Tuesday: Anti Racism Tools and Resources

Despite deeply ingrained biases, lots of folks want to believe they are not racist. Rather than denying racism or trying to avoid it in a passive way, people are encouraged to be “anti-racist” by actively becoming more aware of racism, both subtle and blatant manifestations. This first step can be done by reading books, watching documentaries and movies, listening to podcasts, and by participating in anti-racist activities like supporting black owned businesses and/or joining an anti-racist group. Triad City Beat shared a list of resources and tools for anyone interested in learning more:  

WATCH

• 13th (Netflix, Youtube)
• When They See Us (Netflix)
• I Am Not Your Negro (Amazon)
• LA 92 (Netflix)
• Just Mercy (FREE during June)

READ (Support local bookstores and libraries if you can!)

• White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
• How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
• So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo
• Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas In America by Ibram X. Kendi
• Fatal Invention: How Science, Politics, and Big Business Re-create Race in the Twenty-First Century by Dorothy Roberts
• Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by Bell Hooks
• The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
• Kid friendly texts:
• The Color of Us by Karen Katz
• The Skin I’m In by Pat Thomas
• Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester

LISTEN

• 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah Jones
• Code Switch by NPR
• Yo, Is This Racist by Earwolf
• Throughline by NPR
• Still Processing by New York Times
• Lynching in America by Equal Justice Institute
• Intersectionality Matters! by Kimberlé Crenshaw

10 Reasons to Support Black Lives Matter 

BLACK BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS

Greensboro/Guilford

• Black Dollar Blog — list of NC-based black businesses
• Greensboro Rising — a local group of black activists who have been organizing protests and action
• Anti-racist white folks Facebook group — a Greensboro-based group specifically for white people to get involved and learn more about how to be anti-racist
• Guilford For All — a multiethnic advocacy group that fights for racial equality, schools and more
• Greensboro Black Lives Matter — a Facebook group and organization that works to develop action locally

Winston-Salem/Forsyth

• Equity Forsyth’s anti-racist resource guide
• Forsyth County Bail Fund — a fund to people who are unable to afford bail gain their release from pre-trial detention through community donations
• Action4Equity — a community organization fighting for racial justice in schools
• Hate Out of Winston — Grassroots, anti-racist organization
• Forsyth Freedom Federation — Grassroots, anti-racist organization 

Additional resources also are recommended, including group work like a book club or study group with people involved in similar work.

ANTI RACISM WORKSHOP  

Who: anyone and everyone is invited and welcome

What: anti-racism workshop facilitated by Rev Dr Jacqui Lewis

Where: online 

When: Wednesday June 17th and Thursday June 18th, 7pm-8:30pm (2 parts) 

Why: to explore race, racism, privilege and implicit/explicit bias in culture

Cost: $20

Becoming anti-racist is a process. The work of awareness and action can be difficult and exhausting. Some people start from the perspective of believing racism doesn’t exist or isn’t a significant problem. Others may believe the problem is too big, too pervasive to change. Whatever you believe, there is opportunity for personal growth for all of us, for each and every person. Wherever you are on your life journey, you can take one small step forward, then another, and then another.

Anti Racism Zones:  Where do you want to be?

You don’t have to run a marathon today. There is time to prepare and train. Using the fitness model of moving from the couch to a 5K, try doing something intentional each day; a little bit the first day, a little more the second day and so on. Walk around your house, then your neighborhood, then jog, then eventually run.  That’s what I’m trying to do. I aim to learn something new every day, and to take some kind of action to move myself forward instead of standing still or living in the past that doesn’t exit any more.

Anti racism work is hard. Do it anyway.

Like with COVID-19, some days are better than others. Some days I feel hopeful and positive though some days I still feel anxious and fearful. I think it’s ok to feel what we feel without judgment, without guilt. I also think it is helpful to understand why we feel the way we do. By exploring the thoughts and experiences behind our emotions, we can learn from them and adjust our actions accordingly.

In the spirit of sharing softer news and/or silly vibes:

Jimmy Kimmel remarks at the 2012 WH Correspondents Dinner performance.

Daily pandemic update:  

Cheap and widely used steroid dexamethasone became the first drug found to dramatically reduce the risk of dying from COVID-19.  Aljazeera.com timeline

16 June 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
10:30 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	8,014,132	8,137,199	436,005	439,583	4,137,754	4,249,463
US	2,162,228	2,182,979	117,858	118,286	870,556	890,015
NY	404,470	405,139	30,911	30,952	86,001	86,091
CT	45,088	45,235	4,201	4,204	8,596	8,692
NC	44,263	45,113	1,132	1,140	23,653	29,219

A moment of silence for those we’ve lost to coronavirus, including the first 100 and the first 100,000 in the US.

As of today 12% of closed cases in the US resulted in death; 88% recovered.

Globally 9% of closed cases resulted in death worldwide; 91% recovered.

Currently 2% of all active cases are considered serious or critical.

*Documenting time of day because real time data updates continuously.
Tracking specific states:  NY is US epicenter. Son Reid lives in CT. I live in NC. 
Worldometers     Coronainusa     Starsexpress2020     https://ncov2019.live/

NOTE: When I first began looking at coronavirus data back in March, NC had significantly fewer cases than CT. Today NC is just below CT and rising fast. I’m saddened by and frustrated with the people who refuse to wear masks locally.

In the news: 

• Albuquerque NM man was reportedly shot by member of right wing NM Civil Guard militia during clash over conquistador statue. Militia denied connection to shooter. Investigation ongoing. 
• Black Americans are more than twice as likely to know a COVID-19 victim than whites, due primarily to pre-existing conditions and limited access to health care. 
• Cosmetics CEO apologized after confronting man writing ‘Black Lives Matter’ on his own property. 
• Economic advisor Larry Kudlow said $600 additional weekly unemployment benefit to aid those who lost jobs due to pandemic will end in late July.
• Fauci confirmed PPE shortages were reason masks were not initially recommended for general public use. Masks continue to be point of contention in culture war. Surgeon General Adams said masks promote freedom. "Some feel face coverings infringe on their freedom of choice- but if more wear them, we'll have MORE freedom to go out," Adams tweeted.
• FDA revoked emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in treatment of COVID-19.
• A few FL bars temporarily closed for sanitation after new coronavirus cases were confirmed. Myrtle Beach SC announced list of restaurants and bars voluntarily closed following spike in cases.
• Ford Motor Co announced plans to reveal all-new Ford Bronco on July 9, which just happens to be the birthday of Orenthal James ‘OJ’ Simpson. 
• John Bolton is likely to be sued in attempt to block book critical of Trump. Petitions on change.org and moveon.org urge potential readers to boycott book since Bolton refused to testify during impeachment hearings. Also, Trump’s niece Mary wrote a book critical of the Trump family, set to be released in late July.  
• Lindsey Graham praised Joe Biden and called Donald Trump a 'race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot' in new ad from Republican Voters Against Trump. A veterans group also released a video criticizing Trump.
• Navajo Nation reported 6,554 cases and 308 deaths; approximately 21% of population tested.
• North Korea threatened to send army into DMZ demilitarized border zone in response to defector propaganda. North Korea later blew up joint liaison office used for talks between North and South Korea diplomats, the latest sign that diplomacy between the 2 countries is rapidly deteriorating.
• Oluwatoyin Salau, 19 year old BLM activist, and 75 year old Victoria Sims were found dead near Tallahassee FL. Suspect Aaron Glee Jr was arrested.
• Rayshard Brooks was running away after resisting arrest in the parking lot of a Wendy’s restaurant in Atlanta GA when he was shot dead by officer Garrett Rolfe. The shooting was legal though considered excessive use of force. Protests followed. Officer was fired and police chief resigned. The Wendy’s restaurant was set on fire. Authorities released photo of alleged arsonist.
• Supreme Court ruled Civil Rights Act barring sex discrimination in the workplace protects LGBTQ employees from being fired because of their sexual orientation. Some conservatives criticized the ruling though key republican senators supported it. Trump said “we can live with… very powerful” decision. Vote was 6 to 3 with conservatives Neil Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts agreeing with 4 liberal justices in the majority. Court declined to consider challenges to CA sanctuary laws and police qualified immunity. Justices also refused to hear 10 gun law cases seeking to expand gun rights.
• Trump is expected to sign an executive order on police reforms Tuesday. Trump may pull some US troops out of Germany over NATO spending feud. Trump administration continues to use imminent domain to seize private lands for wall along southern border. Trump told press pool “If we stop testing right now, we’d have very few cases, if any.”
• Tulsa OK health director said he wished Trump rally could be postponed due to surge in coronavirus cases. Trump responded that crowd size may triple if additional venue is utilized. Nearly 1 million people allegedly requested tickets to attend rally despite venue max capacity of 19,200. Meanwhile Chuba Hubbard and other athletes pushed back at OK State U after coach Mike Gundy wore OAN t-shirt. Hubbard later apologized for angry tweet during press conference with coach Gundy promising change.
• Twitter feud: Senator Ted Cruz challenged actor Ron Perlman to wrestle Jim Jordan after attack on Matt Gaetz. Meanwhile the republican controlled senate is ignoring legislation that could help working class Americans negatively impacted by the pandemic. NOTE: Since some lawmakers act like children, can someone propose a rule limiting their screen time? Perhaps they could be incentivized to work harder with potential to earn 10 minutes of screen time for every bill passed.
• UK study: 8.5% of coronavirus patients do not produce antibodies against a second infection.
• WHO: Coronavirus cases are spiking because lockdown rules are easing, not second wave.

NC News

• NC Gov Cooper is considering mask requirement. He and his team of advisors are studying data to determine if/when to announce phase 3.
• NASCAR announced 2020 All-Star Race will be moved from Charlotte NC to Bristol TN over COVID-19 concerns.
• ReOpen NC held fundraiser to help owners of ACE Speedway pay legal fees. Meanwhile an Ace Speedway crew member tested positive for coronavirus. Few attended protest event at 311 Speedway in Stokes County though hundreds watched race there.
• Winston Salem demonstrators lined Fifth Street in front of Benton Convention Center for "We Demand Action" protest Monday. Protesters attempted to call into online city council meeting though many reported difficulty connecting. City council affirmed support for 8 can’t wait police reforms and discussed allocating $1 million for anti-poverty initiative. Winston Salem Open tennis tournament is likely to be cancelled.

In my personal life…

Monday morning Greg’s friend and mobile fish monger Rockey stopped by on his way to work to drop off some fish he had caught over the weekend. His generosity and kindness reminded me of friend and fishing buddy Ruth Mary who passed away in 2017. Fond memories of RM include fishing, dinner parties, fire pits, beach trips and deep conversations. I miss RM and other Greensboro friends. I miss the beach too.

  

I’ve read about people having strange coronavirus dreams but don’t think my dreams are much different than before the pandemic. My dreams often play out like weird little movies tangentially connecting unrelated bits of reality, always have. For example, recently I dreamt Dave Bautista was chasing Paul Dano through the woods toward a river that flowed into a town. In my dream I yelled for the police to help, which turned into chants of peace, which were in unison with a nose whistling noise responsible for waking me up mid dream. I had seen Dave Bautista in a tv commercial earlier in the day so that may explain why he was in my dream. Not sure about Paul Dano. The nose whistle is new, perhaps caused by seasonal allergies and nasal congestion. Greg says I snore sometimes but he’s never noticed a nose whistle sound. Greg snores like a freight train, disruptively loud. Minerva does too, though not quite as bad as Greg.

  

Greg made country ham biscuits for breakfast, followed by watermelon as a mid morning snack. For lunch I pulled a small cucumber from the garden, sliced it and ate it with garlic hummus. I was still hungry afterward so I ate a banana, a few cashews and some sun chips. For linner Greg made fish (lightly battered and air fried) with baked potatoes and corn on the cob. Delicious!  

  

My daily action for racial justice Monday was to sign a joint statement of support for #BlackLivesMatter posted by the NC Association of Educators. Today I will continue listening, reading, and seeking out information shared by black voices as I look for more active action steps to take.