You are living through an historical moment here with severe economic turmoil associated with a global pandemic, and civil unrest around the issue of the excessive use of force by police. Let me preface this blog with my sincere opinion that your generation, in general, harbors less racism, less sexism, less homophobia, etc . . . than previous generations, and you are to be commended for that development. Even so, we all (including me) have so, so, so much more to learn on this subject. It's my belief that we will be stronger as a nation to the extent that all American citizens feel they are valued for who they are.
So, what follows is part of an email that I received from TED Talks:
"TED believes that Black lives matter and that each of us has a role to play in opposing racism, injustice and oppression. We've curated talks and articles as a starting point to understanding the roots of racism and the ways we can combat it together.
Since these videos vary in length from thirteen minutes to an hour, I'd like you to spend at least 30 minutes listening to one, two, or three of them. Then, if you would please make a comment on which one(s) you watched, citing the title(s) in quotation marks, and write a total of 150 words of your own personal response to the ideas expressed. And since some of you don't know me yet, I would like to point out that you do not have to agree. You are always free to express your opinion.
Thanks!
Mr. Shaw
So, what follows is part of an email that I received from TED Talks:
"TED believes that Black lives matter and that each of us has a role to play in opposing racism, injustice and oppression. We've curated talks and articles as a starting point to understanding the roots of racism and the ways we can combat it together.
- Watch a recent panel discussion with Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff, Rashad Robinson, Dr. Bernice King and Anthony D. Romero on ending systemic racism in America.
- Learn about how to build an antiracist world from Dr. Ibram X. Kendi.
- Discover the negative impact racism has on the economy, explained by public policy expert Heather C. McGee.
- Ask yourself these three questions to decide when to speak up about racism.
- Watch Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw’s essential talk on intersectionality.
- Hear some hard truths about the American justice system in this legendary talk from Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy."
Since these videos vary in length from thirteen minutes to an hour, I'd like you to spend at least 30 minutes listening to one, two, or three of them. Then, if you would please make a comment on which one(s) you watched, citing the title(s) in quotation marks, and write a total of 150 words of your own personal response to the ideas expressed. And since some of you don't know me yet, I would like to point out that you do not have to agree. You are always free to express your opinion.
Thanks!
Mr. Shaw