How are MASPP Alumni Standing in Solidarity with the Black Community?

Having the difficult conversations, presenting with an open mind, acknowledging my own prejudice thinking, seeking opportunities for growth, and speaking out against microaggressions.

Advocating that this current movement inform everyone's voting and politics. Productive discourse and actions are needed. Black and minority lives, rights, and well-being are counting on it. I challenge anyone reading this do your part to be on the right side of history, and committing to doing so from now on. I also invite and encourage engagement - if you want to discuss ideas and actions, help my learning or help with yours, projects to join alongside with, and such - I'm all for it! Reach out.

Knowing the names of those who have been killed: George Floyd, Elijah McClain, Breonna Taylor, Emmett Till, and so many more. Too many more. And not believing for a second that the recent hangings are suicides: Robert Fuller, Malcolm Harsch, TeTe Gulley, and again, too many more.

Continuing to educate myself on Black history, the Black experience, and listen to Black voices, thoughts, ideas, and solutions. An athlete-oriented source that I've been using is The Player's Tribune (https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us) to read recent and relevant stories.

I am speaking up - I am no longer being complacent in my silence. I am using my voice to advocate for the Black community. I am having uncomfortable conversations with family and friends, I am listening to podcasts, and I am talking to my clients about anti-racism and anti-oppression. The time is now for change and it doesn't happen with everyone being in SOLIDARITY.

Leaning in to have difficult conversations, educating myself through podcasts, articles, and videos, donating to organizations fighting for Black Lives Matter.

First and foremost, I have been proactively educating myself on racial injustice and inequality. I've realized that I still have so much to learn because I have barely even scratched the surface of understanding my privilege and how people of other races have had different experiences than me. Beyond that, I have been more vocal, especially within my inner circle. I think one of the biggest influences I can make is with the people that are close to me, and help educate them on things that they may be oblivious to.

I have been focusing heavily on listening and learning- actively engaging in conversations with both white and black colleagues, friends, clients with the emphasis on hearing and seeing them, their struggles, and the systemic racism that in the past I have often been blind to as a result of my white privilege. I have been making an effort to step into the discomfort of conversations and have been more intentional about choices I make in every day life as well as how I advocate for the black colleagues and student-athletes with whom I work.

Protesting, posting supportive educational content on social media, listening to podcasts, having conversations with friends and family.

I am a white cisgender male who is finishing up my postdoc training in clinical psychology right now. I am actively assessing for stress associated with racial and ethnic discrimination that my clients have experienced, and I am seeking daily and weekly consultations from my supervisors, colleagues and friends about my potential role in my clients overall distress. Honestly, I'm trying to listen and work to create a space of respect and compassion each day.

I am a white male, father of two white male kids under age 9. We are reading books like Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, PhD, and watching and rewatching the Sesame Street Town Hall special recently shown on CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/06/app-news-section/cnn-sesame-street-race-town-hall-app-june-6-2020-app/index.html) and we are trying to be more intentional about teaching our kiddos about more of the whole story of black history in America (pre-order the book called Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids by Arlisha Norwood)

As a white cisgender male, I am actively reading more about black history and my place in it. The following books have been particularly helpful for me to read so far: Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi, Ph.D.; How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, Ph.D., White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo, Ph.D.; and Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It isn't enough, but without awareness, long lasting and meaningful change cannot happen.

Striving to really hear, and not just listen to, the experiences of my black family and friends. Learning from those who have immersed in the fight for decades. Educating myself on the racial and colonial history of my own country, alongside the current issues. Supporting and increasing awareness of those in positions to effect policy and thus induce real, meaningful change. Recognizing when I have, and continue to, contribute to the problem. Learning what it means to be ANTI-racist and committing to engaging in anti-racist behaviors on a daily basis. Challenging racist speech, ideas, policies, behaviors, etc.

Continued communication with my fiancé about what we can do to support the black community, and how we will raise our future children to be anti- racist allies.

Having very real and uncomfortable conversations with friends and family members who are aren't seeing the current events for what they truly are. Helping them to acknowledge their own biases and prejudices.

Continuing to educate myself and following the local organizations to stay informed on events and ways in which I can contribute (donations, petitions, using my voice).

Listening to Scene on Radio season 2 ("Seeing White") & unlearning what I've been taught about race/racism. Amplifying Black voices & experiences at all times!

Supporting local Black owned businesses. Starting an antiracism book club at work. Leading antiracism workshops with and for other white people. Reading

Donating money. Opening up conversations with POC at work. Educating myself through articles and documentaries. Opposing ignorance on social media.

Educating myself through the voices of the Black community, addressing my biases, and promoting these concepts to my family.

I am speaking up and spreading knowledge when I come across ignorance, injustices, and misinformation that negatively impact the black community. This includes raising awareness to those who enjoy/overlook their white privilege and who support systems/organizations that contribute to discrimination of black populations. I am also signing official petitions, making phone calls to officials, and "buying black" from black-owned businesses. I am making an effort to extract as many capitalistic functioning from my life as to not support corrupt corporations that benefit from taking advantage of targeted low SES communities. And most of all, I am acting out of LOVE for all things, but especially toward the people who have been systemically oppressed and abused by society.

Attending protests, promoting my Black community's right to protest , advocating, and working with local non-profits to elevate marginalized voices. And, listening, learning, and discussing with family who are supporting oppression.

Encouraging my family and friends.

Educating myself and others on economic strategies of empowerment.

Having those hard conversations with my racist family

By attending protests and listening to my Black friends and colleagues.

Hey Breigh, it's mark just testing this out. Cool!

By attending protests