While the deaths of Travon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Sandra Bland galvanized the #BlackLivesMatter movement, the killings of Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery have forced America to reckon with centuries of racial injustice and police brutality in unprecedented ways.

 

Not only have protests demanding change been widespread, but major corporations — which, until now, have been largely silent and hesitant to embrace Black Lives Matter — are pledging to fight racial injustice and declaring their support of the nearly seven-year-old movement. We discuss the significance of those corporate responses, as well as new challenges these companies face to commit to righting past wrongs.

 

 "On Second Thought" for Friday, June 19, 2020.

As lists of books, films and songs intended to educate white people about systemic racism circulate, On Second Thought wanted to counter that centering of the white experience and speak to two artists about how they are engaging with the arts and their role as African American artists at this pivotal time of reckoning with racial inequality and violence.

Over the course of this half-hour conversation, we explore how Melissa Alexander and Carlton Mackey are approaching their art right now, but also delve into uncomfortable questions regarding the insidiousness of racism — and the sincerity of white people to dismantle a system that has benefited them.

 

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Twitter: @OSTTalk

Facebook: OnSecondThought

Email: OnSecondThought@gpb.org

Phone: 404-500-9457

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