FEEDBACK FROM 06/05/2020 – WEEK 1 LETS LISTEN:
  • 9.31/10 SATISFACTION!
  • We Asked:
    • Do you think that you can make a impact going forward and advocate for change? 100% said yes!
  • WHAT ATTENDEES WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OR HEAR MORE ON
    • I’d like to hear a “list” of things white people do that may be unconsciously making a person uncomfortable.
    • Systemic and institutional racism
    • What each would like to see done in our community that can help ASAP.
    • As a white person…what can I do to help end racism?
    • Do you think the police chief would join the conversation? – We’ve reached out and would love to have him at the table.
  • ACTIONS ATTENDEES SAID THEY WOULD TAKE TO HELP IMPACT CHANGE:
    • 1) Joining the protests in GR, 2) sharing the stories of black community members across the nation, 3) standing up and saying something when a person makes an insensitive or offense joke/comment
    • “I want to commit to advocating for my city better, such as consciously voting in local elections and petitioning for important changes. I also want to educate myself more my own privilege and whiteness – I’m listening to some podcasts and reading a few books I recently ordered, to start.”
    • “I will not keep quiet. My voice will be heard.”
  • BIGGEST TAKE AWAYS
    • I don’t see your color’ vs. ‘I acknowledge your blackness’  ‘Get on the side of righteousness!’
    • “Don’t shelter kids, PREPARE them.”
  • ADDITIONAL REQUESTS:
    • More personal stories and Black voices. These are so powerful!
    • Connections to resources like GRABB so that people who don’t know where to start can access a list of black owned businesses.
    • Speak on the local- what more can we do here specifically in West MI – HERE IS A DIRECTORY LIST OF BLACK OWNED LOCAL BUSINESSES
RESOURCES:
  • CLICK HERE for Black Area owned businesses you can support
POWERFUL QUOTES FROM OUE SPEAKERS:
  • “Silence is an action, if you’re being silent you’re not acting. We have to speak up.” – Jahaun Mckinley
  • “If racism is a daily experience for the black community then fighting racism should be a daily experience for the white community” – Courtney Pierre
  • ”We need our white brothers and sisters to be just as pissed off as we are to help with change” – Alvin Hills IV
  • “White people should be more transparent, ask if they are angry right now. Often its passion due to trauma we’ve been through for generations. Just ask and be transparent. My people are passionate. ”
  • “Often times I sweep racism under the rug because I just figure people are just uninformed. I’ve realized by staying silent I am not only hurting myself I am hurting other people of color for not standing up. Racism Hurts, but it hurts even more when you refuse to admit that it exists.”  – Jeremy Knoester 
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