History

When Trayvon Martin was killed in February 2012, I was just out of college. I was pretty oblivious to what was happening in the world. I’ll admit, I was wrapped up in living my own life. I remember the event, but I couldn’t grasp it’s significance. Yes, it was heart breaking, he was 17 years old. I was 23 at the time and while we were close in age, it seemed like a much further removed event. I think I felt like I had already overcome all of the racial tension I was ever going to encounter. How naive of me to think something like that. I used to think, the more you don’t talk about it, the more it doesn’t effect you. But then it happened again…and again…and again…and again. It got so bad that I got nervous every time a cop pulled me over and I had a lead foot, I was getting pulled over time and time again.

Black Lives Matter

Before you roll your eyes, hear me out.

Black Lives Matter, Inc. ≠ Black Lives Matter movement

That is a very important distinction. I will make reference to one or both of these entities throughout this podcast. Please note that I am not affiliated with the Black Lives Matter organization and the views and opinions here do not represent that organization. Since I am not affiliated with that organization or any of its chapters or officers, I do not want to draw unwanted parallels or create the impression that I am somehow linked with that organization. That being said, when I refer to black lives matter—I am referring to the simple notion that black people are marginalized in this country and regardless of your racial prejudices I want to draw attention to that fact and through speaking truths about certain situations I can shine a light on the inherit inequities that exist within the borders of this country.