Reid My Mind

— A collage of various presidents and political figures over a hip hop beat, throughout the years saying the phrase (or some variation of it) “This is the most important election of our lifetime.”

TR:
I’m sure no matter how far we reverse time or turn back the clock, every election in this country’s history felt like the most important. To someone.

In this country’s most recent history, I’ll go with 2016. That was the election where this country responded to the previous 8 years by electing.
a man with absolutely no political experience. A failed so called businessman who filed bankruptcy six times to avoid paying his fair share of debt. A racist, sexist, ableist, 34 count convicted felon.
Who suspiciously got elected again. I say suspiciously because I believe the world will eventually learn something else was at play in 2024.

— Diaper Don “And then he journeyed to Pennsylvania where he spent like a month and a half campaigning for me in Pennsylvania. And he’s a popular guy. And he was very effective. And he knows those computers better than anybody, all those computers those vote counting computers. And we ended up winning Pennsylvania like in a landslide, so it was pretty good. So thank you to Elon.”

— “You don’t find that suspicious”, Dr. Umar

TR:
If we look back, there were circumstances that paved the way for his election.
Maybe one of those was the most important election of our lifetime.

Elections are like being given another chance to do the right thing.
At least for now.

— “You’ll never have to vote again.”, Diaper Don

TR:
With all of this on my mind, I thought,
(Filtered voice) “I should produce an episode focusing on some of the issues related to elections.”

I thought about discussing.
voter suppression.
gerrymandering
The so-called SAVE act – presented as a way to reduce voter fraud,
but obviously another example of a poll tax.
An update to the same old trick’s white nationalists Have used in an attempt to eliminate Black people from having representation in government.

The episode would cover the many ways Republicans, MAGA, white nationalists.
continue to do anything they can including, lying cheating and stealing with the goal of securing power.

Then I realized, this isn’t news for those who really rock with this podcast. In fact, this isn’t a news podcast Afterall. It’s Reid My Mind Radio.
I’m Thomas Reid your host and producer.

— Reid My Mind Radio Theme Music

TR:
I still want to talk about voting , but from a different perspective.
One that better reflects what’s on my mind.

Apathy!
A lack of feeling or emotion : impassiveness
Symptoms include listlessness, and fatigue.
Lack of interest or concern : indifference

Is it a stretch to view apathy as a contagious disease? A lot of people have it. We see it in the lack of participation in elections.

— From “Getting Involved”
(All in variously pitched voices)
“I don’t do politics”
“I stay away from the news, it’s so depressing.”
” None of that effects my life, I just mind my business.”

Dr. Jackie:
So, when I hear people who say that voting doesn’t matter, or one vote doesn’t make a difference to me, I feel like it comes from some type of frustration that they may be experiencing from voter suppression or some other inequity factors that they may have experienced.

TR:
This is Dr. Jackie Jackson. She’s not a medical doctor her expertise is in pastoral care and counseling.
Among many titles, she’s a minister and a disability advocate in New Jersey.

I think that’s why she has grace for the apathetic non voter.

Personally, I have little patience for those who choose willful ignorance and do not participate.

Dr. Jackie:
Yes, ignorance is bliss.

For the most part, if they just think back and acknowledge our forefathers and our foremother icons who fought and paved the way for us to increase the vote.

TR:
I think language is really important. From my conversation with Dr. Jackee, when she refers to our forefathers and fore mothers, I’m pretty sure she’s talking about people like Fannie Lou Hammer, Medgar Evers and many others who literally put their lives on the line to assure that Black people in this country
have the right to exercise our vote.

That same right should be available to all citizens of this country.

Dr. Jackie:
I do believe that race, ability, gender is part of our lived experience, and it matters when shaping policies and community.

historically we challenge these systems because they were not designed for us and they did not have us in mind. We have to be mindful that we really have to stand up and have our voices heard in this voting process.

TR:
I want to underline, highlight, and shine a light on one word that Dr. Jackie uses when she talks about the importance of voting. We. And as far as I know, she ain’t French!

(Dr. Jackie:
For the most part they don’t understand that voting is not just about a single ballot, it’s about a collective impact on voting. When you participate, voting gives you power, voting is our voice, and it’s not about victory, or any candidate, it’s really just a time to know that if you don’t participate, decisions are going to be made for you, whether you vote or not.

TR:
That makes total sense to me, but I’m not apathetic.

Like the common cold, apathy too can pass. And an ounce of prevention can go a long way.

So what’s the equivalent version of vitamin c, the Vicks or tussin? You know, the things you use to find relief from a cold.

— Ny Quil commercial comparing two households with colds.

TR:
The more I try to think about when I first recall experiencing apathy, , I realize it’s a slower process in comparison to catching a bug.

Apathy develops over a longer period of time. That’s why you have to be intentional about making sure you protect yourself.
Even if you believe you’re not at risk.

Maybe apathy is more like the accumulation of disappointment, heartache, injustice, pain? We’ve all experienced these things of course in varying degrees.
But, maybe there’s a finite level that when exceeded, apathy sets in?

It’s like that saying, the straw that breaks the camels back. It’s not one thing but rather the accumulation of many over time. What’s emotionally painful for me can be quite tolerable for another person. Some people seem to have very difficult lives but are able to not only withstand pain and suffering but come out the other side stronger than ever. Not jaded in anyway. They can remain optimistic and believe and trust in people. I thought that was natural for me when I was younger.
But chances are, I just wasn’t as tested. Although some may see it differently.

Today, I realize optimism is intentional.

— Boxing ring Bell

TR:
My bout with apathy is related to blindness.

I had my share of all sorts of disappointment, heartache, injustice, physical and emotional pain before blindness. But I think blindness was on a different level. It wasn’t about the disability.
It was more about where I was in my life when blindness appeared.

— “Moving on Up” Jeffersons

The work I put in for several years was finally starting to pay off. I noticed confidence in everything I did. I just bought a new home, my second daughter was on the way and my career was looking good. Throw in some other personal accomplishments and shooo, I was feeling like I’m the man. But blindness was on another level.

It took away so much of the control I thought I had. All that confidence I built up over the years, at the time, I thought it was gone. I didn’t feel like the man anymore.

I started to notice my own Sinicism.

Why would I be optimistic after working so hard to get somewhere, only to have that taken from me. Even after blindness there were a few other things that made me feel like the future wasn’t as bright as I once believe it to be. I went from oh yes, I can do this. I’m sure it will work out, too…
Do not get hopeful or excited. Believe it when you see it.

Even if something seemed to be working out my attitude was, better wait until it’s all done before feeling or showing any excitement. Truth is in most instances, I’m still going to respond this way.
But for different reasons.

Today, when things don’t go as planned, I just put it on that one thing. It’s not indicative of everything. I eventually reached a point where I recognized what was happening to me.
I didn’t like feeling as if nothing excited me any more. Feeling as though there’s nothing really worth looking forward to is not a way I want to live.

I started to remember, things do change.

Things were actually changing because I didn’t give up. Although not overly excited about many things, I still participated. I even started to achieve different goals.
I felt as if my confidence was returning. Then I realized it never left. I just needed to recognize it.
Optimism was still available to me if I decided to choose it.

Dr. Jackie:
Yes, I’m very optimistic about the future in regards to voting, because I think that once society understands how important the vote is they will certainly stand up and speak out.

As a minister and clergy person, I certainly stand firm on Proverbs 31 speak out for those who can’t speak for themselves. And with that said, for the young generation to speak out for their elders, for their families, for their communities, because they have the power to do that.

TR:
Apathetic behavior goes beyond the individual and can negatively impact the community.

Optimism, can also be infectious. But it can lift a community and offer hope. The hope that comes with the understanding that work is still required.

Optimism is intentional and requires commitment. It’s hard. But for me, it feels better than the alternative.

It’s like Ny Quil!

This podcast was not sponsored by Ny Quil… but … I’m sayin’!

— Transition

TR:
The purpose of this series, is all about what can we do. How can we get involved and be a force for positive change. Dr Jackee as a minister naturally recommends faith based organizations.
Many of which sponsor voter registration and activation events. She also recommends organizations like the NAACP as well as grass roots organizations.

Dr. Jackie:
REV Up, their main goal is to educate and empower and increase the disability vote, and that’s really a great organization to get involved with for people with disabilities or able-bodied people.

TR:
The American Association of People with Disabilities is a national disability-led and cross-disability rights organization, that advocates for full civil rights for over 70 million Americans with disabilities.

Dr. Jackie:
We have more power in numbers, so collectively we can really do more in our country.

One vote might seem small, but history shows that small numbers add up, and when people stop voting, the reality is this is their decisions still get made in the room, whether they’re there or not,
understand that voting is not about a single ballot, it is about collective impact.

TR:
It really is imperative that more of us, people who care about humanity, vote in this upcoming election. We need to recognize that we have power. That power increases exponentially when we come together. That’s something I know I need to remember. And maybe you do too.

Big shout out to Dr. Jackee Jackson. You know you’re an official member of the Reid My Mind Radio family now.

— Airhorn

Dr. Jackie:
If anyone would like to reach out to me for further information on how to get involved with disability organizations, or just to talk about anything disability related, I. Can be reached at Dr. Jackie with 2e’s Dr. Jackie Jackson, J A C K E E Jackson, number eighteen@gmail.com

# Close
TR:
I’m glad I changed the direction of this episode. I had to remember that it’s ok to start with me and what was on my mind and in my heart.

Similarly, when it comes to making the change we want in this world, we have to start with ourselves.

You know, you can tell which household believes in optimism.
Bob and Fred are neighbors. Bob doesn’t believe he has any say in what happens in his community and the world in general. Bob gave up. He doesn’t stay informed and worse
he frequently shares his sinical opinions and tell those who believe otherwise that they’re wasting their time.

Fred on the other hand, pays attention. He participates as much as he can and at the very least
he’s insistent about staying informed and exercising his vote.

— Ny Quil Commercial
“So unlike Bob, Fred gets the rest he needs. that’s the restful plus of Vicks NyQuil.”

Reid My Mind Radio is under written by Vicks… see that sounds so good. Vicks, holla!

— Music; A smooth, bright melody opens to a uplifting hip hop groove.

TR:
Do you believe things can change?

Do you find yourself experiencing;
A lack of feeling or emotion : impassiveness
Symptoms like, listlessness, and fatigue.
Lack of interest or concern : indifference

Then, why not try something different?
I’m not saying it’s easy. Optimism, takes work, but I think it’s worth it.

You know what doesn’t take a lot of work but is definitely worth the effort?
Following or subscribing to Reid My Mind Radio wherever you get podcasts.
We have transcripts and more at ReidMyMind.com
And look, while I’m intentionally living optimistically, I’m still a realist. So I fully understand that there are rules to every game.
So if you’re going to find me or this podcast, you gotta spell it right.
That’s R to the E I D!
— Sample: (“D! And that’s me in the place to be.” Slick Rick)
Like my last name!
— Reid My Mind Radio outro
Peace!

Hide the transcript