Comments on: Turning Words Into Action

By: ADELE THOMSON

ADELE THOMSON — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 14:48:29 +0000

I agree with a lot of what you are saying but now the situation is out of hand. The protests have gotten ugly and many people have been hurt and killed. Businesses have been burned down and it’s done in the name of BLM. ANTIFA has joined in and they are terrorizing the country. Policemen and their families are being harmed. What are your thoughts on this? All lives matter.

By: Kim Jacobs

Kim Jacobs — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 07:04:36 +0000

Thank you for leading the way with this. It’s important that we all, at the very least, commit to educating ourselves and our children on the issues facing the oppressed. I believe that everyone should be treated equally, that no one should be targetted or persecuted because of the colour of their skin, religious beliefs or gender preference. It’s strange, I never really considered myself a person of privilege but the more I understand about the Black Lives Matter movement, the more I see what the meaning of the word ‘privilege’ means.

We can’t all protest, or write eloquent speeches, but we can set ourselves on the path to education and changing ourselves, and hopefully those around us.

By: Elina

Elina — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 23:28:30 +0000

Hi, Gen! I don’t live in the USA, but I live in the same world that Americans live in. It is clear that racism is there, as well as here, and like in the rest of the world. It is a cancer that is eaten by people in America, in Europe and in every corner of the world. It is painful, sad, and unworthy that things like these still happen today. But it is comforting that there are people like you, interested people, people who care about educating while educating themselves. I consider myself a young woman who has a lot to learn about many topics. I am happy to know that through your blog, through your thoughts and your feelings, people like me can deconstruct themselves and begin to build a healthier mind, open and prepared to defend the rights that must be defended. Thank you for helping us educate ourselves more correctly. I think that is the way to generate real change, together. Thanks, Gen!

By: Robin Tomblin

Robin Tomblin — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 10:34:35 +0000

It’s important that you are taking positive steps and discussing these as we all need to try and do as much as possible to eradicate racial bias in this country and you provided a way for all of us to try and make a difference.

By: Doralys

Doralys — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 01:17:56 +0000

It may be disheartening at times to find out we aren’t doing as great of a job helping end racism, but accepting it is the first step. Supporting BIPOC is a great initiative that everyone can take in their individual capacity. Thank you for sharing the many resources you have found over the past week with all of us! This really shows the amazing person that you are. As a POC (particularly an afro-latina) I see you seeing us all, specially black lives that need all of our support right now. Xoxo

By: Valerie Goike

Valerie Goike — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 01:10:59 +0000

This was a great article. I have also been doing my own research by reading I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown.

By: Michele Trantham

Michele Trantham — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 23:44:04 +0000

Thank you for your well organized and detailed blog.

By: Sara Lazarony

Sara Lazarony — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 23:41:48 +0000

Thank you for all these resources. The town I live in is almost entirely white and extremely conservative, and it feels like every day I learn and notice another form of racism coming out of it that I had never known about before. It’s appalling to me to know that I grew up thinking this kind of culture was “fine” and “normal.” It’s going to be difficult in my town, even in my home, but I’m determined to keep learning and growing to amplify black voices. The cycle has to end, and they’re so right when they say it starts at home.

By: Michaela Kilbride

Michaela Kilbride — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 22:08:12 +0000

Hey Gen, I teach Drama in the UK. I teach about Racism. I explore it through Acting & Performance. I feel I have been an activist for a long time. I have rallied on behalf of Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in London by four white men and the police did nothing. It took his parents bringing war down on institutionalised racism in the MET Police then hismkillers were arrested. But I don't think it solved anything. I do work about him most years for the last 17 years of teaching. I teach about Matthew Shepard 'The Laramie Project' a very powerful play written on behalf of Matthew because he was murdered by two white men for being gay. I even had his mum write me an email thanking me for teaching about Matthew when I satrted teacjing about him 17 years ago. The play and Matthew's story is on my Drama curriculum every year, it is going nowhere! Whilst I can agree I need to read more Black Literature, although I have ready many plays, I cannot help but feel everyone has come out an felt horrified, protested, been angry, wanting justice BUT I ask myself 'Why now?? What happended to George Floyd didn't just happen, we have had numerous individuals murdered by police for a long time and we would have a little noise then it fades somehow. Then this happens to this lovely man and everyone rallies. In my head I am thinking, yes we need to take action on behalf of GEORGE FLOYD and what he went through but what about the others. We need to recognise that the deep foundations of politics, systemic ideology in the police, and the conversations we have with individuals in our lives that we can then begin to change this situation. I just think racism is a cowards disgusting bad habit and it makes me so angry when I hear these horrific stories. I am looking into how I can help now as my school haven't gone back because of COVID 19. So I am generating resources on YouTube, instagram activists, literature to read and images to look at to send to my students to educate themselves and try to empower even just one of them. Sorry for the rant - not aimed at you at all. I love what you have said, I love you have given us so many people and resources to look through and I appreciate how you feel about the situation. I too like you Gen would like to be part of the solution :) Love to you and your family

By: Nancy Gahan

Nancy Gahan — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 20:27:59 +0000

I was raised to not be judge mental of Race or Religion my entire life. I have watched a race of people get labeled and hurt and yet killed by people that were supposed to protect them . It’s time for a change. Your yours Genevieve were inspiring to say the least. I try to help with the agency’s in my home town so we can come together in peace and respect.
You’re absolutely correct in it not happening over night, but it will happen. Every person on our planet matters. There is no Black or White side. We all are equal.
Black lives matter, Black People Matter!
By learning respect at a young age, we respect ourselves and those around us. It takes time. But it will happen.