An artist’s job is to slow down, look hard and listen closely. I became an artist. I looked and listened hard – and what I learned is that mostly: Folks are doing the best they can. And still, so many suffered. I wanted to help, so I became a philanthropist. We founded Together Rising. Along with you we’ve raised 11 million dollars in 6 years for suffering folks abroad and at home – folks like refugees, veterans, single dads, sick babies, homeless teens, addicts, trafficked mamas, prisoners, foster kids – you know how long the list is. The Together Rising…

TODAY, TOGETHER WE ARE GOING TO SHOW UP FOR SIXTY LITTLE ONES – AGED TWELVE MONTHS TO TEN YEARS – WHO HAVE BEEN TORN AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES, AND ARE SITTING TRAUMATIZED AND ALONE IN A DETENTION CENTER IN ARIZONA.   But first, a summary on what we have learned.  There are two separate issues being conflated in the news: 1) HERE IS WHAT IS NEW, AND UNDENIABLY HORRIFIC: Our government has changed its policy about families who cross the border, and it is resulting in families being torn apart.   Historically speaking, with few exceptions, the U.S. has treated immigration violations as…

I woke this morning to reports of the Syrian devastation. I saw the little ones’ terrified faces. I saw mothers and fathers who have spent their lives fleeing- fleeing once again. I am here to tell you that my first response was: Nope. I’m done. This is just too effing much. I changed the channel to House Hunters. Then I sat on the couch and thought: What if that was Abby and me fleeing? What if those were Chase and Tish and Amma’s terrified faces? And what if another mother — across the globe — saw us and decided our…