“The more you say I can’t say something, the more urgent it is for me to say it. It has nothing to do with what you are saying I can’t say. It has everything to do with my freedom of artistic expression.” – Dave Chappelle 

Dispatches from the Front

This is my attempt at collecting and disseminating a weekly dispatch on what I’m thinking about, the conversations I’m having, the music I’m listening to, the shows I’m watching, and the books/articles I’m reading. I’m stealing the template from my good friend and fellow gym owner Craig Howard of Diablo CrossFit. 

Thoughts:

First Amendment – “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Communication will be the only bridge we can use to decrease the divisiveness and animosity in this country. Hot button topics like abortion and gun control are prevalent in the news and are being used to drive bigger wedges between the two sides. 

The more divisive the topic, the more important it is to ask the opinion of someone that doesn’t agree with your opinion. The hard part is to actually listen to what they’re saying and present your belief without it erupting into a personal attack. 

When these issues come up we often retreat into our own echo chamber and only talk about them with people that have the same views. Or we simply don’t discuss them at all with the opposing side for fear that we will offend them or they will offend us. 

We have the first amendment for a reason – utilize it, learn from others, and have the courage to have hard talks without letting emotions cloud your reasoning. 

Watch: Dave Chappelle’s What’s in a Name on Netflix – this is a speech Dave gave during the renaming ceremony at his alma mater, Duke Ellington School of Arts in Washington D.C. last month. It’s not so much standup but more about the importance of protecting and promoting free speech especially as it relates to artistic freedom. 

Listen: Year of the Buffalo – two dudes from Ohio that I’m currently playing on repeat. The Ohio River is a must add to any playlist. 

Read: The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains – this a must read if you want to understand the neurochemistry behind “the corporate scheme to sell pleasure, driving the international epidemic of addiction, depression, and chronic disease.”

Move: “Kelly”

5 rounds for time of:

Run 400 meters

30 box jumps

30 wall-ball shots

♀ 20-inch box, 14-lb. ball

♂ 24-inch box, 20-lb. Ball

*This is a good one – with nowhere to hide. I ended up doing step ups for box jumps and broke my wall balls into two sets of 15 and did the last set unbroken. 

Live your dream,

Dale