Black and
White
Black Lives
Matter:
Living the
Solution Everyday
by Ani Crane
My dear friend Bridget challenged me
to write a piece to promote race relations. We are a black and white
friendship, which is a blessing to us both.
In our conversation she asked me
what makes you so open and receptive to others not like you? I
thought a moment, my story tells the tale. I myself am an outlier being an
adopted person. Therefore I feel compassion and empathy for others who are
different from the norm, marginal people. That said, the solution is all about
relationship and communication. Let me start with definition: relationship is
the way in which two or more people are connected or the state of being
connected. It's about connecting and trusting and being vulnerable...and that's
what's missing. Trust takes time, it doesn't happen overnight. To overcome 400
years of injustice takes a tsunami to make that change. Racism is a dance and
it is the moral obligation of white people to change the steps and the rhythm
working together with people of color to forge the changes. The timing is
right and the time is now to work in solidarity. How have I been
impacted by racism is the question white people need to ask, an
examination of conscience.
White people must unlearn,
re-evaluate and recognize their biases. There must be a willingness to take
stock and notice patterns with the aim of truth. It is a white issue to be
solved.
An equal respect for all
cultures is called for; respect for what is sacred to a culture, justice and
equality must prevail. A power shift has to happen, one race the human
race. Be the solution you want to see.
How to begin: communicate, educate,
demonstrate, resist, be an outcome advocate. We are more powerful in unity,
love, and beauty than in hate and fear. We can work together towards a wondrous
renewal, new life, and unconditional freedom. Pray for grace, love is a state
of grace. Change fate together. Shift the power. The revolution has begun,
hopefully it will be a spiritual one.
For starters, I interviewed some of
my FOC (friends of color)
about what solutions look like to them. Here
is what they have to say: Yvonne:
For 67 years we have supported and loved each
other
through
marriages, births, divorces, and deaths.
systemic changes for equality and
accountability. Erika: Someone must actually want to have a discussion. There
must be honest reckoning with ourselves and be open to listen (both sides).
Gina:
Gina and I are multigenerational and
multi cultural friends.
There is no generic black person.
There are at least 4 types and cultures, northern blacks, southern blacks, African
and Caribbean Islands. All have very different cultures.
And the immigrant advantage is a
real thing, immigrants enjoy higher regard than natives.
On an individual level here's
how:
In my own life I have reached out to
many others because I am empathetic, interested and curious. More recently I
have read many books by black authors on creating a culture of
anti-racism.
(see list) from the latest efforts
to some of the heroes of the past, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston,
Toni Morrison and a favorite of mine, Zadie Smith..
I have had the pleasure of being in
the Mahogany Book-club for a number of years reading only black authors and
building trust with my sister readers which came as a side effect or gift I
should say. I have built friendships there. I live the change I want to see
happen. I've always been drawn to POC since I was young. My friendship with Yvonne,
over the years since high school, is remarkable and has always been a constant
in my life.
even though it is a mixed
relationship, it has little to do with race. We both emerged in the same time
period, the 50's, the same place, Queens, N.Y., and the same religion, Catholic.
Basically we have the same value system and that is what holds us
together to this day.
I will add that those values have
shifted over time but our core values remain the same, we're still on the same
page. I see her beauty and she sees mine.
Being members of the human race we
all have the same basic needs: autonomy, celebration, integrity, support,
interdependence,
physical nurturance, play, spiritual
communion. And we also share the same basic feelings. When our needs are
fulfilled we feel amazed, eager, glad, joyous & comfortable. When our needs
are not fulfilled we feel angry, nervous, discouraged, irritated, overwhelmed
and sad to name a few. Where we differ is in the strategy we use to get
our needs met. We can choose positive strategies and sometimes we choose not so
positive strategies. We are a match in that all humans want safety and
protection and if that is threatened we may respond negatively.
How to change? Connecting and
communicating is a good place to start. A definition of communication that I
like is: a transfer of information involving sender, receiver and a response.
Start a conversation, get a dialogue going. But before you get to this point,
self education is needed. A good place to start is to learn the vocabulary of
this topic, like any other subject, it has a vocabulary all it's own (see
vocabulary list). Another helpful way to educate oneself is to read books
by Black authors to gain understanding. This will help you to get familiar with
the culture of anti-racism. I see a lot of this happening all around me
now, yet 49% of the people are not on board. I say to you keep the faith, we
are the light bearers, we have the power of love, do not be distracted. Carry
on let your light shine. Change will come. To quote author Ibram X. Kendi
“I am a historian and that is what gives me hope, I can see change over the
years”.
How to make changes on a personal
level...first live the change I want to see. Examine how does systemic racism
impact me unconsciously? White privilege?
After soul searching, forgive self
and focus on healing the inequities,
bask in the beauty of this and
gain power. We are not free till everyone is free. Equality and freedom are
empowering. One way that was helpful to me was joining the Mahogany Book-club
at a local library. Over the years I have made several good friends, so good
that when I fell & had surgery a couple of these friends visited me during
my recuperation. I saw real results of the energy I had happily
contributed. My goal was to educate myself but I received so much more in human
comradery, very rewarding
Once I reached out there other
avenues opened up to me ie; a very fine black bookstore in my area. I went
there to purchase books for my grandchildren, this had many benefits...I was
educating the little ones and supporting the bookstore. Another opportunity
happened as I sing in a chorus which rehearsed in the African American Museum,
a chance to get familiar with it and learn what's going on there. A number of
our local artists painted Black Lives Matter on the street in front of the
Museum, it is one of the most beautiful in the nation. Every holiday season
there is a Toy Drive for local children sponsored by the Museum. And there is a
Youth Farm project to get involved in if that is your interest. The
possibilities are endless. If you simply wish to support by adopting one of the
Organizations as your favorite charity, that works too. You can contribute to
Black Lives Matter or The Color of Change or select one of many more. (see list
of
Donations)
On a community level, there is plenty to be done. For
starter’s peaceful protest and resistance. Let our energy be felt. We need to
create a culture of anti-racism. There are many tools and examples to follow.
Books, Films and T.V. (see list) are a good starting place. Mixed discussion
groups on those timely topics thru outreach are useful in the education
process. Working for systemic change and restorative justice by volunteering
and post card writing to make our demands known. After systemic change,
accountability to make sure there is no back sliding. Help get the vote out. In
my area there was a drive called Roll to the Polls, a group effort to drive
folks to the polls so they could vote, it was very successful. These grassroots
efforts are the foundation of change. If you have true passion for the cause
you might join forces with Black Lives Matter or donate. Three women of color
formed this organization. It is the largest protest movement in history. Patrice
Cullers, one of the founders, came out with a book describing the founding of
the organization in ‘When they Call You A Terrorist’. Create what you
want by living it, her motto.
Recently Alicia Garza, another founder, came out
with her book, ’The Purpose of Power’.
In it she urges the dismantling of existing
systems and creating new ones. She encourages solidarity, join the BLM.
Movement. Set your intention and then, action behind intention. You can become
involved as much or as simply as you like.
A word about reparation, there is much pay back overdue. Where
to begin? My vision
Have a centralized clearing-house where all
contributions are sent (individual, corporation, government) and people of
color can request funding. The money should be given out Carte Blanche to
people of color regardless, like unemployment. I offered my idea to the local
Director of The African American Museum. Her response was ‘where there is
vision, God makes provision ‘.
Terri Lipsey Scott
Director of the
Woodson African American Museum
St Petersburg, FL
We have examples of reconciliation in history to
learn from. In South Africa, Apartheid was done away with. It can be done, it
can be accomplished it was! Archbishop Tutu and. Nelson Mandela were
instrumental in this success, Truth and Reconciliation. We have our own heroes
as well, Martin Luther King, John Lewis fighting valiantly for freedom.
Another example is;
The Nuremberg Trials to get justice from the
atrocities of the Nazis. We can learn from these examples and create additional
means to suit our situation and culture.
In summation, we are all the same; all members
of the human race same needs different strategies. The children are our future,
teach them well to understand is to forgive ourselves first, then healing. Love
ourselves first, then one another, bask in our beauty. And gain power and imagine what could be accomplished working
together in solidarity each contributing their gifts. Strength in numbers.
To quote the words of Isabel Wilkerson, “We can
rejoice when our brothers and sisters break free that there may be one more
human being who can add their strength to humanity.” Let us correct the rupture
we have inherited. Let there be an intervention of humanitarian impulses,
everyone benefits when society meets the needs of the disenfranchised. The
system can be dismantled, once awakened more of us will have radical empathy.
Full embrace of all humanity lifts the standards of any human endeavor. We are
responsible for our own ignorance or open hearted enlightenment,
Our own wisdom, astonishment of what our species
is capable of and great to be alive for this. In closing I refer to the words of Ibram X. Kendi, ‘ As an author and
historian I must have hope, by observing the progress that has happened
already.’
In interviewing my friends of color,
one of them gave me the metaphysical point of view.
“ Everything is happening as it is supposed to
happen. More people are becoming aware of the racial inequalities and
injustices around the world. As more people become educated and atrocities are
exposed, humanity will continue to evolve. Our planets’ energetic vibration
will rise as humanities consciousness is elevated.
A lot of the problem is ignorance,
misinformation, fear of change and lack of personal exposure to other cultures.
The media: movies, television, magazines etc. paint a false picture of reality.
Many people just do not believe the problem is as serious as the protestors say
it is.
Our history books need to be rewritten so future
generations will learn what really is happening in our country and on our
planet. Change has to start with the children.”
Gloria M.
Gloria: “ We met at A Forever Moving
Dance class and discovered we are both psychic.”
She moved to Atlanta and we speak monthly.
Definitions:
Multi culturalism- several
distinct ethnic groups supported
Abolitionist- favors abolishment of slavery
Assimilationist- advocates racial integration
Afrocentricity- Regard African
culture as prominent
Outcome advocate-for levels of outcome: law,
accountability, transparency, more involvement
Collectivism-group priority over people in it
Immigrant advantage- have pluck, wit &
commitment , individualism & self reliance & use of system
Racist-discrimination against POC & believes
ones race is superior
Anti-racist- opposes racism and promotes racial
tolerance
Suggested
Reading List:
I have read all the books on this list, by Black
Authors, some classics by Toni Morrison & James Baldwin and some by more
current crop of black writers like Inram X Kendi & Isabel Wilkerson. All
contributed to my education & greater understanding of the Black Culture.
Color of Water James McBride
Song of Solomon Toni Morrison
The Fire Next time James Baldwin
Another Country James Baldwin
The Warmth of other Suns Isabel Wilkerson
Stamped From the Beginning Ibram X Kendi
How to be an Anti Racist Inram X Kendi
White Fragility Robin DeAngelo
Me $ White Supremacy Layla Saad
So You Want to talk about Race Ijeoma Oluo
The Outlier Malcolm Gladwell
Caste Isabel Wilkerson
Film & TV
Film
Just Cause
Black Panther
If Beale St. Could Talk
The Hate U Give
Moonlight
Fruitvale Station
Get Out
Blackkklansman
Hidden Figures
12 Years A Slave
Daughters of the Dust
Fences
Hoop Dreams
Color Purple
Sounder
Boyz in the Hood
Precious
Do the Right Thing
Raisin in the Sun
The Forgiven
Malcolm X
TV
Dear White People
Empire
Queen Sugar
Atlanta
Watchmen
Becoming
Homecoming: Beyonce
Orange is the New Black
Insecure
Black-ish
Donations
Black Lives Matter
Color of Change
Community Justice Exchange
Black Visions Collective
We are all born free
We all want...‘ free to be’
Enjoying love, joy and peace
La dolce vita, plenty, a feast
Work, play, rest and devotion...agree?
II
Same goals, different strategy
Discussion is the key
Thriving for everyone
With humor, style, a place in the sun
fairness, loyalty, liberty!
Chorus
Say bye bye to that twinkle of fear
Our love prevails and is sincere
We are one human race
Solidarity in this time and place
Welcome our autonomy
Celebrate our humanity
Interdependence and integrity
III
Hold that high vision
Visualize a rainbow prism
Dignity and respect for all
Otherwise we shall fall
Glimpse possibility, & escape the prison
Dear People
We are all on our own
path from birth to death & we all have our own experiences, and they are
all different. Those experiences are how we choose our values, which are all
different as well. What is the same is we are all members of the human race and
we all live here on planet earth together. We cannot know one another’s pain
without walking in another’s shoes. So I am calling for compassion for one
another. I remember when we were called the melting pot and it was a wonderful
thing. Everybody get together try & love one another right now. We the
people...
Thank you,
Ani Crane, Author,
Psychic, Wise Woman
