Congress Is Worse Than a School Playground

So what comes to mind when you see one man telling another to “stand your butt up then,” as he challenges him to a physical fight; Or another person remarking that his colleague, who was wearing a blue jacket, “looked like a smurf”; Or a disgruntled former leader elbowing his former friend in the side? No, this was not the playground at an elementary school but actual events that took place inside the United States Congress this week.  Senator (and former MMA fighter) Markwayne Mullin, on a senate panel, challenged a witness to a fight all because the witness had tweeted some unflattering things about the Senator.  On the other side of the building Kentucky Representative James Comer turned to petty insults on his democratic colleague after he brought up an unflattering news article concerning Comer’s family all while former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy allegedly elbowed one of the 8 Republicans who voted to oust him in the side in front of an NPR reporter. “This is embarrassing behavior and beneath the dignity of the office in which they hold.”  Says entertainment executive, producer and attorney Warren D. Robinson, “This type of callow behavior has made the U.S., a nation that holds itself as a beacon in the world, a laughing stock.” Closer to home, Robinson believes it could also spell trouble for House Republicans. “After the debacle of the speaker debate you would think Republicans would be eager to show that they can govern. Though they did avoid a government shutdown the news cycle is instead focused on the juvenile antics of its members. That is not a good recipe to show voters that they can or deserve to lead going forward and with only a 3 seat majority, this could have huge repercussions on if they can or should maintain the House.”

According to a statement, “Entertainment executive and producer, Warren D. Robinson believes that when organizations are willing to have open and honest conversations about race and their own bias they can commit to meaningful change. We have seen this recently in the form of Hollywood award shows, particularly, the Grammys and the Academy Awards (Oscars). The Recording Academy and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have both taken concrete steps to diversify their ranks and address inherit biases in their voting processes. As a result we have the most diverse crop of award winners/nominees, respectively, we’ve ever seen. Contrast that with the scandal and production shutdown currently at CBS’s The Talk, which resulted because a co-host was unable to properly engage in a conversation about race, address her own bias and commit to doing better. ‘The key part to every conversation’ Warren says, ‘starts with listening. Listening and hearing are different and if you are unable to listen then you are unable to have a conversation.’

 

“Warren D. Robinson, is an avid and accomplished entertainment executive, motivational speaker, host, life coach and award winning producer who created the wildly popular series, Buried by the Bernards, which is currently streaming on Netflix.

 

“Warren has served as an entertainment consultant, manager and producer, facilitating, appearing and negotiating high powered deals on behalf of his clients in front of such companies as: Warner Brothers, BET, CNN, Freemantle, Best Buy, TV ONE, Netflix, Lifetime, Fox News, WE TV, E!, NBC Universal, Viacom and more. In addition, Warren’s entertainment prowess includes coordinating, partnering and/or producing events for: legendary actress Pam Grier, Taraji P Henson, Gabrielle Union, Vivica A Fox, Soul singer Eddie Levert (of the O’Jays), Comedian Mike Epps, Angie Stone, Flavor Flav, the Indianapolis Colts, Donna Joyner-Richardson, Stephanie Mills, Erykah Badu and Tom Joyner among others. Warren graduated from Indiana University (B.A.-Political Science) and Howard University School Of Law (J.D.).”

Learn more about Warren D. Robinson and his work here.

 

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LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN ITS ENTIRETY HERE