For years, we were told a story about ourselves. That we were divided. That we were hateful. That neighbor was against neighbor. That the color of our skin defined us.  That we were racist and needed to atone for our sin of racism.

And I never bought it.  Everywhere I went, I kept looking… just to see if it was true. Grocery stores. Airports. Ball games. Right here at home in Jacksonville.

And you know what I saw?  Kindness. People helping people. Giving to others in need.  Smiling. Holding doors. Showing grace.  And even rescuing dogs and cats off the streets!!

Were there a few ugly moments? Absolutely!!

But they weren’t the majority. Not even close.  The majority of Americans are good people who care for each other and cry when they sing the national anthem!!

So why were we told otherwise?

That’s the question more people are finally starting to ask — especially after this week.

A federal grand jury has now indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the allegations are stunning. According to the official Department of Justice press release, donor money was allegedly funneled to individuals tied to extremist groups — the very groups the organization claimed to fight.

Read the DOJ press release here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdal/pr/federal-grand-jury-charges-southern-poverty-law-center-wire-fraud-false-statements-and

Even more striking were the words from the Attorney General:

“The SPLC is manufacturing racism to justify its existence.”

And from prosecutors:

Funds were diverted to “benefit individuals and groups they claimed to oppose.”

If these allegations prove true, it means something many Americans felt deep down wasn’t just instinct — it was reality. That maybe… just maybe… we were being told a version of America that didn’t actually exist in our day-to-day lives.

But here’s the part that matters most:  It didn’t work.  They tried to divide the majority — and the majority held the line.

We kept showing up for each other. We kept being kind. We kept believing that our neighbors were not our enemies.

And yesterday’s news proved us right.  That hateful narrative is cracking.  And the scripture was right, “the Truth will set us free.” 

And now that truth has been unleashed we are hopeful we will finally be free of the hateful rhetoric the media throws out every day and they will be held accountable for being the mouthpiece of these “manufacturing racism groups.” 

The reality is this:  I don’t hate you. You don’t hate me.

So maybe it’s time we do something about it.

Turn off the noise that profits from outrage.
Stop funding organizations that talk about unity but thrive on division.
Pay attention — not just to what they say, but to what they do.

If their mission is healing, but their actions keep telling you hate is everywhere… they speak with “forked tongue!”

It’s time to take back the story of America from the loud minority.  And rebuild something stronger — a country where families can raise their children without being taught to fear each other… where classrooms inspire, not divide… where our screens don’t constantly tell us we’re enemies… and where our government servants protect the goodness that still lives in everyday Americans.

The truth has set us free.  Now you choose what you can do to spread it and Make Americans Respected Again.

God bless you my fellow Americans.  Have a great weekend and you might want to sing this song as you go about your activities! It says it all.