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Richard Fowler is a TV commentator, radio host, and millennial messaging expert who contributes to the Fox News Channel. He is also a first-generation American who is both gay and Black.
Richard is passionate about sharing stories that cross the political divide to unite humanity over shared lived experiences. He shares why our voices can be powerful tools in this episode of Motivational Mondays.
HOW RICHARD BECAME INTERESTED IN POLITICS
Richard’s mom came to America with $100 and a suitcase. She is the epitome of the American dream. She worked tooth and nail to ensure that her children’s lives would be better than her own. But she also believed that the American dream came with responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is being part of American democracy.
In 1992, as a young child, Richard remembers going with her to vote and how many people put their lives on the line to obtain the right to do so. She instilled in him the belief that you should always fight to ensure that he retains this right. That was the beginning of Richard’s political experience. And as soon as he could get involved in the process, he did.
WHY MINORITIES NEED TO BE POLITICALLY ACTIVE
Richard is a Black, gay, First-Generation American. He believes those intersections allow him to be the ultimate storyteller because he sees the world through many different layers. His mom taught him that you must endure the difficult things in life because the easy way out isn’t okay. When you take the easy way out, you don’t have a seat at the table.
Your power might be voting. It might be showing up at a protest. It might be going to a city council meeting and getting your voice heard. But if you choose to sit out, the generations after you have to work harder.
WHY YOU MUST USE YOUR VOICE TO FIGHT BACK
Every night in Chicago, a Black mother loses a child to gun violence. In places like Arkansas and Oklahoma, mothers are losing their children to the opioid crisis. Both of these mothers should unite together against government neglect. They’re both victims of a government that has failed them.
Richard believes that sharing stories like these unites us. When you tell a story, you share people’s lived experiences, allowing you to see their humanity. And when you see someone as a human, it makes a world of difference.
Richard believes that the power of story moves invisible boxes that divide humanity out of the way. He emphasizes that humans must look each other in the eye and see that there’s more that unites them than divides them.
Listen to this episode to learn about...
- [0:50] How Richard became interested in American politics
- [4:53] Why minorities need to be active in the political process
- [8:58] Being a Black American in the LGBTQIA community
- [13:03] Why people vote political oppressors into power
- [17:22] Why you must use your voice to fight back
Listen to the bonus episode to learn the importance of considering perspectives and why listening is the key to better understanding.
Resources:
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Connect with Richard Fowler on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
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Check out other Motivational Mondays episodes
