CompassPoint’s Post

My colleague, friend and fellow HBCU STEM alumna Na'Taki Osborne Jelks, Ph.D., MPH does amazing work in environmental science, justice and education. Here is her latest article, it is great read

I hear a lot of voices right now arguing that the solution to America’s problems is more talk. They often claim that our problems will be solved if we get liberals and conservatives in the same room with a set of fine-tuned discussion questions. There’s a place for discussion. But let’s be clear. At some point, we have to take action. In fact, we must cultivate a bias toward action. That’s how we can renew our sense that our voices matter, that we can get things moving in a better direction, and that we can make a difference. Moving our communities forward is going to be hard work. But it’s doable. If we ground ourselves in being builders and doers, we can create ever-expanding civic confidence and growing momentum. Talk alone isn’t going to get us where we need to go. It’s time to take shared action. https://lnkd.in/gH8Q3qPS

A Call to Unite for Our Rights and Values Dear Fellow Patriots, I hope this message finds you well. Today, I felt compelled to share some of my thoughts and writings with you, as we navigate through these challenging times together. As a proud American, I stand neither on the side of Democrats nor Republicans. My allegiance lies firmly with the people and the Constitution that safeguards our rights. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are the cornerstones of our democracy; they reflect the united voice of “WE THE PEOPLE.” It is crucial for us to remember that those who reside in Congress and the White House work for us. We, the people, hold the power. History tells us that when an employee fails to do their job properly or steals from their employer, they are held accountable. It’s time for us to reclaim that power and demand the same from those we have entrusted with our future. Many of us share a deep sense of distrust, anger, and grief over our treatment at the hands of those in power. We have felt the weight of manipulation, abuse, and negligence; we have been made to feel disposable. This is unacceptable. We need individuals like you and me to lead our nation in a positive direction. Let’s set aside our differences—be it religion, gender, nationality, race, age, or financial status. We share common ground: the basic human needs for food, water, sleep, and emotional connection. Despite the challenges we face, we all deserve to live with dignity and respect. Why should we allow cold-hearted, self-serving politicians to strip us of our rights and joy? They enjoy six-figure salaries while many of us struggle, and their actions often reveal a blatant disregard for the very people they were elected to serve. We cannot let them drain our spirits or diminish our hope. Now is the time to unite. We can advocate for term limits in Congress and the White House. Together, we can reclaim our country and ensure that our voices are heard. Let’s rise above the division and conquer tactics that seek to tear us apart. We are stronger when we stand united.

🌐✨ Uniting for a Stronger Republic: Embracing Diversity and Dialogue ✊🤝Greetings fellow advocates of democracy! 🗽Let's explore the incredible opportunity we have to come together, transcending party lines, for the greater good of our nation. 🌈💙 🌟 A Call for Unity: The need to address authoritarian threats is clear and urgent. The good news? We have the platforms and conditions to create a diverse, cross-partisan coalition dedicated to advancing liberty, justice, and opportunity for all. 🌍🌐 🤲 Celebrating Diversity: Our strength lies in embracing the remarkable diversity of the American people. Whether in race, gender, religion, geography, education, economic status, or orientation, we commit to inclusivity as a source of strength. 🌈🤝 🤝 Cross-Partisan Harmony: This coalition is not about forming a new party. Instead, it's a commitment to respect and value the full spectrum of political perspectives — center-right conservatism, center-left liberalism, and bipartisan approaches. It's time to foster open-minded dialogue and collaboration. 🤗💬 📜 Core Principles: Rooted in the foundations of our constitutional republic, we stand firm on core principles like election integrity, protection of minority rights, the rule of law, and the ideals of liberty, justice, and opportunity for all. 🗳️⚖️ 💪 Movement Strength: Despite differing partisan preferences, we unite under the banner of respectful consideration, discussion, and discovery. Together, we can find common causes and shared destinies. 🌐🤲 🌈 A Bright Future Awaits: Let's embark on this journey, recognizing that our nation thrives when diverse voices are heard and respected. Join us in building a more united and resilient republic! 🌟🇺🇸 #UnityForLiberty #CrossPartisanUnity #UnitedWeStand 🌐✊

Explore the impactful story of Pamela Cone, a Dayton Democracy Fellow, whose life intertwines faith, community, and the pursuit of democracy. From preaching to empowering young mothers, her journey is a testament to the power of inclusive democracy. Read more about her inspiring work in today's blog post: https://lnkd.in/g8GKkMG3

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 As we celebrate, I want to share some thoughts on the state of our republic. Recent political shifts demand our attention - this isn't just another swing of the pendulum, but a wake-up call about challenges to our form of government. This issue transcends partisan politics. Our laws, checks and balances, and citizens' power are subtly eroding, potentially leading to authoritarianism if we're not vigilant. Signs of this transformation are becoming more apparent: -Supreme Court decisions based on ideology over precedent -Debates over presidential powers and immunities -Questions about the effectiveness of checks and balances It's crucial to remember that a republic isn't the same as a democracy, though people often use these terms interchangeably. The United States is a republic. This difference matters. It affects how quickly our governance can change. Key elements of a republic include: rule of law, elected representatives, separation of powers, protection of minority rights, and civic virtue. Citizen participation is crucial to maintain each of these foundations How can we create change through unity? -Confront fear: Recognize its presence, but find value in our experiences. Refuse to let hopelessness take you. Realize that we CAN turn our challenges into opportunities. You are so much stronger than you may think. -Build community: Strengthen bonds across divides. We must come together, find common ground and share resources. There are many organizations engaged in making a difference. When we come together and share what we have found helpful we are helping each other and the greater cause. -Cultivate curiosity: Seek to understand those with different perspectives. -Nurture love and honor humanity: Acknowledge the compassion we feel for one another. We don't need to fight. We need to educate ourselves and others about the risks to a republic and what is happening now. Remember: A vocal society, rooted in love, respect, and curiosity, is inhospitable to dictatorship. Our unity is our strength, our diversity our richness. Through engaged participation and critical thinking, we create a resilient community. Our collective voice, raised for justice and freedom, becomes an insurmountable barrier to tyranny. Join the conversation! My friend Lisa Merlo-Booth and I are hosting "Find Your Voice, Find Your Way" on Zoom, July 17th at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET. It's an uncompromisingly safe space to discuss these important issues. Comment "MY VOICE" below for an invite. We cannot afford to be silent. #Democracy #CivicEngagement #UnityInDiversity

WHAT: GP Dinner #173 | Our Next American Democracy WHERE: Jeremy's Loft, 54 Washburn Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 WHEN: April 6th, 6:00 - 10:00pm Good People, We have our speaker for our 173rd dinner on April 6th at Jeremy's Loft in San Francisco. You're welcome to reserve yourself a spot or two here: https://lnkd.in/gPCfFR6P OUR SPEAKER: Laura Dawn is an American political activist, filmmaker and singer-songwriter. She served as the cultural director at Moveon.org from 2003 to 2011. She is the current founder and CEO of Art Not War. Tonight Laura will share her approach to this year's election. She just edited a feature documentary about Christian Nationalism, its origins, its aims and how it does and doesn't find itself compatible with democracy. How has this small minority of religious political participants become a powerhouse and how are they flexing their muscles with the current election cycle? Where does their funding come from? What might we do to impede this theocratic vision for America and the world? What should we do and consider in relation to their vision for our country in the years ahead? What kind of country do we want? What does it mean to have a truly thriving multi-cultural country focused on universal human flourishing? Tonight we'll discuss our current moment as a turning point in the promise and dead ends of our current model of American democracy. ---------- Please email us at least 72 hours in advance if you have any dietary restrictions and we'll do our best to accommodate them.

In a world where the linear paths of progress often lead us to overlook the intricate web of human connections, recent events serve as poignant reminders of our shared humanity. The courageous stand of Gisèle Pélicot, a 71-year-old grandmother who publicly confronted her assailants in a high-profile trial, has ignited a global movement for justice and women's rights. Pélicot's unwavering resolve has transcended borders, inspiring graffiti tributes in France, letters of solidarity from Austria to America, and demonstrations across Europe. Her story underscores the power of nonlinear thinking—embracing diverse perspectives and unconventional approaches—to challenge systemic injustices and effect meaningful change. At The Octopus Movement, we celebrate such acts of bravery that disrupt the status quo and weave a richer tapestry of human experience. By fostering a global coalition of nonlinear thinkers, we aim to amplify voices like Gisèle's, creating a human mycelium that nurtures empathy, innovation, and resilience. Join us in this endeavor. https://lnkd.in/dzWdcw6j Let's embrace the complexities of our interconnected world, challenge linear narratives, and cultivate a more inclusive and compassionate society. #TheOctopusMovement #NonlinearThinking #HumanMycelium #JusticeForGisèle

Analysis by Andrew Van Dam: What are the most representative — dare we say, most American — states in the nation? And what does that even mean? By mixing metropolis with corn palace, Illinois reigns as the most demographically “normal” state in America. Connecticut and New York also closely reflect the United States; Alaska and Hawaii do not. States in the southern half of the country, with their larger Black populations, don’t do nearly as well on this metric. Same with the Whiter states in the northern Plains and northern New England. Arizona pops out as the most representative state by this measure, balancing mainline Catholics and other Christians with Muslims, Jews, Hindus and the religiously unaffiliated.

There are persons we meet during our professional life we don't forget. They start to embody the ideal of our professional environment, sometimes because of what they do, other times because of the way how they do it. This award is honouring those who protect democracy, who fight for rights and who stand up. In memory of Mayor Pawel Adamowicz who was murdered because of his stance. I had the honour to accompany him to Belarus where we spoke with civil society organisations about how to support them and help them and also Armenia in the difficult year 2015. And I remember our conversation about his way of being a mayor, how to ensure transparency and how to relate to citizens. We see that democracy has experienced a continuous decline, one in four countries is only advancing while four out of nine are worse off with regard to the quality of democracy. Authoritarianism is on the rise and even high performing countries in Europe have suffered declines with regard to rights and reoresentation according to the Global State of Democracy Report 2024 by IDEA https://lnkd.in/efMV6yY3 So, if you want to take a stance, please spread the call for candidatures because we have to strengthen those who take a stance. Nominations are open until 31st of October. #democracy #transparency #younglocalleaders #humanrights International IDEA European Committee of the Regions