Heart Opening

Hello! Welcome to the next edition of my weekly habit of sharing.

Hmmm. It seems to me as I read and listen to black writers and speakers, I haven’t had nearly enough empathy. I think that’s my big takeaway this week. I felt sympathy. I recognized injustice (to some extent), but I simply did not feel the pain of fellow human beings and citizens enough.

Now I think that when people ask, “What can we do?”—and the good news is a whole lot of us white people are asking that question in this moment of history—I know it begins with empathy. Really understanding and feeling the pain of what happens to fellow human beings—which then becomes our pain too.

For the record, empathy is just where we begin. My mind continues to absorb ideas and let them tumble into concrete things we can do to make change. To take real action. But for now?

I have three must listen-to podcast episodes for you. And then, a couple of other things I think are worth checking out.

I don’t want to overwhelm you with too much. If you want to get educated on the topic of racism and social justice, oh my gosh, there is so much available to us.

But I think my links this week cut through the clutter. They’re a good start, and they’re pretty easily digestible. If you haven’t listened to podcasts much, you may discover that you can get a lot in in a little time—WHILE YOUR’E DOING SOMETHING ELSE. Cook, clean, drive, work on your art… And meanwhile? I think you’ll find your heart opening with these episodes.

Three Must Listen-To podcast Episodes:

(To listen to these episodes, you can click on these links and listen via your browser—or you can also find them on your podcast platform of choice such as Stichr, Spotify or my favorite, Overcast (some available for free in the App store).

Brene Brown podcast, Unlocking Us, with Austin Channing Brown, author of I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness

Oprah”s SuperSoul Conversations Part 1 and Part 2. ( believe you can view these on YouTube, too).

This is a two part panel discussion with politician Stacey Abrams, journalist Charles M. Blow, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms,  filmmaker Ava DuVernay,  author Jennifer Eberhardt, journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning founder of the 1619 Project Nikole Hannah-Jones, historian and author Ibram X. Kendi, actor David Oyelowo, Color of Change president Rashad Robinson, and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign  Bishop Dr. William J. Barber II. 

More recommendations:

I have to share this: Protesters in Boston are setting off fireworks - so lovely…and who knew about the fireworks?

I am STILL loving How to Be an Anti-Racist with Ibram X. Kendi (on the panel above)—historical perspective mixed with lived memoir. It’s also available by audiobook…

I just ordered I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. After listening to her interview above, how could I not?

Peace and joy until next week—

Denise

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