The Only Goal that Matters - In Memory of George Floyd

We’re both struggling with grief, anger, and shame this week. Are you? Our country is showing it's deep fracture lines and the pain is real. Creating justice through thoughtful, individual, and collective action is only goal that matters  

We know it’s not easy, but let’s spend some time together getting to the bottom of our feelings and beliefs and then moving toward some useful action.

We had planned this week to talk about creativity, but the police killings (George Floyd, Tony McDade, Sean Reed and Breonna Taylor), the unequal way COVID 19 is infecting and killing black and brown people, and the long-term affect the economic crisis is going to have on already marginalized people won’t let us talk about anything other than race today. And really, these issues directly relate to the pillars of this podcast, particularly community and masculinity.

We’ll be talking about our own personal experiences, knowing that white experience so often drowns out the experiences of others. But it’s what we have to work with and from.  We live in a VERY white area, but we feel strongly that we are also part of national and global communities, and we’ll do what we can to facilitate conversations that serve all.

We’re going to do our best to create an open space for one another and you, our beloved audience. We’re going to bring our usual blend of curiosity, warmth, and empathy to this episode. But, you all should know, there is pain and anger here… Please, if it shows up in my voice or if it shows up in your head, please breath and lean in. If we pull back, we’re done for. We need you.
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Anti-racist activists are making it very clear. We live in an unjust and violent system and it is up to us - middling white folks - to get off the fence and off the couch and fix it. We hope this exploration will take us in the right direction.

SHOW NOTES: 
References:

• Jane Elliot -  former third-grade school teacher, anti-racism activist, and educator 
  
• Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson joins protesters as they walk for George Floyd 
  
• Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields talking and listening to protesters 
  
• Washington Post Reports - Audio Story about Christian Cooper, the African American Birder 
  
• Teri Kanefield Blog 
  
• Teatime for the Firefly - Shona Patel - A novel about a young girl growing up in India.
  

Resources:

• Anti-racism resources for white people 
  
• Check out Charles’ Blog 
  
• Zokni nomination 
  
• A guide to how you can support marginalized communities - CNN
  

Music Credits: Metamorphosis - Phillip Glass