An Authentic Conversation on Racism in America

Onward logo and Black Lives Matter Symbol

It Starts with Me, It Starts with You, and It Starts with Us:

This Onward Podcast episode is a recorded zoom call on racism in America. This conversation wasn’t an easy conversation. We all left our comfort zones to have this authentic conversation. It’s amazing how people opened up on this call to people they don’t even know. Some shared experiences they haven’t shared in years. Especially considering that talking about these experiences brought back the pain and trauma.

Summarizing the conversation in these show notes won’t do it justice. You must listen with your own ears. 

I want to thank every one of the panelists, especially the Black panelists, for sharing their experiences. Listeners, please use what you learn from this authentic conversation on racism to start conversations with people in your network, in your neighborhood, and community. Also, we need to be careful about stereotyping. Stereotyping Black people, stereotyping White people, stereotyping anyone. In addition, we all need to be aware of our biases.

It starts with me. It starts with you. And it starts with us. We may not be able to end racism. However, we can focus on injustice and address the institutional and systemic manifestations of hate. Making these changes will start at the neighborhood, the community level. Also, you have to meet people where they are and establish a relationship before initiating tough conversations. I hope you find this conversation helpful as we all strive to improve our knowledge and understanding of the issues.

Episode Highlights:

“We are going to…. dehumanize and destroy George Floyd. And so I’m telling you at the end of the day, the only way you’ll probably get a little bit of change that might be more substantive, is unfortunately, one of the Black men that’s on this call is going to have to die. Because they won’t be able to poke holes. His character won’t be destroyed. You’ve got to find the perfect Black person to be killed, and then somebody will pay attention.”  – Damon 

“Intellect has no race.” – John 

“We can never solve anything if we never talk about it.” –  Brian

 “I feel like the new racism is not ‘all Blacks are ___’ but ‘certain/low income Blacks are _____.’” – Donna

“I’d also like to add that we are treated differently based upon our outward appearance. I forgot to mention that I practice law and get treated differently whenever I’m in a suit as opposed to in jeans and a t-shirt.” – Derek

“James Baldwin said ‘Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.’  We must keep the conversation going.” – Steffanie

“That is probably one of the things I dislike hearing most: ‘I don’t see color.’ I don’t mind you seeing color…I just don’t want you to treat me differently because of it.” – Chanielle

Resources Mentioned: