Every month we craft together a list of our favorite helpful resources. If we are going to lead a diverse population, we need to understand and discuss diverse perspectives.
“April’s reading list is heavy. These are conversations that you may feel uncomfortable with, that you may disagree with at times, or that may validate your own thoughts and feelings on the subject. I challenge you to sit with the uncomfortable feeling for a day or two before reacting. Really give these new ideas time to marinate before owning your response.
I propose that some ideas are meant to be heard and then released. The act of listening and sitting with something for a day or two is powerful on its own. Others ideas are meant to be discussed and shared. With any one of my April recommended “uncomfortable conversations” resources below, take what you need and leave the rest.” – Dorly
- If you have just a few minutes, watch this video. Recorded on May 19, 2017, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu delivered a moving speech about why the city took down four Confederate monuments that had been installed by supporters of the “Cult of the Lost Cause.”
What feelings and ideas came up?
What was your response?
Has your local community had similar conversations? How did it go? - If you like listening to podcasts, try this moving interview on the Brene Brown podcast “Unlocking Us” featuring Professor Ibram X. Kendi. They talk about racial disparities, policy, and equality, and a groundbreaking approach to understanding uprooting racism and inequality in our society and in ourselves. Listen on Spotify here.
Why do you feel approaching this work is emotionally triggering for some people?
Did hearing Professor Kendi blow Brene Brown’s mind with stir up a response?
If you are new to this work, how did hearing Kendi’s approach surprise you? - If you prefer to learn by watching movies, watch this full feature film by award winning film maker Ava DuVernay. She interviews Democrats, Republicans and Independents to help us begin to understand some of the policies that contributed to the civil unrest that preceded Marvin Scott III (2021), preceded George Floyd (2020), preceded even Rodney King (1992). To understand the tip, the surface, of what the #BlackLivesMatters movement is about (and how it affects all us, not just Black people) this film truly is an essential first step. You can watch it on Netflix, and it’s also free to watch on YouTube here.
This excerpt from Ava DuVernay’s interview with NPR about the film 13th is a great introduction to the film and what to expect:
I take great pride and joy into crafting this resources list every month. I would love to hear what you think. As always, these resources are intended to start conversation. Share these resources with like minded folks, and discuss your thoughts for deeper understanding.
If you need extra help, Pamela and I would be happy to facilitate a chat with you privately, with you & your family, or with you & your organization, about further reading and actionable steps we can take together with this new information.
XOXO,
Dorly Roy