Lessons from the past shape our present: Understanding history and questioning authority can empower individuals to build the life they want, despite systemic barriers.
The experiences of the past shape our present and influence the way we approach life. This was evident in the story of Sharonda Bossier, who grew up in a household steeped in music and lessons from her grandparents. Her grandfather's anger towards the idea that hard work was the only promise for safety and reward for black people, as expressed in a Sam Cooke song, stayed with her. Sharonda, who was always a good student and a questioner, was encouraged by her grandmother to challenge authority and ask why. Her grandmother's influence helped Sharonda understand her history and the struggles of her ancestors, giving her the freedom to build the life she wanted. Meanwhile, as protests against police brutality continue, meaningful reform remains elusive, highlighting the importance of learning from the past and continuing to question and challenge the status quo.
Lessons from grandmother shape Sharonda's mistrust of police: Growing up in a dangerous neighborhood, Sharonda learned to mistrust authority figures, especially the police, due to her experiences and her grandmother's teachings.
Sharonda's experiences in Watts, as shaped by her grandmother's teachings, have instilled in her a profound sense of caution and mistrust towards authority figures, particularly the police. This perspective is rooted in her upbringing, where she learned that the police were not there to protect her, but rather, could pose a threat. This belief is exemplified in an incident where Sharonda, as a child, was warned by a man at a meat market to return to her mother, leading to a tense interaction that left her and her grandmother shaken. This experience, along with the broader context of police presence and crime in her community during the war on drugs, reinforces Sharonda's understanding of the complexities of safety and protection in her neighborhood.
Rodney King and Latasha Harlins cases highlight racial bias and inequality in criminal justice system: Graphic evidence in Rodney King and Latasha Harlins cases did not lead to equal justice, sparking community outrage and demand for change, but ultimately returning to the status quo.
The justice system during that time period did not seem to serve the community equally, as shown in the cases of Rodney King and Latasha Harlins. The community felt powerless and frustrated, as seen in the reactions of Sharonda's family and the riots that ensued. The incidents highlighted a deep-rooted issue of racial bias and inequality in the criminal justice system. Despite the graphic evidence presented in both cases, the outcomes were perceived as unjust. The events also showed how the community came together to express their outrage and demand change, but ultimately returned to their normal lives, only for history to repeat itself a few years later.
Childhood trauma fuels desire for change: Trauma in childhood can lead to anger and a drive for positive change. Support from mentors can help channel this energy into productive activism.
Adversity and trauma in childhood can lead to anger and a desire for change. The story of Sharonda, a 13-year-old girl who witnesses her grandmother's heart attack and experiences the inadequacies of the healthcare system, illustrates this point. The trauma of losing her grandmother at a young age, combined with the systemic issues she observes, fuels her anger and drives her to become an activist. The support of her English teacher, who encourages her to go beyond petition drives and join protests, helps Sharonda channel her anger into positive action. This experience shows how personal adversity can lead to a deeper understanding of social issues and a determination to effect change.
The Power of Personal Agency in Creating Change: Asserting personal choices and activism, even in adversity, can lead to meaningful change in society.
Personal agency and standing up for what you believe in, even in the face of adversity, can lead to meaningful change. The story of Sharonda illustrates this as she learns to assert her own choices and activism, starting with defying her grandfather to leave school and later joining protests for educational equity and volunteering for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. However, two pivotal moments – the death of Trayvon Martin and the lack of information provided to Sharonda about her son's death – galvanized her further, leading her to become an active participant in social justice movements and eventually, a teacher. This story highlights the power of individual action and the ripple effect it can have on society.
Emergence of Black Lives Matter movement after Ferguson shooting: The Black Lives Matter movement emerged as a grassroots, leaderless response to police violence against Black people, but its lack of a clear leader and the ensuing violence left many uncertain, leading to both its growth and a plateau in support.
During the aftermath of Michael Brown Jr.'s fatal shooting by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, a grassroots, leaderless movement called Black Lives Matter emerged. Sharonda, a mother of a victim, became an activist and helped build networks and friendships to share information and strategize for change. The movement aimed to challenge the existing system, but its lack of a clear leader and the violence that ensued left many in the country feeling uncertain and uncomfortable. The movement's suspicion of hierarchy and the public's need for a clear message from a leader created a complex dynamic, leading to both the movement's growth and a plateau in its support.
Activism for social justice can be dangerous and uncomfortable: Activists risk arrest and confrontations with law enforcement to drive change and hold those in power accountable, despite the fear and tension in places with a history of racial injustice.
Activism for social justice can be a dangerous and uncomfortable experience, but it's an essential part of the movement. As demonstrated in the story of Sharonda, activists risk arrest and confrontations with law enforcement, even when they're not in a leadership role. The fear and tension of these situations can be intensified in places with a history of racial injustice, like Louisiana. However, activists feel a deep commitment to their cause and continue to put themselves in these situations to make a difference. The movement gained national attention during this time, with prominent figures like DeRay McKesson being arrested, and the country's focus shifting towards the 2016 election and the fight against policies that threatened progressive values. Ultimately, the courage and dedication of activists, like Sharonda, are crucial to driving change and holding those in power accountable.
The Long Road to Social Justice and Political Change: Stay committed to the cause of social justice and political change, despite the challenges and sacrifices. Recognize the importance of both inside and outside activism, and push for decision-making power for underrepresented communities.
The fight for social justice and political change is a long and complex process that requires both inside and outside activism. The speaker reflects on the experience of organizing around issues such as DACA and Black Lives Matter, and the challenges of maintaining momentum and dealing with the trauma and sacrifices involved. They express concern about the superficiality of allyship and the need to help people imagine a better future. Despite the challenges, the speaker remains hopeful and committed to the cause. The speaker also wishes they had recognized the importance of both types of activism earlier and pushed for more decision-making power for underrepresented communities. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of staying committed to the cause, even in the face of setbacks and challenges.
The Power of Hope in Overcoming Challenges: Believing in a better tomorrow helps us persevere through personal and social struggles, even when the news cycle moves on.
Hope plays a significant role in persevering through challenges, whether it's in personal life or social movements. Shironda wonders if her grandmother, who she thinks would be proud of her, would approve of her current path. Similarly, during a marathon, runners must encourage themselves and believe in the promise of a better tomorrow to reach the finish line. Sadly, the news cycle has moved on from the protests, but their impact remains. In other news, a devastating explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, has taken at least 78 lives and injured over 1,000 people. The cause of the explosion, which involved 1,000 pounds of explosive materials, is still unclear, but President Trump suspects it was an attack. Regardless of the event, it's crucial to remember the importance of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
‘Stay Black and Die’
Recent Episodes from The Daily
The Day Thousands of Pagers Exploded in Lebanon
Hundreds of electronic devices carried by Hezbollah members exploded simultaneously across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday in an audacious plot by Israel.
Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times, discusses what the attack accomplished, and what it cost.
Guest: Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- What we know about the deadly wireless-device explosions in Lebanon.
- Israel’s pager attack was a tactical success without a strategic goal, analysts say.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Israel's Existential Threat From Within
Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.
In the last year, the world’s eyes have been on the war in Gaza, which still has no end in sight. But there is a conflict in another Palestinian territory that has gotten far less attention, where life has become increasingly untenable: the West Bank.
Ronen Bergman, who has been covering the conflict, explains why things are likely to get worse, and the long history of extremist political forces inside Israel that he says are leading the country to an existential crisis.
Guest: Ronen Bergman, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine.
Background reading:
- How extremist settlers took over Israel.
- What is the West Bank and who controls it?
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
A Second Assassination Plot and the New Era of Political Violence
A suspect was charged on Monday in connection with what appears to be a second assassination attempt on Donald J. Trump.
Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Glenn Thrush, who have been covering the case, and Peter Baker, The Times’s chief White House correspondent, discuss the suspect’s background, the Secret Service’s struggle to protect the former president, and this new era of political violence.
Guests:
- Thomas Gibbons-Neff, a correspondent on the National desk of The New York Times.
- Glenn Thrush, who reports on the Justice Department for The New York Times.
- Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- What we know about the latest apparent assassination attempt.
- The case is another sign of how much the American political landscape has been shaped by anger stirred by Mr. Trump and against him.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Three Undecided Voters, Two Swing States, One Big Decision
From the moment Donald Trump and Kamala Harris walked off the debate stage, both their campaigns have argued about who won the showdown.
But the real question is what the debate meant to a small sliver of voters in a handful of swing states.
Campbell Robertson, a reporter on The Times’s National desk, and Stella Tan, a producer on “The Daily,” speak to three undecided voters about what they saw during the debate, and how much closer it brought them to a decision.
Guest:
- Campbell Robertson, a reporter for the National desk at The New York Times, who has been tracking undecided voters in Pennsylvania.
- Stella Tan, an audio producer for “The Daily,” who spoke to an undecided voter in Wisconsin.
Background reading:
- Voters said the vice president talked about a sweeping vision to fix the country’s most stubborn problems. But they wanted to hear more.
- “The Run-Up”: Here’s what undecided voters are thinking.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
The Sunday Read: ‘The For-Profit City That Might Come Crashing Down’
If Próspera were a normal town, Jorge Colindres, a freshly cologned and shaven lawyer, would be considered its mayor. His title here is “technical secretary.” Looking out over a clearing in the trees in February, he pointed to the small office complex where he works collecting taxes and managing public finances for the city’s 2,000 or so physical residents and e-residents, many of whom have paid a fee for the option of living in Próspera, on the Honduran island of Roatán, or remotely incorporating a business there.
Nearby is a manufacturing plant that is slated to build modular houses along the coast. About a mile in the other direction are some of the city’s businesses: a Bitcoin cafe and education center, a genetics clinic, a scuba shop. A delivery service for food and medical supplies will deploy its drones from this rooftop.
Próspera was built in a semiautonomous jurisdiction known as a ZEDE (a Spanish acronym for Zone for Employment and Economic Development). It is a private, for-profit city, with its own government that courts foreign investors through low taxes and light regulation. Now, the Honduran government wants it gone.
'The Interview': Demi Moore Is Done With the Male Gaze
The Story Behind ‘They’re Eating the Pets’
At this week’s presidential debate, Donald J. Trump went into an unprompted digression about immigrants eating people’s pets. While the claims were debunked, the topic was left unexplained.
Miriam Jordan, who covers the impact of immigration policies for The Times, explains the story behind the shocking claims and the tragedy that gave rise to them.
Guest: Miriam Jordan, a national immigration correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- A local official said there was “absolutely no evidence” for the outlandish claim about Haitian migrants that Mr. Trump and his campaign have amplified.
- How an Ohio town landed in the middle of the immigration debate.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
How the Election Is Sinking a $15 Billion Business Deal
In a highly unusual move, the Biden administration signaled last week that it would block a Japanese company from buying an iconic American company in a critical swing state.
Alan Rappeport, who covers the Treasury Department for The Times, discusses the politics that could doom the multibillion-dollar deal, and what it says about the new power of American labor.
Guest: Alan Rappeport, an economic policy reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- President Biden is expected to block Nippon Steel’s takeover of U.S. Steel.
- How swing-state politics are sinking a global steel deal.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Harris Baits Trump: Inside Their Fiery Debate
In their first and possibly only presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris dominated and enraged former President Donald J. Trump.
Jonathan Swan, who covers politics and the Trump campaign for The Times, explains how a night that could have been about Ms. Harris’s record instead became about Mr. Trump’s temperament.
Guest: Jonathan Swan, a political correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Read The Times’s live coverage of the debate as it happened.
- Who won? Here’s a sampling of the reaction.
- And here’s a fact-check on Mr. Trump and Ms. Harris.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Judge Delays Trump Sentencing Until After Election
Last week, a judge in Manhattan announced that he was delaying the sentencing of Donald J. Trump until after the election. It is the only one of the four criminal cases against the former president that will have gone to trial before voters go to the polls.
Ben Protess, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, discusses Mr. Trump’s remarkable legal win and its limits.
Guest: Ben Protess, an investigative reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Judge Juan M. Merchan delayed Trump’s sentencing until Nov. 26, after Election Day.
- Mr. Trump owes the delay in part to his legal resources and political status. It raised a question: Is he above the law?
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Related Episodes
The Story of Our Time w/ Author Robert Atkinson
Sign up for our weekly email: http://www.riverasun.com/love-and-revolution-radio/
About Our Guest:
Robert Atkinson, Ph.D., is an internationally acknowledged authority in helping people tell their life stories. He is a pioneer in the development of the life story interview methodology and among the first to apply Joseph Campbell’s classic work on the mythological journey of the hero to contemporary personal mythmaking. His books in these areas, The Gift of Stories: Practical and Spiritual Applications of Autobiography, Life Stories, and Personal Mythmaking (1995) and The Life Story Interview (1998), have been translated into Japanese, Italian, and Romanian and are widely used in personal growth and life review settings.
Related Links:
Robert Atkinson
http://www.robertatkinson.net/
The Story of Our Time
http://www.robertatkinson.net/the-story-of-our-time/
The Oneness Pledge
http://www.robertatkinson.net/about/oneness-pledge/
Music by:
"Love and Revolution" by Diane Patterson and Spirit Radio www.dianepatterson.org
About Your Co-hosts:
Sherri Mitchell (Penobscot) is an Indigenous rights attorney, writer and activist who melds traditional life-way teachings into spirit-based movements. Follow her at Sherri Mitchell – Wena’gamu’gwasit: https://www.facebook.com/sacredinstructions/timeline
Rivera Sun is a novelist and nonviolent mischief-maker. She is the author of The Dandelion Insurrection, Billionaire Buddha, and Steam Drills, Treadmills, and Shooting Stars. Her essays on social justice movements are syndicated on by PeaceVoice, and appear in Truthout and Popular Resistance. http://www.riverasun.com/
'Who Do They Say I Am?' - (Rev. Marlin Lavanhar)
Truth and Reconciliation: Addressing the Unspeakable
Sign up for our weekly email: http://www.riverasun.com/love-and-revolution-radio/
About Our Guest:
Arla Patch is an artist and educator who uses art as a tool for healing. She began working as a volunteer for the Maine Wabanaki State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission and later became the Community Engagement Coordinator for Wabanaki REACH. She currently lives in Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Quaker Society of Friends, serving on the Peace and Social Concerns Committee and also the Native Awareness Committee.
Related Links:
Maine-Wabanaki REACH (Reconciliation, Engagement, Advocacy, Change, Healing)
http://mainewabanakireach.org/
Maine Wabanaki State Truth and Reconciliation Commission
http://www.mainewabanakitrc.org/
Phips Proclamation
http://www.penobscotculture.com/?option=com_content&view=article&id=88&Itemid=72
"Please Share The Truth" Video to President Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbA5vij2NzQ&sns=em
Greensboro, NC Truth and Reconciliation Commission
http://www.greensborotrc.org/
The R-Word Documentary
http://therworddoc.com/
Tribe by Sebastian Junger
https://www.amazon.com/Tribe-Homecoming-Belonging-Sebastian-Junger/dp/1455566381
The Canary Effect Film
https://unsettlingamerica.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/the-canary-effect/
Maine-Wabanki REACH's Resource List by and about the Wabanaki
http://mainewabanakireach.org/resources-by-and-about-the-wabanaki/
Music:
"Love and Revolution" by Diane Patterson and Spirit Radio www.dianepatterson.org
About Your Co-hosts:
Sherri Mitchell (Penobscot) is an Indigenous rights attorney, writer and activist who melds traditional life-way teachings into spirit-based movements. Follow her at Sherri Mitchell – Wena’gamu’gwasit: https://www.facebook.com/sacredinstructions/timeline
Rivera Sun is a novelist and nonviolent mischief-maker. She is the author of The Dandelion Insurrection, Billionaire Buddha, and Steam Drills, Treadmills, and Shooting Stars. She is also the social media coordinator and nonviolence trainer for Campaign Nonviolence and Pace e Bene. Her essays on social justice movements are syndicated on by PeaceVoice, and appear in Truthout and Popular Resistance. http://www.riverasun.com/
Ep. 3 Extending my Roots: Finding belonging in crisis
107: The Real Meaning of Sacrifice with Jack Gutman on Change it Up Radio with Paula Shaw
Join Paula as she interviews her Dad, World War ll Veteran Jack Gutman, who, at the age of 18, participated in the Normandy Invasion. Hear first hand what it was like to prepare, participate, and survive one of the most grueling days in human history. Find out what he did, what he learned, and how he healed the PTSD that inevitably resulted.
To Learn More About the Show, Visit: www.ChangeItUpRadio.com