Vanjones.net

I admire your courage Van in speaking out not only with your conviction, but for what is right. Our country has deviated down a perilous path of uncertainty and risk with the election of Trump. Trump's admiration of Putin and outright denial of the intelligence gathering of the CIA and FBI in revealing the meddling of the presidential election by Russia is beyond reason and comprehension. Keep the heat up my man. I have admired your words of thought and wisdom for a long time. Just so you know, I am a sane Texan, though so many in my beloved state have been brainwashed by this Tea Party, anti government, ultra conservative, fundamentalist, racist, nationalist, homophobic, religious intolerant, and you name it on the right movement. Keep up the great work. Enough people will listen and demand this nightmare to end before it is too late. Thank you!

My prediction is that within less than 20 years from today, the aunited States as we know it will no longer exist. Republicans for the longest time have been trying to wrestle the more power from the federal government in favor of the individual states. 7 1/2 years ago when Obama took office, this drive got accelerated. The GOP worked diligently to undermine the people's trust in Government by being totally partisan and stopped doing their job in Congress. People hate Washington and what it stands for. Trust in the legislature is no longer existing. Now with Trump and his cabinet picks it is now up to destroy the trust in the Executive. Result will be an increased push for secession. We have seen this with Texas before and now we are seeing it with California. Others will follow. That would be the downfall of the largest superpower in the world and would play into the cards of Russia and China. Please tell me that I am way off in my prediction.

When you speak with voters who claimed to have voted for Pres Obama in 2008 and now voted for Pres-elect Trump ask specific questions about their beliefs. What state and local officials have they voted for? What tax policy would be fair? Who do they wanted appointed to the Supreme Court? Or any other court? One can be deceptive without actually lying.

Mr. Jones: I am a 68 year old, caucasian woman and live in Southern California. Trust me Van, I've always been a devoted fan. You not only embody honesty, but raw truth and the people of this country absolutely need to hear the truth. I enjoyed your first airing of "The Messy Truth" and will be watching all subsequent episodes. However, I am disappointed not only in your introduction of Rick Santorum but that his remarks were not fully addressed. Anna Cabrera attempted; however, his stance on DACA needs to be revealed and vetted more fully. Today, another Republican has decided to push hate even further with the remarks this morning from Rep Steve King of Iowa. Mr. King attempted to paint the DACA movement as "some awfully bad people". Mr. Jones, you referred to Rick Santorum as a "father figure in America". To me, nothing could be further from the truth. Unfortunately, with his answer to the young lady in the audience, he reinforced my feelings. A father doesn't discriminate with his children; a real father, does everything he can to make his children feel loved and accepted. How sad that we cannot have compassion for someone who strives so hard to be accepted in this country. I truly believe will all of my heart that we can make room for these dreamers. Thank you I know you want to be fair but I truly believe what Michael Moore said. I lived through the 50's and 60's and in no way want to go back through the cruel hatred and bigotry I witnessed. You were right

Mr. Jones. I thoroughly enjoyed last night's documentary/discussion - The Messy Truth. I found it compelling and tempered. I hope you will facilitate subsequent episodes.

I live in Minnesota, have B.A. in Mass Communications, worried about my future and how I am going to support myself in retirement besides my 401K. I'm a single, 56 yr-old woman who works full time, but I don't have a pension waiting for me when I retire. I am so worried that Trump's new pick for Health & Human Services dept., Tom Price, is going to take away the support I've worked hard for and contributed to since I was a teen! What can we do to keep Social Security and Medicare for those of us that have worked hard for it?

When you have a moment, I have written recently about empathy and the pathway to heal. You may be interested to take a look either on my LinkedIn page or my blog at dsleonard.wix.com/inexactvengeance. The blog is part of my book's website. I am an associate clinical professor at Nova Southeastern University in SFLA where I hold a staff psychologist position. Big fan of your work. Len

Mr. Jones, I happened upon your series of episodes titled “The Messy Truth”. I have a few messy truths that, if it isn’t too late, I’d like to share with you. Although, I doubt you will even see or read this letter. See, you have a platform at which to speak and express your opinions. I have none. Let me just say, what caught my attention was something you did that I don’t think I have ever witnessed! A black man actually asked for the opinion of a white person with a level of such genuineness. I find that refreshing in todays’ society. Thank you for keeping it real. I’ve been told I can be very opinionated and I’ll admit I do have a lot of opinions on a lot of topics: immigration, Muslims, politics, to name a few. But, I want to address the state of race relations in our country from my point of view. We have an ongoing “black” eye in this nation that will never heal if we don’t all come together in honest dialog to bridge our differences. And I’m not talking about the recent election. Thank God that is over. I think most of America breathed a collective sigh of relief just to get it done with. Politics aside, now it is up to us to earnestly move forward. How do we turn to a new page and find ways to heal that which divides us? Maybe this is part of the Hope and Change that Obama promised? Obama was not a 2-term President by just garnering the black vote. The “whitelash” you mentioned on TV may be partially true, but, not fair to most of the Electorate. A broad spectrum of voters participated in this election who wanted their voices heard, too. Farmers, coal miners, rural teachers and the poor working class just to name a few. But, remember, I’m writing to you about race relations. What could really help this nation is to have a meaningful “blacklash”. I believe this could be a real turning point in the effort to improve our collective race relations. For far too long, I think the Democratic Party has taken the “Black Vote” for granted. If they have been so trusted with your interests, why are things still so bad for Black America? Maybe it is all the labeling with an “us vs. them” mentality. Maybe the shackles of politics as usual need to be broken! Maybe the black communities across America need to stand up and be held accountable just as they demand everyone else to do. I tell you, it is hard to be a white man in todays’ society. It seems we are the scourge of everything that’s wrong. That could not be farther from the truth. I wish Black America would stop treating whites like we are all descendants of former slave owners and want to suppress the freedom of Black America. My great grandparents came from Germany through Ellis Island. As immigrants, they didn’t speak the language, but dreamed of a better life. My forefathers worked hard, fought in the World Wars and adapted to the American way of life. They weren’t here to change America, but, rather, find their own dream. But, this letter isn’t about immigration, it’s about race. Concerning the messy truth about race, one thing I would like to suggest is to stop showing those old horrendous black and white videos of the civil rights movement. Think about it, year after year for some 60 years now, the fresh young minds of America’s black youth are indoctrinated into that ugly time. How can white’s be trusted if all of America’s black youth see are the times of wrongful hate and anger. I know you say it still continues, but maybe that’s one of the reasons. Stop poisoning the well! It really does break my heart when I see another one of America’s black youths shot down. The tragedy of such senselessness may be a result of what Americas black youths have come to expect. We all know this is not fair, but, how to change the perceptions, how to change the stereotypes? Maybe take a lead from the Jewish communities. They don’t demand that people watch the hated Nazi’s put millions of their people to death in the Holocaust! Healing comes from acknowledging those atrocities did occur, yet, finding the resolve to move beyond it. Yes, Black Lives do Matter. But sometimes I wonder if “My Life Matters” too? This is my country as well, and, as an average American white male, I feel ignored and unimportant in the cacophony of voices that are all trying to be heard. The divisions run deep on both sides, but, if we are ever to bridge our differences, then, the black community must approach it in honesty, and take the responsibility to listen with respect too. This means breaking through the barriers that do divide us. To me, when white Americans are made to refer to another group of Americans as “African American” that just lends to more division. We know you are of African descent. I don’t go around referring to myself as a European-Native Indian American. Let us drop the labels. How many American blacks were actually born in Africa anyway? You have every right to celebrate your heritage; cultural differences are embraced by most of America. White America has grown accustomed to the NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus, BET Awards, and so on. Still, what more needs to be done? Black Americans have a voice in music and the media. There are changes in the way blacks are viewed on TV. There is a more inclusive role that has taken place. Yet, there are others who will counter with those who still feel left behind and disenfranchised. Well, here’s some messy truth, it is just a fact in life. We are not all going to be Bruno Mars or Oprah Winfrey, or, become a famous sports figure. To most of White America, there appears to be a double standard taking place. Black America has had the platforms to express their opinions through music, TV, stage and media. Most of which is well received and respected by White America. One great messy truth that I find appalling though is the hypocrisy with the use of the word that shall not be mentioned. If I, as a white male were to use it, I would be labeled as a racist, yet, I watched SNL the other night with host Dave Chappelle, and the word was broadcast at least 3 times! Here is the biggest kicker; the Today show did a segment on the episode and did not once mention the use of the “word”. See, there is no outcry from the whites. Most of us appreciate your right and freedom to express how you feel. Just listen to the lyrics of some of the music coming from the black community. Is it so romantic to rap about gangsters, guns and violence? Where is the respect? No wonder the first thing black people do is play the race card. Where is the love? The black community could play its part by not using that word as well. Or, release it for all to use! You must admit, we have come a long way from those older days. We have the Super Bowl MVP dancing shirtless with a white woman on national TV! If that isn’t progress in race relations, then, I don’t know what is. I think Black America has ‘overcome’ to a certain degree and the only ones not recognizing it are the black Americans! And, I as a white man am hurt and disappointed because it shouldn’t be that way. Black America should be proud, and you know you are, of all the great contributions you have made to our society. We just had a legally elected two term African American president. There are black governors, senators, congressmen, astronauts, famous TV personalities, and well beloved musicians and actors all over the map. Do you think most of these people got elected just by the black vote? Or, become famous for various reasons because of black interest only? White America (and, especially the males) feel hurt and betrayed because we have been so unfairly categorized. How can we reach out a hand in friendship when it either won’t be accepted or ignored entirely? And yes, I voted for Trump, but that does not mean that I accept everything he stands for. I am not racist, a bigot or a womanizer, but, because of association at the ballot box, I must be, right? He makes the most sense for the times. Listen to him, he does preach unity, rebuilding America, overhauling immigration, protecting our country. We need to give him the chance to prove himself just as we did for our current president. I know this was such an awful election, with the name calling and the finger pointing. How childish and embarrassing for our nation? I heard you mention, “What could I say to my child?” Maybe it would have been an opportunity to explain our democratic process in this country. Our rights as Americans to a fair vote, the right to assemble with “peaceful” demonstrations, and, term limitations that can upset complacency. Here’s a novel idea, President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize right. Maybe he could use that as an Ambassador for Peace in his last months in office. Although, he did not go and stand up for Europe when they were down after all the terrorists attacks, remember Charlie Hebdo? All of the worlds’ Western leaders were there for France except the one that represents the Free World and had won a Nobel Peace Prize to boot! I think White America felt the country slipping from its stable days. The “Make America Great Again” slogan resonated. Our institutions were too threatened by a Liberal elite system that just expected them to work, pay their mortgage and taxes, and become the pack mule for every social issue or bureaucratic regulation that came along. I grew up in a very Democratic family. My father voted for every Democrat that ran although he voted for Eisenhower because his dad said Ike could run for either party and still win. Everybody liked Ike! My father was a rural Michigan, die hard Democrat who wouldn’t let anyone park their car in his driveway with a “Reagan for President” bumper sticker. They see America diminished in prestige and mocked by its enemies. Is this is the legacy Obama wants to leave behind? A nation more divided along class lines with social unrest in the streets, people at odds over politics, and the threat of terrorism spreading around the globe including our own backyard. Obama is overseas now and I don’t hear him using his platform to spread peace and calm the unknown. No, he speaks of seeing fear in the face of America, creating uncertainty with our most trusted allies. As if the world doesn’t require a calming of the nerves right now. Maybe the fear is from having too little for too long! Watching the jobs go overseas, not knowing how to put food on the table or more of one’s retirement evaporating to pay for another over bloated government beauracracy. I mean, if the whole system was about to collapse, why institute another government driven program that would ultimately strain an already overburdened system. Just remember the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. The Democrats were all in charge of Washington then. It could have been such a great achievement for the welfare and benefit of all but both sides were not invited to the table. Well Mr. Jones, I have rambled on long enough. More so than what you will probably read. I do hope race relations improve in this country. It is long overdue. But to make real change, both sides need to be treated with courtesy and respect. Thank you for your time.

I am excited about your efforts to listen to people, and to try to understand and respect each other.