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I like to think I was never racist. I like to think that I grew up sheltered from racial inequality, but that I over the years, my awareness has grown. I think to think I have always known that systemic racism existed and that somehow, the world knew how I felt about that.
To be fair, I think on some abstract/conceptual level I did know, and that I tried to stand on the side of justice and equality.
But, what I am realizing is that I didn't understand systemic, institutionalized racism on any sort of gut level, and to be honest, I don't think I am there yet. But, I am listening and learning so that I can be an effective ally. It is up to me to learn. It is not up to anyone to teach me.
Social media is actually a great way to open a dialogue - you just have to push through the noise and try not to react the canned responses. Go behind and dig underneath the misleading narratives, the catch-phrases that may tend to elicit a visceral response. If someone posts an image or a meme or a post that says "Defund the Police" and your initial reaction is that that is too radical (I invite you to do some research into what that may mean and what it may look like in your own community).
If you post Black Lives Matter and someone (relative, classmate, ex co-worked) responds with "All Lives Matter' - fight the urge to defriend them or just to get in an argument. Take a breath and start a dialogue, but before you do that, make sure you understand why you are saying what you are and try to understand (not accept or agree with) but to understand their reaction. You may have an uncle or classmate who is a "lost cause", but by engaging and having the conversation you may reach someone else... or you may just reach that uncle or classmate - who knows.
I believe that we are at a pivotal moment. I have been trying to learn, and I feel like there are something I understand better - and others where I still have work to do.
The problem that has exploded into the national consciousness did not begin with George Floyd or even with Rodney King. It is truly endemic in our society and so change will be difficult, but we can push forward and we can use this moment in time to change the direction. I recognize that past efforts of "reform" have ended in failure and in shifting the problem around. And so, we must remain vigilant and we must push on.
That is where I stand today.
We continue the review of our Featured Friday Playlist with songs #7-11. (Tomorrow songs 12-16)
7. "Mister Rat and Mister Flea" by David Olney
Many have wondered what the late David Olney would have to say about the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, we have this glimpse in a song from his archives about an earlier pandemic known as The Plague.
8. "Kite" by Megan Palmer
A brand new single from a Nashville favorite. Megan is a wonderful songwriter and a beautiful singer. This track was recorded with her husband Jason Quicksall with drums by Aaron Shafer-Haiss.
9. "Kids" by Anti-Corn League
Next up, we have a track from Love it Or Leave it by this garage, bedroom pop band from outside of Pittsburgh. They follow a diy aesthetic, and I have to say this track sounds fantastic. It is the right measure of noisy and catchy.
10. "Inside the Endless Om" by Johnny Irion (feat. Jeff Bridges, Mikael Jorgensen, Robert DeLeo, The Mother Hips)
Next, we up we have a really cool new release. This one came to us via our old friend Brad Lauretti (This Frontier Need Heroes). Johnny Irion is Lauretti's producer and he has assembled an incredible line-up in a song to honor the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Ravi Shakar. Mikael Jorgensen is from Wilco, Robert DeLeo is from Stone Temple Pilots, and yes, Jeff Bridges is "The Dude". The song was co-written by Irion and John Goodwin who wrote for the Jeff Bridges film "Crazy Heart".
11."Those Were the Days" by TJ Walker, Don Gallardo
We close today's recap with a new release from UK singer-songwriter TJ Walker who is joined here by E2TG favorite Don Gallardo. The song was written by the two when Walker visited Nashville and met Gallardo in a publisher's office. They wrote the song in the few hours before Walker had to board a plane home. Great song!
Featured Friday Playlist
