There is a new non-profit that launched today: Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism. Fairforall.org is their web address.
If you have taken the course I developed, Critical Thinking on Critical Theory, you will recognize some of of the names of some of the supporters. This is not a Christian organization. Yet, I can’t help but be in awe of the “About” page.
Our Mission
The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR) is a non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing civil rights and liberties for all Americans, and promoting a common culture based on fairness, understanding and humanity.
What We Stand For
- We defend civil liberties and rights guaranteed to each individual, including freedom of speech and expression, equal protection under the law, and the right to personal privacy.
- We advocate for individuals who are threatened or persecuted for speech, or who are held to a different set of rules for language or conduct based on their skin color, ancestry, or other immutable characteristics.
- We support respectful disagreement. We believe bad ideas are best confronted with good ideas – and never with dehumanization, deplatforming or blacklisting.
- We believe that objective truth exists, that it is discoverable, and that scientific research must be untainted by any political agenda.
- We are pro-human, and promote compassionate anti-racism rooted in dignity and our common humanity.
FAIR Pledge
Fairness. “I seek to treat everyone equally without regard to skin color or other immutable characteristics. I believe in applying the same rules to everyone, and reject disparagement of individuals based on the circumstances of their birth.”
Understanding. “I am open-minded. I seek to understand opinions or behavior that I do not necessarily agree with. I am tolerant and consider points of view that are in conflict with my prior convictions.”
Humanity. “I recognize that every person has a unique identity, that our shared humanity is precious, and that it is up to all of us to defend and protect the civic culture that unites us.”
FAIR Principles of Peaceful Change
Based on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Principles of Non-Violence
- Exercise Moral Courage. Telling the truth is a way of life for courageous people. Peaceful change cannot happen without a commitment to the truth.
- Build Bridges. We seek to win friendship and gain understanding. The result of our movement is redemption and reconciliation.
- Defeat Injustice, Not People. We recognize that those who are intolerant and seek to oppress others are also human, and are not evil people. We seek to defeat evil, not people.
- Don’t Take the Bait. Suffering can educate and transform. We will not retaliate when attacked, physically or otherwise. We will meet hate and anger with compassion and kindness.
- Choose Love, Not Hate. We seek to resist violence of the spirit as well as the body. We believe in the power of love.
- Trust in Justice. We trust that the universe is on the side of justice. The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.
Alright, so there is a worldview vibe to all of this, just as with neoracist anti-racism movements. But, what is more startling is that Christian organizations didn’t think of this first. They even have a creed, for cryin’ out loud!
One has to chuckle that some of the proponents of this organization self-identify as atheist with good news that actually reflects the teachings of Jesus more accurately than most Christian denominations when it comes to the challenges of our day.
So, just because I take wicked enjoyment of “proving” my confirmation bias when it comes to social media, I googled “Fair for all”.
The “celebrity” authors and scholars represented are all quite well-known in liberal/ progressive circles, several contributing to to left/progressive media sources. Not a right-winger as far as I could tell.
So, we have a problem.
They are-
Way too reasonable…
Way too empathetic…
Way too courageous…
Way too…no, I won’t say it, too cliche…too inappropriate…way too…
OK, here goes…The Pledge and Principles are way too Christlike…
How dare they!
So, thank you Google for keeping my confirmation bias intact.
After googling “Fair for all”, Google tried to get me to realize I made a typo… You know what I am talking about. The infamous, “Including results for…” in this case “fare for all.” No, I didn’t mean some obscure food program, though its cause appears admirable.
I am searching for a brand new organization launched and supported by international best-selling authors, journalists and thinkers.
So when I click on your “search only for fair for all” I get an obscure organization fighting racist merchandise at state fairs.
Sounds reasonable to me, Google away. They have 552 Facebook followers at this “fair for all” site.
Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism? Well, they just launched, so I kept googling away. I quit after 10 pages worth of no “fair for all” that I wanted to see. You know fairforall.org? Alright, I googled “dana hanson” just to see if I am more well known than these leading authors, journalists, and scholars.
In your face, FAIR, I am the second and fifth person listed on the first page, second video, fifth image. “Pfft…Steven Pinker, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, John McWhorter and the rest of the Board of Advisors…
Alright, enough of my arrogant “dana hanson” self-aggrandizement.
Now, I didn’t want to do what comes next…It is so petty. So, childish. But, I searched Duck Duck Go with “fair for all”.
Are you ready? No, really, are you ready?
OK. Drum Roll, please.
Duck Duck Go? Page one. Second item listed….First is still obscure food organization, but I will check them out.
OK, so I trust people connected to this group, don’t agree with everything I have learned from them, but I do know this is worth your attention.
Introducing Members of FAIR’s Board of Advisors
