Diversity and Visual Culture

The three items I selected to discuss are: The Spiritual Work of Black Lives Matter, Rise Up, and The Scope of Hate in 2017
I chose The Spiritual Work of Black Lives Matter because it is a movement that I am resistant to. Its not that I don't think that black lives matter its that I think every life does. I think its hurtful to take any race and proclaim that they matter because don't all people as individuals matter? Before I watch this video I would like to describe my experiences. I know that racism is a very real thing. I am a person who thinks that everything that has to do with racial discrimination, racism, or bias are silly. Not that I don't take them seriously but I don't understand how humans are so advanced and have come so far, yet something that shouldn't matter holds us back. We shouldn't make decisions based on race. Even the least of animals don't do such a ridiculous thing. Dobermans don't go after Saints Bernard's simply because they have something against the breed. So why do humans? It simply blows my mind that we as humans think we are so advanced be we do these very barbaric things. I hope that through this video I have a better understanding of why black lives matter was started and the goals they wish to achieve.
After listening to this podcast I can see the questions being asked and why they are important. The people having this discussion are like any other person. They simply want the best for their children in school, the best for their families, and the best for the future. Ms. Tippett informs us that while they may discuss racial and social inequity in news, violence, legal actions and politics these are not the main topics they are looking to talk about. Instead they want to also explore "Human and spiritual underpinnings and promise in these things." Ms. Cullors talked about many of the hardships she faced growing up and it seems that she had a lot of difficulty in life. Her grandmother told her lots of stories about cullors great grandfather and about how he defended their family against the KKK. This was something that struck me. I remember listening to my grandfather tell stories about the war and his life but I cant imagine being told stories like this. It must have been horrible hearing about the injustices done to ones family and hearing how terrified everyone must have been. It was amazing how much she looked up to her grandmother. She explained how her grandmother helped her mother fight to keep the system from taking away her children. She also talked of how her grandmother believed in her and the importance of believing in future black children. I was shocked to hear of these stories because I didn't think this was a current thing. I thought these things occurred over one hundred years ago. I am amazed at how oppressed people still are. I didn't know that African Americans had the highest poverty rate and i didn't know that they were being killed so often just because of their race. later in the talk she mentioned that many people in the black lives matter movement are pushed out of their church. This is astounding to me because church is supposed to be the most accepting place. Its also amazing that even with being kicked out she stood by what she believed was right. She talks about how black lives matter is a healing work and i have never heard it described that way. They talk about how racism is a sickness and she talks about how the movement transforms people. I also like that they brought audience members in to ask questions and really get people thinking. I think this talk did change the way I saw the black lives matter movement. I didn't realize how hard some have had it and the challenges they've faced. The Rise Up music video was a little confusing at first but i came to see that it was meant to show the straight of people with disabilities. In many ways I think people with these kind of hardships are actually stronger than average people because on a daily basis they overcome the struggles. It was moving that she said about how we have each other. She is encouraging people who want to give up to push on. This video really shows how when humans help each other and work together we can really overcome anything. The Scope of Hate in 2017 article talks about crimes and harassment since Trumps elections. I find it amazing that days after the election hate crimes rose very high. Hate towards immigrants increased. It astounds me how much the president impacts what goes on in the county and it is horrible how violent our country has gotten.