Sal's Reflections

Racism and bigotry of any kind flourish when people who don’t hold those poisonous views are silent. The spoken joke in our presence that makes fun of race,sexual preference or one’s religion are not merely harmless attempts at humor they are small pieces of cancer that must be called out. The use of negative stereotypic words to describe others causes great harm to those who are not really different from us. Some have created the belief that we are too sensitive and politically correct and need to go back to a time when free biased speech was acceptable. I believe that most Americans despise racism and all forms of hate speech and do not wish to turn the clock back.We may not have role models in prominent positions who openly condemn bigoted speech but each of us in our own universe need not be silent. i

I live in a large condo building in Boston and we have an ongoing series of “conversations” by members of our community.These are small group presentations that often lead to one on one requests by residents. I participated in one entitled”Career Choices”. The following week one of the residents requested a one on one follow up. He is in his late sixties and is exceptionally talented in the field of musical composition.He has a small nest egg and would like to spend the rest of his days composing music. When he spoke about this the passion and love for composing was most evident. However, the chances of financial success is rather daunting and he fears that he may lose his savings and should continue working in a job that is less than satisfying. I listened for quite a while and then asked him.” I understand your fears but if someone came and told you a similar story what would you tell him?” He paused and said “If he had that much passion about his work I would tell him to go for it despite his fears.”We spent the rest of the time talking about goals.plans and coaching. It is always worthwhile to put the dream out there and have someone listen and give feedback.

When Cardinal Bernard Law was a young priest he had the courage to stand up for civil rights in the deep south. Later as the head of the Archdiocese of Boston this once brave man committed acts of outrage that allowed thousands of sexual acts against innocent children to protect the church. He lost his way, and believed his responsibility was to protect the church. His real responsibility was to protect the children and so he sacrificed them for what he thought was the greater good. I believe that many members of the Congress go to Washington with good intentions, but many over time fail to see who they were sent there to represent. Like Law they are seduced by power and privilege and justify decisions that clearly are not in the best interest of those they are to represent. Self deception ,rationalization and looking the other way eventually come back to haunt them and the seduction of power for many will have an infamous place in history. Law was brought down by a courageous group of Journalists who believed in the rule of law and that no one regardless of their position is above the law. It is a hopeful reminder for all of us who are concerned about the abuse of power in our government.

1. If you count my friends on Facebook and add their friends the numbers are staggering. It easily comes to over sixty thousand. Imagine the good we can do when we find common ground on any issues that help others or our world. We are a force when we care about bullying, standing up for those who have little. We can impact positively veterans who are lost because of their experiences. Or women, men and children who live in fear of beatings at night or during the day. We can volu…nteer at schools ,nursing homes and read to those who are sight impaired. We can stand up in our work and private lives against sexual harassment or racial or religious bias. We are together the sleeping giants that do not have to wait for anyone in power to give us permission. Our army of one can become legions if we believe that each of us is called to solve a piece of the puzzle.

1. When I was a kid I was so excited on Christmas morning I could barely contain myself. That excitement was ever present watching my children go through similar experiences. Now I still love the season but realize that the two biggest gifts in my life are ones that are ever present not just on Christmas morning. Love and friendships are the ones that I open every day and they make me so grateful that motivates me to be kind and loving to others.My hope today is that someone I know who really needs those gifts will find both of them under the tree or when lighting the candles.

1. Since the return of my novel”On the Corner” by my editor friend I have probably re-written it forty times. I feel it is close so I am starting to do the work getting it ready for a launch in April. If you would like to be listed as one of the reviewers please send me an email with your email address and I will send you a file with the current version.Your review can be one sentence or a whole paragraph. I would appreciate it because I want the work to be truly screened by as many readers as possible.
2. setaglia@aol.com

My community of friends is made up of persons on every spectrum of the political scale.There are some who are extreme left and others who are extreme right and many in the middle. In our fractured society it would be a serious mistake to make specific judgments based on where someone sits politically. I know that all in my circle care about children,the disadvantaged ,homeless persons,the climate and the future of our country.I have personally witnessed the charitable generosity and involvement in causes that benefit those who have little regardless of how they voted.. In this season of compassion it would be beneficial if despite our differences to find ways to help those that have been”left behind”.There are plenty of opportunities for common ground that will make us closer to each other in goals that will heal some of the rancor and make a huge positive difference for our neighbors..

1. Thankks to the generosity of my anonymous donor I am able to give away 1500 copies of my novel Hitler’s Priest. To facilitate this I have decided to give away the books in quantities of fifty or more.It would be difficult to do this in small numbers.In order for this to happen I need the help of my network.
   Please refer me to any College,University,Jewish or Christian group,or any organization that would be interested in this gift. The only cost would be handling and postage. I deeply appreciate any assistance in the completion of this goal.

1. Wow!!! I received a phone call from a business executive who wishes to remain anonymous. He heard me speak about the Holocaust recently and was shocked to learn of Christianity’s involvement in the persecution of Judaism through the years.” I am shocked at this news and wish to give witness that we must resist anti-Judaism and anti- Semitism. “He then went on to ask if he could purchase 1500 copies of Hitler’s Priest wholesale. He has requested that I distribute the books to organizations. Wonderful gesture but a daunting task to find the groups who will accept a large number of books. The only cost to the organization would be handling and mailing. Another example of the goodness and kindness of those who wish to make the world a better place. If anyone has an organization in mind please let me know.

1. Today is the 47th anniversary of Jack Murphy’s death.”Murph”was my best friend and I miss him to this day. Fortunately I have been able to share him in every public speaking event that I have delivered over this period of time. He was one of those persons that quietly enter your life and never leaves.I have so many “Murph”stories in my head and they still warm my heart..Knowing him has made me a better person, and I often draw on his compassion and incredible sense of humor.He always found the time to reach out to those that were most in need and changed the lives of so many in his short time on this earth. Rest in peace “Murph”.