Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #486 - Being less prejudiced
Hi Mom, In a catch up mode, and a great re-post today. Everyone should watch this video. Great message. I am showing this to you directly, Mom. No fear. I know you know that now. I feel it.
“How Can I Be Less Prejudiced?”: The Best Answer We’ve Ever Heard
Be less prejudiced
September 7, 2016
We’ve Been Thinking A Lot About Equity Lately
With the election fast approaching, we’ve been thinking especially hard about access to voting and the ways that entire communities of people – particularly African Americansand other people of color – are discouraged from participating in our democracy. It’s not right – in fact, it’s downright un-American.
And it’s something else, too: it’s part of a much larger conversation about racial equity. This is a tough topic to talk about, which is why we were so impressed with Heather McGhee’s eloquent response to a caller when she was a guest on CSPAN’s Washington Journal program last week. Describing himself as prejudiced, the caller asked her, “What can I do to change? You know, to be a better American?”
Her response is something everyone should hear:
Heather’s ideas focus on expanding your worldview and getting to know real black families. Not stereotypes and fear-mongering media portrayals, but real black Americans who live every day in a world that can, at times, be very unwelcoming to them.
Here’s what she suggested:
- Admit that there’s a problem. Often the hardest step is recognizing that you yourself may have prejudiced views.
- Get to know real black families. Listen to their experiences and hear their voices on complicated issues.
- Turn off the news at night. News sources over-represent black crime and create unnecessary fear.
- Join or visit a predominantly black or interracial church. The more perspectives you can call on when tough issues come up, the better.
- Learn about the history of the African-American community. We got here from somewhere. Learn the whole story.
- Foster conversation. Next time you’re with friends or family or neighbors, don’t shy away from difficult conversations about race. Ask the hard questions, and talk about how we can build positive relationships going forward.
Heather McGhee is president of Demos, a rockstar social justice organization that we work closely with. Check out the awesome things Demos is up to here.
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Reflect and connect.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you.
I miss you so very much, Mom.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
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- Days ago = 488 days ago
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1611.04 - 10:10
NOTE on time: When I post late, I had been posting at 7:10 a.m. because Google is on Pacific Time, and so this is really 10:10 EDT. However, it still shows up on the blog in Pacific time. So, I am going to start posting at 10:10 a.m. Pacific time, intending this to be 10:10 Eastern time. I know this only matters to me, and to you, Mom. But I am not going back and changing all the 7:10 a.m. times. But I will run this note for a while. Mom, you know that I am posting at 10:10 a.m. often because this is the time of your death.
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