Category: Advocate

[Amplify a Voice: Robert Battle]

Over the past few days I read a request from a person of color to white people – to amplify their voices instead of our own. That resonates. Please read what Robert wrote on the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater facebook page. If you’d like your voice amplified, anonymously or with citation, my blog, my social accounts, and everything I am is yours. #BlackLivesMatter #NotOneMore

“Not all the works are political, but they certainly reflect my feelings about what goes on in this country. I mean I can’t get over that, I’m a black man living in this.”

Alvin Ailey

As a black man living in this and as the Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater I come to you and say, our destiny is calling – one without hate, oppression, and violence – and it is our turn to answer.

[Monsters Are Not Monsters 24/7]

Today I read this message from Jennifer Hartshorn, who is white. Please read what she wrote about monsters. #BlackLivesMatter #NotOneMore

I’ve seen a couple posts regarding “good cops.”

Here’s the thing. Yes, I know there are good people who are cops, people who go into it for the right reasons, who are willing to lay down their life to protect their fellow citizens and the rule of law, and that is amazing and I am tremendously thankful for those people.

But I also know people who go into the military and law enforcement because they like to exert unearned power over the powerless. Because they get their rocks off being a bully. It terrifies me how many people fall into that category, but I know it’s not all of them. And furthermore, I know that not everyone who is a bully is an asshole all the time. They have people that they love, people that they care about. They may be good parents and Boy Scout leaders and help people out when they’ve got a flat tire. The fact that they love their kids does not erase the fact that they’re a little too quick on the trigger finger, that they taze people who obviously pose no physical threat to them, and much worse.

This picture has stuck with me ever since I first saw it.

It’s not soldiers, for the most part. It’s a bunch of secretaries, local girls who lived near the military base, and a couple of the guys on base they were friends with. They’re giggling and having a good time, and there’s a guy with an accordion. I bet he was hilarious, and I can totally see myself wanting to be friends with them. The economy was shit at the time and it was a well-paying job, with a bunch of cool people who were doing their patriotic duty.

Except.

[Amplify a Voice: Turner Armstrong]

Over the past few days I read a request from a person of color to white people – to amplify their voices instead of our own. That resonates. Please read what Turner wrote. If you’d like your voice amplified, anonymously or with citation, my blog, my social accounts, and everything I am is yours. #BlackLivesMatter #NotOneMore

Yesterday, someone asked me how they could be a better ally, and I surprised myself to find that I had an answer for them. It’s not exhaustive, but it’s also not intuitive, so here are my tips:

1) Don’t walk away from racism.
2) Don’t lose your temper.