Integrity is always an issue because the balance of justice is swayed by one’s thoughts and actions, as one thinks so is he in his heart. “Truth forever on the scaffold wrong forever on the throne” are very powerful words from James Russell Lowell’s (18191891) long and searing long poem “The Present Crisis!” Poured out upon the world, like casting steel from a hearth, then as now, those words mirror America’s “crisis today.” I challenge America’s stout-hearted leaders to read Lowell’s prophetic words, as they ponder Congressman-elect George Santo fate as a sitting member of such a deliberative body.

Words and actions are all one has to judge “integrity,” as well as the intent of individuals. The truth Rep. Adam Schiff told the world, during Trump’s impeachment trial, “Trump is a man without a moral compass therefore he will never find his way to truth,” is apparent Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans are even more at fault today for the threat to American democracy, because they had truth before their eyes and accepted lies in order to maintain political power. That is where the nation is today and again Republicans are faced with accepting lies over truth. They could have spared the nation much of the pain, death and loss of Americans’ sense of safety, but instead voted to support lies and American citizens are paying the cost of their cowardice!

I raise the issue of “integrity” because it continues to be conspicuously absent in the Republican Party and among Donald Trump’s MAGA-mob. My concern is not for the hardened liars in the Republican Party but young voting Americans who may come to see and believe truth has no values and lies are the currency of political speech. All politicians regardless of party should be conscious of the tinder and fragile state of democracy and the impact such examples have on impressionable young people coming into the political process.

This topic is particularly relevant for me beyond Santos, because I received an invite to speak at a community forum in Denver, Colo. The invite is from Helanius J. Wilkins creative research, whose projects are rooted in the interconnections of American contemporary performance, cultural history and identities of Black men. He examines the race dancing body and the ways that ritual can access forms of knowledge. Intrigued by ideas about indeterminacy in creative process and performance, he approaches performance and pedagogy as means of reframing perspectives, creative practices and technical training.

In his inter-media collaborations, he works with artists from a wide range of disciplines, including film, video and design. Helanius is a choreographer and performing artist, heading a multiyear project that has garnered support from multiple organizations including, but not limited to, the National Education Association (NEA), National Performance Network (NPN), Colorado Creative Industries, Boulder County Arts Alliance (BCAA), and the University of Colorado Boulder. His project requires him to travel to all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and inhabited territories with the aim of realizing specific arts and humanities-based media outcomes.

Emerging from The Conversation Series: Stitching the Geopolitical Quilt to Re-Body Belonging is an MLK Day event titled Mile 18: One Year Later… A Conversation on the Labor & Love of Belonging, I will join Helanius in “a one-on-one conversation for this free community event that honors and celebrates Dr. Martin L. King Jr. and revisits – and continues – last year’s Mile 17 conversation from a different perspective. This event will offer a brave and courageous space that brings together intergenerational members of the Denver metro area and others to reflect on stories that inform our sense of belonging and community today, and dreams for a better future.

The event will also include a Q&A segment with audience participants. My role as a panelist is a “discussion to celebrate and honor King over the holiday by offering a brave and courageous space that brings together intergenerational members of the Denver-metro area and others to reflect on stories that inform our sense of belonging and community today, and dreams for a better future. The event will also include a Q&A segment with audience-participants.

On my last trip to Denver (7/1219/22) sponsored by Louise Martorano, director at RedLine Contemporary Arts Center Gallery, as part of “Floyd Tunson’s Ascent”, a major art exhibit, she introduced me to Dr. Paul L. Hamilton.

Hamilton is a distinguished historian emeritus and author of “African People’s Contributions to World Civilizations: Shattering the Myths!” Hamilton regaled me with stories of his African and European adventures throughout his life. His enlightening words were only the beginning of this amazing encounter, because he showed me the result of his life and joy: collecting African artifacts of all types. For me my visual experience was more of a spiritual encounter than a walkthrough.

My quandary, after such an enlightening experience was, “Why isn’t Dr. Hamilton’s collection housed in a museum like the Smithsonian or some local facility or depository?” Louise Martorano informed me that there are those in Denver working to do just that, but they need national recognition from the Biden administration. However, I believe the history of African people is seen and reacted to like the “1619 Project,” which became a “CRT” (Critical Race Theory) red herring. Reading Hamilton’s book, again integrity came to the fore. Similar to his art collection, his words cast a shadow over the history European and American scholars have staked their careers upon. Preserving the truth Hamilton’s life reflects, such scholars mimic George Santos and his fabricated life. Consequently, most white Americans prefer lies to truth when things involve race. Republicans accept liars like Santos because his lies give them a political advantage and mimic the “lies and damn lies” Americans cherish. “Truth forever on the scaffold wrong forever on the throne!”

John Burl Smith is author of “The 400th From Slavery to Hip Hop!”