COVID-19 got into our household during the holidays. We had a small gathering on Christmas of only immediate family, and within a few days we all had the virus. We still don’t know how we got infected. While most of us were lucky enough to have only mild symptoms, it was still very scary. Six months ago, I didn’t know anyone personally who had contracted the virus – today I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched by a COVID-related death. I’m afraid we have a long way to go with this pandemic. The vaccine rollout has been slow, especially in California, and with the virus mutating, there is a lot more uncertainty.
I still think 2021 will be far better than 2020, but concerts, live sporting events, large conferences and busy restaurants might be further away than we had hoped. Having the virus and surviving it only intensified my conviction that our health and safety must come first. Everything else can be replaced when we get to the other side of this. From a risk versus reward standpoint, I am glad schools will be open in the Fall. There are only so much our kids can take, but we all need to do our part to be safe and responsible. Please wear a mask!
The attacks on DEI were never really about fairness, merit, or excellence. In this episode, I use a recent public moment to unpack what this debate is actually about — who gets recognized, who gets overlooked, and why so many people in power are threatened by any effort to widen access and opportunity. This is a conversation about merit, history, and the forces that try to preserve the status quo. The pendulum always swings, and when it does, people remember who stood where.
I saw a video recently that made me both angry and a little sad — people saying that even though they’re citizens, they don’t feel American. I understand the pain behind that feeling. But I also believe something important: America doesn’t belong to a narrow group of people, and it never has. Too often, we allow small-minded voices to define who “counts.” In this episode, I talk about identity, ownership, and why no one gets to tell you that this country isn’t yours. If you contribute to it, believe in it, and are willing to stand up for it, America belongs to you — just as much as anyone else.
Some are openly saying that immigrants make America weaker, not stronger — but the data tells a different story. Immigrants bring work ethic, entrepreneurship, and a deep appreciation for opportunity. Latino immigrants who have lived in the United States for more than 10 years have higher homeownership rates and higher net worth, and their children achieve higher levels of educational attainment. At a time when demographic decline threatens long-term growth, immigrants bring youth, household formation, and economic momentum. Meanwhile, countries with strict immigration policies are facing aging populations and stagnant economies. Immigration isn’t a weakness — it’s one of America’s greatest strengths.