Danielle Levy

Two highly respected journalists, Mike Allen and Jin Vanderhei were recently on a podcast talking about what could be called normal Americans. They pointed out that we are so caught in the perceptions of the politics and social media spheres, that we miss something important. They share some statistics that show that most of us, meaning most of the country doesn’t at all conform to the idea of who we are implied through the lens of politics and social media. Most of us they say are not into a me and them perspective but are regular folks, dealing with daily lives, caring about our neighbors, giving to causes, trying to be good citizens.

• 4 out pf 5 Americans don’t use X.  21% use it and only 10% use it daily
• During prime time, less than 1% of us watch Fox News, CNN and MS NOW combined
• Americans are more anxious about their political system than almost any others country worldwide
• Americans gave a record $592.5 billion to charity in 2024—that sum mainly from individuals
• 76% of adults gave money to religious or non-profit organizations while 63% donated time

Their message was clear, look beyond politics and social media which are the reality of a few and take in the larger picture.

Giselle Pelicot stood up to evil and won. We’ve heard a lot about her recently letting us know how courageous she’s been after being drugged by her husband for over nine years and being raped by some 70 men whom he had recruited online for just this purpose. She has, we are told, become a feminist icon. Indeed, she is so dignified, articulate, so clear about what she says and what she went through.

 The way I understand her experience is perhaps simpler. No matter how we understand evil, what her husband did fits the definition. She stood up to evil, and in standing up to that evil and in her sharing it, she shows us how to confront it and win. Likely the evil we will have to fight is different than hers, or likely come from another source, still, we can extrapolate how to stand up to it

• We bring it out in the open regardless of consequences
• We confront it boldly and without rose colored glasses
• We stand up to it fearlessly
• We remain unbowed knowing we are in the right
• We redeem it by taking away its power over us

And Giselle Pelicot does one more thing, she highlights the fact that like Rosa Parks before her, ordinary people can and do stand up to evil and win.

*reposted from GGID page

Gen Alpha, those who are 10 to 24 years old, shy away from fame and popularity. Rather they value kindness and being safe. These are the findings of a recently published study conducted by UCLA’s Center for Scholars and Storytellers. The study suggests that in a world full of uncertainties, conflicts and potential for chaos, the younger generation aims to remain grounded. Their key takeaways:

• Feeling safe is fundamental
• Kindness and empathy are crucial particularly in a polarized world
• Self-acceptance is a priority and media can help with that
• Fun is more than entertainment, but part of  mechanisms to cope and connect

What is noteworthy is that they had options to choose good looks and changing the world, and they chose kindness and empathy.

It seems the young are reminding us to think, rethink or affirm what is important.

*reposted from GGID page