What I Think About What Other People Say (WITAWOPS)

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet” --William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet History—and the labels we use to describe it—often depends on who is telling the story and what narrative they are trying to promote. From rebels to revolutionaries, pirates to privateers, or reformers to radicalists, the same actions can be framed very differently depending on perspective and intent. What Do I Think?  Consider two examples: The forces that fought the Syrian Government in late 2024, or the British in Boston in 1773 were rebels challenging established order. But to their supporters at the time, and to the world later on, they were revolutionaries acting against tyranny. In both cases, the distinction between "rebel" and "revolutionary" shifted depending on who was writing the history. The line between piracy and privateering is equally malleable, only distinguished by the author’s perspective. The famous pirate, Blackbear...

Portland’s Summer of Rage, coffee shop boycotts, and university campus protests are recent examples of Americans attempting to influence a particular outcome. But were they successful? Today I offer a recent practical example of a successful boycott. "Our audacious, innovative, and patient actions, backed by USAID and the U.S. ambassador to Kenya, offered a twenty-first-century example of a successful, peaceful protest. I reaffirmed what history had taught me, that organized campaigns, grounded in economic impact, are more powerful than standalone protests." -Galeeb Kachra, 2021 What Do I Think? Were recent protests as successful as the lunch room boycotts in the 1960s that led to the civil rights movement in the American south or Gandhi’s 1930s salt march in India that led to Indian independence? In 2009, I had the opportunity to help apply the lunch room and salt march lessons to help Kenyan youth stop the illegal development of a public park. The Illegal Grab “Taifa Park, ...

There is heightened interest in the inefficiencies of the executive branch of the federal government. Today, I unravel some of these inefficiencies using a recent fish farm example.  U.S. Court of Appeals , 5th Circuit, 2020 : “Harvesting,”  we  are  told,  implies  gathering  crops,  and  in  aquaculture  the  fish  are  the  crop.  That  is  a  slippery  basis  for  empowering  an  agency  to  create  an  entire  industry  the  statute does not even mention. We will not bite”    Natural predator guards a tilapia fish farm in Lake Victoria, Uganda The Problem There is heightened interest in the inefficiencies of the executive branch of the federal government. All organizations—whether private, governmental, or non-profit—must engage in continuous optimization to stay effective. They may achieve this through internal reforms...

In my opinion, the infamous Bob Marley, singer extraordinaire, sent us astray with this song Buffalo Soldier.   “Said he was a Buffalo Soldier - Win the war for America - Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta -Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival” -- Bob Marley, Buffalo Soldier, posthumous release, 1983 What Do I Think? What is the “stench” he refers to, and why do we often overlook its devastating irony?  As with his other songs—War, Exodus, Zimbabwe, Get Up-Stand Up, and Africa Unite—Marley calls attention to the struggles of Africans, urging post-colonial unity. Buffalo Soldier, narrows down on the African American regiments of the U.S. Army. These regiments, created by Congress in 1866, served across the Western U.S., Hawaii, and even Alaska. I think Marley’s lyrics speak directly to the soldiers and their descendants, lambasting them to understand their past. "If you know your history,  Then you would know where you coming from,  Then you wouldn't have to ...

“Galeeb, with your background in Islamic Studies, please explain to my spouse why we, as Muslims, should not be putting up a Christmas tree and celebrating Xmas.”  What Do I Think I used to inwardly wince when I saw decorated Christmas trees in the homes of my western Muslim friends or family. Sure, to each their own—but can you explain why you are bringing a core symbol of a Christian religious holiday into your home? Do you also celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday ? Is your tree reflecting your religious beliefs, or is it driven by social, cultural, national, or capitalist norms? I am a firm believer in intentionality. Act and speak with explicit intention—understand “what” and “why” behind your actions, articulate your reasoning to yourself and others, and remain steadfast in your beliefs. Thus, when someone asked me to explain why a Christmas tree should not belong in a Muslim household, I had to pause. My gut reaction would not suffice; I needed to validate it with logic...

Today I explore whether we can and do forgive past leaders for their mistakes. “ The American administration made many mistakes against other peoples. Will every American citizen, every American soldier be asked: “Why were you with them? Why were you with them?” He will respond, saying that there was an administration, and there were inherent circumstances unique to this time and place that imposed on me to be here. Administrations are making bad decisions. The American people cannot all bear the responsibility.” Foreign Leader, 2021 What I think Unfortunately, as individuals, communities, and nations, we make mistakes—only God is perfect. Sometimes, hopefully, we acknowledge them, learn from them, and take meaningful steps to repent, make amends, and remember. The alternative is to ignore and forget, to follow the ostrich policy .  I don’t enjoy visiting the Washington State Fairgrounds. The venue proudly boasts on its website, “The Washington State Fair Events Center is the large...

In a January 2009 interview, President Obama confirmed that the United States “was the only Western power with no colonial legacy.” Stuart Whatley, a contributing editor for the Huffington Post, wrote “America is not a colonial power” in an unfortunately named article in 2010. What do I think Both President Barack Obama and Stuart Wheatley were entirely mistaken in believing that the United States lacks a colonial legacy, either in the past or at the present time. Our history is a prime example of how facts and truths can be spun, reinterpreted, and ultimately morphed into widely accepted narratives. While school textbooks and our national discourse often present a sanitized version of events, the advent of artificial intelligence offers a quick and simple tool to explore multiple perspectives. Curious about this dynamic, I asked ChatGPT to analyze whether the President's 2009 statement truly reflected historical reality. It said: “Obama's statement highlights America's sel...