I have been blessed to have spent over 30 years in the role of a storyteller.  I have worked for National Geographic, Discovery, History, NBC, FOX, CNN and the list goes on.  My job in the television industry has connected me into communities and cultures most will never have the opportunity to see. 

These aren’t flowery vacation places where I only see what local officials want me to see. Its actually quite the opposite. For months at a time I have been imbedded and lived the daily lives of law enforcement officers, politicians, social workers, coal miners, oil drillers, fisherman, ice road truckers, lumberjacks, log home builders and the list goes on. 

I have come face to face, for months at a time, with a parole system that houses societies most broken people. I’ve seen first hand how damaged and flawed our rehabilitation system is and how an inconceivable 95% recidivism rate irreparably destroys families for generations to come.  I have been trusted to ride along with law enforcement agencies, from State to Federal levels. 

I have filmed, seen, touched, smelled and experienced the effects of unregulated industries that cheat and destroy, forever, our worlds precious and limited resources in the name of increased profit- all the while- hiding within the shadows of political protectionism.

I have been incredibly blessed to have worked abroad.  With that I lived in communities who’s only source of water comes from contaminated puddles in the dirt. These areas aren’t isolated.  Over the last decade I have traveled to Africa, British Columbia, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Mexico, and across our beloved United States.  In each place I have found areas where water is undrinkable or being rationed because it is on the verge of running out.

I have seen children in 3rd world countries who go to school in adobe huts with no windows, air conditioning or even electricity.  You would be amazed to know that these impoverished children are extremely well educated, already speak three languages by the 6th grade and solve complex economic problems most American high schoolers couldn’t conceive of. 

I have also experienced, first hand, the effects of poaching in these poverty stricken countries and how corrupt politicians bow to the practice of bribery to facilitate such horrifying practices to amuse the whims of rich exotic game hunters.

All these examples have afforded me a unique perspective into the WORLD in which we live in. I believe my viewpoint comes from a collective that is much larger than the radius of a home town or whatever political agenda may be popular at the time.

Looking back at my 50+ years on this planet I never considered myself to be a political person. I never took a political side. I did not vote regularly, and when I did, I simply voted for the best candidate no matter which party they represented. Since the election of our 45th president,  I have found it most difficult to separate myself from politics.   Politics, for the first time, has been thrust into my life and core beliefs. In the beginning I admit I made some horrible mistakes in communicating and articulating my positions.  For that I apologize.

I am sad to say that, over the past few years, I have lost relationships with dear friends and even family members for taking the position of protecting the environment and standing up for the rights of ALL people. Some call me controversial for these most basic fundamental positions. So be it. 

Honestly, I grow weary of being called a “bleeding heart”.  Should I be chastised because I care deeply about the environment and believe that my daughter should not be degraded, but empowered with equal opportunities and without harassment throughout her lifetime?

These beliefs do not make me either a democrat or republican or an enemy. I am simply a concerned and enlightened citizen. I believe each person stands on their own merit and should NOT be judged as a part of a larger group because of the color of their skin or shape of their eyes. I despise how politics have divided America and have so many pointing fingers instead of finding solutions as a collective.

So much has been said about our flag and the respect of it.  I agree with what it represents and all of us who cherish its symbolism, but stop for a second and think about our pledge of allegiance. “One Nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty, and justice for all”. Is this truly what America’s flag stands for today? For you, maybe, but obviously not for all Americans or they would not be taking a stand.

Let’s, for a moment break that pledge apart. Yes, we are one Nation but incredibly divided.  Every day our liberties are being eroded and trampled. And justice? Not for all Americans.  Perhaps that’s why so many are standing in unity.  As Americans everyone has the right to PEACEFULLY protest, even if it makes others uncomfortable. That’s what our veterans fought and died for, including the grandfather I never got to meet because his plane was shot down returning from war. Those heroes gave us that right. I thank each and every one of our veterans for their ultimate sacrifice and will honor them by exercising my right to vote, in every election, from this day forward.

We, as a country, can continue to divide and be comfortable in our little circles,  throwing insults and threats at others if they say something you may not want to hear…Or, we can come together, and break through the mindless rants of wayward leaders that promise something they can’t deliver (both parties).  We can rise up and open our minds through education and awareness. This is where real effectual change begins.

If you don’t like my positions, that’s fine.  I’ll always listen to an opposing viewpoint without insults. I like to hear reasonable perspectives. In the meantime, I will look forward to trying to find solutions with open minded friends through discussion and eye witness accounts. I have to stand for my values or I stand for nothing. How can I look at my children and waver and amend values that I have instilled in them since birth?  The answer is, I can’t.  

I leave you with something an Ethiopian man told me some time back during my travels.
“What you do today ripples through eternity”.

Byron Goggin