Listen to the inspiring story of two North Texas mammas who created a space online for thousands of Dallas area moms to join together in doing anti-racist work. If, like Lowry and Denita, you were moved by the events of 2020 to take community action in your local community, this episode is for you!
George Floyd’s murder during his arrest by police, May 25, 2020, lasted 9 minutes and 29 seconds. His agonizing words: “I can’t breathe”, and the heartbreaking call for his “mamma” resonated around the world. Protests, uncontrollable emotions and calls for the end of police brutality took center stage.
The weekend following Floyd’s death, in a Northeast Dallas neighborhood, comprised of 14.60 square miles, an anti-racist movement was conceived by Lowry Manders, a white mom, motivated by love for community and activist Tracy Brown’s message “What is Mine to Do?”.
Manders, a socially conscious resident, had previously advocated for discussions about race in the Dallas area, but didn’t quite have buy-in for massive change. After George Floyd’s very public murder, she sensed more interest from her local community to become actively engaged in anti-racism conversation. Eager to seize the call-to-action momentum, she wasted no time in seeking a black ally and co-founded Lake Highlands Area Moms Against Racism (LHAMAR) with Denita Jones.
Manders and Jones, shared their views on racism, advocacy, teachable moments, and establishing strategic partners to continue “the work” of healing communities, during our latest Thriving & Diverse coffee chat.
Key takeaways:
- The LHAMAR mission is: “We are committed to changing hearts, minds, circles and systems to end racism and save lives”.
- One of the reasons the LHAMAR model works well because its pairs a white and black ally together “I just always defer to Denita if there’s something I would say or do or want to. And if she says no, then I accept that. So, I think it’s a good model for leadership.” stated Lowry Manders.
- If the work becomes overwhelming, individuals can ask themselves: “What is mine to do?”
- When doing anti-racist work, every interaction whether positive or negative, can be a “teachable moment”.
Why start this Anti-Racism group now? Why is it important now?
“So why not now?” stated Denita Jones.
If you would like to “Make good trouble”, or join the LHAMAR, check out:
Lake Highlands Area Moms Against Racism Facebook Group: LHAMAR
Lake Highlands Area Moms Against Racism Website: LHAMAR.ORG
The Thriving and Diverse Resources Page for further reading: RESOURCES (here).