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Read Kay Coles James response, from the Heritage Foundation:

Google decided this year to create an advisory council that would help guide the company in the responsible development of artificial intelligence. When the company asked me to join, I agreed, welcoming the opportunity to contribute my perspective as a conservative leader — and to test my thinking with council members who might not necessarily agree with me. Together, I thought, we might be able to make valuable contributions as Google explores an important new frontier of technology.

Like many businesses and nonprofits, my organization, the Heritage Foundation, relies on Google search, YouTube and other Google products to promote our work, to reach audiences and to advance our mission. We’re also concerned about reports alleging that Google suppresses conservative voices and politically skews its search-engine results. It was reassuring to be invited to participate in the AI advisory council — a sign that Google wanted to treat a wide range of viewpoints fairly as it develops new technology. Given the massive control exerted by social media and Internet companies over the information Americans use every day, such broadmindedness is essential.

Unfortunately, some individuals inside and outside the company didn’t share this appreciation for a diversity of viewpoints. That became clear last month after the members of the advisory council were announced. Some Google employees were so alarmed by the prospect of a conservative invading their playground that they started a petition to have me removed from the panel. It gained more than 2,500 signatures.

But the Google employees didn’t just attempt to remove me; they greeted the news of my appointment to the council with name-calling and character assassination. They called me anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ and a bigot. That was an odd one, because I’m a 69-year-old black woman who grew up fighting segregation.

Last week, less than two weeks after the AI advisory council was announced, Google disbanded it. The company has given in to the mentality of a rage mob. How can Google now expect conservatives to defend it against anti-business policies from the left that might threaten its very existence?

I was deeply disappointed to see such a promising idea abandoned, but the episode was about much more than just one company’s response to intolerance from the self-appointed guardians of tolerance.

It was symptomatic of where America is heading. Whether in the streets or online, angry mobs that heckle and threaten are not trying to change hearts and win minds. They’re trying to impose their will through intimidation. In too many corners of American life, there is no longer room for disagreement and civil discourse. Instead, it’s agree or be destroyed.

My fellow advisory-council members have now been deprived of the opportunity to question me about what they might see as the contradiction of my policy views and my absolute unconditional acceptance of every member of the human family. They may not have agreed with me, but they would have understood me better — and I, them. With that, we would have had the opportunity to work together to make better public policy on an exceedingly critical issue.

I believe there are many opportunities for a civil discussion of religious values and how they conflict with other values. Some on the left are willing to engage in such an open-minded debate. But too often those on the left are turning into the very thing they say they despise, using hate and stereotyping to try to silence anyone they regard as an enemy. The public square is becoming so poisonous that good liberals and good conservatives must be wary of coming together to discuss ideas and seek solutions.

Being attacked is not new for me. As a black, conservative, pro-life, evangelical woman, I have spent most of my life being called names and being denounced for my beliefs.

In 1961, at age 12, I was one of two-dozen black children who integrated an all-white junior high school in Richmond. White parents jeered me outside the school, and inside, their kids stuck me with pins, shoved me in the halls and pushed me down the stairs. So when the group of Google employees resorted to calling names and making false accusations because they didn’t want a conservative voice advising the company, the hostility was reminiscent of what I felt back then — that same intolerance for someone who was different from them.

Uncivil discourse is an illness in America. We can do better — we must strive to show the world what a pluralistic society should be, a place where people of different faiths and viewpoints are willing to engage and willing to listen to others, especially when they bring different ideas to the table. From those conversations come a deeper understanding and better policies — and ultimately a better, more civil society for all. (For more excellent commentary like this, visit the Heritage Foundation.)

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Patricia
April 25, 2019

I am happy that you shared your school integration experience. I was white in Arlington va. in jr high . Prayer was removed around the same time. Humanism became god; no more resurrection and no more miracles. Heavenly Father we bind the spirit of a i and loose your identity for is in Jesus name we pray.

Judy
April 23, 2019

Love this grandmother. HONEY,YOU ROCK!

Cheri Risch
April 23, 2019

Dear Kay,
I appreciate your willingness to be involved with civil discourse with those of opposing viewpoints. You are a person of integrity and I pray people from all viewpoints would seek out your perspective & wisdom.

    Mrs D
    April 23, 2019

    AMEN to Cheri’s and Alan’s comments. We must continue to live from a Kingdom perspective: KNOWING that the GLORY of the LORD will, indeed, cover the earth. Regardless of what our physical eyes see, we must choose to see JESUS, the KING of the universe seated and ruling with power and authority that is undiminished. As we seek to LIVE out the Kingdom of GOD perspective as ambassadors, just like JESUS modeled, we MUST do so in the power and love of Holy Spirit, guarding our mouths so that we are not calling forth things that are contrary to GOD’s will and ways. Father GOD, we CHOOSE to live in and reflect Your Presence. We choose to water the fruit of the Spirit which is growing in our lives by constant and consistent communion with You, as Your Word takes precedence in our lives. You are our inspiration as well as our sustenance. We truly desire to know the hearts of the people with whom You cause us to associate and LOVE. We ask for discernment and wisdom in all our relationships so that our actions bespeak a contrite heart that truly is focused on being a tool of deliverance, light and life. Give us ears like Yours that hear the desperate cries for release from bondage and increase our faith to know that Your power and Your goodness are always readily available to all. Your word says that before You spoke there was darkness and chaos. You spoke light into existence and that light is undiminished regardless of the increase of darkness. In fact, Your Word says that where sin abounds, GRACE much more abounds. And, we recognize that facets of grace include revelation, correction, redirection – a repentance that brings renewal. So we call forth civility in our land that turns into compassion and, further, into conquest of good over evil in each of our lives. Help each of us to see the areas in our lives where we may be complicating or contradicting the GOOD NEWS narrative. We speak to the anointing that is upon each member of the body of Christ and say, “ARISE, bubble forth in profusion” so that each of our testimonies provides hope and encouragement to all generations. In surrender to Your will and in honor of the work and Name of JESUS we pray. Amen.

Janet Broling
April 23, 2019

I praise God for placing women — His Women — Fierce Women of Faith — women such as you, Kay, in places of great influence in our world. I praise Him that He has women who will ‘put on the full armor of God and who will stand in the evil day’ (Eph. 6). I pray you will continue to inspire multitudes as you have inspired me. Thank you, Sister.

Alan K. Veasey
April 23, 2019

Amen to the comment above. Thanks to kay Cole James for her service. A praise and thanksgiving offensive will set the evil ones on edge and tatter their interior lines: do it regularly.

Alyson Zurek
April 23, 2019

Thank you Lord for Kay and giving her the strength to stand for you and what is right. May she be blessed beyond measure and continue to stand strong in her faith. I pray Lord that her voice will be heard and that others will see. May her testimony lead others to know you!

Pastor Robert B. Marshall
April 23, 2019

Precious “laborer” Kay, well written….as you have known for many many years, we are at “war” in the spirit world, and it begins from the pit of hell!! Tragically, it will worsen day by day until our precious Lord Jesus returns for His people However, we must always keep in mind what the scripture declares in Matthew 11:12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” Thus the TRUE body of Christ MUST go into spiritual battle using Ephesians 6:10-20 to begin with…especially as you have been consistently doing, keeping in mind verses 19-20. What a gift the Lord God Almighty has blessed you with….be so encouraged with the promise found in 2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to be a strong support for those whose heart is loyal to Him.” And may the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength!

Dorothy Scanlan
April 23, 2019

Dear Kay,
It’s hard to imagine that this is the America we are living in. Our Lord, thank God, did not leave us without Hope. You are a very courageous woman and I admire your solid stance in spite of you mistreatments. Jesus did say that “if they did it to Him, they would do it to us.” I only hope when it come my time for persecution I will have strength like yours. You are in my prayers. God Bless you sweet sister❤️🙏🏼

Elisabeth Culp
April 23, 2019

Wonderful clarity! Thank you for your faithful courage in seeking civil discourse. We are so grateful for your leadership! I have admired you for many years…

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