By Jake Sasseville

Editor’s note: This post was also published on Rainn Wilson’s SoulPancake.

at around 3P on Thursday, 30 Sept, 2010
yes, the year two-thousand-and-ten
i got a text from the Head of PR for a major AmericanHotel Chain

who was going to be Sponsor

i was expecting a trade deal to go through at any moment
to get free rooms in exchange for promotion
on my RoadTrip 2010 Tour.

the text said:

“Jake – sorry to be bearer of bad news but (the Major Hotel Chain)
has to pass. Happy to brief you why if there’s an interest
and it’s helpful…. wanted to ensure you had the news. Best
of Luck.”

it should be noted that I am quite fond of this PR exec
who works for many brands
and is very good at what he does.

when i returned his call
i was shocked to learn
that my deal, about to be signed off on by the CMOof the Sponsor
was revoked yesterday
because of this Facebook post I put up
after seeing yet another story about the Islamic Center by ground zero
on the Today Show.

my post:

outrageous.
hard to believe
that sensible Americans
especially such an All-American Hotel Chain brand
pulled out because of this.

you see, members of humanity,
if we allow associations between Religion and Terrorism
to be held in the same conversation
as if it is “normal” and “safe” and “relevant” conversation
to be had
as is the case with the
Islamic Center in NYC
this will ultimately lead to the demise
of humanity.

the conversation must be elevated
the Hotel Chain says it prefers complacency.
apathy paved the way to the holocaust.

rarely do i engage in political discussions
i find them divisive and anti-Unity

this is more than a political discussion
this is a discussion about Humanity
forward moving Thoughts and Actions
to heal the wounds and transcend the anger
to Love.