Sadly, money often speaks louder than words of wisdom. The words of truth and wisdom are ignored when it comes to violence against women and children. Even SILENCE speaks louder than words of wisdom. This week, though, there was no silence. Money did talk. Now we have opportunity to hear the wisdom coming from the voice of Anusha Browne Sanders.

In case you haven’t read, here’s the story http://www.princessdominique.com/blog/2007/10/02/anucha-browne-sanders-wins-116-million-in-punitive-damages-in-sexual-harrassment-lawsuit/

Anusha was a guest on the Today show yesterday. Two statements are lodged in my memory, from that interview:

When asked what made her decide to take a stand, she said it was her realization that she was not alone. She saw the need as greater than herself. That makes it a spiritual issue, in my understanding.

The biggest problem for her was that the officials at Madison Square Garden didn’t respond appropriately. She lost her job in the process, while the perpetrator kept his! No justice at all!

I can identify on all counts. While the perpetrator--ironically another guy with the last name of "Thomas"--is screaming his innocence and getting off without paying punitive damages, Sanders has made her point clearly. As she said on Today, things will change when “leadership decides” they will change. Ultimately, no matter how many voices are raised, the ball really is in the court of power.

Except in how we rise above them to show ourselves to be people with more courage and character than either the perpetrators or the colluders. That’s what I want this blog to address most. How WE do not continue to give power to those in positions of power so that we transcend both the past and present to create a bright future for ourselves and hopefully for our world. 

That, my friends, is transitional diplomacy!