Citizens Prerogative Podcast Closed Caption Transcript
S3 E62 The Allies of Our Lives

09:57:05 In times, like these being a citizen, is a big job.
09:57:15 Thank you for joining us to celebrate the virtues of self-rule, and debate, the state of our Republic, welcome to the Citizens Prerogative, Podcast this is the voice, of your Nerdy, Host Michael Piscatelli, and we are inspired, by a Co-host whose Passion
09:57:29 for our Republic precedes him. Everywhere he goes, Raymond, Wong, Jr.
09:57:41 Lovely no, we're still in season, 3 heading towards the end final stretch.
09:57:49 Here, episode number 62, and the title of this episode should be the allies for our lives.
09:57:58 So this title is maybe a little bit ambiguous to some people, but just to be clear, the topic, We're gonna be talking about today, are those people in our lives, that we need we we all need each other and we may not always belong to the same, groups.
09:58:17 Or believe in the same things, but humans trying to coexist and make our way through liberty and justice, for all under this republic, we still need each other.
09:58:29 And we need to support each other, as much as we can, and it requires each of us to extend beyond our little circle, and be allies, for one, another, across the board, so we'll jump into it just with some more perspective, here, why we use the term allies you know you could look up the
09:58:53 Definition, and that might explain it directly, but for people of the United States, we like to hearken back to our world wars when we took history class the limited, version we received in school, generally, the first time, we become aware of the term ally in relation to the world wars and it was the idea of
09:59:14 Those Hmm. Fighting for freedom and against here, any you know, versus the tyrannicals, and it was a union of like, Europe, and the United States and Canada, etc., those relatively, self representative, Systems, against the Fascist the Nazis, and whatever we called the Version of Totalitarianism.
09:59:38 That was in Japan at the time
09:59:41 So just as the allied nations of the world wars pass
09:59:54 Sorry I didn't realize how I brought this current. I think I was referring to Russia against Ukraine.
10:00:02 Here continue to battle the struggle against? Here? Does it make sense
10:00:07 I think that's the tie in. I'll just go with that sorry beep
10:00:15 Oh!
10:00:20 Just as the allied nations of the world. Wars past continue to this day to battle in the struggle of tyranny, so kind of harkening to rush over versus ukraine we as individuals need to be allies, to the Community of common good and we must do the same, for
10:00:42 One, another. We need to be allies, that for one, another, for the sake of common good, equal liberty, and justice under law can only be established.
10:00:54 If the plurality of Americans that have an equal footing to gain band together in solidarity, especially those who are least wealthy among us, which represent something like the 98% of Americans Regardless of your Ethnic, or or Religious Identity, or I would even say political Identity, at the end of the
10:01:19 Day regardless of your ideation. Your ideologies, humans that are not wealthy. Have a lot more in common you know, than those things that divide us
10:01:33 So let's talk a little bit about what this looks like what is this what is this concept of allyship that we're borrowing from the world wars importing over to us in our individual lives what does. It look like.
10:01:46 On the ground, just to talk through a few examples, the first one I throw out here for a lot of reasons.
10:01:54 I I suspect people might understand or identify with. Is gonna be around the Lgbtq.
10:01:59 Community, and you know, being an ally for that community it looks like for instance, a straight military veteran who jumps into action, to take down, an armed mass, shooter, in a gay night, club because they fought for the liberty for all of us to have art and free expression, and the freedom, to do
10:02:28 The things that we enjoy, that harm, no one else. And so when we have an ally, somebody who isn't a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual transgender, queer, you know, etc.
10:02:42 Etc. They don't identify that way right straight, maybe Cis Mail, whatever other terms labels we want to throw on.
10:02:50 It is still able to support the liberty of others, and I mean, I in this case, you know we know that there's a familiar relationship among the individuals which really just goes back to the fact that Harvey Milk told us, we all need to come out of the closet so that everybody knows somebody, who's.
10:03:05 Lgbtq, And when you know someone who I identifies under that umbrella.
10:03:12 It helps to demystify it. You know you, you recognize the human behind, the umbrella, then we have allies.
10:03:20 We have allies in this war against hate quite frankly.
10:03:32 What else does this look like? That's just the first example.
10:03:37 I throw out there, there's a lot of ways to look at this for instance, let's look at the Individual who has a curious young mind.
10:03:48 You know an ally to someone that's a curious young mind looks like a brave teacher, or a brave librarian who risks their own livelihood to provide a banned book, to discuss a cogent subject, that matters to this curious individual you know that's, a it's, a far less specific
10:04:12 thing, but I think it's incredibly more powerful. And as a someone who's been a young child and had a curious mind in the past and have attended scholastic environments of many types, from public, school, to Montessori to Catholic, this Idea, of having a Free mind and being able
10:04:34 To have free expression, and the freedom, to explore curiosities is so important, it always was so important to me and now we're moving into an era, or that's being discouraged.
10:04:46 And in some places it's against the law, and that's very scary, especially from a liberty perspective.
10:04:53 If you want to talk about freedom of speech, and what's associated to the freedom of speech, and expression, is basically anything that can be an idea, which should not be feared we we should have the capacity?
10:05:08 To consider many different ideas.
10:05:13 What else can this look like? You know, for the black person being refused service.
10:05:23 It looks like the other, employees behind the counter, who shut down their confused co-worker, and put in place their poor business acumen, because in our country, in the United States, and under this Republic, every Dollar, is still green, whether It's, digital or otherwise Everybody's, Dollar, should Allow, them, to
10:05:47 Conduct, a transaction? Because that is legal tender, it doesn't matter what the color of your skin.
10:05:55 Is, you know or the perspectives you bring with you. When you come into a business, a place of business, to conduct a transaction, everybody should be offered.
10:06:06 That same, right to spend that dollar to receive that service, or that product should never be refused service because of arbitrary reasons
10:06:20 So anybody who stands up for an individual who's being shut down in such a way that's it's unfair.
10:06:26 It's on Legal excuse me illegal, you know there in that moment they've become an ally, and it may not be an ally, to, a label or to a group, you're being an ally to the common good common decency, respect and and mutual, you know the idea, that
10:06:45 we're all in this together, at the end of the day, no matter what because the Republic doesn't exist without us.
10:06:55 This also looks like being an ally for anyone who's being ridiculed because of their color, their shape, their size, or other aspects of who they are being an ally looks like the Anti-bullie, the Anti Bully, who Puts an attacker in their place again, That's very situational but
10:07:20 It's it's being an ally to the common good, you know.
10:07:23 It's an easy, a relatively easy rule to consider, and as humans are actually born with an innate sense.
10:07:31 About this Maybe you know, maybe we're too fearful to come to the defense of someone. But in any case, that somebody has an opportunity to exhibit this anti-bullied behavior they're they're being an ally, to the common good, in their helping somebody in a moment
10:07:50 Let's talk about immigrants. I mean this country, it is built on immigration.
10:07:57 Whether it was forced, immigration, or Voluntary Immigration, for Immigrants being an ally, you know
10:08:08 As Being, the person that recognizes and reminds us that this country was built by and is still fed from the labor of immigrants.
10:08:21 It was built by the Labor of slave and today we have a lot of immigrants, working in agriculture, and you know we we don't think about that we don't think about the end to end life Cycle of our Food, anymore, very often I'm sure we've talked about that in the
10:08:40 Past, but to just think that immigration is some risky, thing, or some bad thing is is definitely not being, an ally, being an ally is wreaking the value of immigration the value of all the contributions, that immigrants have made in the past and will make into the future because
10:09:02 Immigration is not something that can go away. If we don't want the Republic to stagnate and wither
10:09:10 I think the last group I'm gonna call out on this set of bullets, at least, for now is you know for either the religious or the Nuns and I don't mean n Uns I mean the N O N. E S.
10:09:27 Which is the new label that's emerged for people who don't identify with the religion.
10:09:33 They have no religion, so whether you're religious or you're not being an apple.
10:09:40 Looks, like having mutual respect for a Live, and let live way of life, which at the end of the day is the essence of liberty because you believing in a religion, really at the end of the Day.
10:09:54 Should have no impact on me, believing in a different religion, or none at all.
10:09:59 Unless for some reason, you think you have the right to impose your will upon me, which is a violation of liberty at its core and is not in accordance with, live and let live philosophy.
10:10:11 So we can always be an ally to one another. When we stand up against hate and for the common good defense of others.
10:10:21 If they're being attacked for the religion, even if we don't have a religion, we need to have that mutual respect for the rights of liberty that are under law and people have the right to practice their religions in this country, and not experience, hate
10:10:41 I really appreciate you taking us through those examples of humanity.
10:10:49 I know that most people probably felt like we went to call to action ahead of it.
10:10:55 These are really case studies, in human experience. And I think that it's important to remember that as a society, the more we talk about things that's, the Real Gift out of out of anything that we possess as a power.
10:11:13 As humans, as collaborators, is that gift of of speech.
10:11:19 The the ability to talk about what's going on openly and safely, that freedom of speech is really, what you you kept captured there, right is freedom of speech, is not challenging, your government's decision to protect everyone freedom, of speech, is not screaming at people in a board room freedom is speech, is
10:11:43 That you can. Become the person who is a savior.
10:11:48 You be, can become the leader in the room. You can become president of that cafe, and declare a better future for everyone involved and maybe you impact People's lives and you help them think twice, maybe you're the first person, to check them, that happens to people, with the police, all the time and us, as citizens.
10:12:13 We're the First level Police of our Liberty, because everybody gets liberty, freedom, and Tranquility.
10:12:22 So when that's violated, I have as much right to speak up on it, as the next person.
10:12:27 So I feel like you've really spoken to me, and exercise and what freedom of speech looks like, maybe and what protection of liberty. It looks like, as well, so thank you
10:12:42 No, thank you for bring all that home, wrapping it together.
10:12:47 It's a nice gift.
10:12:50 I spent enough time going through all those bullets that we can take a break
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10:14:29 I think I want to take us back to war, and and and what allies mean.
10:14:37 So as we, as we kind of talk about Wh, how do you react in this environment, that or this situations that we've brought forward is that think of ourselves, as allies in in the war, many people would have said, the united states waited too long to get involved many people would have said, it was obvious that we
10:14:56 should have been building weapons, not refrigerators.
10:15:00 There was a idea that we could ignore the problems going on in Europe, in America and things would sort themselves out.
10:15:10 And I'd say that there is no perfect way to be an ally in the end.
10:15:16 What matters is that we showed up what matters is that we we did join the fight for the right causes out there.
10:15:26 I think all of us have to be forgive, forgiving of ourselves that we've sat back and seen these things happen and it and we're all we've all been victims of what the system and the environment, has created around Us, which is microaggressions against all types of individuals so just because
10:15:48 you've noticed it in the past doesn't mean you should feel bad.
10:15:50 For not saying it. Every year, is a new opportunity to ask the right way, every day is a new opportunity to defend humanity.
10:16:02 And you don't have to say. Well, because I didn't say it before I should just stick with it.
10:16:06 No in fact. I think everybody's freedom comes from when we all agree that everyone deserves freedom, freedom, from oppression at all levels, oppression from your family, oppression, from a teacher, oppression, from a schoolyard bully it no one deserves oppression
10:16:31 Has a yeah great way to sum it up. Hmm, we need to be allies for one, another, and defend the common good.
10:16:45 And our rights, right to be free at the end of the day.
10:16:51 And freedom requires us to respect each other's freedom and our liberty right
10:16:55 It's It's something we have to be vigilant about and we have to do it every day, and in every moment or opportunity we have, and I love that call out to like you know our our past selves, have not always been the best friend to our current or future selves, but
10:17:12 every day. Is still an opportunity. It's your it's the first day for the rest of your life.
10:17:16 Every day you wake up and and then that's the moment that's the day you have to be that ally to yourself, to your future self to to your comrades, here on the ground in in life because it's
10:17:36 It's quite a journey, and it is for all of us, you know.
10:17:40 Nobody's got it all figured out, so we need to have some grace and respect for one another, as much as we can and stand against hate I mean, I try to you know it's like the simplest way.
10:17:59 I can put it. I, because we all have so many rules, and we have so much stuff going on our heads in our minds, and in our lives, and whether it's distractions, or this that and the other thing but the most fundamental component is this is this love, Versus, hate aspect of things, and I just feel bad because
10:18:17 I also think that there might be some people out there who actually don't know what love is or what it feels like, and meet on maybe those are a lot of the people where hate is their only option which which would be very sad and that's unfortunate.
10:18:32 And and it would be a digression from really the Core of the Topic, Around Allies, ship, We're talking about today, maybe We'll Revisit that another time, or maybe we have in the past
10:18:45 In any case, let's go ahead and move into some of our calls to action.
10:18:52 We, do, have we have a separate section with bullets on calls to action.
10:18:56 Unlike, the previous Segment, where it did sound like you know, we're We're embedding some some action, right in the examples we were using
10:19:07 But here are some things, very specific that we've laid out the first one is that we need to stand up for our human dignity.
10:19:16 During this battle, for our liberty and justice, and we do that by standing up for each other, everywhere, in every way that we can
10:19:29 That is I think the core of being an ally
10:19:34 And standing up in every way, that's bringing us together towards the common good, Right not defending, somebody's right to it, to Physically assault anyone else, there's no right to physically, assault anyone, that's, what gets you, put in Jail, and I think I think we've forgotten
10:19:59 That in a lot of ways that violence is not the solution.
10:20:02 It's never! It's never been the solution. I would say, that's I was reading an article about some of our latest warships and bombers, and things that were refitting because of the Rise of military Challenges are around the World and It's like the whole point of
10:20:20 It is deterrence, at least the's. You know what the Defense Department wants us to understand is that we try to have that big military to to Deter violence, and and what not now I don't want to digress, because there's arguments to be made that having the military means.
10:20:39 That there's gonna be violence but it is kind of Part and Parcel the the world we're still living.
10:20:46 In unfortunately.
10:20:46 But if we can stay on the side of the common, good and be motivated by love, and connectivity, and honor and respect, for one another, and each of our an alienable rights to Exist under our Republic, then I feel like we're we're Being, an Ally.
10:21:05 The other bullet. Here we have is that we need to recognize the real string of buys that have been ascending various thrones from business to politics, to stop, promoting their messages, we, it.
10:21:24 Feels, like, and this has happened many times throughout history. There's plenty of pendulums you can see swinging around this this bully rhetoric, this hateful rhetoric this divisive, disgusting appeal to the worst parts of human nature I mean, we we are
10:21:41 Born, and with all of these capabilities, it's about the wolf, you fee, according to the proverb right there's, the Good Wolf in the bad Wolf and which one Wins, the War or the battle, depends, on the One, that you Feed, and we need to be
10:21:55 Cognizant of recognizing bullieship everywhere we see it not to be confused with bullshit bullieship, the rise of the Bullies We're We're living in a time, where there's a lot, of Rhetoric Inspiring People to Rise Up on the Wrong Side, of Things, A whole Bunch
10:22:14 Of Sith, Lords Try and Roll, a Republic
10:22:23 Another, action, item or call to action. We have here is the fact that we need to meet each moment.
10:22:33 Prepared to speak truth, to power in the halls where we walk and call out device of commentary, and device of thinking as we encounter it from others, to do our best to nip these buds before they bloom in every little way we can ray you mentioned like microaggressions, and and things like
10:23:00 That is a prime example of this you know where you could be interacting with a colleague, or a friend, or something, and some subconscious thing slips out maybe something from their upbringing or some ideology, that maybe it's, a bias, maybe it's rooted in some bias.
10:23:15 That they're not even really cautiously aware of.
10:23:20 And it takes those moments for us to stand up and be an ally to that individual, to to make sure that they understand.
10:23:27 Hey! Wait a minute. Can I ask you about this thing, you just said, or can you explain this perspective that you have on something because people aren't always aware of their their own device of nature, or their own I don't.
10:23:45 Know predilection towards hate, or seeing others in an other way, you know it's it's it's very difficult for us to undo our programming depending on how we were raised and the environments.
10:24:00 We've been in there's a lot of things we just don't always question all the time, and so it does take each of us to stand up and be an ally for one another when we see some of that automatic, programming, and we're like hey?
10:24:13 I don't know is that that doesn't seem like you really do.
10:24:16 You really believe in that whatever it might be, and the best times.
10:24:21 The I think the most effective times for those conversations are in those moments in those moments where you're actually in the middle of working together, to solve a problem, or whatever it is in this thing just kind of slips up and it maybe our nature are kind loving nature, wants to just let it go by we
10:24:39 Don't want to rock the boat in this case, because we're solving a problem but that actually ends up being the most critical juncture to do that because that's the moment where you both whoever that colleague is or whoever it is you're working with recognizes the
10:24:52 mutual, Need, and the Mutual Aid, you have among one another to solve this problem, or to move this thing, forward, or get this thing done and so when we're bound together, in that common moment trying to solve something, is the best time for us to be a little vulnerable with each other and we're more open and receptive to each other because we're
10:25:19 we're actually already working together on some things it's almost like coming out of the closet and a microwave
10:25:29 The last call to action. We have noted here is that we need to show care to one another, especially when it's unexpected.
10:25:40 You know and that's just coming back to like paying things.
10:25:46 Forward, and if there are people walking among us in our lives, that have not experienced a significant amount of love or care, then it's never too late for them to potentially receive it, and to potentially be open to it but if it's not something that's ever expressed to them, if we if nobody ever really
10:26:07 Shows care to another individual, then then there's no opportunity for them to experience.
10:26:13 It and know what it is, and so I feel like we have an obligation to be an ally to each other.
10:26:21 In that way, and I think it's being an ally to the common good to show that care, you know, especially when it's unexpected, because a lot of times that's when it's gonna it's gonna stick out it's gonna be noticeable it's gonna maybe give somebody
10:26:38 A moment, a pause, and be like wow! Nobody's treated me like that before nobody's, been that kind to me or has responded in that way and and Caring can come in many shapes and forms I mean in business and ray I think you know you can identify with this as
10:26:57 Well, there's a lot of people who have just been employees their whole life and they've never actually received an honest kernel of feedback, they've never received the care it takes for someone to say something uncomfortable to them but necessary for them to grow and improve as a person or in
10:27:14 their career, and so all these years have gone by, and people have just left these derailing behaviors, or these attitudes, or perspectives persist in so many humans, and then they come to someone like ray or myself, and suddenly this behavior Is in Front of Us, and we're like oh, oh, can we talk about this can we talk
10:27:34 about this perspective. You're putting out there, because I feel like you know you're.
10:27:39 You have the capacity to be incredibly successful person. But if you keep taking this angle, or this strategy or whatnot, I feel it's going to derail, you almost at every case has anybody ever brought this up with you before and I can't tell you how many times, they're like no huh!
10:27:53 And we have that moment in that conversation. And it's just it's sad in a way, but I am always appreciative.
10:28:05 When They're Appreciative and they recognize the fact that they see it.
10:28:08 They get it. Once. It's been brought to their attention, and they're actually end up being very grateful and I and I know that Experience because I've been that person i've had someone care enough about me. To check me.
10:28:25 Right to bring something to my attention, that was potentially derailing, so that I had an opportunity to acknowledge it, and correct my behavior.
10:28:37 I think we have to stress that allies. Ship is is new.
10:28:43 It did. It didn't really, exist, although the the Behavior Existed when Michael and I were younger it did, it didn't exist necessarily as it does in the the corporate space which is when things are taken more seriously, Frankly, in general you see that adoption and you see this word ally so
10:29:04 Ally does not mean capitulation it does not mean subordination?
10:29:07 It does not mean you agree on 100% one of the closest allies in my life.
10:29:13 Is is Michael, and he. We don't always agree. Even 30, 40 min ago.
10:29:19 But what's important is that we have enough. Care, and we've discussed the this issues enough that we know that the common thread is is is connected
10:29:31 The idea which is important, which is also thankfully enshrined in the constitution for us, that liberty, that freedom and the ability for Us to argue without one of us being able to report the other to the state that that's a great place to live right that that's the freedom that exists but you
10:29:49 What do you do with that freedom is the question, and it doesn't mean.
10:29:56 You agree on 100%. It means that you have the tough conversations and you care enough for that individual and sometimes you have to start with care by the way, don't just jump in and start trying to have these really robust conversations, and advocacy, in your family if you're family doesn't have a
10:30:14 Great conversation structure. Sometimes you got to figure out more about the care right don't come in hot figure out how people are doing show care maybe over a couple of years before you really get to the root of it, because you should be playing the long game when it comes to these types of topics this Isn't fixed
10:30:33 Overnight, and we're here to help
10:30:39 No, that's great point, no, I'd say if you can try and relate on questions.
10:30:48 It's always more powerful when people feel like they've come to conclusions.
10:30:52 On, their own. And sometimes we can stoke and and help people come to those conclusions.
10:30:58 Simply just by asking questions, right? Not not dictating or telling people what to think or believe but expressing curiosity or concern, and seeing where that leads someone for themselves, because at the end of the day the power, of change is only within each of us, it's not outside of us, right and so it's.
10:31:20 A choice we have to make for ourselves.
10:31:27 I think that's a rap
10:31:33 We have been your host, thank you to Mr. Raymond, one Jr.
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10:31:40 And and thank you to Mr. Piscatelli. It has truly been a situation that will generate reverse Karen's for years to count