The year 2020 is a momentous year! I hope, and I truly believe, that change is imminent. The mostly unlikely people, those who seemed certain that life in America was equal and equitable, are opening their hearts and minds; their eyes and ears, to the injustices that continue to plague our country. Organizations, like NASCAR and the NFL, that once catered to the opinions of the dominant culture are finally realizing that inclusivity is the right path and that racism must be fought.
The reaction around the entire country to the horrible murders of Mr. George Floyd, as well as Ms. Breonna Taylor and Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. These protests, spontaneous in nature, were born out of extreme grief and frustration with a system that is unjust. While past protests ended within a few days of localized activity, this is different. These protests spread to communities across the country (and the world) and included people of all races and ethnicities. This collective action shows promise for reforming our country. Although police reform is on the top of the list, the events of the last few weeks are changing the way we think and talk about race and equality.
Cultural and racial ignorance, which leads to inequality and hate, is why I started this blog. I wanted to encourage folks to learn about all of the people that live in this wonderful country, with all of its diversity. Please read the words of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and President Ronald Reagan on my page, Why This Blog.
For my second post, I was going to write about Powwows, but I’ll leave that for another day. Given the events of the last few weeks, it seemed more appropriate to talk about racism in America, Black Lives Matter, and what we all can do to make America great, for everyone.
I want to challenge you to get outside of your normal social “circle” and get to know people who are different from you. Although it is difficult right now because of social distancing, there are plenty of opportunities through talking to folks you work with or live near, volunteering, or attending Church or cultural events. Keep your mind open. Listen to people and their stories. Don’t judge, don’t defend, don’t challenge. Just listen.
I worked with a wonderful group of African-American women in my last job. They shared with me their experiences with racism and their family histories. One woman told me what it meant for her to code switch (changing how she expresses herself with white people versus black people). They shared their opinions of the Clinton crime bill (a few women appreciated that more police on the street made it safe for them to go to school; while others faulted it for mass incarceration and destroying black communities). We even discussed the differences in races when it comes to such mundane things as choices about clothes. I appreciated the opportunity to have candid conversations and I learned a lot from them. I miss our conversations, especially now.
In addition to having candid conversations, it’s important to educate ourselves on others’ history, when that history is different.
I want to close my narrative with this: In the early days of the protests, there was rioting and looting that caused considerable property damage. Although I do not condone such actions, I understand that extreme frustration and heartbreak can manifest itself many ways. Sure, I was concerned about the property destruction; I was also concerned about the root cause – that innocent people were being killed. And, I was concerned that some people seemed to be more outraged over the property damage than they were by loss of precious human life. As the protest sign I carried read, if you want PEACE, work for JUSTICE.
The following are great sources of information for understanding where we are and how we got here.
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man – Emmanuel Acho has started a series of conversations where he answers questions about being a black man in America. It’s fantastic. Take a few minutes to listen to this first one, especially if you wonder why riots and looting break out during protests.
Henry Louis Gates Jr. narrates the history of African-Americans in this country in the series Many Rivers to Cross. I watched it a few years ago and I strongly recommend it.
If your immediate reaction to “Black Lives Matters” is “all lives matter,” check out this short tic toc video.
The House I Live In is a must-see documentary that explains the war on drugs, which resulted in mass incarcerations, and the affect on black communities. You can view it on YouTube or rent it on iTunes, Prime, and other services. It’s absolutely worth your time. Another important documentary is 13th Amendment on Netflix, which explores the history of racial inequality and the disproportionately high population of African-Americans in prison.
Systemic Racism Explained is a video that explains why, after more than 50 years after passage of the Civil Rights Act, African Americans still do not have financial or educational equality. (It’s by Occupy Democrats. I’m not trying to promote one political party over any other, but it is a really well-done video.) Also, if you are interested in learning more about the history of housing discrimination, red-lining, and the Fair Housing Act; you might be interested in this podcast from This American Live, called House Rules. If you listen to this, you’ll understand why we still live in largely segregated communities.
Former FBI director, James Comey, writes in 2019 about confederate statues and why they are symbols of racism in this Washington Post OPED.
Once the country has opened back up and we can travel again, I recommend going to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC; the National Civil Right Museum in Memphis, TN; and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL.
This photo is by Eric Chang, echangphotography.com. 
NPR has a blog covering race, ethnicity and culture. It’s called Code Switch. You can follow it through a newsletter, on Facebook and Twitter, or sign up for the podcasts.