NORTON

FROM PAGE 12

Peloton, Tonal or home gym equipment because of what it is or the brand, we make that investment because we have a desire to look different and feel di erent, the sizzle. We don’t give of our time to support a charity because we feel a sense of obligation or we have to, we give of our time because we realize that as much as we give, we receive tenfold in return from a sense of grati cation as we see the results of our e orts in the smiles of those who we help, and that’s our sizzle.

Whether you run a business, lead a sales team, are a salesperson yourself, or if you are part of a not-

Push back against extremism

I read the recent letters from women defending the FEC and its militia branch the UDAF (United American Defense Force). FEC United and UDAF were founded by opportunists and virulent election deniers, Joe Oltmann and John Tiegen. I don’t doubt his heroism in Benghazi (2012), but here and now he is an advocate of repression who hints at violence in his carefully chosen words. He makes money from fear mongering and rousing his band of pseudo-patriots. True patriots respect the Constitution and rule of law.

Non-service members normalizing excessive military gear in public is a tactic of the bully. is trend is happening across our country; often playing out in school board meetings, election o ces and other places that have a true vested interest in our democracy. ese are true patriots.

ank you to our federal DOJ in backing free speech and assisting ordinary citizens in pushing aside egregious behavior designed to limit opposition. All Americans, especially in our community have earned the right to be worried.

Another statement from the FEC supporter claimed they want a “common culture” in the schools.

I’m alarmed by this statement. Is what de nes the “common culture” based solely on the religious teaching of far-right extremists? We’ve seen hateful rhetoric couched in the Bible by selecting passages that supposedly speak to their views. Americans, especially in our community, have seen the violence fomented by FEC and UDAF. Last year’s gathering at e Rock Church sponsored by FEC/ UDAF called for the hanging of public o cials and the audience applauded. Free speech is always appropriate but hate and inciteful speech is harassment and threat speech.

I will do my part to motivate reasonable, average citizens to show up at the school board and other meetings where the FEC/UADF is counting on intimidation. Calling out people who do not believe as you do as evil or defective … is the cornerstone of fascism. Not Christianity.

I leave you with two thoughts: America is a plural democracy, there is no single culture embraced by all and as Rev. Graham said, “Courage is more contagious than fear.” See you at public meetings. Just Say No to Extremism.

Katie Barrett, Castle Rock

for-pro t organization, a committee, or in some way tasked with seeking volunteers, remember to sell the sizzle and not the steak.

When you are making the decision to buy something or get involved in supporting a great cause, do you make the purchase or decision on what it is or on how it can impact you personally? I would love to hear your sizzle story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can remember to tune into WIIFT, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

Get out of the way

Race is a social construct. If you don’t know what that is, look it up. Learn about Kimberlé Crenshaw, Kendall omas and Patricia Williams. It is important to understand what Critical Race eory is and isn’t. And even without the de nition, I challenge those opposed to it to ask themselves why confronting our history and the intersectionality of di erent forms of discrimination causes such fear. Are you actually concerned for your kids or for yourself? If you are white and cis-gender and full of fear, I would expect that you are opposed to anything related to CRT as it challenges the status quo. It challenges you to look at how our history has continued to contribute to the oppression of many groups of people who are not white. ere is a racial hierarchy that has been set in place and if you identify as white, you are at the top of this contrived hierarchy. So it makes sense that if your placement on the top rung is threatened, you would do anything to challenge anything that would upset this placement. You would challenge speaking truth about our history because it would cause you to evaluate all that you have incorrectly learned and internalized.

If you have never experienced racism and you are opposed to a No Place For Hate program in schools, you are part of the problem of perpetuating systemic inequity, white supremacy and continued racism in this country. What is the problem you have with a program whose title states that hate has no place, meaning, let’s try to gure out how to create space for everyone. White people have always had a place. How about we let go of ego and fear and embrace elevating those who have been marginalized and oppressed? I challenge you, fearful white people, to tell me how social justice (justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges) and activism (using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change) would be negative actions for our kids to embrace? Seems to me like they encourage critical thinking and understanding that the world does not revolve around them and their comfort.

Or … is the pie not big enough for all to share? Zero sum?

I have my hope in our students. Parents and adults are getting in the way of growth and progress. Get out of the way.

Becca Jay, Roxborough