This seems an especially important year to recognize that racism is still very much alive and well. Actions, as always, speak louder than words.

For interesting reading, there’s a great piece at Time about Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement which notes a striking resemblance to the current Black Lives Matter movement.

For interesting listening, I have found that there are wonderful Black voices to listen to, and they’re not hard to find. Because I listen to a lot of podcasts, here are some recent favorites:

• 2 Dope Queens. I’ve been a fan of Jessica Williams since she debuted on the Daily Show, and since she teamed up with Phoebe Robinson for this show, I am even more in awe. Two smart, hilarious women hosting a show that celebrates diversity. What’s not to love? Recommended reading: Phoebe Robinson’s book You Can’t Touch My Hair. Recommended viewing: Jessica Williams interviews “Bernie or Bust” progressives who planned to vote for Trump (I would love to see her go back and interview this same group and see what they have to say for themselves now) and The Incredible Jessica James.
• The Nod. A podcast about Black culture by two great hosts. There’s great conversation, humor, and lessons to be learned. Brittany Luce is smart, articulate, and someone I admire for her perspective and for her willingness to speak up. Starting with her candidness talking about race on StartUp, I’m reminded about just how important it is to let people who are different speak their own truth. Some favorite episodes: Hunter Green Thong, Greetings, My Brothas, the recurring segment of Good For the Blacks, and Chitlins at Bergdorf’s (an episode that as a gay man, I found fascinating and reminded me of Paris is Burning).
• Uncivil. Billed as a show that will ransack the official version of the Civil War, this one is especially eye-opening. They cover so many issues that I was never taught in school, and once you learn about them, they seem so clear, as if they’ve been hiding in plain sight. I would suggest starting at the beginning, but some particular standouts to me are The Spin, The Song, and The Assets. For extra reading, there’s also this piece about how timely this podcast really is.

We have much work to do, and part of that work is to give other people a chance to tell their stories and to do whatever we can to elevate them and make this world a more welcoming place to all.