Helping People Become Anti-Racist
A few years ago, my job assignment was accompanying Angela Davis around my city.
Prior to her visit, I read extensively about her life’s work as a scholar and activist for equal rights. Inspired by her writings and speeches, I looked forward to meeting her. The Black Lives Matter movement had just begun at the time of her visit, and much of her visit was likely to focus on that call to action.
Ms. Davis did not disappoint. The crowds of people who came to meet her were in awe of her presence and her words. Gracious and thoughtful, we worked well together during her visit, getting her to the various locations so she could speak to hundreds of people who were eager to listen to her and meet her.
For hours, she signed copies of her books for people who had waited hours to talk to her, to share a bit of their story with this icon. She was patient and kind with every person who wanted to meet her. I held her books open for her to sign while she tried giving her full attention to the person in front of her.
As I accompanied her in the car back to her hotel when the long day was over, we talked a bit. Inspired by her words, and encouraged by her openness, I asked her a question that I was afraid to ask others.
“I am frustrated that I don’t have a good response when someone says to me that…