“It’s policy,” is something that is thrown around by leaders of organizations and the people that follow them. In school, children are taught to follow the rules and to not question those in authority. At home, when our children question “why,” we tell them, “because I said so.” At work, supervisors will say, “I know. It doesn’t make sense, but it’s policy,” as they enforce actions that may be unethical, discriminatory, and harmful. Where does this lead us as a society? How does not being allowed to question someone in authority impact us as a people?
“Anything with real moral substance can withstand being questioned and scrutinized”
Those who are a victim of censorship or unethical policy and the middle leaders that enforce those policies lose a part of the “light that makes them shine.” Many good people fall into the trap of doing the “dirty work” for those who place money or power over what is right for others. When we submit to what we know is wrong, out of fear of being fired, shamed or hurt, we lose part of that flame that burns inside each one of us. The cost of that “dimming of our light” and purpose is much greater than the repercussions from people and organizations that want unrighteous control. You have purpose. You have power. And, you have a freedom that no-one can take away from you, unless you let them. For those that baulk at those statements, take time to watch Braveheart and similar movies and true stories that stir something in us that that speaks to this truth.
One of the largest signs of an abusive situation is when questioning or the presentation of an opposing view is immediately shut down. This is often followed by censorship and isolation that is followed with propaganda, said with such authority that it leads individuals to question their own opinion. What was once known as fact by the victim soon becomes an idea that they now feel may be wrong. When we witness this happen to another person or group of people, we should not remain silent. It IS our business. Unethical actions that don’t appear to impact us in one particular situation will drastically impact us in another, while creating division among all of us that are being taken advantage of. Trying to suppress the entire population is difficult, but taking control of one segment at a time is totally achievable if we allow that to happen. History has shown this to be true. We need to answer for ourselves, are we truly acting as “our brother’s keeper?”
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Tactics used by abusive people, dictators, and employers
Censorship is the most revealing tactic that indicates something is wrong. Throughout history, the rise of unrighteous acts begins with censorship. The history of Nazi Germany reveals the impact of censorship in action that was used to suppress any opinion in opposition of those seeking power and control. On May 10, 1933, 25,000 “un-German” books were burned. By 1939, the Nazi regime made listening to foreign radio illegal. In the United States, despite our “freedom of speech,” we have a long history of banning “controversial” books that did not fit the popular narrative at the time. Today, with our society’s dependence on social media for news and information, we have submitted ourselves to the censorship and filtering of information by these organizations that have an agenda that is not based on providing full and accurate information.
When censorship is coupled with propaganda, we the people begin to police ourselves. The real experiences of Betty Mahmoody portrayed in the book and film “Not without my Daughter,” depicts how other suppressed and abused women worked to prevent Betty’s escape from Iran and a very abusive husband. With COVID 19, those that got vaccinated based on mandates, even though they may not have made that decision on their own, have been used to enforce these policies that discriminate and harm others.
The Cancel Culture is another strong example of self policing in action. If you oppose the narrative being pushed, those in control use propaganda to manipulate the people to harass, target, and destroy the careers and lives of those who have had the courage to be non-compliant. Establishing fear allows a small group of people to subdue and control the majority of people that may be in opposition. We become divided, while those pulling the strings take advantage and exploit all of us. With COVID 19, the unvaccinated were shamed, careers have been threatened and lost, people have been denied appropriate medical care and Gas Lighting has been used to make them question their decision to not conform, despite all the real evidence that supports an individual’s choice against personal vaccination and widespread wearing of masks.
Gas Lighting is psychological abuse where a person or group of people are made to question their sanity, memory, judgment or perception of reality. When blatant lies are told with conviction, it can make us question what we know as truth. To maintain communist control in Germany, the Stasi (Secret Police) collected personal information to manipulate those that may threaten the communist party. Those dissenters were banned from higher education, forced into unemployment and ostracized from society. Today, social media plays the role of the Stasi. During the riots at the beginning of the pandemic, different races had very different social media feeds that infiltrated their page that insight division. Racism, something that we hear a lot about today, has a long history of being used as a tool by groups and governments to divide the people. Many times those yelling racism the loudest are the ones perpetrating it the most. Words that incite a reaction like, “you’re racist” or “you’re a conspiracy theorist” are used for a reason. It stops people from expressing their opinion, while inciting the mob mentality upon individuals or groups, even when neither racism nor conspiracy are even remotely connected.
Corporations and institutions that receive government funding, like healthcare and education, or that stand to make a large profit, like pharmaceutical companies, have formed a type of corporate communism as an extension of government that threatens unemployment, being ostracized, isolation, and rights withheld for non-compliance. Non-compliant small businesses risk large fines or shutdowns that can bankrupt a smaller organization. Corporate Gas Lighting occurs with tactics that include blatant inconsistencies. Organization deploying Gas Lighting tactics will put a large emphasis on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. They talk about respecting diverse opinion when it comes to race, age, sex, and sexual orientation, but when it comes to vaccination status or other “non-protected” statuses, micro-aggressions and inequitable treatment is accepted. Those with natural immunity, from having contracted the COVID virus, which protects better than the vaccine, are forced to wear masks and submit negative PCR tests on a daily basis, when those who complied with vaccination do not. This creates a feeling of isolation from the team. A complaint to Human Resources is followed by a delayed response with no resolution. Dissent, is met with threats of unemployment, with clear instruction that the conversations that take place during those “squashing dissent” meetings should not be shared with others outside of the meeting.
To eliminate strength in numbers when opposing views are shared, those opposing views are not discussed in a public forum. The individuals expressing those views are instead isolated in meetings that include more than one interviewer to transfer the balance of power to the organization and away from the individual. Uncomfortable formality is introduced to meetings and procedures. This may include bringing in an outside person, using directives like, “per policy, there is no recording of these conversations,” and refusing to answer specific questions around the policy. These vague, overly formal, and non-specific answers are mentally abusive.
Pit race against race, religion against religion, prejudice against prejudice. Divide and conquer! We must not let that happen here.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
What is the solution?
There is a psychological battle that is lost when we are forced to do or accept something that we know in our hearts is not right. It is the beginning of “Learned Helplessness,” which makes us feel like we do not deserve better and are powerless in the unhealthy situations we have been put in. So, what is the solution?
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Despite how hard it can be to decipher between truth and lies, we all have access to a creator greater than ourselves. God is truth, God is love, and God is perfect. Even without a specific religion or philosophy, a foundation in something greater than yourself will provide the way for incredible things to happen. Some have negative emotions when it comes to God because of those who have used His word to shame or manipulate people in the name of religion. However, when it comes to God, religion and the people who take advantage of others in the name of God, aren’t God. What is most important is our personal relationship with our creator.
If you don’t believe in God in the traditional sense, that’s okay. Listen to that inner voice that helps to decipher right from wrong. Listen to that uneasy feeling that comes in your gut when something occurs that isn’t right. Throughout history, the slow elimination of God has been deliberate in different societies so that government, organizations or people can take the top position of authority over us. When this occurs, it results in a loss of hope and a period of oppression.
First, we should personally work to connect with what is greater than us. Center ourselves in our purpose and life’s mission. Positive Impact & Influence starts here. Consult with our creator through prayer or with that inner voice through meditation. When when we get our answer, even if it’s scary, follow it. The consequences for ignoring or suppressing that voice are worse than what we are threatened with.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
CYFworld stands by a belief that everyone has the ability to lead. The mission of CYFworld is to unite by boldly empowering people with skills and resources that provide the foundation for breakthrough achievement and strong personal connection that is grounded deep in purpose. We must unite in the purpose of looking out, speaking up, and acting in support of “we the people.” We must also develop independence within our communities. Can we survive if our employer or government systems stop? Can we feed ourselves, educate our children, and defend ourselves? Seventy-eight percent of people in the United States live paycheck to paycheck. That is a lot of pressure when being threatened to comply by an employer. CYFworld started by providing a formula that creates a foundation for real impact & influence within our careers, community and home. Throughout the coming months, more tools and resources will be released. A greater movement to unite and stand shoulder to shoulder is starting. Even though we may have different opinions in some areas, we stand united in the things that matter most. Those with strength should look out for the weak. All with a voice should speak up for one another and speak out against those who oppress and abuse. It’s time to stop following the narrative of those who do not have our best interest at the center of what they do. CYF is the flag we wear to Choose our Fate in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Choose your Fate! 
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