We have hit a boiling point of rage and heartbreak. What we witnessed through George Floyd's murder was evil incarnate, not to mention the countless others who have come before him, and the massively dysfunctional systems in America that perpetuate injustice, racism, and senseless violence.
But pointing fingers at bigger systems also misses and important point: we — I — must start within.
I want to start this post and episode by thanking two people who kicked off the latest round of deep inquiry around anti-racism for me: Michael Bungay Stanier in his MBS.works newsletter, who shared a link to Rachel Rodger’s Instagram Live video from May 30 on “the good white liberal response.” (If you catch this in time, she has a Town Hall called Reimagining Small Business on Wednesday 6/10 from 6-8pm ET.)
I met Rachel many years ago, and have followed her work for many years—particularly at her new platform and podcast Hello Seven. It shouldn’t have taken until now, but seeing and hearing her pain, passion, and determination woke me up and stopped me in my tracks anew. It inspired me to dig deeper, to dive into social media in a way that I usually don’t. To listen more deeply.
Staying “out of it” is no longer an option (it’s a privilege), and I thank Rachel for calling me and others in to revisit many of the topics in today’s episode that, though I dipped in and out of over the years, I haven’t been focusing on nearly enough. Especially now, when our collective voices are needed more than ever.
If you are one of the many activists already working in this space, THANK YOU. ❤️ 🎙 To further #amplifymelanatedvoices, I invite you to submit voice recordings to air on the Pivot Podcast via SpeakPipe, or for longer messages, send your recording link to hello@pivotmethod.com.
Let me briefly say, while in deep listening and learning mode: *I* must do better as a podcaster, listener, coach, friend, community member, and leader to continue building anti-racism skills and taking meaningful action.
In the meantime, I am absorbing as much as I can to do my part, and am deeply grateful for all who are helping raise awareness and our collective consciousness. Please bear with me and others as we catch-up to making sense of the biggest, most inclusive picture. I recognize that even this podcast and post is sensitive and imperfect in ways I don't yet see or understand, and I welcome your feedback.
Black Lives Matter.
View full show notes from this episode, with a continuously updated list of resources, at http://pivotmethod.com/blacklivesmatter »
Helpful Resources (These Will Be Continuously Updated)
ATTENDING:
Whiteness at Work with Desiree Adaway on Thursday, June 11 at 2 p.m. (h/t SKP)
Reimagining Small Business — Town Hall with Rachel Rodgers, Ericka Hines, and Susan Hyatt
LISTENING:
Episodes:
10% Happier’s #252 “You Can't Meditate This Away" (Race, Rage, and the Responsibilities of Meditators) with Sebene Selassie
Unlocking Us: Brené Brown with Ibram X.Kendi, author of How to Be An Anti-Racist; with Austin Channing Brown on I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness (author of I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made For Whiteness)
Ritual Care: The Great White Wellness Gap (and Where We Go From Here)
Pivot Podcast: Illuminating Invisible Privilege with Karen Pittleman
What Works: 263 Turning Your Values Into Action with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coach Erica Courdae
What Works: 266 Building an Inclusive Community with Whole30’s Melissa Urban
Podcasts:
1619 podcast by The New York Times + interactive essay on The 1619 Project
Come Through with Rebecca Carol
Pod for the Cause by The Leadership Conference on Civil, Human Rights
WATCHING
Former President Obama's Town Hall Remarks (15:18) + Visit Obama.org for more
So You Think You Can Dance’s Twitch and Allison: White Privilege is Real (Put a Finger Down If…)
Rachel Cargle's TEDx: Coming to Terms with Racism's Inertia: Ancestral Accountability + her fantastic list of resources
Trevor Noah's George Floyd, Minneapolis Protests, Ahmaud Arbery & Amy Cooper | The Daily Social Distancing Show (h/t Linda W.)
Mother of George Floyd's Child Speaks Out: "This is what those officers took"
Al Sharpton’s eulogy at the memorial service: “Get your knee off our necks”
Sonia Renee Taylor’s IG Live: Why Talking to Your White Family About Black People is the Wrong Approach
Killer Mike’s Emotional Speech at Atlanta Mayor’s Press Conference (via Mike Robbins)
Trudi Lebron’s message for white coaches and business owners
Marie’s Response: White Privilege, My Blind Spots & Hope for a Better Future
READING
Articles
The Song that Knows Our Rage (NYT) + 🎵 Patti LaBelle's If You Don't Know Me By Now (Live, 1985)
Dear America: We Watch Your Convulsions with Horror and Hope (NYT)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's LA Times OpEd: Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge
A Love Letter to All the Overwhelmed White People Who Are Trying by Melissa DiPino, co-founder of Privilege to Progress
NYT: A ‘Glorious Poetic Rage’ — This time is different. Here’s why.
Trudi Lebron’s Facing Race, Equity, and Diversity in the Coaching Industry: 10 Considerations
Alexia Vernon’s Integrate Social Justice with Self Improvement
Great reflection questions in this article from Christina Blacken on Amy Cooper Party Tricks of Racism Stop with Narrative Intelligence
How to Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X Kendi
Mindful of Race by Ruth King
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World by Austin Channing Brown
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
A Black Theology of Liberation by James Cone
Via Rachel Cargle: Revolution Booklist and Community Booklist
LEARNING
Comprehensive list of anti-racism resources
75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice and 10 Things White People Can Do
Lauren Dawson, LinkedIn's senior program manager of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging on supporting black employees during this time
Lewis & Clark College: ABC’s of Social Justice (PDF)
Awake to Woke to Work: Building a Race and Equity Culture (PDF)
TOOLS
Instagram’s Guide: 18 Ways to Act for Racial Justice and Racism + Violence: Helping Kids Handle the News
Black Lives Matter's Ways You Can Help:
Sign local and national petitions
Donate to victims' families, organizations, and black-owned businesses (Even better: set these up as recurring donations)
Check out these additional resources
Educate yourself, and
REGISTER & VOTE
Check out other episodes of the Pivot Podcast here. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen, and if you enjoy the show I would be very grateful for a rating and/or review! Sign-up for my weekly(ish) #PivotList newsletter to receive curated round-ups of what I’m reading, watching, listening to, and new tools I’m geeking out on.