Christina Nathanson, MBA’s Post

I may be missing something. Or maybe it is just me, but The Head of the International Slavery Museum accepting an OBE does not make sense. There is: 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Britain wasn't just a participant in slavery - it was a driving force, profiting massively from human suffering for centuries. 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: How can you lead an institution dedicated to exposing the horrors of slavery while accepting an honour explicitly celebrating the "British Empire"? 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲: As an executive coach, I have so many questions. What message does this send to staff, stakeholders, and the communities affected by slavery's legacy? 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲: What possible justification exists for this? How do you square this circle without betraying your institution's principles? 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Was this not a missed opportunity to decline, sparking a vital conversation about how we reckon with our past? Leaders, especially in culturally significant roles, don't just manage - they set the moral tone. Their actions ripple far beyond office walls. What kind of justification could there be for this decision? How does this align with the museum's mission and the communities it serves? Am I missing something crucial here?

I felt compelled this morning to record a video. Instead, I'm posting this one. I was listening to the radio on my way home from morning prayers. Steve Inskeep of NPR was interviewing an Iranian official. Predictably, it was the same tired tropes: "Why is the world complaining about 1400 dead Israelis when 7000 Gazans have been killed?" "Of course Hamas wants to give back the hostages, but why should they when Israel is bombing their country?" Thankfully, Mr. Inskeep was having none of it. NPR has never been a friend of Israel. Neither has the BBC or CNN. Yet the intellectual dishonesty of those who defend Hamas has proven too much for even them to take. The absurdity of this attempt at moral equivalence is not the issue. The issue is that so many accept these rhetorical contortions as rational, logical, and justification for continued inhumanity. It's appalling to see streets around the world overflowing with demonstrators marching in solidarity with Hamas leaders who not only perpetrate malicious violence against Jews but who are also responsible for the suffering of their own people. Where is the outrage against them? Where is the context that exposes them as the heinous criminals that they are? Fortunately, the majority of the world has not lost its moral clarity. 5000 Catholics marched in support of Israel. Individuals and groups representing every ethnicity and nationality are speaking out against the perverse endorsement of terror. The American government is still on our side. But Jewish history teaches that all this can change in an instant. Again and again, our friends have become our enemies overnight. So remember truth. Remember justice. Remember that those who shout the loudest often have the least to say. Pray for hostages. Pray for the civilians of Gaza. And most of all, pray that the world recognizes terrorism for the pure evil that it is. Pray that the international community finds the will to bring its full weight down upon those responsible for so much needless human suffering. Pray that we don't lose our own humanity in the war against evil. #truth #justice #humanrights #ethics #standwithisrael

"What does a National/ACT government mean for the [NZ] creative community and what do you think should be their arts, culture and heritage priority?" - The question posed to creative thought leaders, including yours truly, by The Big Idea I Te Ariā Nui A good read for responses, and calls to action for all who value arts, culture, creativity and ngā toi Māori in their lives! https://lnkd.in/dhAufhJ2

It's a question that often weighs heavily on the hearts and minds of many: how can we place our trust in the hands of leaders who, at times, seem to prioritize their own ambitions over the greater good of humanity? While the majority of people seek peace, harmony, and cooperation, there are inevitably those who seek power, dominance, and control. In the complex tapestry of global politics, we witness a myriad of leaders with diverse ideologies, agendas, and motivations. While some genuinely strive to uplift their nations and foster international cooperation, others succumb to the allure of power and pursue agendas that serve their own interests above all else. Yet, amidst this dichotomy, there remains a glimmer of hope. For every leader who seeks to exploit their position for personal gain, there are countless individuals who champion compassion, empathy, and justice. These are the voices of the people, the advocates for peace, and the guardians of integrity. It is in the collective strength of these voices that we find solace and inspiration. By standing together, united in our shared values and aspirations, we can hold our leaders to account and demand transparency, accountability, and ethical governance. We can strive to create a world where the few who seek more than their fair share are held in check by the many who believe in the power of unity, empathy, and cooperation. In the face of adversity, let us not lose faith in the inherent goodness of humanity. Let us continue to believe in the potential for positive change and work tirelessly to build a future where all people, regardless of their station or status, can thrive in peace and harmony.

#CulturalLandTrust - a great idea cities everywhere should support and learn from, as arts and culture organizations fight for survival, and space, in places dominated by exclusionary market pressures. #Mayors take note of the progress, and continued precarity, arts & culture org's are facing - creatively, legally and financially - in BC. https://lnkd.in/gisBvtcc

Our work is radically inclusive – removing the studio rental costs which prevent many visual and performing artists and musicians from practising and progressing their careers. Artists already face huge barriers in developing their careers, even getting the chance to make work is a struggle when costs keep going up, opportunities are becoming scarce and incomes are meagre and unpredictable. If we want all kinds of artists to do more than just survive - then the decision-makers are going to need to think beyond short-term measures and have the courage and confidence to properly invest in the wider cultural infrastructure that supports them, the cultural infrastructure that is often less visible, but ever more essential.

Learn about ‘first impressions’ from Eliz Nestorov, one of my co-contributors in Empowering Humanity Magazine™. “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. First impressions are really tough to change because, once formed, we typically do not search for evidence to change that initial conclusion. What we look for is validation of our initial opinion, not contrary evidence.” ~ Eliz Nestorov, Founder and CEO of AKAEVA Consulting, LLC shares powerful insight on “Why First Impressions Matter.” To read Eliz’s impressive full article, click on this link https://rb.gy/e6xbbu and get your FREE access to Empowering Humanity Magazine™ Now!

https://lnkd.in/evnnwB63 https://lnkd.in/eCS4SSEC From the glamour of Hollywood to the raw reality of life. The discussion surrounding the greatness of America is an incredibly engaging and thought-provoking subject in today's discourse. The clip of actor Jeff Daniels passionately elucidating why America is not as great as it once was has captivated the hearts of many. However, it concludes with a poignant reflection on the glorious history that once defined our nation. In a passionate discussion, Ben Shapiro effectively explains the enduring greatness of America, leaving no room for doubt or uncertainty. The essence that resonated with me from both of these clips was the appreciation of individuality and the embrace of personal accountability. Americans possess an incredible potential for embracing responsibility, yet at times, we may find ourselves overly reliant on external sources, such as technology, fellow individuals, and even our esteemed US government, which may exhibit a certain degree of reluctance. Change is an undeniable force that sweeps through our lives, shaping our destinies and molding our realities. As Americans, it is of utmost importance that we embrace self-reliance as the key to our prosperity and growth in this ever-evolving world. At an early age, it is crucial that we are instilled with the fundamental principles that shape our character - integrity, accountability, innovation, passion, humility, and respect. These core values, coupled with the guiding light of religion, serve as our moral compass, propelling us towards a path of growth and enabling us to make a profound and uplifting difference in society. Without a steadfast commitment to a cause, our nation shall inevitably succumb to any and all influences. 

I want to apologize and share something - in the last month, I've been unable to write any professional updates for 1 simple reason - every example that comes up drifts back to the situations Jews around and world and Israel face now, in the war with Hamas, the global rise in Anti-Semitism and the pure complexity (unpredictability) of the ongoing war and global tensions. As a Product Manager, I face complexity on a daily basis, but my usual tool to explain things, of analogy and metaphors, has been filled to the brim with examples from October 7th and on. My "cup" is full. For example, some people were upset the army and the government in Israel did very little on the morning of October 7th. What they weren't aware of is that on that fateful morning, many different individuals made many different decisions - to prevent or mitigate the horror. Despite our expectations that there's a single organizing body, in fact, there are many, loosely and strongly connected groups and individuals that make their own decisions that mostly defines a situation or life in general. Many individual fighters and units reacted in their own way and rushed to the scene of the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust. Their stories would go untold until weeks later. Many stories of civilian and military bravery underscore the response - it's not a single top-down response (that took place one IDF finally took the fight into Gaza on the ground), but many localized responses - this is what usually happens in life. This stresses the importance of community leadership, individual preparedness - all the things that Americans sometimes dismiss, some take too seriously, but everyone should worry about. Tim Kennedy summed it up best on his recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience. Give it a listen yourselves. He talks about being able to defend yourself and your family, but also being knowledgeable enough to not be misled. https://lnkd.in/dR6iAtjp

From the Deep: In the Wake of Drexciya with Ayana V. Jackson The passage discussing the art exhibition featuring Ayana V. Jackson's work provides an opportunity to loosely connect to the #EndtheException. The exhibition delves into a historical narrative associated with the transatlantic slave trade, specifically the tragic fate of pregnant women thrown overboard or who voluntarily jumped into the ocean during that horrific period. This narrative represents an exception to the broader history of human rights and social justice, as it reflects the brutality and inhumanity of the slave trade. In this context, we can view the #EndtheException as a call to reckon with and address such exceptional historical atrocities, working towards a world where such injustices are no longer tolerated. While this connection is not direct and the exhibition primarily explores themes related to art, culture, and history, it demonstrates the power of art to provoke reflection and discussions about critical issues, including the need to confront and learn from the darkest chapters of our past, ultimately working toward a more just and equitable future. One of the images in the exhibit that stood out to me, also shows the barbarism of slavery.