#todayslessononracism

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism : Today while we celebrate #MLK day, two important events are occurring we cannot afford to ignore. The first is the celebration and state recognition of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's birthday in Mississippi and Alabama. This is an overt rejection of what #MLK stands for as Lee led the fight to maintain the ownership of kidnapped Africans as slaves. This holiday was established within the last 5 years. Second, thousands of Virginia gun owners chose today to protest new gun safety laws and pressure the new Democratic House, Senate and Governor to "Leave their guns alone". They were organized by @nationalrifleassociation to scare legislators. Why picket on MLK Day when all Va state government offices are closed? This is how anti-civil rights and anti-equality groups work. In media it's called counter-messaging. Choosing not to register and/or vote gives people like these more power and influence over government decisions that affect everyone you care about. #crushtheisms #crushinequality #crushracism #crushinequality https://www.instagram.com/p/B7jPsbsn-aD/?igshid=9wdu5uzhzi18

[werwideopen]

The Dull Pain Of Systemic Racism

#TodaysLessonOnRacism More and more we find people living on the same planet differing sets of facts on race. @werwideopen @unumfund and other organization are committed to rectify this by prividing facts highliting what racism looks like. Out of 800 people surveyed in the south, 62% of white people disagreed the history of oppression made it harder for black people to get ahead. This makes microaggressions frequent because beliefs are critical in changing behavior. For example, what was it about the woman in the zoo that gave license to @CNN @warnermediagrp @NewDay journalist @AlisynCamerota to comfortably say she has some type of mental issue while often stating her unwillingness to make any assessment about other subjects in news stories. This is the evidence of the socially damaging impact of systemic racism.

#crushtheisms #crushracism #crushrevisionism

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism: @gabunion experience with @agt is an example of what could happen when acting courageously and within your #FirstAmendment right to speak out about unequal and unfair treatment at work. It is hard not to see @nbc choice not to renew her contract as retaliation. In addition as a conscious rejection of valuing every non-white culture. Retaliation for calling out racism and sexism can happen on a $12 per/hr job or a $12 million 3yr TV host contract. In either case it is unfair. Average american loathe to call out sexism and racism permit cultural and spiritual aggressors to believe they are "right" in their actions and ultimately their beliefs. On a corporate level, #NBCUniversal and its parent company @comcast expouse a "commitment to diversity" that conflicts with #AGT producers' actions . This is how the "isms" continue to infect our society. #crushtheisms #crushinequality #crushracism #crushsexism https://www.instagram.com/p/B5tDiHkn2HW/?igshid=1ua9cmcjr18xw

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism: Most oeople don't know the character #TheLoneRanger was a example of a common act called "whitewashing" where historic moments are revised by the dominant culture to alter any inconvenient truth. In this case, the idea that a hero and officer of the lae could be black and depicted in movies and TV was inconvenient to the success of any entertainment project who's ultimate goal was to maximize profits. Bass Reeves, America's first black sherriff seen recently in @HBO blockbuster seeies #Watchmen is the real-life inspiration for TLR. Think about it, who would pay to see a movie about Reeves during the #JimCrow era? During a time where there were few to no Black officers of the law? The @lionsgate movie on Reeves premiered December 13, 2019 titled, "Hell on the Border". Think about the occasions you heard through media about this new movie. Whitewashing is the reason the horrors of slavery and Black contributirs to America's success have been minimized or outright ignored. Movies, books and false stories of "happy" slaves as well as lies about the common social cruelty of slaveowners have succeeded in blurring American history. It is also the reason the average American is not taught about Black inventors in public schools. Imagine if Black children knew their descendents had an equal share in creating America's success. For more info on Reeves' movie go to: https://www.bet.com/celebrities/exclusives/bass-reeves-movie-hell-on-boarder-trailer.html #crushtheisms #crushracism #crushrevisisionism https://www.instagram.com/p/B7rXzpsg8MX/?igshid=6rdbwuma5ie2

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism There is something sinister about white supremecy. It pressures those that recognize it to deny it because it is still not socially acceptable to discuss it publicly. Calling out systemic racism based in white supremecy at work creates unstated negative consequences like eliminating advancement opportunities. Private Contractors fear losing clients or new opportunities if identified as "radical". The pressure to remain silent like everyone else is strong resulting in 400 years of obvious destruction, social and economic damage. It still needs to be said....regularly.... those who deny, remain silent can feel the guilt or inaction. #crushtheisms #crushracism #crushinequality #crushrevisionism https://www.instagram.com/p/B7YtaKYHWOc/?igshid=1ckk21b0tz7pb

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism: Every American has descendents that originated from other countries. Stories have been passed down in families of the efforts and accomplishments our forefathers made to pave the way for us. The predecessors of today's African Americans were socialized differently in America. Their history, cultural practices and spirituality were erased by the brutality of American slavery and #JimCrow terrors. Many eventually acquired land that was taken away from them never to be passed to their children. The rapes that bore children too shameful to verbalize created a culture of secrets and shame. Laws and practices that allow systemic racism to continue calcify this poisonous legacy into our present. The answer? Take a risk to make things right in your own individual way. Follow @werwideopen on our @facebook @twitter and @tumblr pages. Share you views with us. Let's dialogue without caution. We are also available for public speaking engagements, coaching, training and consulting. #Learnthendo #crushtheisms #crushinequality #crushracism #crushrevisisionism #1619Project https://www.instagram.com/p/B2AAsgPH6ge/?igshid=yzia27bpps6w

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism Being black, latinx, female, #LGBTQ, you live differenly that the members of the dominating culture. Once you learn how your difference is viewed negatively, in addition to what any human being experiences, you make every effort to make up for the perceived fault by over achieving in any areas of your life you can control. There a a constant self-consciousness. You question your place and space in society....Every day. You are more conscious of inequality as you are balaancing priorities, strategizing relationships and working to avoid hyper-sensitivity. You may still find yourself treated unfairly. The more we see inequality at work, in our community, in media and the greater world we work to accept this painful reality. We live different because of its existence and the burden we carry. Yet we find a healthy way to accept this reality of an existence that advances the efforts, rewards, even protects the dominating group. #crushtheisms #crushracism #crushsexism #crushinequality https://www.instagram.com/p/B1o-Kb7nafl/?igshid=1ko2zg12zxxfh

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism: Nice Nasty You can do or say something realy nice then something really racist. Malcolm Gladwell talks about the licensing phenomenom that our good deeds give us permission to do bad things. Let's be clear: Even the most subtle or unintentional form of racism is bad. #crushinequality #crushrevisionism #crushtheisms #crushracism (at The National Memorial for Peace and Justice) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0qgy17nLFI/?igshid=wpmvspj8hl0j

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism Statistics and personal experience should weigh heavily on , "what's racist". Many people who participate in discussions about "what's racist" have intense experiences confirming their conclusions. Some have daily experiences. Others have opinions yet no personal experience. Referring to opinion over experience and statistical data denies a natural, regular and consistent global practice of logical conclusion. What reason would we have to apply a less than methodical standard to, "what's racist"? Learning from the experts moves America closer to forming, "A more perfect union". @crushtheisms @crushracism @crushinequality @#crushrevisionism https://www.instagram.com/p/B0TbBTyH2-l/?igshid=1ca8fqov4ud7j

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism When marginalized people are focused on assimilation for economic survival, excusing racism becomes problematic. Some of @joerogan closest Black friends have "explained" and excused his use of the "N" word. Some have said his use of the word was "taken out of context" because of "what he meant". Huh? People of color are generally quick to forgive. Many see occasional abuse as on par in the POC experience sometimes blunting the impact of correction and feedback, protecting white privilege. Learning what is offensive can be surprising and uncomfortable but it is absolutely necessary in healing deep racial pain and ignorance. Learning is painful when the ego is involved. It takes offense when it is corrected yet expressed itself many ways. True allies know they cannot compare any experience to racial prejudice and the daily trauma of its long term effects. They know listening and acknowleging to feedback is critical. Listening to POC reinterpret what is considered offensive is frustrating and minimizes the feedback. When you're paid $100k to be provocative, racial slurs have no place in a society that believes all men are created equal, reinforces and strengthen the long fight for civil rights. #crushtheisms #crushbigotry #crushrevisionism #crushracism https://www.instagram.com/p/CaiJkxYPouy/?utm_medium=tumblr

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism: The Importance of Representation and Racial Inventories Pictured is a placard at a rest stop along highway 95S acknowledging the military service of Georgians beginning as early as the Revolutionary War. When a person of color looks at this it elicits more questions than the information provided. Why did they rename the Civil War as the War of the States? If Slave inventories were the only records on the descendants of kidnapped Africans, how would a person of color be represented in these numbers? Representation is a form of seeking, acknowledging & affirming identity and contribution for every American. Given America's history and the continued battle for equality and equity, the resistance in recognizing these concerns by protecting an unsatisfactory status quo is more than opinion or the freedom of choice. There are certain debates (celebrating Confederate history, the importance of revising teaching curriculum to include details previously ommitted) that clearly reflect our personal, political and organizational levels of comfort with racism. Racial Inventories offer us an opportunity to learn our personal level and how far you're willing to go to combat racist systems, traditions and biases. #BeTheChange #crushtheisms #crushracism #crushrevisionism #crushinequality https://www.instagram.com/p/CaSw8_pPUtg/?utm_medium=tumblr

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism @staceyabrams has caught the ire of racists everywhere. Let's ask ourselves why. 1. She's led the efforts to register hundreds of thousands of new voters in Georgia. 2. She has inspired the average American to excercise their civic duty. 3. She has inspired people of color to run for office. 4. She's nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. 5. She understands all economic stages of American life. 6. She was the first woman (& Black woman) to head either party as well as first Black minority leader in the Georgia Legislature. 7. @yale Law Graduate & JD recipient. 8. First Black woman to provide Democratic response to the President's (#45) State of the Union speech. 9. First Black woman to run for Governor of Georgia. 10. She influenced the election of 2 @DNC Senators to the US Senate, creating a Democrat majority. Systemic racism creates barriers, obstacles and attempts to discourage the creativity, ingenuity and leadership of people of color and other marginalized groups. Like others before her, she just keeps believing in herself and creating new paths for anyone who wants to follow. You can too. You go Stacey! Go you! #crushtheisms #crushinequality #crushracism #crushbigotry #crushsexism https://www.instagram.com/p/CaFkEhBLN8y/?utm_medium=tumblr

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism On the third day of Black history month an event occurred that is entirely too consistent in the Black experience. Former Chicago police officer JasonVanDyke (2nd picture) was released after serving half of a 7 year sentence after being convicted of shooting 17-yr old #LacquanMcdonald in 2014 (pictured) 16 times in the back. He was unarmed. It has been documented at least 16 members of the Chicago P.D. participated in a coverup that eventually resulted in a conviction 4 years later. The jury found the shooter guilty and the Prosecutor recommended 18-20 yrs. The judge decided 7 years was sufficient. Currently there are no laws that prevent Mr Van Dyke from being hired in local law enforcement. You may think this doesn't affect you but think of the last incident of unarmed shooting of a white man resulting in arrest & conviction? Systemic racism is an evil that must be confronted daily in every way we recognize it. This includes those fortunate enough to never have an unfortunate police encounter. So many people were like us until their first encounter resulted in the death of a loved one. This is a problem that belongs to every American including those who enjoy racism. I believe there are more of us that abhor racism than them. Let's assert our collective power by aligning with/supporting local organizations committed to fairness in the criminal justice system. Let's align with and support local and national organizations that evaluate political candidates like @justicedemocrats @justice dems. People just like us are working hard in their own way to cure this infectious disease named racism. You can too. Although the justice system has a history of inequality, nothing on earth can stop a collective, united force. We are that force. #crushtheisms #crushracism #crushbigotry #crushrevisionism . https://www.instagram.com/p/CaDGg8yuxyt/?utm_medium=tumblr

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism Who is #JovitaIdar? As the proverb goes, when you educate a woman, you educate a family. Jovita Idár believed that wholeheartedly. While working at her father’s newspaper, La Crónica, she used the platform to speak out against racism and in support of women’s and Mexican-Americans’ rights. After writing an article condemning Woodrow Wilson’s decision for sending U.S. troops to the Southern border, the Texas Rangers showed up at her door to shut down the paper. But she refused to let them in, literally putting her body between them and the door, and they left. Although the Rangers eventually succeeded in shutting down the paper, Idár continued to stand up for women and Mexican-Americans her entire life. Think about it , a US president sent US Troops to the Southern border at the same time we were welcoming the people who came in through Ellis Island . She died in San Antonio in 1946, but she lives on in spirit as one of the powerful and inspirational women who changed the world. #crushtheisms #crushracism #crushbigotry #crushinequality #crushrevisionism https://www.instagram.com/p/CUQWVbDrtp_/?utm_medium=tumblr

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism Whips normally used to coral animals represent the worst period of the history of racism-slavery. When people who were not white were considered property. The slave patrols could administer whipping to any slave that did not present ownership papers & who could not account for being off-planation. The slave patrols are the foundation of city and state police. We've discovered @hhsgov is presently using them to "coral" people looking for a better life in the USA coming in from the southwest borders. How did we become insensitive to the idea of whips being used on human beings? 1. We have come to see them as different from us. 2. We have to release our Constitutional right to free speech and say nothing. When you have a chance to question the president and consider yourself race sensitive, you might ask, "Why does @HHSGov allow taxpayer money to purchase whips?" How long has the US Government purchased and supplied whips? Wo was the person who put this in the budget? If "Noone knew", it should be pretty correctable huh? Yet noone asked at the press conference. These are the subtle ways we ignore systemic racism and it continues to perpetuate itself. Racism doesn't cure itself, it demands active and consistent change. Understanding our role in restructuring systems and longtime process is critical. It is up to us to influence, inspire and implement the changes necessary for equality. #crushtheisms #crushracism #crushbigotry #crushrevisionism https://www.instagram.com/p/CUN2jCKLU3W/?utm_medium=tumblr

[singingfolife]

#TodaysLessonOnRacism Whips normally used to coral animals represent the worst period of the history of racism-slavery. When people who were not white were considered property. The slave patrols could administer whipping to any slave that did not present ownership papers & who could not account for being off-planation. The slave patrols are the foundation of city and state police. We've discovered @hhsgov is presently using them to "coral" people looking for a better life in the USA coming in from the southwest borders. How did we become insensitive to the idea of whips being used on human beings? 1. We have come to see them as different from us. 2. We have to release our Constitutional right to free speech and say nothing. When you have a chance to question the president and consider yourself race sensitive, you might ask, "Why does @HHSGov allow taxpayer money to purchase whips?" How long has the US Government purchased and supplied whips? Wo was the person who put this in the budget? If "Noone knew", it should be pretty correctable huh? Yet noone asked at the press conference. These are the subtle ways we ignore systemic racism and it continues to perpetuate itself. Racism doesn't cure itself, it demands active and consistent change. Understanding our role in restructuring systems and longtime process is critical. It is up to us to influence, inspire and implement the changes necessary for equality. #crushtheisms #crushracism #crushbigotry #crushrevisionism https://www.instagram.com/p/CUN2atQLdoM/?utm_medium=tumblr