Anger, outrage, anxiety, stress, humility and love?

Anger, outrage, anxiety, stress, humility and love. Just some of what I’ve seen, read and watched over the last few days.

Some complaining that being silent on this matter is complicit, no it's not. Do not be too harsh to judge. “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone…” John 8:7.

Before you jump all over this, I am all too familiar with these words by Pastor Martin Niem?ller:

“First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me”

None of us know what is going on in another person’s mind. We have a saying in Yoruba, loosely translated as, “all lizards lay down, however we do not know which has a tummy ache”. So we really do not know what was going on in the mind of the perpetrator which led to the death of George Floyd, nor do we know why some of us have chosen to comment and others have not (yet).

What we all know for certain is that something has to change - minds, attitudes, actions and hearts too. Let us focus on how we can effect that much needed change.

Remember that before George Floyd there were many more. I watched a video recently, which I briefly searched for so that I could share the link while writing this, and have not been able to find yet. The key point (message) in that video was that for every letter of the alphabet, the poet did a shout out of the person who has lost their life and also asked, why? That video was a further testament to the hurt and anger many of us have felt about this issue. Some of us express it in song, the written word or through our actions.

This is therefore a call to action for each and every one of us, especially public bodies (and institutions), where individuals exist who need to SEE the light and value of life and ALLOW others to live too. 

Live and let live has always been a mantra I live by. We may not agree on all things, however we can still respect one another and for that I am thankful.

This call to action is specifically for institutions of law enforcement as this is where the “weight” of the law not only frightens many but could see our brothers and even sisters facing a George Floyd experience!

My heart and deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of this young man. With that said, what I’d like to see and understand is what training programmes on equality, respect and self worth are offered to the staff of these institutions; how is the aftereffect of the training monitored and what refresher programmes are provided?

We know that together we must, as a society, and a community of humans beings know that we must do better, so let me ask, "what is your action plan for change?”

Jane Elliot, best known for her "Blue eyes–Brown eyes” exercise first conducted on her class on April 5, 1968, the day after Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated speaks so eloquently about the injustices faced by so many of us and actually witnessed in the various YouTube videos you can find sharing this experience. Someone is clearly NOT listening, It’s time to listen.

It’s time to create a Working Group to lead and formulate a framework for a New World Manifesto.

I recommend Robert Cialdini sit down with Daymond John, Lisa Nichols, Tony Robbins, Marianne Williamson, Jane Elliot, Steve Harvey and Barack and Michelle Obama to come up with an action plan - a manifesto for change.

I would like to invite you to compile a list of candidates to create a Working Group, for your neighbourhood or for your country, our home, the UK.

As I think about the names of the individuals I have listed, I’m somewhat embarrassed that none are from the UK. This obviously speaks to my knowledge of who’s making a real difference from our country that is also on the world stage? Feel free to share UK public figures who stand out globally. I have ample humility to appreciate your feedback in this regard.

So here’s why I have chosen the aforementioned individuals. Some you may know, some you may never have heard of, regardless I’ve added a few words so that you can get a better understanding of my current thinking.

1. Robert Cialdini : If you’ve read either Influence or Pre-suasion you’d understand why Robert has been included in my shortlist. He is amongst many things a fountain of knowledge when it comes to understanding social and human psychology. 
2. Daymond John: A prolific US business man, CEO of FUBU, and Shark Tank investor who understands the power of entrepreneurship and how each of us can be on that train.
3. Lisa Nichols: Thought leader, motivational speaker and featured teacher in the movie, The Secret.
4. Tony Robbins: Has an outstanding understanding of us. Watch, You are not my Guru, available on Netflix, if you’ve never heard of Tony Robbins.
5. Marianne Williamson, Author of several inspiring books, including A Return to Love which features the words, often attributed to Nelson Mandela, “Our deepest fear...”.
6. Jane Elliot: has demonstrated that she understands racism (see the exercise she did back in 1968!)
7. Steve Harvey: He’s so rough, raw and says it like it is with a touch of humour.
8. Barack and Michelle Obama : Former President and Former First Lady of the US. Everything I’ve watched, seen and heard about them comes from a place of love and mutual respect.

That’s my shortlist of 9 leaders who can help carve out a new world manifesto, who would you include in your shortlist?

This New World Manifesto must include strategies and steps to improve our understanding and appreciation of human kind. 

We must learn to acknowledge this truth and appreciate that each person adds value to society and to our respective communities in many ways. 

We must look back at our history when successful campaigns were born and seek to learn those lessons from history. 

Then we must look at what in our current society works well (eg the support and camaraderie shown to our health and care workers, delivery drivers and all essential workers during this critical global health crisis).

Then we must forge ahead in the new world where #BlackLivesMatter and peoples of the world appreciate all of us for what we can bring to the table for the greater good.

I look forward to living in a world where my children and their sons and daughters live harmoniously with peoples of all races, colour and creed, just because we are all humans created equally in the eyes and image of God.

This #ActionPlanForChange must be the cornerstone which feeds in to public institutions, schools and colleges of higher learning and a series of campaigns must be designed to influence each of us and ultimately change our behaviours to one another.

We must also remember that we are all born with specific talents and that parents, particularly mothers, usually have the most influence on young children. So I must ask that we also need to support them and educate where necessary. Let technology be our friend in this regard. It's not enough to urge parents to send their toddlers to pre-school and nursery, this communication must include guidance and strategies to encourage love for one another, respect, understanding and compassion.

These are the days I live for -

where humanity is kind, loving, respectful and understanding.