WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?
The audience will gain insight on the implications of access and opportunity, or lack thereof, to what some consider basic rights.
EPISODE SUMMARY:
President Lyndon B. Johnson said, “Until justice is blind to color, until education is unaware of race, until opportunity is unconcerned with the color of men's skins, emancipation will be a proclamation but not a fact.” Well… justice is not blind. Education is not unaware. Opportunity is not unconcerned. And yet, the Supreme Court recently ruled against affirmative action policies, perpetuating a system that limits access and opportunity for people of color.
Join Rev. Dr. TLC and her returning guest, Erik Clemons who is President and CEO of ConnCAT, as they delve into the complexities, nuances, and mixed messages of dismantling racism. Racism can never be eradicated without looking, deeply and truthfully, at this country’s history and without reconciliation. Until there’s a recognition that its poisonous tentacles reach far beyond people of color, none of us can be free. Listen in and join the conversation!
KEY WORDS:
#revdrtlc #dismantleracismshow #healingseparationfromtheinsideout #affirmativeaction #accessandopportunity
Tune in for this important conversation at TalkRadio.nyc
00:00:45.260 --> 00:00:51.880 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Hello, and welcome to the dismantle racism show. I am your host. The Reverend Dr. Tlc.
00:00:51.970 --> 00:01:04.310 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: The goals of our show are to uncover, eradicate and to dismantle racism, because we really do want to create a world where racial equity exist. For everyone
00:01:04.790 --> 00:01:27.949 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: want to remind you, if you, if not to please, subscribe to the show on your favorite platform whether that be apple, music, apple, podcast, Amazon. Any of the places where you like to stream. Your podcast also want to invite you to tell a friend about the show, because we really do want people to be informed about ways in which they can eradicate racism.
00:01:29.220 --> 00:01:40.290 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Let us began the show, as we always do, by taking a moment just to center ourselves. to focus on the topic at hand
00:01:40.750 --> 00:01:52.210 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to ground ourselves. So I want to invite you into a moment of just closing your eyes if you would.
00:01:53.140 --> 00:01:56.889 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and just begin to breathe.
00:01:58.320 --> 00:02:01.099 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to breathe in and out.
00:02:01.780 --> 00:02:04.850 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: connecting with your breath.
00:02:06.880 --> 00:02:09.850 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: which centers you and grounds you.
00:02:11.150 --> 00:02:14.199 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: but it is a symbol of your life.
00:02:16.360 --> 00:02:21.279 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Take in a deep breath and release that breath.
00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:32.420 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: recognizing that you are a divine being. you were created to be here for such the time is this.
00:02:34.510 --> 00:02:38.309 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: breathe in and out, recognizing that you matter
00:02:40.100 --> 00:02:42.029 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and what you do matters.
00:02:44.950 --> 00:02:47.509 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: You are interconnected.
00:02:47.910 --> 00:02:54.419 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: not just with the people that you see every day, but with those people who stretch far
00:02:54.830 --> 00:02:56.140 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and wide.
00:02:58.390 --> 00:03:00.029 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you make a difference.
00:03:01.420 --> 00:03:05.819 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So breathe in and out, connecting with your creativity.
00:03:06.990 --> 00:03:08.659 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: your imagination.
00:03:10.330 --> 00:03:11.800 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: You're calling.
00:03:14.100 --> 00:03:15.900 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and give honor to that.
00:03:18.340 --> 00:03:22.179 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Give honor to your sacred source, whatever that is for you.
00:03:25.220 --> 00:03:28.799 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and just recognize your divine wisdom.
00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:33.550 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: your divine intelligence.
00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:41.430 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: breathe in and out, connecting with your power
00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:48.580 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and your ability to face the challenges that you experience
00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:54.710 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: your ability to shine your light in the world
00:03:56.980 --> 00:03:59.910 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and your ability to change the status quo.
00:04:03.110 --> 00:04:05.990 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So I want to invite you to take another deep breath in.
00:04:07.980 --> 00:04:13.409 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and then release it. giving gratitude for yourself.
00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:22.490 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: your secret source. all those who come before you. and those who support you. Now.
00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:35.370 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: as we take one more deep breath in, inside out. we say. And so it is. I, she and I'm not.
00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:49.679 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Well. This morning on the show. We are actually going to continue a conversation that we started last week. We'll have a couple of more shows where we're talking about this as well.
00:04:49.770 --> 00:05:02.480 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: But we are going to talk today about affirmative action, access, and opportunity. President Lyndon, B. Johnson said. until justice is blind to color
00:05:02.490 --> 00:05:15.569 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: until education is unaware of race until opportunity is unconcerned with the color of men's skin. Emancipation would be a proclamation.
00:05:15.750 --> 00:05:20.169 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: but not a fact. Well, justice is not blind.
00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:36.630 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Education is not unaware, opportunity is not unconcerned, and yet we know that the Supreme Court recently ruled against affirmative action policies thereby to me perpetuating a system that limits access and opportunity.
00:05:36.910 --> 00:05:39.030 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: not only for people of color.
00:05:39.260 --> 00:05:46.729 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: but for poor people as well, and for people who are differently able. And so today on the show.
00:05:46.730 --> 00:06:15.529 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I am delighted to welcome back my guest, Eric Clemens, who is President and CEO of Comcat, and we are going to look at some of the complexity, complexities, and nuances and the mixed messages that we sometimes get around this conversation on. dismantling racism, you know, in 2020, it seems to be that there was this uptick of people who were interested in dismantling racism. And we saw a lot of things that I consider performative.
00:06:15.980 --> 00:06:44.059 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And just as we're really trying to expand what it means in terms of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We now have the Supreme Court making this ruling. And so today, on the show, we will focus a little bit on affirmative action. But today's show is really more about opportunity and access. And so I want to welcome back again. As I, said Eric Clemens, who is the co-founder of the Connecticut community, outreach.
00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:46.859 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: outreach and revitalization program.
00:06:47.100 --> 00:07:16.759 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and he is also the interim president and co-founder of con con cat. So a lot to say. There, you you've had. You've heard him on the show before, so I'm not going to spend a lot of time introducing him, because really the time goes by so very quickly. And there's so many things that I want to say today on the show, or at least what to hear from our guests, from. So, Eric, welcome back to the show today. I'm really excited that you're here.
00:07:16.760 --> 00:07:28.829 Erik Clemons: Oh, thank you, Dr. Carolyn. Good morning, and good morning to every one. I am excited to even be asked to participate again with you in such an important topic.
00:07:28.910 --> 00:07:32.500 Erik Clemons: because the topic doesn't go away, and it doesn't go away because
00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:57.999 Erik Clemons: people, especially black people, do not have opportunity if you don't have opportunity. Well, if you you opportunity means nothing without access and and access to the many resources that are here that are afforded to those folks who are not black, and so I'm more than happy to to have a conversation with you about that, and where we are and where we could go.
00:07:58.030 --> 00:08:05.989 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: It was a good show, I must say. and there were a lot of important things that I I that you said on the show, and
00:08:06.610 --> 00:08:12.500 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in the last show you started the conversation by saying, you know,
00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:15.739 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I've been poor longer than I've been privileged.
00:08:15.830 --> 00:08:31.830 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and we talked a great deal about overcoming conditions. And so I want to go back to that because you talked about overcoming the conditions that you lived in and I mean, there are so many great things, because the other thing that you said was, success has been the result.
00:08:32.750 --> 00:08:39.580 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and not the reason for what you do, and I always talk about having a sacred motive for the work that we do.
00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:49.470 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: In that conversation you shared how? There were a number of individuals, particularly white individuals, who conspired
00:08:50.150 --> 00:08:53.289 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to provide an opportunity to you.
00:08:54.200 --> 00:09:06.139 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and so I wonder, as we think about what has happened in the recent rulings around affirmative action which denies access to a lot of people. How does that impact opportunity.
00:09:06.470 --> 00:09:07.649 Erik Clemons: You know.
00:09:09.520 --> 00:09:17.250 Erik Clemons: first of all, you have to. We, I think it's important to think about and to the extent that we can discuss
00:09:17.460 --> 00:09:19.739 Erik Clemons: who's making those decisions
00:09:20.340 --> 00:09:34.690 Erik Clemons: right? And most often there is, if not always. There are people who had a hand up themselves, not only a hand up, but I'm sure hands up themselves because I have not yet a huge met a human being yet
00:09:34.730 --> 00:09:38.569 Erik Clemons: who has done anything remotely successful
00:09:38.730 --> 00:09:51.170 Erik Clemons: that someone didn't help them. And so I think it's really important to turn our eyes and years and gaze on the folks who are making the decisions for the masses of people
00:09:51.280 --> 00:09:54.960 Erik Clemons: and what their histories are.
00:09:55.370 --> 00:10:20.370 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and what has catapulted to them, and I mean catapult to them, to the place that they are now, and I would bet you. It is not just a good education alone.
00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:32.300 Erik Clemons: Isn't that the same thing as affirmative action? It's just a different color. It's different. So I you know white folks have experienced affirmative action since Bur.
00:10:32.310 --> 00:10:35.730 Erik Clemons: not only since their birth, but the birth of this country.
00:10:36.030 --> 00:11:00.069 Erik Clemons: and so I find it very difficult. I'm not saying anything that no one anyone hasn't said or thought about. I find it very difficult to think about the repealing of affirmative action for those folks who for the most part systems that have been created to leave them behind and render them immobile. So it's been people being left behind.
00:11:00.770 --> 00:11:05.769 Erik Clemons: They're not even able to move forward.
00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:11.280 Erik Clemons: You know those you know, to the extent that we can have conversations about. That, too.
00:11:11.420 --> 00:11:15.160 Erik Clemons: is good. But again, you know, as I said in my opening
00:11:15.250 --> 00:11:24.950 Erik Clemons: opportunity means absolutely nothing without access, and what I mean by that is access to resources.
00:11:25.750 --> 00:11:45.049 Erik Clemons: access to people who can help you move forward and to help you navigate this world, and that will allow you to help the generations behind you. Because people hold, you know, a a lot of people hold these kind of these compasses within themselves.
00:11:45.270 --> 00:11:52.409 Erik Clemons: and you know they only kind of show you the ways to go, if, in fact, you being yourself worthy.
00:11:52.610 --> 00:12:02.900 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Well, so that's another that we're going to get into that, too, because I do want to talk about recognizing opportunity. But you said something really interesting, which is
00:12:02.900 --> 00:12:27.900 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: basically, even when you have access, you need someone to guide you to have access to the next step as well. Right? So, for instance, we know that a lot of students, first generation students, in fact, who go to college, who may not have the support that they need once they get to college to even know how to navigate systems. And in the work that I do on dismantling racism.
00:12:28.560 --> 00:12:51.690 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I often talk about navigating whiteness because the backdrop of everything we do is built on a white society, and there are things that you have to know how to do to navigate this this particular world that we live in this country that we live in. We have to know how to navigate it because they white people, have built the structures right. And so, and even white people have to know how to navigate
00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:56.669 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: right? This. So one of the things that happens is is getting
00:12:56.710 --> 00:13:23.069 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the access, perhaps getting the opportunity, and then not having the follow through. And so when we talk about affirmative action, when we talk about access and opportunity, it's much more than just opening the door giving. I I think the idea of college going is a sailing example of what we're talking about. So thank you for bringing that up we have the opportunity to go to college.
00:13:23.350 --> 00:13:49.109 Erik Clemons: if, in fact, we have the where with all to do so that we're correct the criteria if we fit that criteria, that college becomes very difficult, although you have the opportunity. If you don't have the access to finances or the resources, something we don't talk about enough information. A lot of times people are held back or go in reverse.
00:13:49.310 --> 00:13:56.339 Erik Clemons: because they just don't even have the information. And that information is held within people. For
00:13:56.600 --> 00:14:14.960 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: well, when you say held within people, not just in the person themselves, but it's also held within other people to be able to share that. So so when we come back, cause you always say so much, they're like 50 questions from that. But but when we come back, what I do want to talk about because you mentioned this on the last show.
00:14:15.090 --> 00:14:33.749 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: people in poverty, recognizing opportunities. So I want to be able to touch upon that. And then there's some other things that you just mentioned, even in the statements. that you just said that I want to tap into when we come back because there's a whole psyche to
00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:36.829 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: transitioning into a world
00:14:37.230 --> 00:14:57.990 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: where people have access and privilege. The other thing that you mentioned, and I want to be sure to come back to it. So I'm telling you so in case I forget You said people who meet the criteria for college, and I want to talk about that a little bit, because what is that criteria based on? So this is the dismantle racism show. We'll be right back with my guest today. Eric Clemens.
00:17:11.310 --> 00:17:29.050 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We're back with my guest today, Eric Clemens and Eric before the break. I want to go back to something that you said for those people who can who meet the criteria for getting into college, and I was struck in our last conversation where you talked about
00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:40.589 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: how you didn't do well in school for an for a number of reasons, right? and primarily from moving around to a lot of different high schools. You talked about not
00:17:40.610 --> 00:17:44.440 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: loving school, but you love to learn.
00:17:44.520 --> 00:17:47.039 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And you, Laura, loved reading.
00:17:47.330 --> 00:17:56.900 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and so one of the things that struck me was the number of kids who miss out on the opportunity to go to school because they don't meet
00:17:56.990 --> 00:18:03.799 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the criteria. and ultimately you went back to school because of all the other things that you had done
00:18:03.930 --> 00:18:12.870 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: so. I believe that we miss out by not giving opportunity to people by not creating a way for people to
00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:23.470 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: show up in life differently, and I believe that that some of the things that you've done it come concat. And you talked a lot about
00:18:24.310 --> 00:18:32.090 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: creating a space even for people who are re-entering society. So can you just talk a little bit about
00:18:32.150 --> 00:18:46.939 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: ways in which we, as a society, can create opportunities for people who don't meet the criteria based on standards.
00:18:47.230 --> 00:18:51.989 Erik Clemons: Right? I think your your show is a sale in the example of the power of information
00:18:52.150 --> 00:19:07.480 Erik Clemons: right and the in the power of inspiration, such that those who listen may be inspired to to move and do something. Secondly, you know the the the second part of meeting the criteria. To go to college
00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:14.610 Erik Clemons: is the most important part where you may have teachers who don't meet the the criteria to be teachers.
00:19:14.630 --> 00:19:19.369 Erik Clemons: so that needs to be discussed at some point, if it's not already.
00:19:19.430 --> 00:19:39.639 Erik Clemons: But you just dropped a bum right there, you know I'm ready to go into a and so you know, one, I think what's what's really important. Dr. Tarolyn is to create spaces and places for people to dream.
00:19:39.820 --> 00:19:49.500 Erik Clemons: That's really really important to me, and you may. We may be using vehicles here at contact, through workforce development, through entrepreneurship.
00:19:50.000 --> 00:20:03.230 Erik Clemons: through arts programming. Right? It is a place in space where people can dream, because what has happened to a lot of black people who are living in impoverished communities.
00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:04.390 Erik Clemons: that
00:20:04.670 --> 00:20:13.310 Erik Clemons: those folks who had dreams and those dreams that weren't facilitated have now turned to rage.
00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:26.119 Erik Clemons: And so I really, I think it's super important to create spaces for folks to dream about who they could be possibly
00:20:26.300 --> 00:20:28.210 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: all right. Look.
00:20:29.290 --> 00:20:51.050 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you just said something else that that in terms of rage, I I'd like you to kind of talk a little bit about what race might look like. But I'd also like you to talk about this idea of being able to dream because one of the things that you setting in. The last episode was about people in poverty, often not recognizing opportunity because they see it as a trap.
00:20:51.460 --> 00:21:06.839 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And so how do you create spaces for the for people to dream. If in their Psyche they see what you're doing as a track. So that's 2 questions I'd like you to kind of hone in on for us a little bit.
00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:19.539 Erik Clemons: You know what I mean by that is that there have been, and we know this. There are systems that are still in place. that, again, do not allow people to be mobile in terms of class.
00:21:19.690 --> 00:21:32.269 Erik Clemons: Do not allow people to see things of beauty. Do not allow people to move in a way, because they they have the information
00:21:32.330 --> 00:21:49.350 Erik Clemons: that navigates them. When that happens, people, I think all people I don't care what race you are people, everyone dreams. Everyone has a vision of who they want to be, where they want to live, what they want to do in life, what their contribution to the world
00:21:49.350 --> 00:22:06.059 Erik Clemons: could be given the gifts and talents, and I believe God, I you know I'm a believer like you. I believe God gives us special things, and when the outside, the external that has been created does not allow for the internal to flourish.
00:22:06.550 --> 00:22:20.730 Erik Clemons: That's when those dreams die.
00:22:21.090 --> 00:22:39.019 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the things that some of us take for granted. People who are impoverished. They don't even know to dream those dreams. I think about years and years ago I did a focus group in New York City, and I did it with some inner city kids. And it was around stopping gun violence and all of that.
00:22:39.020 --> 00:23:02.469 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And when these we I took these kids into an office that had these nice, you know, oak tables and the chairs. And this was a conference room that was like an everyday sort of conference room to me, but they were so amazed by this conference room, and we don't know to dream things like there things I don't know to dream because I may not have, you know, a certain status. And so I appreciate
00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:07.220 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: what you're doing in the work that you're doing, because when you open up con cat
00:23:07.540 --> 00:23:23.449 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and created this space for people to re enter society by creating a culinary school and looking at football for blotomy and medical building bill billing. Excuse me, I don't know my! Why I'm stumbling over my words today. But, you're creating
00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:32.560 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: access. You're giving them information, and you're also educating them. So if you could for a moment, though
00:23:33.330 --> 00:23:36.909 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you know, talk a little bit about
00:23:37.730 --> 00:23:46.519 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: this rage that you mentioned. And then how do we get people to overcome the rage and trust
00:23:46.600 --> 00:24:04.329 Erik Clemons: the opportunity that is before them, so that they can make a decision to do something different.
00:24:04.340 --> 00:24:12.799 Erik Clemons: in New Haven, Connecticut, and 3 4 blocks away from this. The these 2 neighborhoods
00:24:12.850 --> 00:24:16.620 Erik Clemons: is Gale University and downtown New Haven.
00:24:16.630 --> 00:24:28.579 Erik Clemons: Now, I need preface by saying, I have nothing against Yellow University. I think New Haven, new part of the Hague is charm is because Yale University is in the center of this town of this city.
00:24:28.670 --> 00:24:37.540 Erik Clemons: But I will say that if you take these 2 neighborhoods and the greater proportion of the folks who live in these neighborhoods
00:24:37.710 --> 00:24:43.790 Erik Clemons: have absolutely nothing. and they look with their eyes
00:24:44.110 --> 00:24:51.980 Erik Clemons: 4 blocks down the road to people who have absolutely everything. Yes, yes, and so
00:24:52.140 --> 00:25:04.580 Erik Clemons: I would be enraged because I am seeing absolute opulence in front of me, all at the same time having to calculate
00:25:04.610 --> 00:25:06.709 Erik Clemons: how I'm going to eat tonight.
00:25:07.030 --> 00:25:30.730 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Right? Right. I I mean, I think that's so important what you're saying, because there are 2 things that that are popping up for me. I remember when I went to Yale we would always get these notifications from security about somebody being held up at gunpoint and and somebody's bag things that things like that. And I remember one of my professors talking about that. It's like, look here, is this privilege school right in the middle of poverty.
00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:43.580 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And so just look at those 2 continu ones, and I think about. And this is a whole. Another show, too, how white universities come into our neighborhoods by up the block for what they need.
00:25:43.750 --> 00:25:52.300 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: often not wanting to share it. And I'm not saying that that's the case with with Yale, but they don't pay the same taxes even that we have to pay
00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:55.189 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: right and sometimes don't want to
00:25:55.440 --> 00:26:02.660 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: again to share, because that's one of the things I'm battling with in in an area where I am. It's just like
00:26:03.190 --> 00:26:21.700 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: gentrification occurs. You bring in all of these wonderful things for the students who are attending or the folks who can afford it. But what are you doing for the community? That is really the biggest biggest question.
00:26:22.040 --> 00:26:26.289 Erik Clemons: and those those who are perpetrating violence in crime
00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:36.440 Erik Clemons: to me the some of that is, although it's very complex. But some of that is why would I value humanity
00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:41.560 Erik Clemons: all around me? No one is evaluating my humanity.
00:26:41.930 --> 00:26:56.040 Erik Clemons: and so right. So humanity becomes something that is that is not what we think of it. So when I, when I don't value, when my humanity is not valued.
00:26:57.230 --> 00:27:01.850 Erik Clemons: and I don't value humanity. It becomes very easy for me
00:27:02.010 --> 00:27:15.019 Erik Clemons: to commit acts of violence or crime, because ultimately I need to eat. I need to feed myself and or feed
00:27:15.030 --> 00:27:22.499 Erik Clemons: my family, because the world is telling me they care nothing about me. So how have you all
00:27:22.630 --> 00:27:51.650 Erik Clemons: in the work that you've done, not only at Concat and the work that you've done with Concord. How have you helped people to see a different way of life? I mean, because there must be barriers when you're trying to get people into school. So what do you do to? I I think first of all, it's not. It's it's important to note that the the trainings and the economic development pieces that we have those are vehicles by which we are engaged in relationship, authentic relationship with
00:27:51.870 --> 00:28:20.449 Erik Clemons: which is really important. You will. You can get people to see possibilities by virtual how you treat them and talk to them. That's a while, number 2. I think it's really important that people feel safe, because if they feel safe, then they feel alive. If they're alive, then they have hope, and we know whole is the scene of love. And so we're moving folks to the continuum.
00:28:21.470 --> 00:28:25.940 Erik Clemons: to to the prize of feeling loved.
00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:28.440 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Well, reverend Doctor.
00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:33.979 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we have to take a quick break here, because, you know, you're preaching already. But
00:28:34.060 --> 00:28:36.909 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I want to know when we come back.
00:28:36.990 --> 00:28:44.160 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: since we're talking about this piece for opportunity. Did you have any challenges with getting people to
00:28:44.240 --> 00:29:07.340 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: see themselves to become a part of this program that you're doing so that they can have a different opportunity in life. Because we really do. We know that some people don't take advantage of opportunity. So in the next part of our our show, I want to talk about that a little bit. This is the Dismantle racism show. We'll be right back. I'm your host, the Reverend Dr. Tlc.
00:31:09.290 --> 00:31:12.920 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We're back with my guest today, Eric Clemens and Eric.
00:31:13.070 --> 00:31:31.489 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: before the break. I was asking you to think about what are some of the challenges that you might have had with getting folks to see if if any, because maybe there were folks who were ready to come on board and take advantage of the opportunity. But what are if you had some?
00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:51.989 Erik Clemons: What are some of the things that you saw with people? Not recognizing that opportunity was in front of their eyes.
00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:54.700 Erik Clemons: It is the the the of trust
00:31:55.570 --> 00:32:06.190 Erik Clemons: right that that it you know I was. I was very naive and ignorant quite frankly, because I felt like, you know, I am basically dedicating and committing my life
00:32:06.270 --> 00:32:13.050 Erik Clemons: to working in communities that look like me, who are living in conditions I was able to overcome.
00:32:13.330 --> 00:32:16.699 Erik Clemons: and I just thought they would take to me very easily and readily.
00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:23.969 Erik Clemons: and they did not. They did not. And a lot of what I've learned is, you know.
00:32:24.210 --> 00:32:33.150 Erik Clemons: just the past, and how you know these communities were were leveraged for the gain of others who don't look like them.
00:32:33.330 --> 00:32:34.420 Erik Clemons: And
00:32:34.820 --> 00:32:41.400 Erik Clemons: you know. Here I come, not even being from New Haven, with a bag full of ideas
00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:45.130 Erik Clemons: in a bag full of help, saying, I want to help you.
00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:51.880 Erik Clemons: but never really thought about really authentically introducing myself to the people in sitting with
00:32:52.210 --> 00:32:54.390 Erik Clemons: the people
00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:56.980 Erik Clemons: and hearing their stories
00:32:57.060 --> 00:33:05.669 Erik Clemons: and sitting in the discomfort. Hmm! Not only of their stories in their lives, but my life.
00:33:06.530 --> 00:33:19.740 Erik Clemons: And so once I'll I'll just say myself because I'm talking because I'm on the show. Once I was able to find the courage to deal with my own discomfort, my own people.
00:33:19.760 --> 00:33:48.180 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: my own biases, and I was able to make an authentic connection. Listen. You better say that again, because we don't often talk about our own discomfort around our own people, and they are discomfort sometimes around us as well. Right? Because, you know, we get this sort of internalized racism that happens within our community where we are
00:33:48.380 --> 00:34:18.129 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the subar person for a suburb, black versus the urban black? Or even if you are urban black, what part of the city do you live in? What does your home look like? How are you dressing, you know all of these things. And so I think what's important for our listeners to know it doesn't matter what your race is. Is this idea of being courageous enough to sit in your discomfort. It isn't always comfortable. The work that we do. It isn't comfortable when I have to navigate systems in order
00:34:18.469 --> 00:34:40.240 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to meet the greater goal, because that's a whole. Another piece for me as a leader, and you and I have had that discussion. There are things that I don't like to do. But those things must be done sometimes for the greater good. And so so you said it on the show before you're saying it today. It's about building the relationship, because when people trust you
00:34:40.310 --> 00:34:50.000 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: often, it doesn't matter what color you are. And I have heard a number of white folks and black folks talk about There being occasion
00:34:50.110 --> 00:34:56.060 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: where someone black said, I don't trust you because you're white, and then they got to know them.
00:34:56.440 --> 00:35:09.649 Erik Clemons: They formed the relationship, and they knew that they could trust them. So that was really important.
00:35:09.700 --> 00:35:19.740 Erik Clemons: Diversity, equity, inclusion, efforts, and I, I believe in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belong. I do. I believe that it's vitally important.
00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:25.040 Erik Clemons: and and and I believe that it has in a helpful way created a language
00:35:25.310 --> 00:35:27.500 Erik Clemons: for folks who wouldn't
00:35:27.570 --> 00:35:41.129 Erik Clemons: otherwise talk to each other to talk to each other. My issue that I have is, if, in fact, you are going to be authentic in your inclusivity, your diversity efforts that you must first
00:35:41.650 --> 00:35:51.739 Erik Clemons: have to deal with reconciliation. If there is no real authentic reconciliation. not only with not only between races and classes.
00:35:51.760 --> 00:36:04.470 Erik Clemons: but in oneself, because I realize that in talking to people that I wanted to help, who were not really doing as well as I'm doing financially.
00:36:05.560 --> 00:36:26.219 Erik Clemons: I had some own, like I I mentioned, I had biases and issues and Ptsd, as it relates to being in poverty and think about things that I did not want to think about anymore. I just I want you to know it. So so what what I hear you saying is.
00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:38.170 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you had to reconcile all of those things within yourself. First of all, you had to take a look at yourself. Then you had to do some self reflection. Now, as a psychologist. I know that most of us don't want to do that. We would rather point the finger
00:36:38.210 --> 00:36:51.069 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: what I hear you saying, as unless you began to look at yourself. You cannot be the best advocate. You cannot even claim to be inclusive.
00:36:51.150 --> 00:36:54.579 Erik Clemons: Right? That's right. If you don't do that. So
00:36:54.590 --> 00:37:21.210 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: so that's what reconciliation looks like within yourself is facing yourself. But what does reconciliation really look like when we're talking about as a whole, as a country or as a community. What does that that look like? If we say we want to help you it again, it it first starts with a a, a stark understanding of oneself, and then it it. It then moves into, in my opinion, a a deep understanding
00:37:21.600 --> 00:37:38.279 Erik Clemons: of how you feel about black people, about brown people or anyone who is different from you, and you have to reconcile one with what you were taught. These people are
00:37:39.160 --> 00:37:40.160 Erik Clemons: what
00:37:40.280 --> 00:37:57.919 Erik Clemons: you have believed, what these people are, no matter if everything that is telling you what you were taught is wrong. Second, and thirdly, I think this is really important. You have to reconcile with the fact as a white person.
00:37:58.400 --> 00:37:59.410 Erik Clemons: that
00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:15.610 Erik Clemons: this idea of meritocracy is a fallacy, right? Right? Hmm, no, no, no, go ahead. I want to let you finish so so in. And so not only were you told
00:38:16.330 --> 00:38:30.820 Erik Clemons: that you did this because you were the best. If you go to the best schools, and this and that, that those who are not with you are not the best. or they they just didn't cut the muster when, in fact.
00:38:30.990 --> 00:38:34.269 Erik Clemons: there are smarter people
00:38:34.470 --> 00:38:53.249 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Portuguese in New Orleans. That's exactly right. Classes downtown again. That's right, that's right. My one of the people who inspired me the most in life had a fourth grade education, and I believe he could run circles around me even today. So you know, I I I definitely agree with that. Now.
00:38:53.380 --> 00:39:03.450 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: what I do think when you talk about people having to reconcile that and to think about what they've been taught, it takes a level of consciousness because most people
00:39:04.090 --> 00:39:24.129 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: don't even recognize the automatic ways in which we show up in which we judge people and most people. I've had people to tell me that they're not racist, but then they'll make a statement to me, and I'll say, Well, it yeah, you are. You just don't realize that you are. That's the first thing right. And
00:39:24.230 --> 00:39:30.779 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and so it takes a level of consciousness to say, what has my country taught me? I have friends who told me.
00:39:31.020 --> 00:39:48.720 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you know, back in 2,020 and 2,021, because they're always telling me how much I I open their eyes, and they'll tell me that they didn't know that the story of Thanksgiving wasn't true. They didn't know the story of Emancipation Proclamation. How do you not know it? That is my question like.
00:39:48.730 --> 00:39:58.650 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: why didn't you ask the questions? And and I had friends, white friends who were telling me they were angry because they felt like they had been duped by the country.
00:39:59.200 --> 00:40:16.129 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: What you are talking about with reconciliation is opening your eyes up and asking the questions that you need to ask in order for you to truly engage in equity, inclusion, and belonging. You cannot take an hour class.
00:40:16.250 --> 00:40:25.329 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you know, and feel like, you know, like oftentimes, when people invite me in, I'll say. Well, I'll come in to do a talk for an hour, but I'm not coming in to train you
00:40:25.590 --> 00:40:38.059 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: for an hour. There's no training for an hour, unless you're going to do something else with it. Either you're committed to the process or not, so I'm very careful about who I choose to work with, because are you performative?
00:40:38.290 --> 00:40:54.910 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And then and then I'm a part of your being performative right? And so, I think, is really important. When we talk about taking a look at our country, and I've heard you say this before is, we need to take a look at the history of our country, and right now. They're trying to take out
00:40:55.020 --> 00:40:56.589 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: even the little bit
00:40:56.700 --> 00:41:05.360 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: of history that people know about racism in this country trying to take it away. You know, there's some States who don't want to even talk about enslavement.
00:41:05.440 --> 00:41:07.339 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Well, it's a fact of history.
00:41:07.770 --> 00:41:22.830 Erik Clemons: right? So how can people begin to reconcile if that's the the fence that they're going to.
00:41:22.870 --> 00:41:34.379 Erik Clemons: I think that's why they have to take a class with me so they can become conscious. I love that I I've never thought about that. I think.
00:41:36.010 --> 00:41:45.729 Erik Clemons: I you know I've said this to you before. I think people have a tension when confronted with race, especially
00:41:45.810 --> 00:41:50.749 Erik Clemons: between self preservation is self discover.
00:41:51.140 --> 00:41:59.560 Erik Clemons: and in there is a hopefully, a deep sense of courage. and and in a pursuit
00:41:59.630 --> 00:42:04.770 Erik Clemons: of truth, but most often to your point around consciousness.
00:42:04.860 --> 00:42:06.520 Erik Clemons: Folks fall on
00:42:06.870 --> 00:42:11.930 Erik Clemons: self-preservation because their identity becomes more important.
00:42:12.520 --> 00:42:16.270 Erik Clemons: Then who it is? They say they want to be.
00:42:16.870 --> 00:42:23.120 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Yeah. And that's and that's really a shame, because that means you stay stuck
00:42:23.230 --> 00:42:40.630 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in those places right? And the times I've kind of just let go. I've been able just to expand and and look. this is where what I call our sacred motive comes in, because for me, my connection with God
00:42:40.920 --> 00:42:59.919 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: lets me know that I'm not meant to just stay here. I'm mid to excel and go farther, and I' to shine my light in a way that I bless other people in the process. And I'm not saying everybody has to do a radio show. That's why I always keep quoting author. I start where you are, use what you have and do what you can.
00:42:59.950 --> 00:43:07.929 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: You don't have to do what the 2 of us are doing right, but you should let your gifts which you spoke about earlier.
00:43:08.690 --> 00:43:20.069 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you should let your gifts guide you with what to do. And and actually there is. If I could just for a moment quote Scripture. the Bible says that your gifts will make room for you at the top.
00:43:20.130 --> 00:43:32.750 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: When you are courageous enough to hone in on your gifts and use them in service of others. You will get to that next phase of who you say you want to be. Now we have to take a break
00:43:33.080 --> 00:43:46.789 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: when we come back in our last segment. I really wanted to talk about something that you said in the last shell. You said that your gifts and preparation were connected to opportunity.
00:43:47.220 --> 00:44:13.220 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: And so we've just been talking about gifts making room for you at the top. I love this idea of preparation. So when we come back, I want to know. What suggestions do you have for individuals who've been denied access to certain opportunities? What in terms of using their gifts and preparing? What do you do, because the world will stop you if you allow it. So when we come back I want to hear your response to that. We'll be right back with the dismantle racism. Show
00:46:17.530 --> 00:46:25.900 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We're back with my guest today, Eric Clemens, Eric, before our break. We were talking about gifts and preparation, and I wonder
00:46:26.330 --> 00:46:28.880 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you know. what
00:46:29.360 --> 00:46:39.240 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: what would you say to people who've been given the opportunity? Because this is one of the things that sort of can be frustrating to me? Sometimes they've been giving an opportunity.
00:46:39.780 --> 00:46:46.380 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: but they don't take advantage of the opportunity. I myself probably not taking advantage of some opportunities and
00:46:47.260 --> 00:46:53.340 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: talk to me about that. Talk to me about your gifts and preparation being connected with opportunity.
00:46:53.450 --> 00:47:06.599 Erik Clemons: Yeah, I I think it's important to to first define what success means for for folks and and to be honest about, if, in fact, they want to achieve
00:47:06.620 --> 00:47:16.709 Erik Clemons: success, and what level of success? A lot of times, I believe people make the the mistake of wanting to be famous as opposed to being successful.
00:47:16.800 --> 00:47:26.310 Erik Clemons: And so I think for me, it was really about understanding what I'm called to do. and not being afraid.
00:47:26.360 --> 00:47:47.249 Erik Clemons: and I mean this, not being afraid to do something that I knew I would fail at in the beginning, and I believe that when when I read my Bible, anyone who was called to do anything the thing that they were called to do, they had no idea how to do it. And so I live a life of just blissful ignorance a lot.
00:47:47.320 --> 00:48:14.649 Erik Clemons: because, you know, there are things that I've I've been able to do now that in the beginning. I just didn't know how to do it. And that kind of it that in and of itself has rendered me successful, not because of the level of execution, but because of the fact that I got it done and getting done helped others because the goal was helping others, and so that to me is successful my ability to to help others.
00:48:14.650 --> 00:48:30.509 Erik Clemons: you know, and it's not even about helping folks have tangible things or resources. It's about helping folks facilitate the dreams that they have for their lives, and if, in fact, they can dream and manifest those dreams, then that
00:48:30.510 --> 00:48:46.840 Erik Clemons: in in and of itself helps those who have yet to be born. And so to me, it's it's that pursuing the thing that you've been called to do, and that's easily identifiable, because it usually chooses you, and you stay in that pursuit.
00:48:47.020 --> 00:48:50.690 Erik Clemons: not think about.
00:48:51.120 --> 00:48:52.779 Erik Clemons: you know
00:48:52.900 --> 00:48:58.109 Erik Clemons: success. And and and as you're defining it as you work
00:48:58.270 --> 00:49:13.819 Erik Clemons: right? If you're truly working on behalf of people especially, you're not thinking about being successful about those people being successful. So that's really important as well for me, and and also
00:49:14.120 --> 00:49:20.389 Erik Clemons: I've been able to do certain things that led me to other things.
00:49:21.150 --> 00:49:24.910 Erik Clemons: And so, you know, I'm now working in economic development
00:49:25.140 --> 00:49:33.159 Erik Clemons: because I did workforce development really well, that led me into this new vein of of work and calling.
00:49:33.350 --> 00:49:39.919 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: But you know one of the things I want to say as you're talking about this. I love that you say I did it really well.
00:49:39.960 --> 00:49:45.110 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: because what you're saying about your gifts is, there might be some things that I'm naturally gifted to do.
00:49:46.180 --> 00:50:10.220 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and even with those things being a gift, I still must prepare for that next space. I still must work really hard. In fact, this is something I've been talking with my church folks about. You know, this. This idea of faith without works is did right, you know, and I and I talk about those people who had a dream, for instance, of wanting to be the greatest of all time, in whatever area those people who had that dream.
00:50:10.220 --> 00:50:17.590 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: They had a gift, but then they had to work really hard at it. And I think that what I hear you saying is that look.
00:50:18.050 --> 00:50:34.189 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: First of all, it is the service. But even with that service I'm going to put in my time and do the work that I need to do using my gifts so that when that opportunity to have economic development come up you may not even know that it's the next thing.
00:50:34.210 --> 00:50:39.559 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: But you've already done the work. The other thing that I hear when you're talking
00:50:40.610 --> 00:50:46.529 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: sometimes, what's frightening for people is to think that they're going to be out there alone
00:50:46.640 --> 00:50:57.759 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in the process. and I don't think that there is ever a time that we're truly alone, because when we are ready, when we make that commitment to show up
00:50:58.300 --> 00:51:15.770 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: got the universe source, whatever you want to call it, is ready to build up on the gifts that have already been instilled in you, and one of the things that we often talk about is having a RAM in the bush. There's going to be someone there who can help you
00:51:15.860 --> 00:51:21.869 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: get to that next phase. So what I think about things like affirmative action
00:51:22.540 --> 00:51:26.840 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and giving us access and opportunity.
00:51:26.960 --> 00:51:37.190 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I think about the people, though, who didn't have access and opportunity, and still did something great and wonderful, because
00:51:37.210 --> 00:51:51.929 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: they found a way to go around it when you know what's been instilled in you already, but God is already implanted in you. No one else can tell you now. so I think that too often based on what you and I have been talking about this hour
00:51:52.260 --> 00:51:58.850 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: is that people began to see the reality of what the world that they should be.
00:51:59.370 --> 00:52:07.370 Erik Clemons: who they know they should be. That's beautiful. You're you're absolutely right, and I think the most important thing for me.
00:52:07.780 --> 00:52:11.419 Erik Clemons: Dr. Carolyn has been, and this is a fact from my life
00:52:11.710 --> 00:52:27.530 Erik Clemons: that I've done well in life because I've chose to commit my life to helping people out of mine. That's it. So so for me, I call that our sacred intelligence right? Being able to go inward
00:52:27.530 --> 00:52:46.469 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to tap inside to make choices, that intelligent choices that's gonna manifest our greatness while helping other people to manifest their greatness. It's a both in right and and and of times in business. We talk about doing what you love, and you never work a day in your life. It is the commitment
00:52:46.510 --> 00:52:51.530 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: that we have now, that doesn't mean we don't work hard, so I don't know when people say you never work a day in your life.
00:52:51.680 --> 00:52:56.559 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I think you and I work extremely extremely hard, but
00:52:56.700 --> 00:52:58.960 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we're also
00:52:59.760 --> 00:53:12.599 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: blessed by what we do, and I don't mean in a financial way. People underestimate also the internal blessings you receive. Right? So so I know with the work that you do.
00:53:12.880 --> 00:53:24.980 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: It is, certainly not about affirmative action with the work that you're doing. But it is about giving access to people. And so you have found ways. And that's one of the things I want to say to our guests.
00:53:25.010 --> 00:53:27.069 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: it's not about affirmative action.
00:53:27.340 --> 00:53:42.679 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: It's about creating ways to open doors to people who don't often have access right? So in our final few minutes. I want to. Just ask you, is there anything else that you'd like to say that we've not covered today?
00:53:43.560 --> 00:53:49.690 Erik Clemons: Yeah, I I think it's important to note that I I don't do this work by myself. I have an incredible team of people
00:53:49.810 --> 00:53:57.919 Erik Clemons: who are just highly executing and who? you know I I've been very fortunate. that
00:53:58.300 --> 00:54:02.829 Erik Clemons: you know I I I to hire people to do things that I don't know how to do.
00:54:02.850 --> 00:54:32.060 Erik Clemons: It's not even that. I don't want to do them. I don't know how to do it. And so I have this, a very skilled, highly executing, smart, dedicated group of people who do this work with me. That's really really important to know.
00:54:32.360 --> 00:54:43.490 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: First of all, one person can't do it all, and we're all our interconnected if we go back to that. and just secondly, inviting people to do what they can
00:54:43.590 --> 00:55:05.369 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: right? So we need someone to do it. What is it? Dr. King said. If you're going to be a Suite Street sweeper, be the best one. There's something for each of us to do. There were people in my listeners have heard me say this before during the Civil rights movement they may not have been out there marching, but they made sandwiches for folks. So
00:55:05.620 --> 00:55:18.889 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the ideas for us is to use our skills that we have. I want to thank you today for being on the show for us to be able to talk about opportunity and to talk about access
00:55:18.970 --> 00:55:32.559 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and really ways in which we didn't talk so much about how affirmative action hurts us, but we know that that it absolutely hurts people having access and opportunity.
00:55:32.600 --> 00:55:36.300 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: but regardless of whether
00:55:36.580 --> 00:55:42.680 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: whether folks get into the Ivy League Schools or those schools who will be hit. The hardest
00:55:42.830 --> 00:55:48.279 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: know that what we do matters, and that there are ways of getting around
00:55:48.320 --> 00:56:09.480 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: those systems, and still being the best that you can be. So I want to just say to our listeners, if you have an opportunity, make sure that you take advantage of it, because you have to know who you are and who you are, so that you can move throughout the world shining your light, Mr. Clemens, I want to thank you so much for being with me today for taking time out
00:56:09.480 --> 00:56:23.699 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: of your schedule. I know that you're busy, busy man. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you to my listeners, and I want to invite you to go to Sacred intelligence.com. If you've not already picked up a copy of my book, Dismantling Racism.
00:56:23.850 --> 00:56:29.330 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I want to invite you to do that as well as download my meditations.
00:56:29.850 --> 00:56:59.259 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: The conscious consultant hour is next with Sam Leibowitz, where he helps you to walk through life with the greatest of ease and joy, may today you tap into that sacred part of you that allows you to make choices that manifest the good in you and those around. You know that we are all one and exist because of one another, make it a priority to share love, hope, compassion, and peace. Today be well, be safe, be encouraged until next time bye, for now
Talking Alternative Broadcasting
392 Central Park West Suite 17R - New York, NY 10025
Privacy Policy · Terms & Conditions
Thank You for Visiting TALKRADIO.NYC © 2022.
