I Write Things and Tell Stories

After our readings about Activism in the Social Media Age this week in MCO335, I was reminded about what sparked my own activism. Shortly after the death of George Floyd my wife sent me a heartbreaking article written by Danielle Cadet titled ‘ Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They’re Okay — Chances Are They’re Not.’ I remember we both sat in silence for a moment and then discussed how we could no longer sit back and be passive bystanders in a time of social injustice. If our nation is truly going to change its going to take the effort of white people, not just people of color, to make a difference. Now more than ever we felt especially drawn to the cause. How could we look our biracial granddaughter in the eye and say we did nothing at a time when our nation was in pain? She could one day face the same discrimination, racism, or worse just because of the color of her skin. But we also knew we weren’t going to make a damn bit of difference just by posting a meme or a quote on social media. We had to do something significant to be part of a greater movement. So, we both volunteer for a non-profit, Center for Community Solutions, that assists victims of domestic violence and sexual assault which in many cases are women of color. We donate to the Equal Justice Initiative which works to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment,  racial and economic injustice, and protects basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in America. We’ve worked to spread the message behind Defy Ventures in its quest to reduce prison recidivism rates by training incarcerated individuals for a return to society. We have read countless books and articles, listened to numerous podcasts, and watched even more documentaries and specials addressing racial injustice in America and what we can do to no longer be among the passive bystanders. Our work is just a drop in the bucket but our hope is the ripple effects of that one drop will eventually help to make waves. 

Photo: Steve Breen Twitter for the San Diego Union-Tribune June 4, 2020

This quote, more than any other in our lecture this week, was the one that had the greatest impact on me. KevOnStage makes it clear in just 2-minutes that Black Lives Matter should be included in the All Lives Matter conversation. This short YouTube video is the perfect example of the Pew Research study about the effectiveness and viability of using social media for political engagement and social activism.

After reading about #BlackTwitter this week it reminded me there is a whole new world I’m discovering, much to learn, and sources to turn to understand the origin and conversations behind #BlackTwitter. That said, as the grandfather of a biracial little girl I constantly find myself looking for role models that look like her. I’m especially encouraged when I find women in leadership and those in STEM. What better example than Vice President Kamala Harris as the first female Vice President and the first  Black person and first Asian American to hold the office. My granddaughter is not alone. According to this article from Pew Research one of the fastest growing racial or ethnic groups in America are those with a multiracial background. 

This week one of the most interesting readings that had an impact on me was a Pew Research study about Social Media Conversations About Race. It’s easy to have those discussions behind an anonymous avatar but to truly expose yourself to the content and dig deeper you have to understand what it’s like to live in someone else’s skin. Shortly after the death of George Floyd I was reintroduced to Emmanuel Acho. I followed his career with the Texas Longhorns and his time in the NFL. But I never knew Emmanuel had such a gift for not only educating people but also bringing people together through delicate, yet necessary conversations. If you haven’t read his book Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man you should. This 9-minute video is the genesis for that book and a gift, “about race that many white people have never been able to have.” 

I met Timothy Jackson in September of 2020. His job was to keep a San Diego lab sanitized so it could remain open as an essential business. But as I delved further into his story I was pleasantly surprised to learn how he acquired his skills and got his job. The best way to describe it was Shark Tank for Prisoners. It’s been his ticket to success and now he’s paying it forward.