America 250

The World is Concerned

As we travelled in Europe this year, we were stuck by the level of concern we encountered at each place we visited—America is celebrating the United States Semiquincentennial; while US policies and actions are aggravating an already stressed globe.

The angst of the taxi driver, the inn keeper, the barista, and the street food vendor was palpable. When anyone found out that we were from America, their fears and concerns seemed to erupt.

While evidence of fascism and hate for “others” reared its ugly head from time to time, we were, ironically, buoyed by the high level of concern we heard from working people—a deep sense of shared concern for humanity seems to be holding the world together.

Our encounters were reminders of why we promote compassion. We march under the Flag of Compassion as a bulwark against fascism and authoritarianism. The Flag of Compassion does not take sides. The Flag is a symbol of hope. We the People stand for protecting our planet, standing up for human dignity, free speech, equality, equity, opportunity, and rule of law.

New Order of Flags Arrived

To date, Compassion Forward has distributed nearly 150 flags to people concerned about the state of civic discourse in our country and around the world. If you do not already have a Flag of Compassion, you can join the movement!

Contact us for a Flag of Compassion and have one shipped to your mailbox. Two sizes are in stock:

Small flags: 20 x 28 inches (roughly)

Medium flags: 40 x 55 inches (roughly)

We want everyone who wants a flag to get one. Please march with your flag and/or display it in a public place (e.g. outside your home).

Compassion & Action

The Compassion Forward movement is inspired by the Flag of Compassion. Our mission is to promote compassion as foundational for civic healing.

On a recent visit to Ireland, I saw this sign, pictured above, posted in a shop window: I paused…. It made me think.

While we can feel compassion for another person, the emotion alone does not drive change; action makes compassion meaningful.

The Compassion Forward movement is aimed at strengthening our social fabric through positive action. In this context, action takes on many forms from the simple act of voting to taking your place on the front line of peaceful resistance.

We are inspired by leaders such as Ida B. Wells, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Skye Perryman, the Dalai Lama and the countless others who have in the past or are now facing down the threats of fascism. As Martin Luther King so eloquently stated: “Our goal of reconciliation is not to defeat or humiliate our opponents, but rather to win their friendship, understanding, and to build a Beloved Community.”

Each of us has the capacity to act with a deep sense of equality between ourselves and others above and beyond the awareness of our differences.

Visit our website at CompassionFwd.org if you would like to learn more.

If you are not a Native American, you are an Immigrant!

The United States of America is a nation built by Native Americans and immigrants. Over 95% of the US population has an immigrant background. This number includes enslaved Africans brought here against their will, asylum seekers fleeing starvation and/or violence, Jews fleeing the holocaust, and economic refugees from around the world.

We are inspired by the Statue of Liberty and the famous words of the The New Colossus:

Immigrants Make America Great Again and Again and Again! At the same time, we urgently need iImmigration laws that allow for the orderly and dignified arrival of immigrants into our communities. Your vote (action) matters…

Compassion Forward is a non-partisan movement working to keep you informed of critical issues that may impact our freedoms. We actively promote free and fair elections, equal protection under the law, human dignity, and the capacity to act with a deep sense of equality between oneself and others, above and beyond the awareness of our differences.

This newsletter includes a focus on current challenges. The subject is political, but the content is nonpartisan. The facts and opinions included in this newsletter are intended only to inspire debate and critical thinking.