The Lens NOLA’s Post

We want to live in a truly inclusive, multi-racial democracy. But to get there, we must repair the ongoing racial harms brought by slavery and its legacy. For too long, the dominant narrative around reparations has been controlled by white supremacists who aren’t interested in transformative institutional and cultural change. But despite their divisive and fear-based claims, the movement toward racial repair will benefit us all. Learn how philanthropists are using their funds to redefine the narrative on reparations: https://lnkd.in/gzjNe2Y7

Brothers and Sisters, As we stand at the crossroads of history, poised on the brink of a transformative election, let us recognize the profound influence we, as Black Americans, possess in shaping the destiny of our nation. We are not merely spectators but active agents in the unfolding narrative of America. However, let us confront a stark reality, we are world players. We cannot allow our voices to be muffled or our concerns dismissed by the whims of any single party. Our unity as a people should not be based upon our loyalty or solidarity aligns with the Democratic Party.  It is imperative that we transcend the limitations of blind allegiance and embrace a new paradigm of engagement—one rooted in our collective economic advancement. The perceptions of others should not delude our status as significant contributors in possessing an impact on global political and economic positions. The Democratic Party, once seen as our bastion of hope, must now be viewed through a critical lens. We must heed the call to listen to the message of alternative voices, regardless of their partisan affiliation, and consider all avenues that offer meaningful solutions to our economic plight. We must reject the notion of appeasement and instead assert our autonomy as a voting bloc. Our allegiance should not be pledged to any party by default but earned through genuine efforts to address our needs and concerns. We must heed the call of alternative voices, regardless of their partisan affiliation, and consider all avenues that offer meaningful solutions to our economic plight. True progress lies in unity—across racial lines, across party lines. The Black economic future is not just a matter of survival for our community; it is integral to the strength and vitality of our nation as a whole. Let us embrace alternative perspectives and solutions offered by Republicans, Independents, and new political parties. Our economic future is not tied to any single party's platform; it is essential for the strength of our nation as a whole. As we stand on the precipice of a new election cycle, let us cast aside the trappings of rhetoric and political theatrics. I speak to the everyday heroes whose voices have long been silenced. Let us envision a future unburdened by the shackles of partisan politics—a future defined by pragmatism, unity, and economic empowerment for all. Together, let us chart a new course—one guided by the principles of justice, equity, and prosperity. It is time to reclaim our agency and build a future worthy of our collective aspirations. Thank you.

Right on, Kori! This blog post is poignant, direct, and invigorating for those who are in DEI work. For those that are unaware, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is facing systematic disinvestment and the reasons why you should care are explained in this article. Educate yourself so you can advocate for yourself and others & join us as we push forward to #AntagonizeInjustice!

On November 23, 1863, a landmark moment in American history unfolded with the delivery of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This brief yet powerful speech would come to symbolize the principles of human equality and the ongoing struggle for a nation united in the aftermath of the Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, had been one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War, resulting in significant losses for both the Union and Confederate forces. In the wake of this devastating conflict, Lincoln was invited to participate in the ceremony to honor the fallen soldiers and dedicate the cemetery. During his address, Lincoln emphasized the importance of the nation’s dedication to the ideals of liberty and equality. He poignantly framed the Civil War as a test of whether the nation, founded on the principle that all men are created equal, could endure. The famous opening lines, "Four score and seven years ago..." resonated powerfully, connecting the struggle of the Civil War to the founding ideals of the United States. Lincoln’s address, lasting only about two minutes, was initially overshadowed by the lengthy speech of the event’s keynote speaker, Edward Everett. However, the Gettysburg Address has since been recognized as one of the most eloquent expressions of American values and the principles of democracy. The significance of Lincoln’s words extended far beyond the battlefield. The speech reframed the Civil War as not only a fight for the Union but also a struggle for the future of democracy and equality. It inspired generations to come, becoming a pivotal moment that shaped the course of American history and the nation's identity. Today, we commemorate the Gettysburg Address as a cornerstone of American political rhetoric, highlighting the ongoing pursuit of liberty and justice for all. Lincoln's vision encourages us to reflect on our collective responsibility to uphold the values of democracy and equality in contemporary society. What do you think are the most important lessons we can draw from the themes of the Gettysburg Address in addressing modern issues of equality and justice today? #GettysburgAddress #AbrahamLincoln #AmericanHistory #CivilWar #Equality #Democracy #Inspiration

Organized dissent is our best bet against fascism, and this is precisely why repressive forces are working so hard to chip away at the legal protections that guarantee our right to protest. But the good news is that if we claim our courage and compassion we can move the needle toward justice despite the odds.   Where did these attacks begin? How have they intensified so quickly? And how are communities joining together to fight for a better future despite increased repression? Catch insights into these questions and more in our video highlighting key takeaways from MCF Summer School session Attacking the Right to Hold Powerful People Accountable. Watch now to hear directly from experts MCF Freedom Scholar Noura Erakat, JD, human rights attorney and associate professor in the Department of Africana Studies and the Program of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University, New Brunswick; Priscilla Grim, a Nuyorican, mom, and activist who has written for Hammer & Hope, Scalawag, and the Atlanta Community Press Collective; and MCF Freedom Scholar Dr. Barbara Ransby, professor of Black Studies, Gender and Women's Studies, and History and director of the Social Justice Initiative at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

On November 23, 1863, a landmark moment in American history unfolded with the delivery of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This brief yet powerful speech would come to symbolize the principles of human equality and the ongoing struggle for a nation united in the aftermath of the Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, had been one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War, resulting in significant losses for both the Union and Confederate forces. In the wake of this devastating conflict, Lincoln was invited to participate in the ceremony to honor the fallen soldiers and dedicate the cemetery. During his address, Lincoln emphasized the importance of the nation’s dedication to the ideals of liberty and equality. He poignantly framed the Civil War as a test of whether the nation, founded on the principle that all men are created equal, could endure. The famous opening lines, "Four score and seven years ago..." resonated powerfully, connecting the struggle of the Civil War to the founding ideals of the United States. Lincoln’s address, lasting only about two minutes, was initially overshadowed by the lengthy speech of the event’s keynote speaker, Edward Everett. However, the Gettysburg Address has since been recognized as one of the most eloquent expressions of American values and the principles of democracy. The significance of Lincoln’s words extended far beyond the battlefield. The speech reframed the Civil War as not only a fight for the Union but also a struggle for the future of democracy and equality. It inspired generations to come, becoming a pivotal moment that shaped the course of American history and the nation's identity. Today, we commemorate the Gettysburg Address as a cornerstone of American political rhetoric, highlighting the ongoing pursuit of liberty and justice for all. Lincoln's vision encourages us to reflect on our collective responsibility to uphold the values of democracy and equality in contemporary society. What do you think are the most important lessons we can draw from the themes of the Gettysburg Address in addressing modern issues of equality and justice today? #GettysburgAddress #AbrahamLincoln #AmericanHistory #CivilWar #Equality #Democracy #Inspiration

The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MLTRC) has conducted seven hearings so far (Allegany, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Wicomico, Somerset, Frederick and Montgomery Counties - all available for viewing on our website: https://lnkd.in/e5AXEpmM) and has only four hearings left to go. I hope you can attend one so you can participate in this vital community healing experience. One of the themes explored in my novel, Black Was the Ink, is the impact of unhealed traumas and how they reverberate through families, often without awareness of the cause. Similarly, during our lynching hearings we often learn that the descendants of racial terror lynching victims are unaware that this travesty had touched their families, and yet it did with impacts that are felt, if not seen. By acknowledging the pain and trauma countless African American communities have experienced, we take an important, but not final, step towards healing and racial reconciliation. Our next hearing will focus on lynchings that occurred in Hartford/Cecil Counties, which includes the murders of Frederick Pearce in 1861, John Jones in 1872, Isaac Moore in 1868, Jim Quinn in 1869, and Lewis Harris in 1900. Descendants of the victims and aggressors, expert witnesses, community members, scholars, and archivists will have the opportunity to provide testimony and make recommendations for achieving racial healing. HEARING DETAILS When: Saturday, October 26, 2024 Time (in person and streaming): 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Where: Ames United Methodist Church, 112 Baltimore Pike, Bel Air, MD 21014 How to Attend: ● In-person: Preregistration is required to help manage attendance. https://lnkd.in/ey7i3n_p ● Livestream: A link to stream the hearing will be posted on MLTRC’s website the morning of the hearing. Written testimony can be submitted to mltrc@maryland.gov or collected at the public hearing. #blacklivesmatter #truthandreconciliation #justice #civilrights #humanrights #saytheirnames

“The battleground for racial justice remains in the South, and the victories for justice must be fought for and by ordinary people in the South together with allies from other parts of the nation. Although the pestilence of racism has historically affected the lives of Black and Brown people, its reach extends to all who counter the ideals of white supremacy. A shared story of us is clear as we collectively reconstruct a democracy that is real for all, not just some. … We must not be cajoled into the thinking that centering Black and Brown perspectives in the current movement for justice minimizes injustices experienced by others. The story we share is that all our liberation is bound together. We are at a point of reconstruction where we must secure and guard our shared liberation. “The current threat to our shared story leads us to the urgency of now. We now witness in real time how the seeds of divisiveness and anti-inclusion are being planted on fertile ground made possible by far-right, conservative leaders specifically, but not exclusively, in Southern states, counties, cities and towns. Therefore, supporting existing and establishing new bases of organized local power that demonstrate bold and radical models of service, advocacy and justice are critical to the success of our new public narrative. This moment more than ever requires a strategic focus on the South for the greater good of our democracy and nation. And power is in the autonomy of local people engaged in this narrative of liberation.”  —Jalaya Liles Dunn, “The Power of Place” Revisit Learning for Justice's Spring 2023 magazine that highlights the deep-rooted legacies of power and justice in communities in the South. #education, #humanrights, #publishing

I find it useful to read a range of newspapers so that I get a rounded view of issues, not because I will necessarily agree with what is said, but it’s useful sometimes to know how opposition, backlash is formented. Here (behind a paywall but available here https://lnkd.in/ezgN9e_w) comes the government’s appointed race equality tsar Dr Tony Sewell. He was the lead for the Sewell report which denied, and masked the presence of #systemicracism in the UK. I’ve read the report and much of it was flawed (statistically and factually). Now I won’t deny Dr Sewell’s own lived experience, but I will counter his denial of racism present in today’s society. It’s tempting to say “here’s a Black man and he says it’s better”. I point this out because it’s tempting to do this in our own organisations to diminish and discredit the collective work required to dismantle systemic racism. If you can get access also read the comments. The Times often presents itself as the ‘common sense’ of the right wing. This government has been very successful at using diversity - appointment of Black and Brown people - to discredit and provide support for their agenda against addressing systemic racism. It’s straight out of the copybook of what was described in “Black Power” (Kwame Ture and Charles V. Hamilton) whereby Black people are used in a colonial construct to maintain #whitesupremacy and power (which is foundational to racism). Sometimes anti-racism is presented as being anti-white people, or divisive. It’s not, and efforts to thwart it like this can be off putting for everyone to be involved - but you can!

Join us for Home Truths 2 Race Equity Series. The first session: "Why we need to move beyond diversity", marks the start of a new online conversation series. Challenging and addressing racial inequality in civil society, this session provides a space to transcend the limitations of diversity and address anti-racism in our organisations. This is a crucial conversation not to be missed. Reserve your free space now for 12 June: https://lnkd.in/e5V84pW4