# Anti-Semetism in Colleges, Amazon Healthcare, & Actor’s Strike Agreement

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 10 Nov 2023, 17 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/1e1feef0-2766-4f54-b717-b4d6016d99b3/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is Pray News: Daily News, Faith Hope. A daily news podcast with a biblical perspective. Listen to today's news episode and beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current news events. Sign up for the Pray News newsletter, and start your day closer to God. Go to Pray News and sign up today. Today’s Good News at a Glance: • There’s an alarming amount of anti-Semitism on college campuses coming from unexpected places. • Amazon, always looking for a new market to dominate, is seeking to bring affordable healthcare to its members. • The month’s long actor’s strike has finally come to an end. Pray News is your number 1 source for the top conservative news given to you daily. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: He has shown you, O man, what is good. What
[0:03] Speaker 1: does the Lord require of you but to act justly,
[0:06] Speaker 1: to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
[0:10] Speaker 1: Micah 6, 8. O Lord, who requires of us to
[0:14] Speaker 1: do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, would
[0:17] Speaker 1: you ingrain these divine precepts deep within our hearts? Would
[0:22] Speaker 1: you guide us into justice, that we might be fair
[0:24] Speaker 1: and equitable in all of our dealings with people, in
[0:27] Speaker 1: our marriages, in our relationships with our children? in our workplaces,
[0:31] Speaker 1: with our friendships. Steep our souls in your mercy, that
[0:35] Speaker 1: your kindness might flow from us in all of our interactions.
[0:39] Speaker 1: Humble our spirits, Lord, that we might walk closely beside you,
[0:42] Speaker 1: discerning your will, seeing the needs of those in our community.
[0:46] Speaker 1: In the daily journey of our lives, may we reflect
[0:50] Speaker 1: these holy attributes, living out your calling, the calling that
[0:53] Speaker 1: you've placed before us. For in these things, we find
[0:56] Speaker 1: the essence of your heart, and we share your love
[0:59] Speaker 1: with the world that so desperately needs it. We trust
[1:02] Speaker 1: you to transform us from the inside out, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
[1:07] Speaker 1: Welcome to Prairie News, where hope is our only bias.
[1:10] Speaker 1: Today's news at a glance, there's an alarming amount of
[1:12] Speaker 1: anti-Semitism on college campuses coming from unexpected places. Amazon, always
[1:17] Speaker 1: looking for a new market to dominate, is seeking to
[1:20] Speaker 1: bring affordable health care to its members. And the months-long
[1:24] Speaker 1: actor strike has finally come to an end. Today, we
[1:27] Speaker 1: reflect on the power of simplicity. Our world is constantly changing,
[1:31] Speaker 1: and the whims of worldly morality are continually shifting. If
[1:35] Speaker 1: we aren't careful, we can be swept up in the
[1:37] Speaker 1: world's fickle approach to ethics. One day this is okay,
[1:40] Speaker 1: and the other day it's not. However, the only way
[1:43] Speaker 1: for us to truly make a long-lasting difference in this
[1:46] Speaker 1: world is by clinging to the Word of God. The
[1:49] Speaker 1: more we meditate on His Word, the more we will
[1:51] Speaker 1: understand true justice, true mercy, true love, and long-lasting humility.
[1:57] Speaker 1: We're glad you're here. We pray today's take on the
[2:00] Speaker 1: news leaves you informed and transformed. If this episode ends
[2:03] Speaker 1: up blessing you, consider sharing it with a friend. And
[2:05] Speaker 1: be sure to follow Pray News so you never have
[2:08] Speaker 1: to miss an episode. Before we get to today's first story,
[2:11] Speaker 1: let's hear a word from these sponsors. In a concerning paradox,
[2:15] Speaker 1: campuses that champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, otherwise known as DEI,
[2:20] Speaker 1: have become arenas where anti-Semitism appears to be gaining ground.
[2:24] Speaker 1: A series of recent incidents underscore a troubling trend in universities.
[2:28] Speaker 1: Jewish students are increasingly facing hostility, not for actions of
[2:33] Speaker 1: their own, but for perceived connections to the state of Israel.
[2:36] Speaker 1: In the wake of the conflict between Israel and Hamas,
[2:38] Speaker 1: Jewish students at colleges are grappling with an alarming increase
[2:42] Speaker 1: in anti-Semitic incidents. These range from verbal harassment to physical assault,
[2:47] Speaker 1: such as being spat upon simply for being Jewish or
[2:50] Speaker 1: claiming support for Israel. These anti-Semitic acts are not necessarily
[2:54] Speaker 1: coming from Palestinian students, racist faculty, or right-wing extremists. They
[2:59] Speaker 1: are coming from liberal groups formed for the purpose of diversity, equity,
[3:03] Speaker 1: and inclusion. The irony here is stark. Initiatives that aim
[3:07] Speaker 1: to foster inclusivity and equity on campuses are coinciding with,
[3:11] Speaker 1: and some argue inadvertently inspiring, a wave of Jewish hatred.
[3:15] Speaker 1: This rise in hostility correlates with an era where DEI
[3:18] Speaker 1: has become a cornerstone of campus life, intended to promote
[3:22] Speaker 1: a safe and inclusive environment for all minorities, yet it
[3:25] Speaker 1: seems to falter when it comes to protecting Jewish students,
[3:28] Speaker 1: perhaps an overcorrection in their support for Palestinians. These groups,
[3:32] Speaker 1: claiming to be bastions of inclusivity and love, have a
[3:35] Speaker 1: confrontational history with people who hold Judeo-Christian values. In an
[3:40] Speaker 1: attempt to veer away from the traditional value structures that
[3:42] Speaker 1: have contributed to the fabric of the United States, for
[3:45] Speaker 1: better or worse, there seems to be an overcorrection. Students
[3:49] Speaker 1: have aimed their ire at Jews and Christians for a
[3:51] Speaker 1: while now, and, as the number of Palestinians harmed in
[3:54] Speaker 1: the wake of the Israeli-Hamas war rises... there's a growing
[3:57] Speaker 1: hatred for Jews disguised as support for Palestine. At Rutgers University,
[4:02] Speaker 1: students like Adina Pinsker conceal their religious symbols, seeking anonymity
[4:07] Speaker 1: to avoid confrontations over their Jewish identity or support for Israel.
[4:12] Speaker 1: Some Jewish students have that privilege to remain anonymous, but
[4:15] Speaker 1: others are unable to hide. This self-eraser amongst Jewish students
[4:20] Speaker 1: is a reaction to the exclusion they face from academic
[4:23] Speaker 1: clubs and groups based on their Zionist views. which is
[4:26] Speaker 1: often conflated with support for every single policy the Israeli
[4:29] Speaker 1: government makes. The Anti-Defamation League notes a three-fold increase in
[4:34] Speaker 1: campus anti-Semitic incidents from 2014 to 2021. Simultaneously, the State
[4:40] Speaker 1: Department's definition of anti-Semitism, which includes holding Jews collectively responsible
[4:44] Speaker 1: for Israel's actions, seems to be at odds with on-campus realities.
[4:49] Speaker 1: The original intent of DEI, diversity, equity, and inclusion, is
[4:52] Speaker 1: to embrace diversity, yet Jewish students find themselves ostracized by
[4:56] Speaker 1: their cultural and political beliefs. This discordance points to a
[5:00] Speaker 1: profound irony with DEI's application. Efforts to promote fairness and
[5:05] Speaker 1: address one form of bias seem to have inadvertently sanctioned another,
[5:09] Speaker 1: creating an environment where antisemitism can masquerade as political activism
[5:13] Speaker 1: against Israel. Some of the most sinister forms of racism
[5:17] Speaker 1: are often masked in morality. On some campuses, students have
[5:22] Speaker 1: been ejected from clubs or barred from student government roles
[5:25] Speaker 1: due to their pro-Israel stances. This suggests a troubling trend
[5:29] Speaker 1: where the DEI narrative, in certain instances, might be perpetuating
[5:33] Speaker 1: a form of selective exclusion, contradicting its claimed principles. The
[5:38] Speaker 1: surge in anti-Semitism seems to be tied not only to
[5:41] Speaker 1: criticism of Israel's policies, but also to a broader definition
[5:45] Speaker 1: of Zionism and Jewish identity. Such sweeping generalizations have led
[5:49] Speaker 1: to a climate where expressing any support for Israel's right
[5:52] Speaker 1: to exist can lead to societal ostracism on campuses, and
[5:57] Speaker 1: possibly worse. The situation has grown so dire that in
[5:59] Speaker 1: some cases, like the State University of New York, New Paltz,
[6:03] Speaker 1: Jewish students require police escorts due to threats and intimidation.
[6:07] Speaker 1: Donors and alumni have taken notice, and some withdrawing support
[6:11] Speaker 1: in protest of the university's handling of anti-Semitism. This has
[6:15] Speaker 1: sparked a debate on the need for tangible reforms, with
[6:18] Speaker 1: critics arguing the DEI efforts should be reassessed to ensure
[6:21] Speaker 1: they do not foster environments where anti-Semitism can thrive. The
[6:25] Speaker 1: wave of anti-Semitism washing over college campuses in the DEI
[6:29] Speaker 1: era is laden with ironies. Initiatives designed to ensure fairness
[6:33] Speaker 1: for all have culminated in a situation where Jewish students
[6:36] Speaker 1: often feel the need to hide their identities. This is
[6:39] Speaker 1: contradictory to the very concept of inclusivity. As DEI principles
[6:44] Speaker 1: are put under the microscope, the question arises, how can
[6:46] Speaker 1: universities maintain a spirit of inclusivity without compromising the safety
[6:50] Speaker 1: and rights of all student populations? DEI initiatives may have
[6:54] Speaker 1: been created with good intentions, but without an anchor that
[6:57] Speaker 1: transcends opinions and whims, they are doomed to fail. An
[7:01] Speaker 1: ideology forged on the anvil of feelings is destined for failure.
[7:05] Speaker 1: Perhaps a more transcendent, otherworldly anchor is required to inspire true,
[7:09] Speaker 1: long-lasting compassion. This is where the divine call of Christ
[7:12] Speaker 1: comes into play. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, upholding justice
[7:16] Speaker 1: for the disinherited, recognizing the divine stamp of God's image
[7:20] Speaker 1: in all people, praying for our enemies and seeking the
[7:22] Speaker 1: good of our communities. These principles can find the balance
[7:26] Speaker 1: between standing up for the oppressed without aiming hatred at
[7:29] Speaker 1: an entire group of people. As it says in Micah 6.8,
[7:33] Speaker 1: He has shown you, O man, what is good. What
[7:35] Speaker 1: does the Lord require of you but to act justly,
[7:37] Speaker 1: to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
[7:40] Speaker 1: May this verse and the entirety of God's message found
[7:44] Speaker 1: within the gospel inspire us to true transformation. Let's pray.
[7:48] Speaker 1: Lord of all, we come before you seeking your grace
[7:50] Speaker 1: and wisdom in the midst of turmoil. Where there is hate,
[7:53] Speaker 1: so your love. Where there is injury, would you pardon?
[7:56] Speaker 1: Grant courage to the Jewish students facing hostility in places
[7:59] Speaker 1: of learning and infuse the hearts of all with your
[8:02] Speaker 1: spirit of peace and understanding. May the walls of division
[8:05] Speaker 1: crumble as your word prevails in people's hearts. Help us
[8:08] Speaker 1: to walk humbly with you in all things, not making
[8:10] Speaker 1: unnecessary enemies. May we act justly, love mercy, and strive
[8:15] Speaker 1: to see your image in every person. Amen. Amazon is
[8:18] Speaker 1: no stranger to reinvention and bold moves into new sectors.
[8:22] Speaker 1: Its recent announcement to merge healthcare services with its Prime
[8:25] Speaker 1: membership at reduced costs is the latest testament to its
[8:28] Speaker 1: continuous search for innovation and growth. The strategic moves aims
[8:32] Speaker 1: to integrate One Medical, a primary care entity recently acquired
[8:36] Speaker 1: by Amazon for $ 3. 9 billion, into the suite of services
[8:40] Speaker 1: offered to Prime subscribers. Amazon's leadership, including CEO Andy Jassy,
[8:45] Speaker 1: views healthcare as a fertile ground for expansion, a realm
[8:48] Speaker 1: ripe for the application of Amazon's efficiency and customer-centric philosophy.
[8:53] Speaker 1: For years, Amazon has graced headlines with its ambition to
[8:56] Speaker 1: carve a niche in the healthcare industry, a space historically
[9:00] Speaker 1: dominated by entrenched players and complex regulations. Their approach has
[9:04] Speaker 1: blended audacity and pragmatism, from launching an online pharmacy to
[9:08] Speaker 1: exploring medical drone deliveries. However, Amazon's healthcare journey has not
[9:12] Speaker 1: been without setbacks. Prior ventures have been met with limited success,
[9:16] Speaker 1: hinting at the challenging terrain of the healthcare landscape. One
[9:19] Speaker 1: Medical is known for its blend of in-person and virtual care,
[9:23] Speaker 1: appealing to a modern audience that values convenience and digital connectivity.
[9:28] Speaker 1: Amazon's offer to Prime members, $ 99 annually for One Medical services,
[9:32] Speaker 1: is a significant reduction from the standard $ 199 fee. underscoring
[9:37] Speaker 1: a commitment to making healthcare more accessible and potentially more affordable.
[9:41] Speaker 1: This initiative expands upon previous efforts, such as the $ 5
[9:45] Speaker 1: monthly program for generic medications, and positions Amazon as a
[9:49] Speaker 1: holistic provider that caters to various consumer needs, including their health.
[9:54] Speaker 1: Skeptics and analysts recognize the audacity of Amazon's healthcare aspirations.
[9:59] Speaker 1: Lindian Brick, CEO of Healthcare Consulting from Advis, notes the
[10:03] Speaker 1: enormity of the challenge ahead for Amazon, emphasizing the need
[10:06] Speaker 1: for a broader network of providers to truly revolutionize primary care.
[10:11] Speaker 1: Competitors like Walmart are not sitting idle, already leveraging their
[10:14] Speaker 1: physical footprint for retail pharmacy and primary care services. In addition,
[10:19] Speaker 1: the rise of telemedicine during the pandemic has intensified the
[10:22] Speaker 1: competition in this newly vital space. Trust is the linchpin
[10:27] Speaker 1: in healthcare, and for Amazon, this means transcending its reputation
[10:31] Speaker 1: as a retail colossus to become a confidant in personal
[10:34] Speaker 1: health matters. The relationship between a patient and their primary
[10:38] Speaker 1: care provider is steeped in confidentiality and personal care, a
[10:42] Speaker 1: dimension that Amazon is keen to cultivate as it continues
[10:45] Speaker 1: to integrate One Medical's offerings. This transformation, however, is in
[10:49] Speaker 1: the infant stages, and only time will reveal the impact
[10:52] Speaker 1: of Amazon's healthcare endeavors. There are intense moral implications of
[10:56] Speaker 1: such corporate maneuvers. Healthcare at its core is about serving
[11:00] Speaker 1: the needs of the human person, a central tenet of
[11:03] Speaker 1: Christian social teaching. The pursuit of affordable and accessible care
[11:07] Speaker 1: aligns with the principle of common good. Nevertheless, vigilance is warranted.
[11:12] Speaker 1: The commodification of care presents ethical questions and has already
[11:15] Speaker 1: done so in Western society. particularly regarding the stewardship of
[11:19] Speaker 1: personal data and the prioritization of profit over the sanctity
[11:22] Speaker 1: of the individual well-being. In the spirit of MICA 6.8,
[11:25] Speaker 1: we acknowledge the need for businesses to act justly and
[11:28] Speaker 1: to love mercy. As Amazon ventures further into the personal realm,
[11:32] Speaker 1: it is responsible for safeguarding the dignity of every individual
[11:35] Speaker 1: it serves. As observers and consumers, we can hope that
[11:38] Speaker 1: Amazon's leadership will uphold these values and open up the
[11:41] Speaker 1: marketplace for more affordable healthcare, but we also recognize that
[11:46] Speaker 1: it's an uphill battle. Amazon's move can definitely be perceived
[11:49] Speaker 1: as a step towards inclusivity in healthcare, provided it continues
[11:52] Speaker 1: to navigate this expansion with an ethical compass that honors
[11:56] Speaker 1: the intrinsic value of human health and welfare. It's an
[11:59] Speaker 1: unfolding story where the potential for good is significant, but
[12:02] Speaker 1: if steered in the wrong direction, can be problematic. In
[12:06] Speaker 1: a monumental shift in Hollywood's labor landscape, the Screen Actors
[12:09] Speaker 1: Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, SAG-AFTRA, and
[12:14] Speaker 1: we'll never get over how long that acronym is, has
[12:16] Speaker 1: reached a tentative agreement with major studios, ending a strike
[12:20] Speaker 1: that halted Hollywood's heartbeat for 118 days. The deal, poised
[12:24] Speaker 1: to rejuvenate an industry on pause, was brokered amid high stakes,
[12:28] Speaker 1: with implications far beyond the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown.
[12:31] Speaker 1: The strike's resolution comes after a grueling period of standoffs, negotiations,
[12:36] Speaker 1: and collective breath held by thousands relying on the industry's survival.
[12:40] Speaker 1: Since mid-July, actors and a myriad of professionals that make
[12:43] Speaker 1: up the film and television community, from camera operators to
[12:46] Speaker 1: set designers to editors and craft services, have felt the
[12:49] Speaker 1: pressure of halted production. With a stroke of unity, the
[12:53] Speaker 1: negotiation committee voted to recommend the proposed contract, with official
[12:57] Speaker 1: details pending on board review. The crux of the strike
[13:01] Speaker 1: centered around key issues such as fair wages, bonuses, and
[13:04] Speaker 1: significantly artificial intelligence protections. a nod to the involving technological
[13:09] Speaker 1: landscape and entertainment. Negotiations saw direct participation from heavy hitters
[13:13] Speaker 1: like Ted Sarandos and Bob Iger, reflecting the gravity of
[13:17] Speaker 1: the talks. The strike's economic toll was seismic. An estimated
[13:21] Speaker 1: $ 6. 5 billion was lost in Southern California's economy and the
[13:26] Speaker 1: vaporization of 45,000 jobs. But numbers hardly encapsulate the individual
[13:31] Speaker 1: hardships endured by workers whose livelihoods don't make headlines. The
[13:35] Speaker 1: unsung heroes who diligently set lights, edit scenes into stories,
[13:39] Speaker 1: and work the cameras faced months without income, a reality
[13:43] Speaker 1: often overshadowed by the industry's more glamorous facets. The industry-wide
[13:48] Speaker 1: pause strained financial stability and tested the tenacity of guild solidarity.
[13:53] Speaker 1: Though the heat of summer picket lines and the chill
[13:55] Speaker 1: of uncertain futures The strike drew a collective fortitude from
[13:59] Speaker 1: its members, even in the face of division tactics. The
[14:02] Speaker 1: trajectory of an agreement was fraught with tension. Initial optimism
[14:06] Speaker 1: from the Writers Guild of America deal eventually gave way
[14:09] Speaker 1: to suspended talks and public critiques. But the impasse was
[14:12] Speaker 1: not to endure. Negotiations resumed with renewed vigor in late October,
[14:16] Speaker 1: spurred by direct dialogue among top-level executives and union leaders.
[14:21] Speaker 1: After extensive reviews of proposals and counter-proposals, where even A-list
[14:25] Speaker 1: interventions proved futile, the negotiations began to yield. The turning
[14:29] Speaker 1: point arrived with a compromise on AI issues, leading to
[14:33] Speaker 1: a proposal acknowledging the changing tides of content creation and distribution.
[14:37] Speaker 1: This development is more than a business triumph. It is
[14:40] Speaker 1: a testament to the perseverance of community and the value
[14:43] Speaker 1: of every individual's contribution. As Ecclesiastes 4.9 reminds us, two
[14:47] Speaker 1: are better than one because they have a good return
[14:49] Speaker 1: for their labor. The labor strife and subsequent agreement illustrate
[14:53] Speaker 1: the power of collaboration even in the midst of disagreement
[14:56] Speaker 1: and tension. At the end of the day, we all
[14:58] Speaker 1: need one another. Recognizing the value each member of the
[15:01] Speaker 1: body brings is crucial to reaching our potential. Moreover, the
[15:05] Speaker 1: return to work isn't just about resuming roles, it's about
[15:07] Speaker 1: restoring dignity and provision for families. It underscores the biblical
[15:11] Speaker 1: principle of dignified labor, where work is not just a
[15:13] Speaker 1: means to an end, but a form of stewardship of
[15:16] Speaker 1: one's gifts and a way to serve the common good.
[15:19] Speaker 1: The agreement is a beacon of hope that through diligence, dialogue,
[15:22] Speaker 1: and commitment to fair dealings, even the most challenging disputes
[15:26] Speaker 1: can find resolution. As the industry gears up to return
[15:29] Speaker 1: to its rhythm, it goes so with an enhanced appreciation
[15:32] Speaker 1: for each person's role in the storytelling tapestry that entertains, informs,
[15:36] Speaker 1: and inspires audiences worldwide. In the quiet after the storm
[15:40] Speaker 1: as cameras roll again and sets buzz with activity, there's
[15:44] Speaker 1: a collective sigh of relief and a prayer of gratitude
[15:46] Speaker 1: for the opportunity to continue in the craft. It's a
[15:49] Speaker 1: moment to reflect on the narrative beyond the screen, a
[15:52] Speaker 1: narrative of resilience, community, and a collective dedication to the
[15:55] Speaker 1: art of storytelling that mirrors the intricate workings of a
[15:58] Speaker 1: body as described in 1 Corinthians. All parts working together
[16:02] Speaker 1: in harmony for a greater purpose. Let's pray. Heavenly Father,
[16:06] Speaker 1: we offer thanks for the resolution of the strike within
[16:08] Speaker 1: the Hollywood community. We are grateful for the perseverance and
[16:11] Speaker 1: unity of all those who toil tirelessly towards an agreement. Lord,
[16:16] Speaker 1: we ask that you would bless the work of their
[16:17] Speaker 1: hands as they return to their crafts, and may their
[16:20] Speaker 1: collaborative spirit reflect your wisdom, which teaches us to labor
[16:23] Speaker 1: not just for ourselves, but for the good of all.
[16:26] Speaker 1: May this time of renewed work bring not only financial stability,
[16:29] Speaker 1: but also a deeper sense of community and purpose. Amen.
[16:33] Speaker 1: Thank you for joining us today on Pray News. It
[16:35] Speaker 1: is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray
[16:38] Speaker 1: today you would proceed with hope, love, and determination to
[16:40] Speaker 1: be a force for good. If you've enjoyed this take
[16:42] Speaker 1: on the news, consider writing us a review and share
[16:44] Speaker 1: your experience. You can sign up for our newsletter, PrayNews.com.
[16:48] Speaker 1: There you'll find sources to all of our reporting. Be
[16:50] Speaker 1: sure to download the Pray.com app to make prayer a
[16:52] Speaker 1: priority in your life and experience the Bible in new
[16:55] Speaker 1: and exciting ways. God bless.

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