After Ahmaud Arbery’s death, I used Facebook’s cyber pulpit to make a bold declaration that we needed to reach across racial lines to stop the murders of innocent Black people. I suggested people from all sides (inclusive of nationalists, patriots, liberals, and conservatives) convene to address the unhinged societal racism and bigotry. I have a few friends who are bona fide activists that remain ready and willing to fight inequity battles. One of those friends, Bhavani, whose name means dispenser of justice, responded with a fevered affirmation, asking, “What are we going to do?” A few days later, Bhavani and I designed a plan to bring a diverse group of people together to discuss racism, using a shortlist of questions to help them analyze their position in society. In honor of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, we named the conversation series “A Seat at the Table: ConnecTeach Conversation Series.”
A Seat at the Table: ConnecTeach Conversation Series
The outcome of the initial group meeting was mind-blowing. Talking and hearing about racism gave participants a voyeuristic view into how other ethnic groups perceived their connection to discrimination. Fourteen participants of varying ethnic backgrounds played nice at first; however, the world watched the police murder George Floyd in cold blood between the first and second meetings. Mr…
