Diversity is what makes America, America. I was blessed to have been raised by my a mother who taught me to love and respect all people and never judge if they looked “different” than we did. She always said judge from what’s inside a person - she would say, sweetheart, in the emergency room, when I take care of patients, they all bleed the same red blood; because we are all the same. I never will forget that and she was an amazing role model. Great article Ari.
I also was brought up by a mother who taught me that all folks were we're good and worth my time to get to know--fortunately I was not brought up to be racist or prejudice against anyone or anything I was taught to give everyone a benefit of the doubt and that we're all redeemable for the mistakes that we made--if any at all 😏 my playmates were African-American children for years until I was sent to a foster home which turned out to be Italian immigrants so I got to learn a different culture--diversity you bet can't beat it I think that's one of the reasons that I love to hear so many different viewpoints because it broadens our horizons
My mother also was a strong woman who taught respect for others. As an army brat, we moved constantly. I found out what it was like to be a minority. Bless her and all those like her. (And healthcare IS A HUMAN RIGHT.) We lived that principle.
You're certainly entitled to your viewpoint but mine is 100% different than yours--as far as I can see Trump/musk is gutting the system that keeps our country running smoothly indiscriminately--there's no doubt that reform needs to happen in all areas but not all at once because that will cause a devastating collapse unlike anything we have ever experienced before!! The civil war was due to slavery --those for and those against--Trump /Musk seem to be against everything all at once---this is going to be a colossal snafu-to put it mildly--we are no longer going to be the United States of America---as to who we will be that remains to be seen--in the meanwhile people are going to be starving, homeless, ill/sick, while the rich will eventually be suffering as well because there's no one to provide them with money because the workforce has been decimated by indiscriminately shipping those workers who paid them through their taxes--that's just one of the ways the rich will suffer--who's going to cook their food? Who's going to clean their clothes clean their houses, carry their golf clubs, buy their products which makes them money??? There are not enough pure white people in America to support the rich!!! After all the white people don't want to work in the fields to pick produce and fruits---thete white people
To continue: the white people don't want to cook in the hot kitchen-serve their food--the white people do not want to clean their houses--their toilets-etc. The jobs that immigrants do the white people think that kind of work is beneath them--this is just one area that's going to suffer!! 71 million Americans receive social security ---take their social security away and you have 71 million folks homeless starving and sick!!! America is like a well taken care of car--how's the car ages you repair it and replace parts with better stronger parts so that it will still run but if you open up the hood and start pulling out everything all at once the car will no longer run----that is what Trump/Musk are doing they are taking out every single thing (gutting) and it won't be long before America stops working!! It'll be like Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall and broke into a million pieces and could not be put back together again!!! As a nation we are going to collapse!!! I'm 81 on social security I have COPD how am I going to survive being homeless and not being able to get medical care?? I'm just one in 71 million!!
Hey Ari good to see that you were in your element. Hope your brother shares your enthusiasm. I was glad to see that Queen Bey finally got her award for Cowboy Carter. And in the music genre Alicia Keys said it all DEI is not a threat it's a gift, congratulations to all the winners! Great job Ari M.
You really have analytical talents, to discuss all the various talented performers and winners. I appreciate this ability to make sense out of those sometime shifting vibes. Thanks!
Ari, I have been a 'True Blue' fan since '21. I am 76 and sometimes, your Hip Hop references are lost on me, but we both love music. I would send you a friend request or a DM, but I don't know how?
First of all, this article reads like a poetic masterpiece! 👏🏾 Thank you for the deep and wise insights into the complexities around diversity, equity, and inclusion (and the general lack of understanding around what this even means, and as many Americans choose to only go 'so far' with that which differs from their so-called 'norms.'). 'Essence' referred to the 2025 awards ceremony as the "Blackest Grammy's ever;" which has special resonance during Black History Month -- and which i think the MAGA crowd may erroneously believe they can just 'will away.' 🙄 Furthermore, while Queen Bey's win was long overdue, i chose to hold fast to this as fulfillment of Sam Cooke's hope/dream/prophesy that a "change's gonna come." As VP Harris said frequently during her campaign, many of us have *no* intention of going back[wards].
Now we wait for the 'Cowboy Carter' tickets to become available. Crossing fingers, toes, and everything else i can find! 🤣😂 #awesome2025grammys
SR, let’s hope we don’t have to go back to 1963 to start again. “A Change is Gonna Come” was generated after Sam was denied stay at a Holiday Inn, in Shreveport, La., about 5 months after I graduated high school and left for college. He was to perform (and did), at the same venue where I’d graduated, and where Elvis would come to perform on weekends for the Louisiana Hayrides (before he became The Elvis). That’s my claim to fame…Oh, yes, Mike Johnson is from there, as well. See how much the city has grown😱😂
Not back then; that obviously, was his first visit to the area, because entertainers stayed in the big, yellow, two-story “rooming house” across the street from me. Bobby Blue Bland, Little Jr Parker, Howling Wolf—they all came there. On a Friday afternoon, someone’s bus would pull up and people would unload. My mother would comment on who was who. It was 1950-1952, the years I had those experiences (4-6), because we moved. Where I lived in California (1963-64), Sam and singer, Mel Carter (“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”), on separate occasions, would drive past the house in their convertibles. Blacks lived amongst, or in the vicinity each other, because your money could only take you so far. However, Sam Cooke, Ed Townsend and Marvin Gaye, were close friends to my hairstylist and singer, Theola Kilgore (“The Love of My Man”). They frequented her home. Sam had just purchased a new, red, sports car, had taken it by for her to see it, that Friday evening. Saturday night, those events occurred. I attended his funeral with her. Marvin had just visited a few days, before his demise. His story is just too sad to tell. I never knew him personally, only of certain events. I saw him once in the salon, but he was in and out. Now, Little Richard, I saw several times, as his hairstylist was in the same salon, adjacent to Theola’. She called him over to introduce him to me. He was loud, funny and talked about people laughing at his song, “Tutti Frutti.” He said, “They can laugh all they want, Tutti Fruitti” bought me my first home.” Beautiful skin, very handsome, and regular. Those are just a few of my stories. They are memories from years ago-some sad- but happy to share.
"Americans have long shown they are fine with a type of diversity for their entertainment, or sports, but not when it comes to their boss, colleagues, or their children’s schools." Maybe that's because excellence is entertainment and sports is more visible, on every form of media, and is more easily understood. Seeing excellence in a school with diverse faculty is subtle; excellence in work settings with diverse workers is also subtle, and behind the scenes. Maybe that's why having Black History month, Pride month, etc. is so important.
Black history I taught to second and third graders ! Also, in February we talked about man’ inhumanity to man, like China building the Great Wall, Armenians and the Holocaust!!
The Grammies this year were quite wonderful. It was great that rap was given it’s rightful place just goes to show how important is to the fiber of our nation. Too bad politicians don’t realize it.
Thank you for sharing your insight and your take away from this year's Grammys. Alicia Keys was on point. "Diversity is a Gift."
You have done such great work in the hip hop community by giving light to its unique poetic rhythm. Kendrick Lamar's "Not like us." Is remarkable, it's resonates as a powerfull entry into the mainstream. Rappers on TV? Ari, this was a win for you too. Thank you for sharing your focus with us.
Hey Ari trying to follow you on Substack rather than FB. I was following an Ari FB clone but I got very disappointed I couldn’t accept that a fellow political scientist would answer questions like that so I hope that I connect with you here as I have been following you forever.
My late husband was a card carrying Equity member until his death, even when he changed careers. Artists matter! BTW, I grew up in Seattle and was a Public Defender in King County until I retired. Thanks for all you do Ari—we are proud to call you our native son.
I’ve been waiting for this article from you, Ari. I’m so happy that you were able to experience this years Grammy along side your brother!
You spoke exactly what I was feeling on all fronts of the various stages of art and artists who were able to win in their respective genres!
Fantastic commentary Ari 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽❤️🔥
Thank you 🙏🏽
Diversity is what makes America, America. I was blessed to have been raised by my a mother who taught me to love and respect all people and never judge if they looked “different” than we did. She always said judge from what’s inside a person - she would say, sweetheart, in the emergency room, when I take care of patients, they all bleed the same red blood; because we are all the same. I never will forget that and she was an amazing role model. Great article Ari.
I also was brought up by a mother who taught me that all folks were we're good and worth my time to get to know--fortunately I was not brought up to be racist or prejudice against anyone or anything I was taught to give everyone a benefit of the doubt and that we're all redeemable for the mistakes that we made--if any at all 😏 my playmates were African-American children for years until I was sent to a foster home which turned out to be Italian immigrants so I got to learn a different culture--diversity you bet can't beat it I think that's one of the reasons that I love to hear so many different viewpoints because it broadens our horizons
You are so right thanks for beautiful comments
My mother also was a strong woman who taught respect for others. As an army brat, we moved constantly. I found out what it was like to be a minority. Bless her and all those like her. (And healthcare IS A HUMAN RIGHT.) We lived that principle.
You're certainly entitled to your viewpoint but mine is 100% different than yours--as far as I can see Trump/musk is gutting the system that keeps our country running smoothly indiscriminately--there's no doubt that reform needs to happen in all areas but not all at once because that will cause a devastating collapse unlike anything we have ever experienced before!! The civil war was due to slavery --those for and those against--Trump /Musk seem to be against everything all at once---this is going to be a colossal snafu-to put it mildly--we are no longer going to be the United States of America---as to who we will be that remains to be seen--in the meanwhile people are going to be starving, homeless, ill/sick, while the rich will eventually be suffering as well because there's no one to provide them with money because the workforce has been decimated by indiscriminately shipping those workers who paid them through their taxes--that's just one of the ways the rich will suffer--who's going to cook their food? Who's going to clean their clothes clean their houses, carry their golf clubs, buy their products which makes them money??? There are not enough pure white people in America to support the rich!!! After all the white people don't want to work in the fields to pick produce and fruits---thete white people
To continue: the white people don't want to cook in the hot kitchen-serve their food--the white people do not want to clean their houses--their toilets-etc. The jobs that immigrants do the white people think that kind of work is beneath them--this is just one area that's going to suffer!! 71 million Americans receive social security ---take their social security away and you have 71 million folks homeless starving and sick!!! America is like a well taken care of car--how's the car ages you repair it and replace parts with better stronger parts so that it will still run but if you open up the hood and start pulling out everything all at once the car will no longer run----that is what Trump/Musk are doing they are taking out every single thing (gutting) and it won't be long before America stops working!! It'll be like Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall and broke into a million pieces and could not be put back together again!!! As a nation we are going to collapse!!! I'm 81 on social security I have COPD how am I going to survive being homeless and not being able to get medical care?? I'm just one in 71 million!!
Ari, this was a wonderful article. Aleisha Keyes said it best. DEI is a gift. Thanks .😊🍷🎼
Powerful, beyond words. We must keep on keeping on ❤️
Good to see you here on Substack,Ari, onward and Upwards 💯👍
Hey Ari good to see that you were in your element. Hope your brother shares your enthusiasm. I was glad to see that Queen Bey finally got her award for Cowboy Carter. And in the music genre Alicia Keys said it all DEI is not a threat it's a gift, congratulations to all the winners! Great job Ari M.
You really have analytical talents, to discuss all the various talented performers and winners. I appreciate this ability to make sense out of those sometime shifting vibes. Thanks!
🙏
🤩🤩🤩
Ari, I have been a 'True Blue' fan since '21. I am 76 and sometimes, your Hip Hop references are lost on me, but we both love music. I would send you a friend request or a DM, but I don't know how?
First of all, this article reads like a poetic masterpiece! 👏🏾 Thank you for the deep and wise insights into the complexities around diversity, equity, and inclusion (and the general lack of understanding around what this even means, and as many Americans choose to only go 'so far' with that which differs from their so-called 'norms.'). 'Essence' referred to the 2025 awards ceremony as the "Blackest Grammy's ever;" which has special resonance during Black History Month -- and which i think the MAGA crowd may erroneously believe they can just 'will away.' 🙄 Furthermore, while Queen Bey's win was long overdue, i chose to hold fast to this as fulfillment of Sam Cooke's hope/dream/prophesy that a "change's gonna come." As VP Harris said frequently during her campaign, many of us have *no* intention of going back[wards].
Now we wait for the 'Cowboy Carter' tickets to become available. Crossing fingers, toes, and everything else i can find! 🤣😂 #awesome2025grammys
Awesome response it was poetic and the fiber that makes America American
SR, let’s hope we don’t have to go back to 1963 to start again. “A Change is Gonna Come” was generated after Sam was denied stay at a Holiday Inn, in Shreveport, La., about 5 months after I graduated high school and left for college. He was to perform (and did), at the same venue where I’d graduated, and where Elvis would come to perform on weekends for the Louisiana Hayrides (before he became The Elvis). That’s my claim to fame…Oh, yes, Mike Johnson is from there, as well. See how much the city has grown😱😂
Olddiva - sooo cool! Did you ever get to see Cooke live? (And as for Speaker Johnson... I'll graciously withhold comment... 🙄)
Not back then; that obviously, was his first visit to the area, because entertainers stayed in the big, yellow, two-story “rooming house” across the street from me. Bobby Blue Bland, Little Jr Parker, Howling Wolf—they all came there. On a Friday afternoon, someone’s bus would pull up and people would unload. My mother would comment on who was who. It was 1950-1952, the years I had those experiences (4-6), because we moved. Where I lived in California (1963-64), Sam and singer, Mel Carter (“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”), on separate occasions, would drive past the house in their convertibles. Blacks lived amongst, or in the vicinity each other, because your money could only take you so far. However, Sam Cooke, Ed Townsend and Marvin Gaye, were close friends to my hairstylist and singer, Theola Kilgore (“The Love of My Man”). They frequented her home. Sam had just purchased a new, red, sports car, had taken it by for her to see it, that Friday evening. Saturday night, those events occurred. I attended his funeral with her. Marvin had just visited a few days, before his demise. His story is just too sad to tell. I never knew him personally, only of certain events. I saw him once in the salon, but he was in and out. Now, Little Richard, I saw several times, as his hairstylist was in the same salon, adjacent to Theola’. She called him over to introduce him to me. He was loud, funny and talked about people laughing at his song, “Tutti Frutti.” He said, “They can laugh all they want, Tutti Fruitti” bought me my first home.” Beautiful skin, very handsome, and regular. Those are just a few of my stories. They are memories from years ago-some sad- but happy to share.
My Queen, Speaker Johnson may become the ArkLaTex's biggest disappointment when future historians are through with him!
My Queen, Speaker Johnson may become the ArkLaTex's biggest disappointment when future historians are through with him!
It is about time , but change is always ontime no matter when it happens
Awesome read Ari, thanks for sharing your thoughts ❤️❤️❤️
Such a great summary and commentary. Thank you and am glad you could attend. Love your show.
"Americans have long shown they are fine with a type of diversity for their entertainment, or sports, but not when it comes to their boss, colleagues, or their children’s schools." Maybe that's because excellence is entertainment and sports is more visible, on every form of media, and is more easily understood. Seeing excellence in a school with diverse faculty is subtle; excellence in work settings with diverse workers is also subtle, and behind the scenes. Maybe that's why having Black History month, Pride month, etc. is so important.
Black history I taught to second and third graders ! Also, in February we talked about man’ inhumanity to man, like China building the Great Wall, Armenians and the Holocaust!!
The Grammies this year were quite wonderful. It was great that rap was given it’s rightful place just goes to show how important is to the fiber of our nation. Too bad politicians don’t realize it.
Hey Ari, thanks for sharing your Grammys experience. Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé’s Grammy win was everything…well deserved for both😃😃😃
Thank you for sharing your insight and your take away from this year's Grammys. Alicia Keys was on point. "Diversity is a Gift."
You have done such great work in the hip hop community by giving light to its unique poetic rhythm. Kendrick Lamar's "Not like us." Is remarkable, it's resonates as a powerfull entry into the mainstream. Rappers on TV? Ari, this was a win for you too. Thank you for sharing your focus with us.
Hey Ari trying to follow you on Substack rather than FB. I was following an Ari FB clone but I got very disappointed I couldn’t accept that a fellow political scientist would answer questions like that so I hope that I connect with you here as I have been following you forever.
My late husband was a card carrying Equity member until his death, even when he changed careers. Artists matter! BTW, I grew up in Seattle and was a Public Defender in King County until I retired. Thanks for all you do Ari—we are proud to call you our native son.