspora in Spain. Little did I know that on my return, I would encounter such profound evidence of climate change in my own community. Due to road closures, I spent two nights in my car just 80 kilometers from home, witnessing firsthand the growing intensity of our planet’s climate crises.

These experiences have brought questions to my mind that I’d like to share with you:

Continue reading Coming together in our climate crises – by Papa Balla Ndong

A Survivor’s Story of Neo-Nazis: Part 2 – by Kathleen Sullivan

neo-NazisOur country’s government is again in danger. The white supremacists and neo-Nazis who conspired to meet Hitler’s long-term goal of Ordis Templar, Circa 2000 are mostly long-gone. But many of them have recruited, groomed and brainwashed next-generation children and other recruits to fulfill their insanely grandiose goal – specifically, of taking over the US government from the inside-out. And making it an Aryan-run government that would eventually lead the world. 

I have watched many of the brainwashing and so-called “mind control” techniques that were perfected on us as human Guinea pigs, being used regularly by White supremacist and neo-Nazi leaders and media representatives. Those techniques include Ericksonian hypnosis, Neuro-Linguistic programming, wearing down listeners’ mental resistance in a variety of ways, triggering their midbrains and knocking their frontal lobes offline via messages of fear and disgust, and much more. 

Continue reading A Survivor’s Story of Neo-Nazis: Part 2 – by Kathleen Sullivan

A Survivor’s Story of Neo-Nazis: Part 1 – by Kathleen Sullivan

neo-Nazis I have been very concerned about the increasing lack of awareness and basic knowledge and education about the Holocaust, here in the US. And about the events and actions and societal trends in Germany that led up to it. 

Starting at age 3, I was unfortunately raised by a very cruel man who was German/Welsh-American. He had very poor self-esteem and was often ridiculed and bullied by his peers. His family was very poor and his father was the town drunk. All of that changed in college when he was mentored by German professors and was introduced to an eventual cluster of Nazi war criminals who had been relocated to the US by our government and given new names, identities and plum positions in governmental agencies. Specifically, to continue doing various kinds of research here, that they had previously done in Germany. Continue reading A Survivor’s Story of Neo-Nazis: Part 1 – by Kathleen Sullivan

Renewing Diversity #3: We Failed George Floyd – by Carlos Cortés 

In 1999, Malcolm Gladwell weighed in with his praised and criticized bestseller, The Tipping Point, a provocative exploration of the process of social change.   A quarter century later, in 2024, Gladwell revisited the topic via Revenge of the Tipping Point, a meditation on where he had been right and where he had gone wrong with his broad thesis.  Musing about his personal journey, Gladwell observed: “Maybe it would be a good idea for anyone who writes a book that tries to make sense of the world to be forced every 25 years to go back and revisit the original thesis.”

Continue reading Renewing Diversity #3: We Failed George Floyd – by Carlos Cortés 

What to do if your candidate wins or loses – by Terry Howard, Elwood Watson

An email I received from a fellow named “Pedro” led to this co-authored piece, an exchange between Elwood Watson, PhD and yours truly. 

“Pedro”  wrote: “I read, reread – and will read again – your piece, “ Bad boys. Bad boys. Whatcha gonna do when they (Project 2025) come for you?,” the context of which if Trump returns to office. Hard as I tried, I just couldn’t shake the thought of the project’s plan to cut Social Security benefits given that my retired parents depend on their Social Security checks as their sole source of income. My hope is that you’ll consider publishing something on what actions folks can take if their preferred candidate loses the election.”

Continue reading What to do if your candidate wins or loses – by Terry Howard, Elwood Watson

Notes from a Native Son – Mound Bayou (Part 2) – by Terry Howard

 

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In PART 1, “Near Medgar’s Desk – Mound Bayou,” we chronicled the little- known history of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, the first all-Black town in America founded by ex-slaves. The person who arranged to get us there was Bernard Strong who was born and raised in Mound Bayou. In PART 2, Mr. Strong shares more about our recent trip along with his innermost thoughts about growing up in Mound Bayou.

As a native of Mound Bayou, what were a few thoughts that ran through your mind as we approached, spent time in and left Mound Bayou?

Continue reading Notes from a Native Son – Mound Bayou (Part 2) – by Terry Howard

Near Medgar Evers’ Chair: Mound Bayou (Part 1) – by Terry Howard

 

pastedGraphic.pngIn unfairness to them both, while Hermon Johnson, Jr. Museum director, and Darryl Johnson, Sr. CEO, Mound Bayou Movement, provided a captivating history of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, I couldn’t shake an image nearby. I mean, never in my life could I imagine sitting less than ten feet from the wooden desk and tattered leather chair where once sat the late civil rights activist Medgar Evers cranking out letters on a black typewriter. I walked over to the desk, inhaled, and  fought back a desire to touch either it or the chair.

So, what brought me to this indelible moment in my life, one that evoked such an incompatible mix of emotions, among them shock, anger, pride and above all…. inspiration?

Continue reading Near Medgar Evers’ Chair: Mound Bayou (Part 1) – by Terry Howard

Recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month – by David Grinberg

Leading Companies in Disability Inclusion are Twice as Profitable

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) occurs every October and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).

This monthly observance dates to 1945. The goal is to shine a spotlight on — and raise awareness about — disability issues in the workplace, including accessibility, hiring, training, advancement and retention.

Continue reading Recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month – by David Grinberg