How do we "live beyond" social trends such as hanging a Black Lives Matter sign in our yards or homes? What are people and communities currently doing to fight and advocate for Black lives?
Join this important discussion beginning Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 12 p.m. ET US (UTC -4) to contribute your thoughts and hear from our panel, including:
- Kristian Jones, PhD, University of Washington School of Social Work
- Lorrie King, MPH, Emory University MDP program, Director of Special Projects, Romero Institute and Lakota People's Law Project
- Joshua Griffin, The Carter Center, moderator
May 25, 2022, marked the two-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. In the days following Mr. Floyds' death, the world witnessed millions of people take to the streets protesting for Black lives and the world echoed with slogans like "Say His Name" or "I Can't Breathe."
As the years have passed, so has the trend of supporting Black lives. In two years, the world has moved on from millions of people protesting the killing of George Floyd to cities painting over Black Lives Matter murals and focusing on other newsworthy events like the war in Ukraine. The frustration of rights advocates has been exacerbated by political failures such as the inability of the House of Representatives to pass HR40, coupled with the persistent killing of innocent Black lives, often at the hands of police.
The erasure of Black & minoritized Americans is a concerning phenomenon with far-reaching consequences not only for those most affected by the injustice but for the United States as a whole. The moment is now. It is time to take intentional actions to advocate and fight for Black and minoritized lives.
Coordinated by Joshua Griffin, MDP
Hello and welcome! We will begin in a few minutes. Forum members are encouraged to participate in the live chat. Please enter your comments and questions below.
To read the Amnesty report, visit https://amnestyusa.org/endapartheid/
Hello and really enjoying the discussion so far! I have a question about how different minority communities support and help uplift each other? Or perhaps more broadly, how can you best support a community that you do not necessarily identify with?
Thanks so much for this conversation! I think the strands of "everyday activisim" or "activisims of everyday life" - that is, things people can do in their daily lives that keep grounded consciousness in a condition of openness - so when the next moment comes people are ready
Learn more about "The Revolution Will Not Be Funded" at https://www.dukeupress.edu/the-revolution-will-not-be-funded
Learn more about the Social Development Research Group at https://depts.washington.edu/sdrg/
Learn more about the Lakota Youth Center at https://lakotayouth.org/
Although different organizations have been doing amazing work to fill in this huge gap in monetary and structural support that minority groups are being excluded from receiving, I wonder if that philanthropic support is enough without the government final stepping up?
Read Charles Blow's Oped at https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/05/20/opinion/blm-george-floyd-mural.html
Operation Breadbasket in Chicago, also open occupancy demonstrations in the city in '66 - SCLC came to the north.
But the thing was that the people were ready to respond because of the preexisting activisms of everyday life - through churches, block clubs, etc. civic participation as a kind of community gift - so continuous with everyday life.
Thank you, this discussion was so historically rich and relevant!
Thank you all for your participation today. You can continue the discussion here and we look forward to your involvement in the community!