Thursdays 11:00am - 12:00pm (EDT)
WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?
The audience will learn how white antiracist leaders of the past can inform present day activism by people who are white.
EPISODE SUMMARY:
Dismantling racism requires mobilizing masses of white people to get involved and stand up for racial justice. Lynn Burnett believes that if white people understood their own history of advocacy and activism, they would be inspired. He believes that the knowledge of white antiracists in history can help to raise a white antiracist generation and support their commitment to antiracist practices.
Join Rev. Dr. TLC and Lynn as they discuss the power of story in building antiracist culture and community and why it’s important for people who are white to lift up and learn from their antiracist elders. They will also discuss how the erasure of white antiracist history facilitates white supremacy and how to engage with white antiracist history without slipping into white centering and saviorhood.
Tune in for this important conversation at TalkRadio.nyc
Rev. Dr. TLC tells her audience the goal of the show and how she wants to help educate so we can eradicate and dismantle racism. She begins the show with a guided meditation. Rev. Dr. TLC wants to encourage her listeners to get in touch and leave comments and questions on our youtube live or you can contact her at sacredintelligence.com She asks her listeners what Black History Month means to them. She explains why it is important to study our history which brings us to our topic today. Rev. Dr. TLC invites you to remember the character of our ancestors and take the time to research black history.
Rev. Dr. TLC explains why it is important for white people to know their history and why it’s damaging if they don’t. She welcomes her guest Lynn Burnett, a former high school history teacher and founder of Cross-Cultural Solidarity. Rev. Dr. TLC asks Lynn if he has a practice that he partakes in to keep grounded. Lynn has practiced Zen Buddhism for about 15 years now. Lynn talks about being in gratitude and meditation as being a way to keep him grounded. Rev. Dr. TLC asks Lynn what drew him to racial justice coming from being a history teacher. Lynn explains that he had a very impactful experience teaching incarcerated youth. Rev. Dr. TLC and Lynn advise the listeners to question why they see things the way they see them instead of assuming that’s just the way it is.
Lynn runs a project called The White Anti-Racist Ancestry. When Lynn talks about Ancestors he is talking about the white people in history who have shown up in the world for racial justice. Lynn believes that if white people had figured that they can look up to those who stood up to racial injustice then it would be much easier to help white people develop a positive racial identity. The project has five types of resources that have a certain kind of strategic value. Lynn says one is a series of short pieces about a wide variety of white anti-racist figures. There are chapter-length pieces where you can explore the emotional lives of white anti-racists. There’s also a section where they interview elders.
Rev. Dr. TLC asks Lynn how he has grown throughout the years doing this work. Lynn says he feels like this work totally formed and shaped him. He talks about the lessons he learned over the years. Lynn expresses why it is important to not let obstacles keep you from doing the work. Before the end of the segment, Rev. Dr. TLC asks Lynn what advice he has for white people who aren’t engaged in this work. If you want to learn more about Lynn Burnett you can check out his website at cross-culturalsolidarity.com There is a link at the top of the page for his social media handles.
00:00:42.180 --> 00:00:51.229 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: hello, and welcome to the dismantle Racism Show! I'm your host, the Reverend Dr. Tlc. The goal of this show is to help to educate you
00:00:51.350 --> 00:00:56.240 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in order for you to eradicate and to dismantle racism.
00:00:57.030 --> 00:00:59.870 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: The goal for me is to
00:00:59.940 --> 00:01:08.480 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: make an impact in such a way that we really can't achieve racial equity for everyone, so that it becomes the norm.
00:01:09.420 --> 00:01:12.669 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I want to start a show, as I always do
00:01:13.070 --> 00:01:17.950 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: by inviting us to go into a time of meditation.
00:01:18.100 --> 00:01:19.630 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: But before I do that.
00:01:19.730 --> 00:01:25.569 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: if you are listening, live, I would love for you to make your comments on Youtube.
00:01:26.030 --> 00:01:27.740 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Ask your questions.
00:01:27.900 --> 00:01:46.300 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Let us know what you think about the show, and if you're listening after the facts, please do right in and let us know what you think of the show, the topic, the guest, and if you have a topic that you'd like us to discuss you'd have a guess that you'd like to be on the show right to me and let me know.
00:01:46.310 --> 00:02:01.720 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: You can also get in touch with me by going to sacred intelligence.com, and making comments there as well through an email. just I want to hear from you. I want to know what you think, and I want to know how I can serve you
00:02:02.700 --> 00:02:05.889 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: so if you would for a moment I invite you.
00:02:06.070 --> 00:02:07.880 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: close your eyes.
00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:14.460 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: just begin to take a deep breath in and hold it
00:02:16.260 --> 00:02:17.810 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and release it.
00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:22.720 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Take one more deep breath in
00:02:23.810 --> 00:02:25.250 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and holds.
00:02:26.940 --> 00:02:29.230 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and then release it slowly.
00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:35.480 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and then just breathe at your normal rhythm.
00:02:38.410 --> 00:02:42.120 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Breathe in the fact that you are a divine wisdom.
00:02:44.130 --> 00:02:47.750 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Cradle yourself in this moment in deep love.
00:02:49.790 --> 00:02:53.239 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: giving gratitude for who you are.
00:02:56.040 --> 00:02:57.870 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: giving gratitude.
00:02:58.380 --> 00:02:59.710 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: gratitude
00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:02.529 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: for the gifts that you have.
00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:07.650 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Just breathe in and out.
00:03:09.700 --> 00:03:11.940 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Just take a moment to love
00:03:13.460 --> 00:03:15.950 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: how you've shown up in the world
00:03:17.460 --> 00:03:20.580 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the Times that you've made good decisions.
00:03:21.330 --> 00:03:24.350 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the times that you've spoken up for justice.
00:03:25.210 --> 00:03:29.169 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: The times that you have stood up for yourself.
00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:34.300 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Just give yourself gratitude.
00:03:35.810 --> 00:03:38.589 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and as you give your self gratitude.
00:03:40.170 --> 00:03:45.210 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I want you to expand and give gratitude for those who came before you.
00:03:46.420 --> 00:03:49.609 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: those who fought for your freedoms.
00:03:50.770 --> 00:03:54.559 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: those who fought for the freedom of others.
00:03:56.520 --> 00:03:58.570 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: those who understood
00:03:59.140 --> 00:04:03.689 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: that their silence helped to perpetuate racism.
00:04:07.300 --> 00:04:09.470 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So they use their voices
00:04:12.100 --> 00:04:15.260 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to free those who were oppressed.
00:04:16.779 --> 00:04:18.930 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to change the status quo.
00:04:21.149 --> 00:04:23.040 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: so just breathe in
00:04:23.250 --> 00:04:24.549 and out.
00:04:25.830 --> 00:04:27.430 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: giving gratitude
00:04:28.060 --> 00:04:29.440 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: for yourself
00:04:29.970 --> 00:04:31.729 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: for the ancestors.
00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:36.200 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And now give gratitude for those who walk alongside you.
00:04:37.400 --> 00:04:40.699 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: This journey of dismantling racism
00:04:40.730 --> 00:04:43.190 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: is not one to be walked alone.
00:04:45.220 --> 00:04:47.810 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: You have those who partner with us
00:04:47.940 --> 00:04:50.570 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: who support us, who encourages.
00:04:52.320 --> 00:04:53.730 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: who lift us up.
00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:56.520 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: who guide us.
00:04:57.050 --> 00:04:58.619 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: who inspire us.
00:04:59.300 --> 00:05:01.310 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and who motivate us
00:05:02.880 --> 00:05:04.520 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to continue
00:05:05.460 --> 00:05:07.370 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to fight for justice.
00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:10.210 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: so breathe in
00:05:10.710 --> 00:05:12.040 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and out.
00:05:12.890 --> 00:05:14.850 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: recognizing your power.
00:05:16.220 --> 00:05:18.019 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: embracing your power
00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:21.930 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and understanding that what you do matters
00:05:24.170 --> 00:05:25.560 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: breathe in
00:05:25.890 --> 00:05:27.169 and out.
00:05:27.890 --> 00:05:30.609 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: recognizing that the power of one
00:05:32.290 --> 00:05:34.969 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: contributes to the power of many.
00:05:37.610 --> 00:05:39.319 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I'll take a deep breath in
00:05:41.760 --> 00:05:43.619 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and sigh it out
00:05:45.890 --> 00:05:47.390 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and let's begin.
00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:55.910 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We are at the beginning of Black History month.
00:05:57.030 --> 00:06:00.830 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And I wonder, what does black history month mean to you?
00:06:01.950 --> 00:06:08.119 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Is it an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those from the African diaspora.
00:06:08.700 --> 00:06:16.160 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Do you have strong feelings about black history being recognized by many? Only during one month
00:06:16.910 --> 00:06:21.119 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: does the month come and go without much fanfare for you at all.
00:06:21.400 --> 00:06:29.430 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: What purpose does the month, or even knowing the history of the people who are black serve?
00:06:30.910 --> 00:06:39.080 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I believe that, knowing our heritage. In particular, our heritage as people of color is critical to
00:06:39.130 --> 00:06:44.409 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: our survival, and thriving both as humans and divine beings.
00:06:44.750 --> 00:06:56.770 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Ignorance is bondage, and it contributes to living in thinking, self, hatred, despair, hatred of others, apathy, complacency, violence, and so much more
00:06:56.900 --> 00:06:59.010 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: so. I want to invite you
00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:01.309 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: regardless of their color.
00:07:01.430 --> 00:07:06.819 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I want to invite you to take time during this month to engage
00:07:07.410 --> 00:07:09.890 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: with the following things.
00:07:11.580 --> 00:07:12.770 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Remember
00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:14.430 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and research.
00:07:15.380 --> 00:07:17.970 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Remember the legacy of black people.
00:07:18.940 --> 00:07:25.890 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We stand on the shoulders of people who understood their brilliance, gifts, and their worthiness.
00:07:25.980 --> 00:07:37.190 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: They knew that our life circumstances do not define who we are and what we can become. They valued humankind, and knew the importance of lifting
00:07:37.670 --> 00:07:39.090 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: as they climbed.
00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:45.649 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: their strong sense of community meant educating, mentoring, redirecting, and holding one another
00:07:45.710 --> 00:07:46.440 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: up.
00:07:46.470 --> 00:07:49.030 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and accountable for their actions.
00:07:49.200 --> 00:07:57.329 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So this month I invite us to remember the character of our ancestors, and take the time to research
00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:58.850 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: our history
00:07:59.040 --> 00:08:04.720 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and your own history if you are not from the African diaspora.
00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:10.430 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and then I want to invite you to reconcile and repair.
00:08:11.530 --> 00:08:16.200 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Take the time to reconcile faulty knowledge of our history
00:08:16.320 --> 00:08:30.580 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: mit ctl, and with new, with new discoveries about our history. Every day we're learning something new about the contributions of African Americans, so look for opportunities to share your new learning with other folks, especially youngsters. 150
00:08:30.630 --> 00:08:35.889 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: pay attention to the ways in which people have worked together cross racially
00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:43.969 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to raise the consciousness of others, to build community and to make this world a better place. This month
00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:46.100 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: is a powerful time
00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:52.100 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to repair relationships within and beyond our community.
00:08:53.950 --> 00:08:59.199 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: It is especially a time to practice deep self, love.
00:08:59.870 --> 00:09:01.700 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: doesn't matter who you are
00:09:02.040 --> 00:09:04.679 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to practice deep self, love
00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:09.159 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and honoring, who we are as divine beings.
00:09:09.800 --> 00:09:13.910 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: There's only when we can love ourselves. Can we truly love another?
00:09:14.510 --> 00:09:17.290 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And then, finally, I want to ask you
00:09:17.550 --> 00:09:21.180 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to reevaluate, and we commit
00:09:22.160 --> 00:09:31.809 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: What do I mean by that? I want you to engage in self reflection, because it's really good for the soul, and it can help you shift how you show up in the world.
00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:39.730 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Excuse me, so this month is a good time to reevaluate whether you've honored the path of the ancestors.
00:09:40.520 --> 00:09:53.709 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Are you continuing the legacy of hope, love, and faith that's been passed down to you from your ancestors. Are you fully taking advantage of the privileges that they sacrificed for us, and yes.
00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:56.650 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: people of all races have sacrifice.
00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:01.599 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So I invite you this month.
00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:04.260 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Excuse me
00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:07.410 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: for the cloth and the tickle I invite you this month.
00:10:08.400 --> 00:10:11.229 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Don't make this just to be another month on the calendar.
00:10:11.570 --> 00:10:12.889 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Take the time
00:10:13.280 --> 00:10:15.389 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to truly truly celebrate.
00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:17.560 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Yeah.
00:10:17.830 --> 00:10:21.350 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we're gonna go to a quick commercial, early commercial.
00:10:21.880 --> 00:10:25.560 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: so I can get my act together, and when we come back
00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:32.370 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: my guest today is going to talk about the contributions of white allies.
00:10:32.810 --> 00:10:34.289 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We'll be right back.
00:10:34.380 --> 00:10:37.980 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: This is the dismantle races. Michelle will be back.
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00:12:16.650 --> 00:12:22.650 you're listening to talk radio, nyc, uplift, educate, and power.
00:12:23.300 --> 00:12:24.490 You
00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:31.390 you
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00:12:54.750 --> 00:12:58.929 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We're back with the dismantle Racism show. I think I have myself
00:12:59.140 --> 00:13:04.420 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: together now, but we will see it's amazing. Being live right.
00:13:04.790 --> 00:13:11.279 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We have to just go with the flow. But today we're actually talking about something that I believe is really really important.
00:13:12.130 --> 00:13:13.970 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and it's important
00:13:14.090 --> 00:13:16.250 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: for those who are
00:13:16.770 --> 00:13:21.009 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: white who want to be allies in this journey.
00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:26.309 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And one of the things that I've often said when I teach is that it's important
00:13:26.330 --> 00:13:30.410 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: for white folks to know your history and the movement.
00:13:30.770 --> 00:13:40.470 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And so i'm delighted today to have a guest who talks just about why it's so important, and how, in fact, is damaging.
00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:43.300 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: If white folks don't know their history.
00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:49.579 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: But I think it's important not just for white people to know the history of whites who've been involved in the movement.
00:13:49.930 --> 00:13:53.800 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: It's also important for people of color, because I think all too often
00:13:53.830 --> 00:13:56.499 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we can have a mistrust
00:13:56.830 --> 00:13:57.730 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: of
00:13:58.180 --> 00:13:59.540 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: white people.
00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:08.420 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and we can often think that there are no whites who support us, and that's absolutely not true. So I want to welcome my guest today. Lynn Burnett.
00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:15.529 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: who was a former high school history teacher, and the founder of cross-cultural solidarity
00:14:15.930 --> 00:14:29.159 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and white, and the white anti-racist ancestry project now. Lynn has done so much more, but we are only going to give a short part of this by because he's going to talk about it as he
00:14:29.430 --> 00:14:33.299 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: engages us in this conversation of
00:14:33.730 --> 00:14:34.840 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: white
00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:41.520 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: allies, white anti-races, leaders. And why is so important, so Lynn
00:14:41.540 --> 00:14:44.899 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: welcome welcome welcome to the show. I'm so happy
00:14:44.930 --> 00:14:47.270 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to have this conversation with you today.
00:14:47.410 --> 00:14:50.290 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: Thank you so much, and i'm so happy to be here as well.
00:14:50.340 --> 00:15:01.929 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and thank you for your beautiful meditation. It it grounded me and open my heart, and I really appreciate it, and and also good morning to all the listeners as well. Thank you. Thank you for that Len. 250
00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:04.350 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: when so
00:15:04.800 --> 00:15:07.679 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I'm just gonna jump into
00:15:08.330 --> 00:15:15.629 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: my customary question about grounded, because a part of the reason why I do that meditation is to ground
00:15:15.850 --> 00:15:26.850 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: folks, and it's so important if we're going to engage in this work to have something that help keeps us moving forward, which is why I do the meditations, and
00:15:27.250 --> 00:15:28.450 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: also
00:15:28.680 --> 00:15:30.690 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: it's an opportunity.
00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:39.179 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Because I think what a lot of people don't realize. The guests on the show also need to be grounded because to get up here
00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:54.660 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and to talk about things like this. It it you know it. It could be nerve racking, and I i'm not saying that you were nervous about being in the show, but it's also an opportunity to do just that. So when you are engaging in this work beyond being on the show.
00:15:54.840 --> 00:16:05.269 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Do you have some sort of practice or sacred ways of being that helps to ground you? And so you can continue to do this work
00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:08.359 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: absolutely, and it's something.
00:16:09.770 --> 00:16:14.960 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: it's something that I have, and it's also a growing edge and something that I want to return to and and strengthen.
00:16:15.350 --> 00:16:21.409 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: But also, you know, I lead workshops, using white anti-racist history to help white folks reflect on how they can show up
00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:26.359 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: for racial justice, and I always start with the grounding, and I always close with the grounding.
00:16:26.760 --> 00:16:30.260 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and it's not even about me being nervous as a facilitator. But
00:16:30.850 --> 00:16:37.500 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know, when I do that it allows all of us to settle. It allows myself to settle. It allows all of us to show up
00:16:37.670 --> 00:16:39.569 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: more more fully. So
00:16:39.790 --> 00:16:43.439 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I've seen it be something that people really appreciate.
00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:50.430 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and in my own life I have a spiritual practice of Zen Buddhism which I've had for about 15 years.
00:16:51.070 --> 00:16:53.270 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and I also.
00:16:53.400 --> 00:16:57.029 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I have, you know, gratitude practices.
00:16:57.240 --> 00:17:02.329 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I try to breathe deep into my body and feel my breath.
00:17:02.590 --> 00:17:04.760 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: You know, when I, when I wake up in the morning.
00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:09.059 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I try to breathe in gratitude before I even get out of bed.
00:17:09.650 --> 00:17:14.310 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and I also You know something that is really
00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:17.400 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: powerfully grounding for me, is saying, Thank you, God!
00:17:17.890 --> 00:17:23.990 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: You know, when I wake up and walking in the woods at night in the East Bay hills behind Oakland and Berkeley.
00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:29.379 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I'll. I'll go for a walk by myself, and no one's out there, and i'll just say, thank you God! And that language doesn't come
00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:36.929 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: from Zen Buddhism, but it opens my heart in a very profound way, and allows me to receive something very important.
00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:39.980 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I love that, and
00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:45.739 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you're absolutely right. It isn't always about being nervous. But those of us who do this work.
00:17:47.170 --> 00:17:49.980 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I think what meditation does, or
00:17:50.020 --> 00:17:52.379 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: being in gratitude does.
00:17:52.820 --> 00:17:55.909 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: being appreciative of what's around us.
00:17:56.790 --> 00:17:59.060 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Is, it reminds us of who we are
00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:00.949 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and why we do this work?
00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:02.940 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Yes, that is not
00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:04.830 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: about us.
00:18:05.330 --> 00:18:07.170 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: It's about the greater
00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:11.289 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: picture of of the world, and who we are in.
00:18:11.670 --> 00:18:12.780 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So
00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:18.150 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: if we do this work and we are just sailing in the wind.
00:18:18.530 --> 00:18:21.009 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we cannot be useful.
00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:26.089 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We have to find a way that says i'm doing this work
00:18:27.010 --> 00:18:29.229 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in ways that help me
00:18:29.310 --> 00:18:30.330 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to
00:18:30.350 --> 00:18:34.420 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: maintain my sanity through the process, and we can talk about
00:18:34.790 --> 00:18:43.299 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: all of those things a little bit later. But you know, in terms of have there been times, you know, when, when when it doesn't feel like we're we're
00:18:44.270 --> 00:18:56.969 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in some way saying doing this work because the world seems to be crashing in. But we'll we'll ask about some of that a little bit later. I know in in our conversations we've talked about that. But when, before we
00:18:57.440 --> 00:19:01.599 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: get into what this journey has
00:19:04.010 --> 00:19:07.579 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: cost you, because I do want to have that conversation.
00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:11.400 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: as I think it's important for a lot of people who are white.
00:19:11.450 --> 00:19:18.019 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Well, actually, even people of color. When we're thinking about engaging in this conversation. There are costs. But before we get there.
00:19:19.910 --> 00:19:27.200 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: tell me how you started your commitment to racial justice. In the first place, what drew you in?
00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:32.279 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: Well, first, I would say to any white person out there.
00:19:32.370 --> 00:19:36.540 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: it's really powerful to write your racial autobiography
00:19:36.670 --> 00:19:41.029 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: to start in your childhood, to trace all the steps and the things that influence you.
00:19:41.150 --> 00:19:49.390 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: And so, you know, I have a long journey that I can think back to memories where I was 5, where I started to care in some some way about racial justice.
00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.550 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: but
00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:57.670 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know the the defining moment in my life that that was the most important
00:19:57.950 --> 00:20:01.690 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: was spending a year in 2,006 teaching incarcerated youth
00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:07.719 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and you know, that was an experience that I felt in a very deep visceral level.
00:20:07.870 --> 00:20:11.829 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: It was very emotional to walk into a prison and to see young people
00:20:12.010 --> 00:20:14.219 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: in that prison, and
00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:16.140 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: to recognize
00:20:16.190 --> 00:20:20.440 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that if I had been in their shoes facing what they were facing.
00:20:20.750 --> 00:20:23.550 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: You know I would have done the same exact things that they did.
00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:28.050 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: Some of them were in jail for doing things that I know as a you know.
00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:33.470 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: white teenager. If if I had done it I would have had a boys will be boys kind of reaction.
00:20:33.670 --> 00:20:35.210 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and it was
00:20:35.430 --> 00:20:46.600 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: it it it something that happens to white people in general. When we look at the development of a stronger anti racist commitment, there's usually something that happens at the heart level.
00:20:46.670 --> 00:20:49.399 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: You know there's usually something that happens beyond
00:20:49.610 --> 00:20:52.049 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: reading a book watching a documentary.
00:20:52.150 --> 00:20:55.879 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: You know, the the closer you get as a white person
00:20:55.970 --> 00:20:58.739 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: to witnessing racist brutality.
00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:05.690 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: the more committed you're likely to become, and the closer you are to black and brown people in in a sense of
00:21:05.780 --> 00:21:12.299 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: truly loving people truly caring for people. And when you see the people who you love and care for being impacted.
00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:20.189 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that's where the really deep commitment tends to come from. And so I had experiences like that in in the prison and and also elsewhere.
00:21:20.610 --> 00:21:25.210 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: The last thing I want to say about that experience? Was.
00:21:25.340 --> 00:21:28.779 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: It was what convinced me to become a high school history teacher
00:21:28.970 --> 00:21:30.110 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: because
00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:34.530 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I told those students that I was going to organize the curriculum
00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:44.140 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: around the biggest questions that they had. You know. What do you really want to understand? And and even though i'm from the bay area, I spent a few years in Arizona. So this was in Arizona.
00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:50.109 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: There were a lot of indigenous kids in there, and they had a lot of questions about why the reservation was so poor.
00:21:50.190 --> 00:21:52.280 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: Questions about food deserts.
00:21:52.420 --> 00:22:00.259 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: There were a lot of black students who were black young people who were in the jail, even though there was only something like a 3% black population in Northern Arizona.
00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:05.239 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: They were like, Why are we all here? And I was completely unprepared as a white person
00:22:05.270 --> 00:22:09.640 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: to help them think about the most important questions in their life.
00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:13.649 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: And I was not okay with not that capacity. And so
00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:15.789 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I spent a lot of time
00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:19.809 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: researching, you know, late into the night at the local university, and
00:22:20.010 --> 00:22:23.880 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: so that I could help them wrestle with that stuff, and I discovered
00:22:24.060 --> 00:22:33.180 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: racial justice. History is a powerful tool to empower those young people also to open my own eyes. That history helped me.
00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:53.120 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I reckon, with a deep level of ignorance that I had, and it helped me step into the world with a clarity and an integrity that I can never have had. If I had an account of that industry, you know. So it's so interesting because you've set so many things in that. one. The importance of our relationships with
00:22:53.490 --> 00:22:57.490 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: one another, and I think all too often
00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:59.740 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in my experience.
00:22:59.970 --> 00:23:15.560 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I've encountered many white people who will see things like mass incarceration, or we'll see the fact that it was mostly black and brown kids in those prisons. They'll think there's something wrong with that population, because they haven't taken the time
00:23:15.570 --> 00:23:21.390 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to come into our communities and to see how we are impacted, so they'll believe that
00:23:21.530 --> 00:23:23.599 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Well, more black people are criminals
00:23:23.730 --> 00:23:28.170 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: right rather than understanding. Like you, said.
00:23:28.250 --> 00:23:31.440 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the the consequences are different.
00:23:31.650 --> 00:23:37.420 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I have had those experiences in settings that I've worked in, where I've seen
00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:51.039 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: white people get away with things that I know a person of color would never get away with, and then people will say, oh, you're You're playing the race card. No, that's I. I can see what's happening, and so
00:23:51.350 --> 00:23:59.259 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: what I hear you saying, and what I want to invite our listeners to do is to open your eyes and question, because that's what those kids were doing.
00:24:00.210 --> 00:24:04.449 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Question. Why, you see things the way you see them
00:24:04.540 --> 00:24:06.620 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: instead of just assuming.
00:24:06.650 --> 00:24:13.569 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: But that's just the way it is right. So you stepped outside of the box, it seems, and decided.
00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:15.719 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: i'm going to
00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:23.999 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to care about what's happening to these kids, and i'm going to look at history differently. You have just proven
00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:32.629 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Why, it's important for us to study history in school, although if i'm not mistaken.
00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:42.609 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: they just decided not to teach. It's not a requirement to teach African American culture for standardized test, right?
00:24:42.710 --> 00:24:45.970 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Because here's the point people
00:24:47.010 --> 00:24:59.379 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: folks don't want you to know your history, because if you know your history, you can change the world. You can do something about it. If you don't know your history, you can't. It's a way of keeping white supremacy for folks to
00:24:59.390 --> 00:25:17.169 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: not know their history. But, Lynn, we want to. We want to hear from you so you. This is how you became interested in your commitment to racial justice. Now let's shift a little bit then, and tell me about your commitment to white anti-racist history. Why, is that important. And
00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.479 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you know.
00:25:18.790 --> 00:25:21.519 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: why do you focus
00:25:21.670 --> 00:25:24.329 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: primarily on that at this point?
00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:32.539 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: Yeah. So you know my my real commitment to that deepened after the uprisings of 2,020.
00:25:32.760 --> 00:25:37.419 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: But you know, before that, coming out of that moment in 2,006,
00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:43.550 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that led to many years of a really deep dive study on my part primarily into black freedom, struggle, history.
00:25:43.650 --> 00:25:48.039 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: And you know, in studying that history I encountered
00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:55.709 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: these white folks like, you know, and Braden, you know, mobilizing white Southerners for racial justice and the Civil Rights movement.
00:25:55.790 --> 00:25:59.770 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I encounter people like Virginia and Clifford Dur and Lily and Smith and
00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:05.270 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: the legacy of the student on violent coordinating committee which grew out of the sit-ins and the Freedom rides
00:26:05.390 --> 00:26:15.919 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know it's just just an incredible white folks. And so with within black freedom, struggle, history, I found myself on a personal level, being very inspired by these folks.
00:26:16.030 --> 00:26:23.359 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: But then there was also, you know, I I I was doing racial justice, organizing and organizing against mass incarceration.
00:26:23.560 --> 00:26:28.860 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and you know her. You know Angela Davis speak especially, who is a good friend of Anne Braden.
00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:48.680 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and you know she would urge her white audience to study and braiden and study their white movement ancestors. I heard Cornel West say that, and then, just in the course of my organizing, you know all of the black organizers around me were also saying, You know we're suggesting to the white folks doing the work that that they didn't need to reinvent the wheel.
00:26:48.690 --> 00:26:52.340 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: They didn't make the same mistake. They didn't need to make the same mistakes of the past.
00:26:52.360 --> 00:27:03.520 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know. They could learn a whole lot from looking at how white people had done this well, and they always suggested that we do that work, and it took me years to really
00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:09.610 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: to to To be honest, it took me years to to really digest that message.
00:27:11.040 --> 00:27:13.999 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: but then 2,020 came.
00:27:14.430 --> 00:27:20.990 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and there were millions of white people pouring out into the streets, marching, demonstrating, protesting.
00:27:21.450 --> 00:27:28.479 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and also asking how they could show up for racial justice. You know, beyond the protest beyond the demonstration
00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:30.879 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: beyond posting on social media.
00:27:30.910 --> 00:27:35.989 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and I found myself with a deep wish during that time. I wish that there was a resource
00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:44.210 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: for all of those white people to go to. I wish that they could see all those powerful historical examples of truly powerful excellent white anti-racism.
00:27:44.230 --> 00:27:52.700 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: so that they could figure it out in that moment. And you know so so they could have a resource that could show them how it's done, and an excellent degree
00:27:52.830 --> 00:28:12.749 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that could inspire them. And in the months after those protests I decided to to create that resource, hoping that it would be in place for the next time. Millions of white people were asking that question.
00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:17.719 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: What's what's profound to me as you're talking about? This is that
00:28:18.430 --> 00:28:20.830 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we will spend our time
00:28:21.300 --> 00:28:26.220 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: watching a video of someone being murdered or beaten to death.
00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:38.579 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We will spend our time on social media media commenting about things without having really given it full thought and digesting it, rather than doing what you just said.
00:28:39.030 --> 00:28:45.650 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: going and learning about our history and the history of white folks being involved in this movement.
00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:50.490 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you know it's much easier for us to hate one another.
00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:54.679 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and to have disdain for one another when we don't understand
00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.870 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: one another.
00:28:56.490 --> 00:28:59.209 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and I think that if we
00:28:59.290 --> 00:29:10.899 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: recognize how we've all supported one another at some point during our lives, and I say all people of different races
00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:18.900 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: have supported one another. I think it would give us incentive and encouragement to continue this effort.
00:29:18.930 --> 00:29:21.120 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you know, and I feel that
00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:25.979 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: most of us are so uncomfortable talking about race
00:29:27.010 --> 00:29:29.480 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: talking about the real issues
00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:36.440 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: that we just keep it on a superficial level, and then we make mistake after mistake after mistake.
00:29:36.750 --> 00:29:39.340 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Lyn, When we come back from our break.
00:29:39.830 --> 00:29:41.930 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I'd like you to talk a little bit
00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:48.159 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: about the elder project, and why that's so important to you. As Well.
00:29:48.500 --> 00:30:00.100 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we're going to be right back with my guest, Lynn Burnett today. Who talks about the history of white anti-racist leaders. And Why, that's important will be right back after this break.
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00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:41.390 You
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00:32:02.650 --> 00:32:10.790 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: welcome back to the dismantle racism. Show my guest today is Lynne Burnett, and we have been talking about white anti-racist
00:32:10.820 --> 00:32:17.629 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: who have been involved in really changing the world, as their name implies.
00:32:18.210 --> 00:32:21.120 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Lynn tell us a little bit about
00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:24.410 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the elder project and
00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:30.839 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and really I want to hear a little bit more
00:32:31.030 --> 00:32:38.590 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: around, and I guess you'll talk about it with the with the elder project. But you mentioned in the previous section
00:32:38.710 --> 00:32:42.520 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: that it took you a while to embrace the fact
00:32:42.550 --> 00:32:55.329 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: that you should study white anti-racist. So, as you talk about the elder project. Could you just hone in a little bit more on that for our listeners? Why, this is so critical. To study
00:32:55.800 --> 00:32:57.439 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Why, it Anti-racist.
00:32:57.880 --> 00:33:04.620 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: Yeah, I think that what i'll do is i'll talk about Why, I think the entire project is important, and i'll leave the elders in into it.
00:33:05.300 --> 00:33:10.530 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: So the the that I run is called the White Anti-racist Ancestry Project.
00:33:10.590 --> 00:33:17.210 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and by ancestors thinking of movement ancestors, you know not necessarily our biological ancestors as white people.
00:33:17.290 --> 00:33:25.239 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: But who are the white people in history, you know, who have shown up in the world for racial justice and the ways that we might aspire to to be like
00:33:25.300 --> 00:33:27.180 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: those kind of ancestors.
00:33:27.760 --> 00:33:32.809 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and the the very basic premise of the project in a nutshell
00:33:32.870 --> 00:33:39.519 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: is that it will be much easier for us to mobilize masses of white people, for racial justice.
00:33:39.610 --> 00:33:44.359 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: to educate white people around racial justice, to help white people develop a positive.
00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:56.450 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: You know racial identity, anti racist identity, all of that becomes much easier if white people have access to powerful and inspiring. Examples of what truly excellent, you know. And white anti-racism looks like
00:33:56.660 --> 00:34:01.030 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: in in the first place. So the the project seeks to
00:34:01.150 --> 00:34:08.600 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: develop those resources in the service of helping to mobilize white people for racial justice.
00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:15.200 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: And the project has. There are 5 types of strategic of of resources that i'm building, that each have
00:34:15.250 --> 00:34:17.310 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: a certain kind of strategic value.
00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:21.409 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: One is a series of really short pieces, you know, one to 2 pages
00:34:21.530 --> 00:34:30.050 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: about a wide variety of white anti-racist figures. That's a great tool for parents and teachers doing the work of of raising a white anti-racist generation.
00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:44.100 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: Chapter length pieces that's where we get to explore the emotional lives of white anti- racist. The the growing process mistakes they make, how we learn from them, and then there's interviewing elders, You know, as I
00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:46.409 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: do this work.
00:34:46.550 --> 00:34:49.100 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: It's very important for me that i'm in
00:34:49.130 --> 00:34:54.199 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: communication with a range of people actually, that i'm in communication
00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:59.699 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: with the scholars who are doing the deep dive stuff into the people who i'm writing about
00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:07.559 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: interviewing the scholars talking with leading figures in the white anti-racist movement to hear their thoughts about this.
00:35:07.660 --> 00:35:14.899 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and also talking with the people who made the history, and who who lived the history that
00:35:15.020 --> 00:35:20.240 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I write about, and it's that work with white anti-racist movement elders
00:35:20.370 --> 00:35:25.659 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that probably at it at a heart level, you know. I feel
00:35:25.690 --> 00:35:31.979 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: it almost feels like a sacred dimension to the work to to preserve
00:35:32.180 --> 00:35:34.970 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: those memories and to lift up
00:35:35.280 --> 00:35:39.709 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that wisdom. And if I had to think of the the single greatest blessing
00:35:40.060 --> 00:35:42.529 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that this project has has brought to me.
00:35:42.580 --> 00:35:45.589 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: it would be putting the fact that it's put me in touch
00:35:45.710 --> 00:35:46.849 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: with
00:35:47.080 --> 00:35:50.910 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: with just incredible people, you know, from from the movement.
00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:57.849 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I think it's so fascinating to be the elders of the movement, because
00:35:58.490 --> 00:36:00.599 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: if we are not careful.
00:36:01.100 --> 00:36:08.460 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we actually forget their sacrifices. We we we kind of walk around and just take that. All of this is just
00:36:08.540 --> 00:36:25.929 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: it's just the way it is. But no, there were people who gave blood, sweat, and tears a part of a world that wanted to see social justice for everyone. And when you were talking about it giving you chills, I just thought about the energy
00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:33.709 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: of being in the presence of that. And and really, you know it, it's so interesting because one time, when I was
00:36:34.070 --> 00:36:46.200 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: at the National Museum of African American History. I saw Harriet Toman Shaw, and I literally like stretched out my hand towards that shawl. And I kid you not.
00:36:46.310 --> 00:36:53.330 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I felt that the energy just go up mine, and somehow it just it. It just gave me
00:36:53.700 --> 00:36:55.160 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: extra strength.
00:36:55.180 --> 00:37:00.280 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you know, to be in that presence, so I can imagine if you're talking to people who've been
00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:04.760 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in the movement, how amazing that is! And it's a way of honoring
00:37:05.180 --> 00:37:07.720 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the elders as well. Now.
00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:12.759 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: as we're talking about this, and I hope that we have a little time to to really
00:37:12.850 --> 00:37:14.670 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: get into this.
00:37:14.860 --> 00:37:19.010 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I'm talking about the sacrifices that our elders have made.
00:37:20.350 --> 00:37:22.490 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: But those of us who do this work
00:37:23.330 --> 00:37:25.770 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we sacrifice as well.
00:37:27.330 --> 00:37:30.900 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and I think one of the things that keeps people
00:37:31.340 --> 00:37:33.049 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: from doing this work
00:37:33.170 --> 00:37:34.970 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: are those sacrifices?
00:37:35.010 --> 00:37:37.289 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Am I going to get in trouble on my job?
00:37:37.430 --> 00:37:43.150 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Am I going to lose family members? what are other people going to say?
00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:51.439 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And I will be honest with you. There was a time in my life, even though I was doing this work. I always did this work.
00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:53.920 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: but when my work was shifting.
00:37:55.160 --> 00:37:58.079 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and I was focusing on another area.
00:37:59.560 --> 00:38:04.929 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: There were things happening in the world, and that I wasn't necessarily commenting on on Facebook.
00:38:05.010 --> 00:38:08.089 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: because I don't always get into the back and forth with people on Facebook
00:38:08.160 --> 00:38:16.870 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: there. Wasn't always commenting because I was thinking, Well, i'm trying to make sure that i'm keeping those 2 things separate. There is no separation.
00:38:17.560 --> 00:38:23.840 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Because if you're a leader, if you're a human being, you just have to stand up for what's morally right.
00:38:24.200 --> 00:38:29.420 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And so at some point we have to make take a stand, and you're doing that
00:38:29.620 --> 00:38:36.029 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and some profound ways. You were doing that when you worked with the kids, you know, who were in
00:38:37.560 --> 00:38:39.149 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: incarcerated.
00:38:39.860 --> 00:38:44.859 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Talk to me a little bit about your sacrifices. What has it cost you
00:38:45.150 --> 00:38:49.980 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to engage fully in this work of
00:38:50.230 --> 00:38:51.850 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: dismantling racism.
00:38:54.300 --> 00:38:55.660 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: Well.
00:38:56.340 --> 00:39:04.489 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: when when I launched my my website is cross, cultural solidarity.com, and I built that for years before launching the white anti-racist ancestry
00:39:04.830 --> 00:39:12.029 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: project, and I spent 4 years working as an uber driver to to get
00:39:12.200 --> 00:39:14.680 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that racial justice history project
00:39:14.950 --> 00:39:20.649 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: up and running. So I've given rides to 20,000 people throughout the bay area.
00:39:20.900 --> 00:39:25.140 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: And there were 4 years in my life when
00:39:25.540 --> 00:39:30.790 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I was either on the road, and you know that gave me flexibility to be a writer.
00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:36.010 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: But I was either on the road or I was doing research, and I was writing, and
00:39:36.250 --> 00:39:44.410 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I stopped spending time with friends, with family, with loved ones. I I've lost, you know, my spiritual practice to a great
00:39:44.520 --> 00:39:51.310 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: degree, and as human beings. We are not meant to be isolated. I isolated myself, and I went through a period of
00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:58.920 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: despair that that, to be honest was so an intense that even though it's been a number of years, there's a part of me
00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:01.829 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that was so healing from that.
00:40:02.340 --> 00:40:04.989 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know. If I could go back in time
00:40:05.580 --> 00:40:09.439 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I would put my self-care front and center
00:40:09.510 --> 00:40:11.759 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: always, and I would put
00:40:11.800 --> 00:40:20.219 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: the people who I love in my life front and center always I would never not center that. And the reality is that
00:40:20.290 --> 00:40:24.990 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I I have some, you know, deep regrets about not putting those things.
00:40:25.080 --> 00:40:33.139 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know, front front and center, and I also have compassion for myself, because at the time I could not see
00:40:35.020 --> 00:40:39.179 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: a another way forward. But you know what I would tell your listeners is that
00:40:40.940 --> 00:40:52.650 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know we we can give so much more to the world when we are happy and healthy when we're happy and healthy. That's when we have the energy. That's when we have the clarity.
00:40:52.680 --> 00:40:55.699 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: And you know, if you're burning yourself out.
00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:58.970 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you can do that for a year, 2 years, 3 years.
00:40:59.320 --> 00:41:05.530 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know. But but we want you. I want you to be doing incredible work over the span
00:41:05.580 --> 00:41:07.909 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: of of your lifetime, and
00:41:08.020 --> 00:41:13.519 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know every time, you know, when you're in a happy and healthy place, it allows others to be happy and healthy as well
00:41:13.590 --> 00:41:14.569 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: so
00:41:14.660 --> 00:41:18.979 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: like so many activists. I I de-centered my own
00:41:19.010 --> 00:41:20.129 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: self care.
00:41:20.210 --> 00:41:21.729 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and I think that
00:41:21.940 --> 00:41:26.280 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: as a movement I I would like to see a racial justice movement
00:41:26.670 --> 00:41:32.449 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: where we are all taking good care of ourselves, that that powerful movement?
00:41:32.460 --> 00:41:52.189 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Yeah. And I think that people are adding that more as a piece, even, you know their books on mindfulness, their their opportunities, just to get away and just retreat, and just try to remove all of these things as much as you can from from your being while you're trying to just unwind.
00:41:52.200 --> 00:41:57.220 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: You know one of the things that I always do when I talk to people
00:41:57.250 --> 00:41:59.510 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: around. Activism
00:41:59.700 --> 00:42:10.979 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: is especially for those people who are going hard in 2,020. You don't see them now I would say exactly what you just said, but I would, I would say, actually, you're gonna kill yourself
00:42:10.990 --> 00:42:20.589 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: is really what I would say, because I knew people who were watching over and over and over those videos, and just sitting and crying, watching George for like, Why are you doing that?
00:42:20.860 --> 00:42:25.270 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: That? Sure that doesn't serve any purpose other than to traumatize you?
00:42:25.720 --> 00:42:32.720 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And so and they I mean, like literally, it's like they gave up their their businesses to just go hard, hard, hard. But I said, you're gonna burn out.
00:42:33.650 --> 00:42:35.740 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: You got to stop talking about this.
00:42:36.360 --> 00:42:37.819 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and like you
00:42:37.870 --> 00:42:39.250 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: just Atlantic.
00:42:39.350 --> 00:42:46.200 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: If people are going to continue this work, they must find ways in which they could do it.
00:42:46.530 --> 00:42:48.169 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and still honor
00:42:48.480 --> 00:42:50.320 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the care of themselves
00:42:50.490 --> 00:42:51.490 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and
00:42:51.680 --> 00:42:56.639 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: their families are important as well. Now, having said all of that L.
00:42:57.740 --> 00:43:00.479 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: There are still sacrifices that we all make
00:43:00.590 --> 00:43:02.260 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and doing this work.
00:43:02.430 --> 00:43:10.669 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and I don't think that we can avoid the sacrifices. And in my book on Dismantling Racism, I invite people to think about. What sacrifice
00:43:11.260 --> 00:43:12.790 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: are you willing to make?
00:43:13.470 --> 00:43:15.290 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Because we know
00:43:15.320 --> 00:43:16.189 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: that
00:43:16.330 --> 00:43:28.250 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: people like Dr. King and and Braden and Angela Davis and Ella Baker, Joanne Robinson, Fanny Lou Hammer. Those people sacrificed
00:43:28.300 --> 00:43:30.800 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: their lives
00:43:31.010 --> 00:43:36.910 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: when Dr. King died, and they did an autopsy on him. Now I believe he was 39 years old.
00:43:37.010 --> 00:43:40.460 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: They said he had the heart of a 60 year old man.
00:43:41.150 --> 00:43:42.919 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: It's incredible stress
00:43:43.490 --> 00:43:45.090 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in credible.
00:43:47.490 --> 00:43:51.080 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and there's a toll that this takes on us.
00:43:52.780 --> 00:43:55.969 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: so we have to decide what sacrifices are we
00:43:56.110 --> 00:44:00.900 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: willing to make? And i'm glad that you are able to reflect
00:44:01.160 --> 00:44:02.080 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: on
00:44:02.190 --> 00:44:07.499 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: what you could have done differently and make a decision to be equally as committed.
00:44:08.300 --> 00:44:11.550 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and then continue to move forward. So I really appreciate
00:44:12.620 --> 00:44:14.439 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you doing that work.
00:44:14.530 --> 00:44:18.959 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Lynn. We do have to take a break. But what we come back. I'd like to hear
00:44:20.720 --> 00:44:22.799 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: how you have grown
00:44:23.890 --> 00:44:26.019 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: from being an activist.
00:44:26.250 --> 00:44:30.809 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: so I often talk to people about their being a cost.
00:44:31.290 --> 00:44:35.820 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: White people in particular that there's a cost to racism that I don't
00:44:35.930 --> 00:44:39.410 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: know that white people are fully conscious of.
00:44:39.890 --> 00:44:43.370 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And so because you've engaged in this work. I'd like to hear
00:44:43.430 --> 00:44:46.989 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: how you have grown, how it's benefited you
00:44:47.140 --> 00:44:54.789 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to do this work from an emotional place, a spiritual place, a a social place. So.
00:44:55.830 --> 00:45:05.129 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: not so much in terms of I mean, we've talked about which, Floss but i'd like to know what you've gained, so we're going to be right back. Give you a little bit of time to think about that.
00:45:05.150 --> 00:45:15.359 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and and so you'll be able to respond before we take a break. I do just want to remind you to please go to sacred intelligence.com, and
00:45:15.370 --> 00:45:34.240 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: take a look at some of the things that I have going there. on my website to figure out how you can get in touch with me, how you can learn more about each guest that I have, because the shows are also posted there as well for you to go back and listen to again, and please, if you have not done so already.
00:45:34.250 --> 00:45:39.939 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: please listen to my meditations that are based on the meditations in my book.
00:45:40.050 --> 00:45:44.310 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Please listen to those on. Wherever you stream your music
00:45:44.570 --> 00:45:47.670 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: will be right back with the dismantle racism. Show.
00:45:50.820 --> 00:46:14.740 Hey, everybody it's Tommy deed a non-profit sector connector coming at you from my attic each week here on talk radio and nyc I hosted program the lamb of in focus non-profits in progress each and every day, and it's my focus to help them amplify their message and tell their story. Listen each week at 10 a. M. Eastern standard time until 11. A. M. Is from standing time right here on talk, radio and Myc.
00:46:15.580 --> 00:46:43.520 www.TalkRadio.nyc: In that once the movement world. You may have many unanswered questions regarding your health. Are you looking to live a healthier lifestyle? Do you have a desire to learn more about mental health, and enhance your quality of life? Or do you just want to participate in self-understanding and awareness i'm Frank R. Harrison, host of Frank about health and each Thursday I will tackle these questions and work to enlighten you. Tune in every Thursday at 5 0 P. M. On talk radio and Nyc. And I will be frank about help to advocate for all of us.
00:46:47.050 --> 00:46:53.489 Are you a conscious Co-creator? Are you on a quest to raise your vibration and your consciousness.
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00:47:52.460 --> 00:47:57.509 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We're back with my guest, Lynn Burnett. And when before I
00:47:57.900 --> 00:48:02.290 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I have you to answer that I just want to give a shout out to my daughter Ruby.
00:48:02.570 --> 00:48:15.700 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: because she did an excellent job with picking the music for this show, and I I always see my guess just kind of nodding and bopping along, and I wanted her to pick something that went a little bit with my
00:48:15.710 --> 00:48:24.809 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: my personality, and I think she, I think she nailed it there. So shout out to my daughter, Ruby Avery, for, picking the music. Now.
00:48:25.190 --> 00:48:26.080 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Lynn.
00:48:26.380 --> 00:48:27.800 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: how have you grown
00:48:28.160 --> 00:48:29.799 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in doing this work?
00:48:31.340 --> 00:48:37.560 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: It feels like this. Work has just entirely formed me, and and and shaped me
00:48:37.950 --> 00:48:45.479 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: it. It defines my life experience, and and how I see the world. So I think what I want to do is
00:48:45.920 --> 00:48:50.820 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: just lift up some of the lessons that I feel like I've gained over the years.
00:48:51.060 --> 00:48:56.300 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and one of them, especially coming out of this Covid era, is that
00:48:56.720 --> 00:49:02.419 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know, I I think, that when organizers cook together and dance together.
00:49:02.600 --> 00:49:05.200 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: You know that. you know that's
00:49:05.460 --> 00:49:11.130 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know, building that level of connection. It's not just about having meetings all the time.
00:49:11.240 --> 00:49:23.690 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know, bond with the folks who you work with on a on a heart level that's really important, and that's something that feels alive to me now, because I feel like I've been missing that for for a few years, and it's something that i'd like to
00:49:24.020 --> 00:49:25.319 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: to have again.
00:49:27.280 --> 00:49:33.970 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: Also, you know I've I've learned that You know sometimes the spaces that we
00:49:34.060 --> 00:49:38.579 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: or in, and this is just true as a society, but we can sometimes be in spaces
00:49:38.650 --> 00:49:44.000 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that are being reactive where decisions are being made really hastily.
00:49:44.160 --> 00:49:48.870 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and, you know, be thoughtful. It's okay to take time.
00:49:48.960 --> 00:49:52.710 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: It's important to be thoughtful. It's important not to make hasty
00:49:52.760 --> 00:49:58.549 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: decisions. And you know, if you're in a room full of people, and there's that kind of energy.
00:49:58.770 --> 00:50:03.209 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know. Be the thoughtful person, and when when you show up in a thoughtful way.
00:50:03.240 --> 00:50:06.390 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know we can, it can help other people to then
00:50:06.490 --> 00:50:08.520 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: kind of follow that lead, and
00:50:08.840 --> 00:50:13.230 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I've also learned that it's important not to let the pressure
00:50:13.460 --> 00:50:15.180 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: of any specific
00:50:15.220 --> 00:50:16.319 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: moment
00:50:16.340 --> 00:50:26.819 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: derail you from laying the foundations, you know, for for doing the work for the long haul. And obviously, when I was talking about some of the the struggles I've definitely been there and doing that.
00:50:27.070 --> 00:50:35.669 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I've learned that we don't have to respond to everything. No, as activist. Sometimes we can be
00:50:35.710 --> 00:50:51.420 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: always fighting the fire. That's that's right in front of us. There's always going to be another fire once again, you know we we gotta focus on that. But you know you don't have to focus on every single one. And once again, you know. Lay those foundations. Think about the long haul.
00:50:51.430 --> 00:51:01.859 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: We are never going to get to justice if we're only putting out the fires, you know. That's the fun about it. And I think that one of the powerful things about the white anti-racist ancestry project
00:51:01.980 --> 00:51:05.769 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: is this deeply it's deeply. It's deep foundational
00:51:05.840 --> 00:51:14.459 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: long haul. Work. How do we raise the white anti-racist generation? What resources do the parents and the teachers need? What are the sources of inspiration that can keep us
00:51:14.570 --> 00:51:21.950 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: in this for the long home and people doing racial justice work. We really need to be thinking about. What do we need in this moment?
00:51:22.040 --> 00:51:26.690 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: But we also need to be thinking of the things that help us to transform culture.
00:51:26.710 --> 00:51:30.220 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: the things that keep us in, you know, for the long haul.
00:51:30.710 --> 00:51:33.370 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I have also learned that.
00:51:33.580 --> 00:51:44.259 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know something that happens with a lot of of white folks is Sometimes we you really focus on wanting to say the right thing always do the right thing. I've definitely been there.
00:51:44.340 --> 00:51:48.739 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and you know I am increasingly learning that it is
00:51:48.980 --> 00:52:04.420 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: really okay to be imperfect and actually a good thing to let yourself be imperfect, and it's also really really important to let other people be imperfect to and to just keep affirming the heck out of each other.
00:52:04.540 --> 00:52:07.669 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: you know, no matter how, in in perfect
00:52:08.170 --> 00:52:10.919 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: that that we are. The last thing that i'll say is
00:52:11.500 --> 00:52:19.449 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: in the course of doing the white Anti-racist ancestry project. I've also learned not to let critique and criticism
00:52:19.560 --> 00:52:20.819 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: derail me
00:52:20.870 --> 00:52:23.159 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: from you know what I feel
00:52:23.310 --> 00:52:29.560 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: is truly important work, and you know if if there's a critique that
00:52:29.590 --> 00:52:38.179 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: is harshly worded, I've kind of been learning to let that go to step back, but also to reflect on it and take it as an opportunity
00:52:38.390 --> 00:52:44.849 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: to figure out how to respond well, and to take every critique as an opportunity to deepen the project.
00:52:45.570 --> 00:52:47.850 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I love all of those things. So
00:52:47.880 --> 00:52:53.240 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we're gonna have to wrap up in just a minute. But what would you say?
00:52:54.610 --> 00:53:02.969 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: You know we've been talking about white folks who are activists, and who really want to engage in this work. But what would you say to folks?
00:53:03.120 --> 00:53:07.769 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We're just standing on the on the outskirts looking in.
00:53:08.240 --> 00:53:13.189 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Why would you tell them that to him that it's important for them to know their
00:53:13.580 --> 00:53:17.780 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: white and to Races history to encourage them to jump on board.
00:53:18.020 --> 00:53:35.919 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and about 30 s. Well, you can maybe a minute. But so I I think that there are a lot of white people who don't see their role in the history. They look at black and brown history. They look at freedom, struggle, history, and if they only see
00:53:35.930 --> 00:53:42.100 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: white people being cast either as passive observers, or as in some kind of a oppressive role.
00:53:42.170 --> 00:53:55.280 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I think that a lot of white people feel, you know there's a range of emotions, maybe that makes them feel shame. Maybe it makes them feel like they don't have a place. Maybe it makes them feel like they don't want to engage in that history, because it makes them feel bad about white people.
00:53:55.330 --> 00:53:58.949 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and I think that the white anti-racist is really important.
00:53:59.100 --> 00:54:15.959 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: because you know white folks need to be looking at black and brown freedom, struggle, history. But they also need to see white anti-racist history within that so that they can see how they have a role within that history. They don't need to be a passive observer. They don't need to feel like white people are always the villain.
00:54:15.970 --> 00:54:19.260 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: One of the things that feels really subversive in a good way
00:54:19.280 --> 00:54:28.459 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: about this project to me is there's a narrative on the right that racial justice history is about. You know white people just always, You know it is some kind of anti-white history.
00:54:28.760 --> 00:54:39.299 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and when you look at racial when you look at white anti-racist history, you don't see anti-white history. There you see the kinds of white folks who you would admire, and aspire to be yourself
00:54:39.370 --> 00:54:45.069 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: as a white person which completely pulls the rug out of that right wing
00:54:45.330 --> 00:54:50.030 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: their their role in things. And so that's that's my hope is that the history helps white people
00:54:50.380 --> 00:54:57.669 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: see their role, and and from seeing their role also. Hopefully, that becomes a a entry point for them to explore
00:54:57.790 --> 00:55:00.479 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: the the wider range of racial justice history as well.
00:55:00.600 --> 00:55:03.490 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So I think everybody should go and check out your website
00:55:03.620 --> 00:55:09.920 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: where you have all of this information house, this great resource and data bank there. So tell us your website.
00:55:10.560 --> 00:55:15.009 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: The website is cross, cultural solidaritycom.
00:55:15.180 --> 00:55:24.850 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: there's also there, there's a link right at the T at the top. For all the social media links. If you want to follow me on medium, you know Twitter, Facebook.
00:55:24.920 --> 00:55:30.480 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: It's all there. there's an events tab. If you want to plug into opportunities to discuss some of that stuff.
00:55:30.520 --> 00:55:49.819 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and there's also resources on about 150 racial justice history topics, including lots of white anti-racist material, but lots of other stuff as well. It's great place for teachers to go as well, so they can teach their students. I think that even as we look at Black History month is really a great place to to go and learn about
00:55:50.070 --> 00:55:51.980 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the movement in general.
00:55:52.420 --> 00:56:02.039 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Len. We have run out of time here. But do you have a 30 s words of inspiration that you could offer to our audience?
00:56:03.840 --> 00:56:05.920 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: Yeah, I would say,
00:56:06.140 --> 00:56:13.359 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: I just want to say to all the listeners, may our racial justice practice be fueled by our thoughtfulness
00:56:13.620 --> 00:56:15.829 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and our groundedness, and our love.
00:56:16.360 --> 00:56:21.760 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: and may the actions that we take for racial justice also deepen us as spiritual beings.
00:56:22.090 --> 00:56:29.209 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: And may we all find the sources of inspiration that we need to grow on this journey, and to sustain our spirits on this journey
00:56:29.420 --> 00:56:33.850 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: for the long haul, and ultimately the greatest gift that we can give to the movement.
00:56:34.040 --> 00:56:37.559 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: It's our love and our clarity and our happy and healthy spirits.
00:56:37.650 --> 00:56:42.379 Lynn Burnett, He/Him, Oakland: So it may. We all give that gift to ourselves so that we can give it to the world.
00:56:42.590 --> 00:57:00.759 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Hmm. Thank you so much for being my guest today, Lynn Burnett. I've enjoyed our conversation and thank you to the listeners, and I want to invite you during this black history month to figure out ways in which you can truly engage
00:57:00.800 --> 00:57:01.779 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: with
00:57:02.210 --> 00:57:14.399 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: racial equity and dismantling racism. If you not picked up a copy of my book. I want to invite you to make it an your priority for it to be on your reading list for this month.
00:57:15.220 --> 00:57:18.239 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Beloved, I'm. Wishing you well for this week.
00:57:18.620 --> 00:57:22.889 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Be safe. Be encouraged until next time, Bye, for now.
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