Ferguson to Memphis: Reversing Separatism to Improve Social Justice | B Chris Simpson | TEDxHardingU

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[Music] [Applause]

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[Applause] rich soil has sent shoots up from

rich soil has sent shoots up from

rich soil has sent shoots up from underneath birthing both the Great Oaks

underneath birthing both the Great Oaks

underneath birthing both the Great Oaks and the small tree Heath would cut and

and the small tree Heath would cut and

and the small tree Heath would cut and processed to make a gathering place

processed to make a gathering place

processed to make a gathering place where chairs are pushed tight together

where chairs are pushed tight together

where chairs are pushed tight together around the space the black and white sit

around the space the black and white sit

around the space the black and white sit comfortably upon each cushioned seat

comfortably upon each cushioned seat

comfortably upon each cushioned seat chomping fried chicken and sipping tea

chomping fried chicken and sipping tea

chomping fried chicken and sipping tea in the Georgia heat white and black

in the Georgia heat white and black

in the Georgia heat white and black children skip up laughing and clasping

children skip up laughing and clasping

children skip up laughing and clasping hands for sweet cakes and pies prepared

hands for sweet cakes and pies prepared

hands for sweet cakes and pies prepared by each of their clans such peace and

by each of their clans such peace and

by each of their clans such peace and love of which the world bought us unable

love of which the world bought us unable

love of which the world bought us unable when we sit in Brotherhood around this

when we sit in Brotherhood around this

when we sit in Brotherhood around this dr. King’s table I am naturally a very

dr. King’s table I am naturally a very

dr. King’s table I am naturally a very scared person no one took more advantage

scared person no one took more advantage

scared person no one took more advantage of this growing up than my own father

of this growing up than my own father

of this growing up than my own father who thought it was hilarious my family

who thought it was hilarious my family

who thought it was hilarious my family would get together and they would watch

would get together and they would watch

would get together and they would watch old Motown videos and we would sing on

old Motown videos and we would sing on

old Motown videos and we would sing on Friday nights and would also watching

Friday nights and would also watching

Friday nights and would also watching Michael Jackson videos and whenever the

Michael Jackson videos and whenever the

Michael Jackson videos and whenever the Thriller video came I would run

Thriller video came I would run

Thriller video came I would run immediately to the kitchen because it

immediately to the kitchen because it

immediately to the kitchen because it was just too scary to see Michael

was just too scary to see Michael

was just too scary to see Michael Jackson dancing my father would come and

Jackson dancing my father would come and

Jackson dancing my father would come and fish him out of the kitchen he would say

fish him out of the kitchen he would say

fish him out of the kitchen he would say son they’re only dancing but what I

son they’re only dancing but what I

son they’re only dancing but what I thought they were literal monsters and

thought they were literal monsters and

thought they were literal monsters and monsters are scary enough still let

monsters are scary enough still let

monsters are scary enough still let alone dancing synchronized and so

alone dancing synchronized and so

alone dancing synchronized and so whenever I see them

I’m freaking out

I’m freaking out I’m literally hearing his words grizzly

I’m literally hearing his words grizzly

I’m literally hearing his words grizzly ghouls from every tomb closing in to

ghouls from every tomb closing in to

ghouls from every tomb closing in to seal your doom I’m thinking they’re

seal your doom I’m thinking they’re

seal your doom I’m thinking they’re talking about me they’re gonna close in

talking about me they’re gonna close in

talking about me they’re gonna close in to seal my doom and this is that I was

to seal my doom and this is that I was

to seal my doom and this is that I was also quite over exaggerative and

also quite over exaggerative and

also quite over exaggerative and dramatic and so that did not help I

dramatic and so that did not help I

dramatic and so that did not help I would faint not even with a fainting

would faint not even with a fainting

would faint not even with a fainting couch no fainting couch required I would

couch no fainting couch required I would

couch no fainting couch required I would just fall there on the ground bit uh no

just fall there on the ground bit uh no

just fall there on the ground bit uh no big and bold enough to hit the floor but

big and bold enough to hit the floor but

big and bold enough to hit the floor but not big and bold enough to do much else

not big and bold enough to do much else

not big and bold enough to do much else in my life

in my life

in my life I remember whenever my brother’s

I remember whenever my brother’s

I remember whenever my brother’s girlfriend at the time who he’s not

girlfriend at the time who he’s not

girlfriend at the time who he’s not married to we would go over to her

married to we would go over to her

married to we would go over to her family’s house because we were very

family’s house because we were very

family’s house because we were very close with that family and they saved a

close with that family and they saved a

close with that family and they saved a small kitten when they saved this small

small kitten when they saved this small

small kitten when they saved this small kitten and brought it into the house

kitten and brought it into the house

kitten and brought it into the house from the streets I remember standing

from the streets I remember standing

from the streets I remember standing there on the other side of the room

there on the other side of the room

there on the other side of the room thinking to myself there’s a wild beast

thinking to myself there’s a wild beast

thinking to myself there’s a wild beast in the house you see mother would not

in the house you see mother would not

in the house you see mother would not have allowed us to have animals in the

have allowed us to have animals in the

have allowed us to have animals in the house you see because mother always knew

house you see because mother always knew

house you see because mother always knew that animals cost money and they keep

that animals cost money and they keep

that animals cost money and they keep everything dirty and my brother and I we

everything dirty and my brother and I we

everything dirty and my brother and I we did that well all by ourselves

did that well all by ourselves

did that well all by ourselves so we were not accustomed to having

so we were not accustomed to having

so we were not accustomed to having animals in the house and so now we have

animals in the house and so now we have

animals in the house and so now we have these animals in the house I’m looking

these animals in the house I’m looking

these animals in the house I’m looking at this kitten it grows up and I

at this kitten it grows up and I

at this kitten it grows up and I remember just laying there watching

remember just laying there watching

remember just laying there watching television in their living room lying on

television in their living room lying on

television in their living room lying on the floor and this kitten turned into a

the floor and this kitten turned into a

the floor and this kitten turned into a cat which was literally a hunting

cat which was literally a hunting

cat which was literally a hunting machine I would be pounced upon and so

machine I would be pounced upon and so

machine I would be pounced upon and so then this makes it interesting because I

then this makes it interesting because I

then this makes it interesting because I think much later years later if I really

think much later years later if I really

think much later years later if I really would have married my wife if I had

would have married my wife if I had

would have married my wife if I had known that she was such a cat lover I

known that she was such a cat lover I

known that she was such a cat lover I wonder if I would have just rethought

wonder if I would have just rethought

wonder if I would have just rethought the whole thing and said I don’t she

the whole thing and said I don’t she

the whole thing and said I don’t she fought for years she said I would love

fought for years she said I would love

fought for years she said I would love cats I would like to bring a cat into

cats I would like to bring a cat into

cats I would like to bring a cat into our home and I said no it was hard

our home and I said no it was hard

our home and I said no it was hard because her mother and her used to save

because her mother and her used to save

because her mother and her used to save cats and her mother passed away and so

cats and her mother passed away and so

cats and her mother passed away and so it was very meaningful to her but you

it was very meaningful to her but you

it was very meaningful to her but you see not even the memory of her mother

see not even the memory of her mother

see not even the memory of her mother could make me want to live under that

could make me want to live under that

could make me want to live under that amount of stress

amount of stress

amount of stress throughout every single day and so

throughout every single day and so

throughout every single day and so finally I felt so bad I just felt that I

finally I felt so bad I just felt that I

finally I felt so bad I just felt that I needed to man up and be the husband that

needed to man up and be the husband that

needed to man up and be the husband that she thought she married and so I said

she thought she married and so I said

she thought she married and so I said Hayley we’re going to consider getting a

Hayley we’re going to consider getting a

Hayley we’re going to consider getting a cat we are going to think about it

cat we are going to think about it

cat we are going to think about it because I think I want to come out of

because I think I want to come out of

because I think I want to come out of this and so then I make the mistake of

this and so then I make the mistake of

this and so then I make the mistake of going out of town and when I return I

going out of town and when I return I

going out of town and when I return I find this Ferrari black substance and

find this Ferrari black substance and

find this Ferrari black substance and the corner of my dining room and it

the corner of my dining room and it

the corner of my dining room and it turns out to be a feline as I’m about to

turns out to be a feline as I’m about to

turns out to be a feline as I’m about to convince my wife to take it back to the

convince my wife to take it back to the

convince my wife to take it back to the Humane Society what she rescued it

Humane Society what she rescued it

Humane Society what she rescued it it gets up and walks away revealing that

it gets up and walks away revealing that

it gets up and walks away revealing that it only has three legs and you see I

it only has three legs and you see I

it only has three legs and you see I know she did this on purpose because she

know she did this on purpose because she

know she did this on purpose because she knows she knows that I have a heart for

knows she knows that I have a heart for

knows she knows that I have a heart for the broken and she knows that I would

the broken and she knows that I would

the broken and she knows that I would not send back a handicapped or what we

not send back a handicapped or what we

not send back a handicapped or what we prefer

prefer

prefer handi-capable cat and so then I lived in

handi-capable cat and so then I lived in

handi-capable cat and so then I lived in fear for years and Here I am in my own

fear for years and Here I am in my own

fear for years and Here I am in my own home now luckily the cat would sleep for

home now luckily the cat would sleep for

home now luckily the cat would sleep for for the first several months underneath

for the first several months underneath

for the first several months underneath the bookcase and you know she would

the bookcase and you know she would

the bookcase and you know she would never come out but when she first came

never come out but when she first came

never come out but when she first came out I told my wife I said babe what’s

out I told my wife I said babe what’s

out I told my wife I said babe what’s all this

all this

all this the cats moving about the house all

the cats moving about the house all

the cats moving about the house all freely I thought that she was on a lift

freely I thought that she was on a lift

freely I thought that she was on a lift her whole life underneath the bookcase

her whole life underneath the bookcase

her whole life underneath the bookcase as it turned out I conquered my fears I

as it turned out I conquered my fears I

as it turned out I conquered my fears I remember whenever she would first me out

remember whenever she would first me out

remember whenever she would first me out me not being very familiar with cats and

me not being very familiar with cats and

me not being very familiar with cats and very sketchy of them she just called

very sketchy of them she just called

very sketchy of them she just called herself meowing when I heard was the

herself meowing when I heard was the

herself meowing when I heard was the roar of an ancient prehistoric

roar of an ancient prehistoric

roar of an ancient prehistoric saber-toothed tiger but as it turns out

saber-toothed tiger but as it turns out

saber-toothed tiger but as it turns out time went on and we became close we

time went on and we became close we

time went on and we became close we named her Bella and we actually love our

named her Bella and we actually love our

named her Bella and we actually love our cat not just my wife but also me rich

cat not just my wife but also me rich

cat not just my wife but also me rich soil has since shoots up from underneath

soil has since shoots up from underneath

soil has since shoots up from underneath birthing both the Great Oaks and the

birthing both the Great Oaks and the

birthing both the Great Oaks and the small tree Heath would cut and processed

small tree Heath would cut and processed

small tree Heath would cut and processed to make a gathering place where chairs

to make a gathering place where chairs

to make a gathering place where chairs are pushed together tight around the

are pushed together tight around the

are pushed together tight around the space the black and white sit

space the black and white sit

space the black and white sit comfortably upon each cushion seat

comfortably upon each cushion seat

comfortably upon each cushion seat chomping fried chicken and sipping tea

chomping fried chicken and sipping tea

chomping fried chicken and sipping tea in the Georgia heat white and black

in the Georgia heat white and black

in the Georgia heat white and black children skip up laughing and clasping

children skip up laughing and clasping

children skip up laughing and clasping hands for sweet cakes and pies prepared

hands for sweet cakes and pies prepared

hands for sweet cakes and pies prepared by each of their clans such peace and

by each of their clans such peace and

by each of their clans such peace and love of which the world bought us unable

love of which the world bought us unable

love of which the world bought us unable when we sit in Brotherhood around this

when we sit in Brotherhood around this

when we sit in Brotherhood around this dr. King’s table Mike Brown was shot and

dr. King’s table Mike Brown was shot and

dr. King’s table Mike Brown was shot and killed August 9th

killed August 9th

killed August 9th 2014 in Ferguson Missouri a northern

2014 in Ferguson Missouri a northern

2014 in Ferguson Missouri a northern suburb of st. Louis who’s thought that

suburb of st. Louis who’s thought that

suburb of st. Louis who’s thought that was you should decide for yourself the

was you should decide for yourself the

was you should decide for yourself the report said that the police officer that

report said that the police officer that

report said that the police officer that shot him a white man was at fault for

shot him a white man was at fault for

shot him a white man was at fault for using too quick decision and excessive

using too quick decision and excessive

using too quick decision and excessive force and other report says that Mike

force and other report says that Mike

force and other report says that Mike himself was at fault for resisting and

himself was at fault for resisting and

himself was at fault for resisting and not obeying the orders given to him at

not obeying the orders given to him at

not obeying the orders given to him at any rate whatever you decide my prayers

any rate whatever you decide my prayers

any rate whatever you decide my prayers and my love goes out to each family

and my love goes out to each family

and my love goes out to each family that’s involved there are two sides to

that’s involved there are two sides to

that’s involved there are two sides to that argument either the police officer

that argument either the police officer

that argument either the police officer is a racist or the young black man is a

is a racist or the young black man is a

is a racist or the young black man is a hardened criminal and of course we can

hardened criminal and of course we can

hardened criminal and of course we can say here without having the time to

say here without having the time to

say here without having the time to discuss it very far that it is possible

discuss it very far that it is possible

discuss it very far that it is possible for the police officer to be racist and

for the police officer to be racist and

for the police officer to be racist and there are in fact racist police officers

there are in fact racist police officers

there are in fact racist police officers to say that that’s not possible is

to say that that’s not possible is

to say that that’s not possible is really nonsensical police officers can

really nonsensical police officers can

really nonsensical police officers can be racist because they’re Americans and

be racist because they’re Americans and

be racist because they’re Americans and each American has the prerogative to be

each American has the prerogative to be

each American has the prerogative to be racist and to say that racism doesn’t

racist and to say that racism doesn’t

racist and to say that racism doesn’t exist today it’s not only wrong but also

exist today it’s not only wrong but also

exist today it’s not only wrong but also insensitive on the other hand on the

insensitive on the other hand on the

insensitive on the other hand on the other side of that argument

other side of that argument

other side of that argument whenever a young black men are young

whenever a young black men are young

whenever a young black men are young minorities are faced with these types of

minorities are faced with these types of

minorities are faced with these types of situations we can believe that many

situations we can believe that many

situations we can believe that many times they are completely innocent but

times they are completely innocent but

times they are completely innocent but to say that they are never guilty to say

to say that they are never guilty to say

to say that they are never guilty to say that they never add to the problem is

that they never add to the problem is

that they never add to the problem is also just as wrong and just as

also just as wrong and just as

also just as wrong and just as insensitive but what we can see is a

insensitive but what we can see is a

insensitive but what we can see is a deeper truth and it’s this deeper truth

deeper truth and it’s this deeper truth

deeper truth and it’s this deeper truth that I would like Americans to try to

that I would like Americans to try to

that I would like Americans to try to grapple with you see whenever I lived in

grapple with you see whenever I lived in

grapple with you see whenever I lived in st. Louis I worked and I lived in

st. Louis I worked and I lived in

st. Louis I worked and I lived in Ferguson and the surrounding areas and

Ferguson and the surrounding areas and

Ferguson and the surrounding areas and so then when people bring me in to talk

so then when people bring me in to talk

so then when people bring me in to talk on these things or to speak about

on these things or to speak about

on these things or to speak about subjects like the one I’m speaking about

subjects like the one I’m speaking about

subjects like the one I’m speaking about now they are wanting to hear great

now they are wanting to hear great

now they are wanting to hear great stories they’re wanting me to say

stories they’re wanting me to say

stories they’re wanting me to say something very outlandish so that they

something very outlandish so that they

something very outlandish so that they can really picture what happened they

can really picture what happened they

can really picture what happened they expect me to have driven down the

expect me to have driven down the

expect me to have driven down the streets in Ferguson and to see a bodies

streets in Ferguson and to see a bodies

streets in Ferguson and to see a bodies lynched

lynched

lynched to see crosses burning to see riots in

to see crosses burning to see riots in

to see crosses burning to see riots in the streets for justice but that was not

the streets for justice but that was not

the streets for justice but that was not the case in fact the only thing I really

the case in fact the only thing I really

the case in fact the only thing I really saw was separatism

saw was separatism

saw was separatism I saw a strict separation

I saw a strict separation

I saw a strict separation I remember whenever I would drive from

I remember whenever I would drive from

I remember whenever I would drive from one side of town to the other

one side of town to the other

one side of town to the other after leaving one of my jobs I would

after leaving one of my jobs I would

after leaving one of my jobs I would drive across town by the time I got to

drive across town by the time I got to

drive across town by the time I got to Ferguson it was interesting because

Ferguson it was interesting because

Ferguson it was interesting because around 3:00 p.m. the schools are being

around 3:00 p.m. the schools are being

around 3:00 p.m. the schools are being dismissed and on one Street there were

dismissed and on one Street there were

dismissed and on one Street there were young black kids walking with their

young black kids walking with their

young black kids walking with their backpacks in hand laughing and joking

backpacks in hand laughing and joking

backpacks in hand laughing and joking and just one Street over just one block

and just one Street over just one block

and just one Street over just one block over there were white children walking

over there were white children walking

over there were white children walking with their backpacks laughing and

with their backpacks laughing and

with their backpacks laughing and talking it was as if there were two

talking it was as if there were two

talking it was as if there were two worlds living side by side but never

worlds living side by side but never

worlds living side by side but never coming together never even interacting

coming together never even interacting

coming together never even interacting with each other I was not at all

with each other I was not at all

with each other I was not at all surprised whenever I moved to Memphis to

surprised whenever I moved to Memphis to

surprised whenever I moved to Memphis to see and I saw that the same thing that

see and I saw that the same thing that

see and I saw that the same thing that Ferguson and st. Lewis trouble with

Ferguson and st. Lewis trouble with

Ferguson and st. Lewis trouble with Memphis struggled with as well and so

Memphis struggled with as well and so

Memphis struggled with as well and so then when we think about this tragic

then when we think about this tragic

then when we think about this tragic shooting we can never know exactly what

shooting we can never know exactly what

shooting we can never know exactly what happened but I can know one of the

happened but I can know one of the

happened but I can know one of the deeper problems that led to something so

deeper problems that led to something so

deeper problems that led to something so tragic

tragic

tragic this problem is separatism and it’s a

this problem is separatism and it’s a

this problem is separatism and it’s a little formula the problem of separatism

little formula the problem of separatism

little formula the problem of separatism is from your leg it has an outworking

is from your leg it has an outworking

is from your leg it has an outworking you see where there is separatism

you see where there is separatism

you see where there is separatism separatism leads to ignorant and then

separatism leads to ignorant and then

separatism leads to ignorant and then where there’s ignorance ignorance leads

where there’s ignorance ignorance leads

where there’s ignorance ignorance leads to fear and then whether it’s fear fear

to fear and then whether it’s fear fear

to fear and then whether it’s fear fear leads to poor decisions and then finally

leads to poor decisions and then finally

leads to poor decisions and then finally if you have enough poor decisions if you

if you have enough poor decisions if you

if you have enough poor decisions if you add them up enough that leads to the

add them up enough that leads to the

add them up enough that leads to the destruction of a society there’s no

destruction of a society there’s no

destruction of a society there’s no better proof then bail abba be like a

better proof then bail abba be like a

better proof then bail abba be like a cat who my friend calls tripod of course

cat who my friend calls tripod of course

cat who my friend calls tripod of course I was separated from cats and animals in

I was separated from cats and animals in

I was separated from cats and animals in general and so then that separation with

general and so then that separation with

general and so then that separation with the exception of a couple of bad

the exception of a couple of bad

the exception of a couple of bad experiences made me ignorant of how they

experiences made me ignorant of how they

experiences made me ignorant of how they move ignorant of how they operate and so

move ignorant of how they operate and so

move ignorant of how they operate and so then that ignorant led to me being

then that ignorant led to me being

then that ignorant led to me being afraid even when the cat was not a

afraid even when the cat was not a

afraid even when the cat was not a threat and of course when I’m afraid I

threat and of course when I’m afraid I

threat and of course when I’m afraid I could make poor decisions would would

could make poor decisions would would

could make poor decisions would would lead me to treat the cat more harshly

lead me to treat the cat more harshly

lead me to treat the cat more harshly than I should as the cats caretaker and

than I should as the cats caretaker and

than I should as the cats caretaker and so then we see that this is a trivial

so then we see that this is a trivial

so then we see that this is a trivial type of example of trivial illustration

type of example of trivial illustration

type of example of trivial illustration but maybe there is some insight and some

but maybe there is some insight and some

but maybe there is some insight and some deeper implications that we can give

deeper implications that we can give

deeper implications that we can give rich soil has since shoots up from

rich soil has since shoots up from

rich soil has since shoots up from underneath bursting both the Great Oaks

underneath bursting both the Great Oaks

underneath bursting both the Great Oaks and the small tree Heath would cut in

and the small tree Heath would cut in

and the small tree Heath would cut in process to make a gathering place where

process to make a gathering place where

process to make a gathering place where chairs are pushed together tight around

chairs are pushed together tight around

chairs are pushed together tight around the space the black and white sit

the space the black and white sit

the space the black and white sit comfortably upon each cushion seat

comfortably upon each cushion seat

comfortably upon each cushion seat chomping fried chicken and sipping tea

chomping fried chicken and sipping tea

chomping fried chicken and sipping tea in the Georgia Heat

in the Georgia Heat

in the Georgia Heat white and black children skip up

white and black children skip up

white and black children skip up laughing and clapping hands for sweet

laughing and clapping hands for sweet

laughing and clapping hands for sweet cakes and pies prepared by each of their

cakes and pies prepared by each of their

cakes and pies prepared by each of their clans or such peace and love of which

clans or such peace and love of which

clans or such peace and love of which the world thought us unable when we sit

the world thought us unable when we sit

the world thought us unable when we sit in Brotherhood around this dr. King’s

in Brotherhood around this dr. King’s

in Brotherhood around this dr. King’s table perhaps this story of my cat

table perhaps this story of my cat

table perhaps this story of my cat perhaps a bell of the three legged

perhaps a bell of the three legged

perhaps a bell of the three legged animal and my interaction with her could

animal and my interaction with her could

animal and my interaction with her could also have some type of deeper

also have some type of deeper

also have some type of deeper implication implication that can help us

implication implication that can help us

implication implication that can help us to maybe sort through or at least

to maybe sort through or at least

to maybe sort through or at least consider some missing components when

consider some missing components when

consider some missing components when looking and observing the types of

looking and observing the types of

looking and observing the types of situations between young black

situations between young black

situations between young black minorities and white police officers you

minorities and white police officers you

minorities and white police officers you see some white police officers do not

see some white police officers do not

see some white police officers do not congregate often with black men and this

congregate often with black men and this

congregate often with black men and this makes them separate

makes them separate

makes them separate therefore they are ignorant of how black

therefore they are ignorant of how black

therefore they are ignorant of how black men operate their separatism leads to

men operate their separatism leads to

men operate their separatism leads to ignorance and so then if they’re

ignorance and so then if they’re

ignorance and so then if they’re ignorant of how a black man operates

ignorant of how a black man operates

ignorant of how a black man operates then they may think that this young

then they may think that this young

then they may think that this young black man is doing something that’s

black man is doing something that’s

black man is doing something that’s threatening when in fact it’s not you

threatening when in fact it’s not you

threatening when in fact it’s not you see if a white police officer were to

see if a white police officer were to

see if a white police officer were to see a young white man doing the same

see a young white man doing the same

see a young white man doing the same thing that white police officer may

thing that white police officer may

thing that white police officer may interact differently because he’s

interact differently because he’s

interact differently because he’s familiar and so that he’s not as

familiar and so that he’s not as

familiar and so that he’s not as ignorant and so if it’s not ignorant he

ignorant and so if it’s not ignorant he

ignorant and so if it’s not ignorant he was he is rather not afraid the reality

was he is rather not afraid the reality

was he is rather not afraid the reality is the police officer may well have been

is the police officer may well have been

is the police officer may well have been a racist the police officer in any of

a racist the police officer in any of

a racist the police officer in any of these situations may well have been

these situations may well have been

these situations may well have been racist or the police officer may well

racist or the police officer may well

racist or the police officer may well had been separate and just unfamiliar in

had been separate and just unfamiliar in

had been separate and just unfamiliar in the same way when we have this

the same way when we have this

the same way when we have this separatism it then eventually leads to

separatism it then eventually leads to

separatism it then eventually leads to ignorance and then this ignorance leads

ignorance and then this ignorance leads

ignorance and then this ignorance leads to fear and so then some black young men

to fear and so then some black young men

to fear and so then some black young men or minorities young men are not as

or minorities young men are not as

or minorities young men are not as familiar with the way that white

familiar with the way that white

familiar with the way that white officers do things or white culture in

officers do things or white culture in

officers do things or white culture in general and so then they in their

general and so then they in their

general and so then they in their separateness will be ignorant of how

separateness will be ignorant of how

separateness will be ignorant of how things go here in this space that they

things go here in this space that they

things go here in this space that they have found themselves in and so then

have found themselves in and so then

have found themselves in and so then they become afraid they interpret the

they become afraid they interpret the

they become afraid they interpret the police’s actions as

police’s actions as

police’s actions as ducing and so some people deal with fear

ducing and so some people deal with fear

ducing and so some people deal with fear by running in flight or by staying in

by running in flight or by staying in

by running in flight or by staying in fight and so the reality is sometimes

fight and so the reality is sometimes

fight and so the reality is sometimes these young minorities they may well be

these young minorities they may well be

these young minorities they may well be hardened criminals or they literally may

hardened criminals or they literally may

hardened criminals or they literally may just be scared and so then when we

just be scared and so then when we

just be scared and so then when we become afraid many of us begin to act

become afraid many of us begin to act

become afraid many of us begin to act rashly we don’t think as clear as we

rashly we don’t think as clear as we

rashly we don’t think as clear as we know that we need to think and so that’s

know that we need to think and so that’s

know that we need to think and so that’s why in some of these situations a gun is

why in some of these situations a gun is

why in some of these situations a gun is pulled too quickly that’s why in some of

pulled too quickly that’s why in some of

pulled too quickly that’s why in some of these situations we are resisting arrest

these situations we are resisting arrest

these situations we are resisting arrest it’s because whenever we’re afraid then

it’s because whenever we’re afraid then

it’s because whenever we’re afraid then we start to act out and very unfortunate

we start to act out and very unfortunate

we start to act out and very unfortunate ways and so then both parties really one

ways and so then both parties really one

ways and so then both parties really one could be completely racist or the other

could be completely racist or the other

could be completely racist or the other could be literally a hardened criminal

could be literally a hardened criminal

could be literally a hardened criminal or both may be genuinely afraid and this

or both may be genuinely afraid and this

or both may be genuinely afraid and this all starts with separation this is the

all starts with separation this is the

all starts with separation this is the art working separation leads to

art working separation leads to

art working separation leads to ignorance then ignorant to fear then

ignorance then ignorant to fear then

ignorance then ignorant to fear then fear to poor decisions and if you add up

fear to poor decisions and if you add up

fear to poor decisions and if you add up enough of those poor decisions that

enough of those poor decisions that

enough of those poor decisions that leads to destruction whenever you turn

leads to destruction whenever you turn

leads to destruction whenever you turn on your television and you see someone

on your television and you see someone

on your television and you see someone else shot someone else’s family up in

else shot someone else’s family up in

else shot someone else’s family up in arms because their family member who’s

arms because their family member who’s

arms because their family member who’s the police officer has been drugged into

the police officer has been drugged into

the police officer has been drugged into this battle the family of the slain when

this battle the family of the slain when

this battle the family of the slain when it just becomes normal to see these

it just becomes normal to see these

it just becomes normal to see these things we are really looking at a

things we are really looking at a

things we are really looking at a society that is slowly being destroyed

society that is slowly being destroyed

society that is slowly being destroyed and it was this slow destruction that

and it was this slow destruction that

and it was this slow destruction that dr. Martin Luther King spoke against in

dr. Martin Luther King spoke against in

dr. Martin Luther King spoke against in his delivery of his I have a dream

his delivery of his I have a dream

his delivery of his I have a dream speech given on August 28th 1963

speech given on August 28th 1963

speech given on August 28th 1963 acknowledging separation and how it can

acknowledging separation and how it can

acknowledging separation and how it can lead to all of these terrible things dr.

lead to all of these terrible things dr.

lead to all of these terrible things dr. King says this in that speech I have a

King says this in that speech I have a

King says this in that speech I have a dream that one day on the Red Hills of

dream that one day on the Red Hills of

dream that one day on the Red Hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and

Georgia the sons of former slaves and

Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be

the sons of former slave owners will be

the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of

able to sit down together at a table of

able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood you see there is a lot to be

brotherhood you see there is a lot to be

brotherhood you see there is a lot to be gained when we sit down at the table of

gained when we sit down at the table of

gained when we sit down at the table of brotherhood and we listen to each other

brotherhood and we listen to each other

brotherhood and we listen to each other in so doing we never become less of

in so doing we never become less of

in so doing we never become less of ourselves we never have to stop being

ourselves we never have to stop being

ourselves we never have to stop being black or stop being white or stop being

black or stop being white or stop being

black or stop being white or stop being a man or stop being a woman because to

a man or stop being a woman because to

a man or stop being a woman because to be either of those things this beautiful

be either of those things this beautiful

be either of those things this beautiful whiteness is too beautiful blackness is

whiteness is too beautiful blackness is

whiteness is too beautiful blackness is too beautiful Hispanic Ness is too

too beautiful Hispanic Ness is too

too beautiful Hispanic Ness is too beautiful the female and the males are

beautiful the female and the males are

beautiful the female and the males are too beautiful the young and the old it’s

too beautiful the young and the old it’s

too beautiful the young and the old it’s too beautiful we don’t want to cease

too beautiful we don’t want to cease

too beautiful we don’t want to cease being those things we only want to sit

being those things we only want to sit

being those things we only want to sit down and come to know each other sit

down and come to know each other sit

down and come to know each other sit down across the table and share meal of

down across the table and share meal of

down across the table and share meal of love peace and respect we don’t want to

love peace and respect we don’t want to

love peace and respect we don’t want to learn about it on television or in the

learn about it on television or in the

learn about it on television or in the news but we want to learn face to face

news but we want to learn face to face

news but we want to learn face to face we need to close this gap of separation

we need to close this gap of separation

we need to close this gap of separation because less separation means less

because less separation means less

because less separation means less ignorant unless ignorance means less

ignorant unless ignorance means less

ignorant unless ignorance means less fear less fear means fewer poor

fear less fear means fewer poor

fear less fear means fewer poor decisions and fewer poor decisions mean

decisions and fewer poor decisions mean

decisions and fewer poor decisions mean that we could save the destruction of

that we could save the destruction of

that we could save the destruction of our society dr. King was gunned down in

our society dr. King was gunned down in

our society dr. King was gunned down in Memphis Tennessee on the balcony of the

Memphis Tennessee on the balcony of the

Memphis Tennessee on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel and as we come upon the

Lorraine Motel and as we come upon the

Lorraine Motel and as we come upon the 50th anniversary of that event we can

50th anniversary of that event we can

50th anniversary of that event we can honor his legacy by remembering his

honor his legacy by remembering his

honor his legacy by remembering his dream because I know that whenever he

dream because I know that whenever he

dream because I know that whenever he fell down dead on the metal of that

fell down dead on the metal of that

fell down dead on the metal of that balcony he was still gripping tight to

balcony he was still gripping tight to

balcony he was still gripping tight to that dream I feel that if we can help

that dream I feel that if we can help

that dream I feel that if we can help community organizations or schools or

community organizations or schools or

community organizations or schools or universities all religious institutions

universities all religious institutions

universities all religious institutions if we can help in any way pull everyone

if we can help in any way pull everyone

if we can help in any way pull everyone to the table and have conversations and

to the table and have conversations and

to the table and have conversations and purposeful interactions where we

purposeful interactions where we

purposeful interactions where we interact more with those who are

interact more with those who are

interact more with those who are different than us we may just end up

different than us we may just end up

different than us we may just end up making dr. King’s dream a reality

making dr. King’s dream a reality

making dr. King’s dream a reality rich soil essence shoots up from

rich soil essence shoots up from

rich soil essence shoots up from underneath birthing both great oaks and

underneath birthing both great oaks and

underneath birthing both great oaks and the small tree Heath would cut and

the small tree Heath would cut and

the small tree Heath would cut and processed to make a gathering place

processed to make a gathering place

processed to make a gathering place where chairs are pushed together tight

where chairs are pushed together tight

where chairs are pushed together tight around the space the black and white sit

around the space the black and white sit

around the space the black and white sit comfortably upon each cushioned seat

comfortably upon each cushioned seat

comfortably upon each cushioned seat chomping fried chicken and sipping tea

chomping fried chicken and sipping tea

chomping fried chicken and sipping tea in the Georgia Heat white and black

in the Georgia Heat white and black

in the Georgia Heat white and black children skip up laughing and clasping

children skip up laughing and clasping

children skip up laughing and clasping hands for sweet cakes and pies prepared

hands for sweet cakes and pies prepared

hands for sweet cakes and pies prepared by each other clans such peace and love

by each other clans such peace and love

by each other clans such peace and love of which the world thought us enable

of which the world thought us enable

of which the world thought us enable when we sit in Brotherhood around this

when we sit in Brotherhood around this

when we sit in Brotherhood around this dr. King’s table thank you

dr. King’s table thank you

dr. King’s table thank you [Applause]