Baldwin wrote “History is not the past,” “It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history.”
There’s a revolution against racism occurring in the streets, in living rooms, in parks, in offices - We are showing up in volumes never witnessed, to stand in solidarity, to take action, and to support the black community to write a new history.
I started writing this episode on Sunday May 31st, 2020.
I wrote, how can I BringJoy to a world full of bigotry and hate. That’s it - that’ all I wrote that day.
You see the day before was the first and only time I watched the video of George Floyd, a black man being murdered by a white man with a badge on a street corner in America.
The words wouldn’t form to pass the visions in my head of what I had witnessed in that video. I was disturbed beyond words and for writers more experienced than me that may have been the perfect time to sit and write but I choose to walk away from the page and let the question sit unattended.
The next day my Pal and I joined a few hundred others in our community to march around the streets of Key West to demonstrate that Black Lives Matter. The cadence was slow and solemn at times and fast and furious at others. The rhythmic chants of George Floyd, I can’t breath, no Justice no peace would ring in my ears for the days to follow
Over the next weeks I spent much time in reflection - asking myself questions to help me understand my privilege as a white woman in America. “The hope of the world lies in what one demands, not of others but of oneself” James Baldwin
My white listeners should ask yourself some of the same questions.
- What does it mean to be white?
- How do you use your privledge?
- How Diverse is your world?
- Who do you read? What do you watch? Who do you listen to?
- How many faces of color do you see when you look around?
- And PSA if you say I don’t see color. Your work starts right there.
- Do you know of the black owned businesses in your area?
- Do you know how many teachers of color are in your public schools?
- Do you know the history of your cities law enforcement agencies toward racial justice
I’ve spent time in action writing legislators, correcting language, and following the timeline of events that capture the violent history of racism in America. I learned of the massacres in Tulsa and Rosewood.
Mostly I’ve been listening. Listening to the words of spiritual leaders like Michael Beckwith, influencers like Light Watkins, listening to teachers like Michelle Johsnon, listening to the words of the protestors and authors like Kimberly Jones, the words of my friends, specifically my black friends who I’ve reached out to offer love and support- my friend, Jackie Williams told me the world needs to heal right now and offered her voice for my podcast. - It’s her voice that’s lifting this episode and her hope that the songs she sings will help us heal.
I believe healing will do us good - as long as we heal to be strong for the work that is ahead. Because there is much to do to end racism. It will take many days and nights, many episodes and conversations, plenty of protest and all the right votes to break the links of oppressive systems.
Like activist Killer Mike said it’s “time to strategize, organize, and mobilize.”
The purpose of protest is a call for change in power and policy. Since the death of George Floyd there have been protests in at least 140 cities in this country and many others around the world. Our voices are being heard ------power and policy are being corrected.
- Minneapolis banned Choke holds.
- Dallas adopts a "duty to intervene" rule that requires officers to stop other cops who are engaging in inappropriate use of force.
- New Jersey’s attorney general said the state will update its use-of-force guidelines for the first time in two decades.
- In Maryland, a bipartisan work group of state lawmakers announced a police reform work group.
- Los Angeles City Council introduces motion to reduce LAPD’s $1.8 billion operating budget.
- Police brutality captured on cameras leads to near-immediate suspensions and firings of officers in several cities (i.e., Buffalo, Ft. Lauderdale).
- The Louisville, Kentucky, metro council unanimously voted to pass an ordinance called "Breonna's Law" on Thursday, banning no-knock search warrants in wake of Breonna Taylor's death.
The fact that the script for this episode sat incomplete for weeks wasn’t because I didn't have anything to say about racism. On the contrary I have much to say and share. Not only from me, but from my friends of color whose stories go untold. From my people who are wise on the subject of systemic racism. I want to share the words spoken by activists of the past whose work is undone. I’ll share the message of today’s freedom fighters like Patrisse Cullors. One episode will not be enough -to tell this story.
How do we bringjoy to a world full of bigotry and hate - Start by knowing better. Maya Angelou said when you know better you do better. The world isn’t full of those evils. It’s full of people. Who can learn and choose to live in love. Ms. Maya also said “Hate has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet.” There’s much grace, dignity, courage and resolve in this world and - the black community has been demonstrating these qualities for centuries. It’s time the rest of us take notice... Much Love