I served in the US Navy Reserve and, after 9/11, was on active duty for 20 months. I have served alongside some of the finest men and women serving our country. The word “woke” has been weaponized, villainized, and taunted by those who don’t want to acknowledge or deal with this country’s true history—its good, bad, and ugly.
Last night, I witnessed the dismantling of humanity, decency, and empathy. As a child, I enjoyed watching Schoolhouse Rock, and The Great American Melting Pot was a song I listened to every Saturday morning. It affirmed that diversity strengthens us despite everything Americans have been through. Whether our ancestors purchased a boat ticket to come here, were forcibly dragged here and enslaved under inhumane conditions, or were forced off their land down the Trail of Tears, we survived, stayed, and remained. Together, we have worked to improve this country and influence our relations with other nations toward civility.
As I spent time with military veterans yesterday, they expressed deep concern about the direction of our government. You can’t claim to remove diversity in favor of merit while hiring unqualified reporters for Cabinet roles. You can’t say you are for America while offering a $5M “gold card” to foreign billionaires to build in America and pay for a Green Card. This puts America up for further sale. It’s not about the nation or its citizens, but corporate greed benefiting the world’s richest.
As a Christian and conservative, I have been asked why some of my views align with Democratic liberalism. Where do I stand on issues of homosexuality and abortion? While I could just as easily question fellow conservative Christians who align with a perceived white Messiah and white nationalist ideologies, I will not deflect. Let me explain.
I believe what the Holy Bible states. Period. The sacred scriptures teach that same-sex relationships are not of God. I believe what the scriptures say. However, I also consider the LGBTQ+ community my neighbors, and I am called to love my neighbor as myself. I have served in churches, workplaces, the U.S. military, under supervisors, bosses, boards of directors, colleagues, and artists’ communities, and, most of all, within my own family, which falls into this category. I love them dearly and deeply. I also understand that my beliefs do not dictate who people love; they dictate how I love. My faith requires me to, as much as possible, live peacefully with all people. It is Yeshua who changes hearts, not me. I have taught and coached children in school. My responsibility is to love them and treat them all with respect and dignity. That should not be hard for anyone.
I do not believe our children should be exposed to sexual content in books that introduce sexual identities at an early age. Kids are impressionable, and premature exposure to sexual themes can have adverse effects on their upbringing and decision-making. However, we must acknowledge the hypocrisy of the Republican Party. What we have seen from some conservatives is outspoken opposition to homosexuality, while a party member was arrested for allegedly engaging in lewd acts in an airport restroom.
Regarding abortion, I am pro-life. I believe in the sanctity of the womb. I think life begins at conception and that infants deserve the right to be born. At the same time, I am also pro-living. I believe all lives should be considered. Doctors or the government should not dictate decisions regarding a life-threatening pregnancy, but should rest with both parents.
I do not believe women should have to be on their deathbeds before doctors can legally intervene, nor do I think doctors should fear arrest and federal charges for providing medical care. I do not believe it’s my decision to decide whether a child or a woman who is a victim of rape should be forced to endure the emotional damage that comes with such a heinous act. Again, not my call, not my responsibility, not my decision. The way some of these people talk, you want them punished to death. How does that bring forth the Glory of God???
I am in 100% control of my body and my decisions. No laws regulate how many children a man can father out of wedlock. There are no laws requiring men with STDs to disclose their status before engaging in sexual activity. While I do not support abortion, it is not my decision to make for others.
Any man who assumes the life of a fetus is more sacred than the life of a mother who could die from pregnancy complications should consider the lives of his daughters who may one day face these circumstances. But we must also address the hypocrisy of the Republican Party. We have seen members of the so-called conservative party vote against abortion rights while secretly pressuring their mistresses to have them.
America is at a turning point and a breaking point. We are isolating our neighbors in Mexico and Canada while championing Russia. We are insulting world leaders and witnessing one of the most disrespectful, arrogant, and unethical administrations in our country’s history, leading our country down a dark path.
Yet, America is my home. I love my country and its people of all walks of life. We will always be different, and that difference challenges us to rethink how our country should be governed.
But when we lose respect for one another, when we no longer value kindness, when we allow white nationalists and neo-Nazis to terrorize communities, we should expect times to get worse. When Haitian immigrants are targeted for deportation but not Ukrainians, when African immigrants are targeted but not Asians, and when Latin American communities are deported while Polish immigrants remain untouched, it is evident that fear, replacement theory, and hatred are the driving factors.
This is one of many conversations. I am happy to continue the discussion in the comment section or on video. Reach out, and let’s dialogue.
