America's Racial Reckoning 2020 Edition

During the last episode we started discussing the book “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds, based off of the book “Stamped from the Beginning” by Ibram X. Kendi but we still had a lot more we could have discussed so today we’re continuing our conversation from the last time. 

• The authors note how Richard Nixon would demean Black people in his speeches without ever saying “Black” and “White” by using words like “urban” and “ghetto” (pages 191-192).  This still happens today. Why are so many still so blind to it

• I’m not sure about you, but I have been getting videos of conservative Black individuals condemning the protests or statements from Black celebrities that seem to support more conservative white views (Candace Owens) or are very ambiguous statements (Serena Williams).  Have you gotten these from acquaintances and if so, how are you responding to them? This seems to really play into the concept of Uplift Suasion.  Since you are part of a podcast do you feel like you are getting more people trying to change your ways?

• This book brings up movies and books that countered the pride and/or advancing of Black people/Black culture.  Obviously Birth of a Nation was making a clearly racist statement but I had never thought about Planet of the Apes (In my defense, I never watched Planet of the Apes). When you read this did you reflect a bit on different shows, songs, or books that might have been trying to do this? Could you think of anything recently?

Taking Action:

• Racial Equity Challenge- what you're reading/watchingl
• Rachel Cargle  http://eepurl.com/dzbN9f - Sign up here to have the 30 day Do The Work course emailed to you.

In The News:

• Statues  - Christopher Columbus statues coming down https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christopher-columbus-statue-ohio-removed/

This week we discuss Stamped by Jason Reynolds published in March 2020.  This book is an adaptation Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi (National Book Award winner).

ABOUT THE BOOK: The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. Stamped reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can be discredited. 

Taken from: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/wpcontent/uploads/2019/08/StampedBookClubGuide.pdf)

This is a young adult book but anyone can read it. It’s a quick read and the audiobook is only about 4 hours long.   The book is broken down into sections based on specific time periods, beginning in the 1400’s and ending in present day.

Discussion Questions:

1. This book has a lot of history condensed down. I learned a ton. I’m not sure if I just didn’t pay attention in school or if a bunch of this was left out, but there was so much I didn’t know. I was kind of ashamed. Was it the same for either of you?
2. I like how Kendi writes in the introduction that knowing the past paves the way to understand today. That is so powerful and important and a good point when someone has the argument, “it’s all in the past, why can’t we just get over it.” Have you had any conversations along those lines?
3. The first chapter defines segregationists, assimilationists, and antiracists and as you read through the book it points out specific examples of how someone can fall in more than one of those categories. I’ve never thought about it quite like this before. Was this an idea either of you have considered before?

We come together to reflect on protests and new conversations about racism in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Aubrey, and Breonna Taylor.  Many people still struggle with why it's important, necessary and okay to say Black Lives Matter.

Taking Action

• 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge
• Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge through YWCA in Dayton Ohio

Send us feedback!  We want to know how you’re feeling, what you're thinking, and questions you still have.  boundforjustice@gmail.com

Dave Chappelle: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize

This special aired on PBS earlier this month and it showcased the ceremony honoring Dave Chappelle who was the 2019 recipient of The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize.

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has been presented by the Kennedy Center annually since 1998. Named after the 19th-century humorist Mark Twain, it is presented to individuals who have "had an impact on American society in ways similar to" Twain.[1]

You can watch the show here: 

https://www.pbs.org/video/dave-chappelle-the-kennedy-center-mark-twain-prize-qbmxgn/

Discussion Questions:

• There are several ways that Dave Chappelle has used comedy to address tough issues and call out racism. And it’s not in the typical fashion you would expect a comedian to do so; it’s very thought provoking and intelligent. What are your thoughts on how he’s done this during his career and is there anything specific that sticks out to you most?
• Lorne Michaels, who is the producer of SNL, spoke during the ceremony and he said he specifically chose Dave Chapelle to host the show immediately following the 2016 election. Looking back on it now, how do you view the impact of what Dave had to say at that time and what stood out to you the most?
• Dave was honored by a variety of actors, comedians and entertainers who all spoke of their personal experiences knowing Dave. Was there one in particular that you thought was compelling or impacted you most?
• So, it’s rather ironic that Dave Chappelle would be receiving the Mark Twain prize, when Mark Twain himself had written some pretty racist things. This was even mentioned during the tribute that some of the SNL cast members gave. Do you think Mark Twain is turning over in his grave right now?
• Dave on SNL 2016
• Chappelle Show Skits on YouTube

Taking Action

• Facing the Divide: The Impact of Slavery

In The News

• Botham Jean commercial during Super Bowl
• Jemelle Hill Kobe tribute article on Kobe

Discussion

This week we are going to talk about Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children In A Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey.

The book was published January 16, 2018 and is described as a book for families and communities committed to equity and justice who want to equip children to be active and able participants in our racially diverse yet tension-filled society.

Jennifer Harvey is an educator, activist, and public speaker whose work focuses primarily on racial justice and anti-white racism. Dr. Harvey lives in Des Moines, Iowa and is a professor of religion at Drake University.

She is also ordained through the American Baptist Churches. And she has a previously published book Dear White Christians.

Questions

1. So before we dive into the book, let’s talk about the obvious, each of us is raising children of different shades. Did that affect the way you thought about the content in this book?
2. So Harvey does a nice job of providing action items and key takeaways at the end of each chapter. Were there any in particular that stuck out to you or were especially helpful?
3. In Chapter 6, Harvey relays the story of a child who was called racist by some of her classmates at school because she asked for a “brown” crayon. How have you handled these types of conversations with your own kids?

Taking Action

Columbus Blessing Boxes https://m.facebook.com/ColumbusBlessingBox/posts/1111566585716810

Blessing Boxes are outdoor cabinets in public places that are stocked with non-perishable food items, basic toiletries, baby supplies, and anything else that might be considered a blessing to someone who finds themselves in need. Items are anonymously donated and anonymously received. A simple rule applies - Leave what you can, take what you need.

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In the News

Just Mercy In Theaters Now

Taking Action Against Mass Incarceration

1. https://www.aclu.org/blog/smart-justice/ohio-admits-it-has-problem-mass-incarceration
2. http://www.ohiojpc.org/
3. https://eji.org/get-involved/
4. https://www.acluohio.org/archives/issue/juvenile-justice
5. http://jjohio.org/
6. https://www.greaterclevelandcongregations.org/

Send Us Feedback

Email: boundforjustice@gmail.com

Voicemail: ‪(614) 450-0372‬

Discussion
We talk about The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B. Tyson. The book was published January 31, 2017 and was a winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, a New York Times Notable Book, and an NPR Best book of 2017, as well as acknowledged on multiple other notable book lists.

1. Do you have a specific event or a news story in your life that really stuck with you and made you want to take action?
2. What did you find the most impressive or what about his mother stuck with you?
3. So you feel like we are making any progress? What is it going to take?

Taking Action

Explore your family history! You might be surprised at what you can find.

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In the News
Curtis Flowers leaves Parchman prison, returns to county jail

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Send Us Feedback
Email: boundforjustice@gmail.com
Voicemail: ‪(614) 450-0372‬

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Music credit: commonGround by airtone (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/airtone/58703

EPISODE SUMMARY

This week's book is "Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together" written by Beverly Daniel Tatum

EPISODE NOTES

Discussion
We're discussing Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together written by Beverly Daniel Tatum.

1)What are some of the messages you’ve received and/or can you relate to or share how your self-perceptions have changed over time? What made them change?

2)What is your earliest race related memory?

3) Have you ever discounted someone’s feelings about a racial situation without meaning to? Or, have you been on the receiving end of being dismissed?

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Taking Action
Coffee with a Black Guy

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In the News
California becomes first state to ban discrimination against natural hair 

Send Us Feedback
Email: boundforjustice@gmail.com
Voicemail: ‪(614) 450-0372‬

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Music credit: Beautiful by Cali Crazed Beats (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/calicrazedbeats/56414

Discussion

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631

• The subject of reparations is kind of a big topic and I had my preconceived ideas on the subject prior to reading The Case for Reparations. Did you also have a preconceived idea regarding reparations and after reading the articles did you have a different or new understanding? Did you viewpoint change at all? How?
• The subject of reparations is kind of a big topic and I had my preconceived ideas on the subject prior to reading The Case for Reparations. Did you also have a preconceived idea regarding reparations and after reading the articles did you have a different or new understanding? Did you viewpoint change at all? How?
• Referenced Links:
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/07/opinion/case-for-reparations.html
  • https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/political-scene/ta-nehisi-coates-revisits-the-case-for-reparations
  • https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-reparations

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Taking Action
Check out volunteer opportunities at the YWCA

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In the News
Learn more about the 1619 Project from the New York Times

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Send Us Feedback
Email: boundforjustice@gmail.com
Voicemail: ‪(614) 450-0372‬

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Image Credit: "Downtown Chicago Shops" by ColorblindRain is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0