18:53:43 From Sylvia : use the chat to share a message 18:57:44 From Damon Mcarthur : Doc, die icing my son back from hockey but will be listening 19:23:52 From Phaedra : We're going to need 30 more minutes :-) 19:25:00 From Melissa Boyd : I'm getting an echo from Min. Smith 19:28:41 From Lori in CT : QUESTION: I believe Min Alfreda Reed has really expressed a concern I see as well. That is, how do we determine who the "leaders" are locally and nationally and get us on the same page? Our response to the BLM systemic racism & police brutality needs to be uniform to ensure we are all moving towards the same goal as a collective force vs having all these various splinter groups and the media determining our message for us. 19:34:52 From James Vineburgh : Question: Hi, I'm Scooters daughter. I'm 14 and extremely involved in this movement. I'm aware that calling an African American colored is not okay but is it okay to address African Americans as people of color? 19:35:35 From Melissa Boyd : QUESTION: My concern with designating specific "leaders" is that Black people don't all want the same things. How do we ensure that the "asks" represent the wide array of needs and inequities that exist? 19:36:43 From rob.mellinger : QUESTION: How can we foster conversations with people who don’t want to listen, or who willfully misinterpret the message? 19:38:36 From Vincent Calloway : I feel you rob.mellinger 19:38:49 From Vincent Calloway : Start with the ones who are willing to have the conversation 19:38:58 From Melissa Boyd : QUESTION: I believe that a large part of the problem is spiritual. The Black Church was a critical part of the Civil Right Movement in the past. What is the role of the Black Church today? Does the Church have a particular role in today's fight? 19:39:21 From rob.mellinger : Got that step taken care of ;) Thanks Vincent 19:39:59 From Dr. Dave Pulley : Addressing African Americans as people of is acceptable. One of the reasons why "people of color" has been pushed is because not everyone in America who is black are African American. To some degree we are ALL descendants of Africa. Everyone. However, Jamaican-Americans, Haitian Americans etc. want to be recognized for their own heritage and nationality in the struggle. 19:40:01 From Idris Robinson : Point of Clarity: In equity work, Black and African American are not interchangeable as so many under- or mis-represented populations are lumped and ignored—such as Indigenous and Latinx populations. 19:40:04 From Art of Training and Development D.billups : amen 19:40:34 From Vincent Calloway : The Church has a critical role and must fight the way only we can fight, with spiritual weapons, with direct action, with persistence ini unity 19:41:43 From Dr. Dave Pulley : I agree, my suggestion would be to nominate leaders that represent the different "asks." Then those leaders find "common solutions to common problems." 19:42:49 From Elwood Whitaker : Yes, the “Golden Rule”. If everyone would just do that simple thing, we wouldn’t be having these conversations. 19:42:56 From Phaedra : Not dispelling the value of our supernatural weapons yet lets not forget that faith w/o works, {boots on the ground} is dead. 19:44:05 From Idris Robinson : Point of Clarity: We might want to move away of gross generalizations about “Black” and “The Church” as there are many Black pastors that believe the church is failing this movement be staying in the pulpit and not on the frontlines of the Movement. For reference, my pastor. Dr. A. Waller. 19:44:38 From Dr. Dave Pulley : Primarily to reach people who do not want to listen, you pray for them and for the Holy Spirit to move on their hearts, minds and spirits (faith). You find ways to peacefully get their attention, examples like Malcolm Jenkins' example that minister Vince mentioned is one of those ways. 19:44:51 From Elwood Whitaker : Empathy is the key. 19:46:15 From Elwood Whitaker : Don’t be silent in public and especially behind closed doors. Be proactive in the home. 19:46:24 From Dr. Dave Pulley : The church has unfortunately been politically affected by legislation tied to the funding and taxation of churches. This binds the hands of the church in ways that it did not in the Civil Right movement. 19:46:33 From Jah : White allies need to make sure they use their privilege to elevate black voices. Also make sure to call out & educate your friends & family members. They will be more receptive to you 19:48:35 From iPhone Zaniya’s Grandmom : As all races come together fighting for regulation and law changes, will be beneficial for Blacks and all races. The major focus right now is accountability for the Police Force which is designed originally to police Blacks and Minorities and to protect Whites. Don’t you feel the main focus should be reestabishing a new protective force, new name, new requirements, and new requirements to be develop to phase out the old force . 19:50:39 From Melissa Boyd : QUESTION: In regard to reform of policing, what is being done about powerful police unions that fight against change? 19:52:33 From rob.mellinger : Hey Melissa — at current, there are no legislative actions being taken against the police unions. Mayor Bowser of DC and Biden have both talked about actually INCREASING police budgets in the coming years. That’s why the protests are continuing in major cities, because there is absolutely a demand to reform or abolish the police union. 19:57:04 From Angela Denise Gladden : As all races come together fighting for regulation and law changes, will be beneficial for Blacks and all races. The major focus right now is accountability for the Police Force which is designed originally to police Blacks and Minorities and to protect Whites. Don’t you feel the main focus should be reestabishing a new protective force, new name, new requirements, and new requirements to be develop to phase out the old force . 19:59:31 From Idris Robinson : QUESTION: Given the history of racial change in America as it relates to Black equity, why do we portray the idea that there is a wrong way to fight for social equity? (Reference F. Douglass “If there is no struggle there is no progress”). According to most change frameworks, every action that disrupts an inequitable system has a place for in the push for systemic change… whereas the demonstrators are as relevant as the policymakers, etc. 20:03:51 From Angela Denise Gladden : I agree about the irrelevance of the church today. Don’t you believe that have to stop their personal agendas and come together as one and pray and get back into God’s Agenda? 20:04:38 From Angela Denise Gladden : m 20:05:12 From Angela Denise Gladden : Minister Calloway is soooo on point about the church! 20:06:08 From Vincent Calloway : Yes Angela, churches have to stop their personal agendas and come together as one Body and get back to God’s agenda which would take care of issues of justice automatically! 20:07:59 From Melissa Boyd : Agreed Minister Vince! 20:08:43 From Melissa Boyd : Many get to college but can't finish! Then what? 20:10:24 From rob.mellinger : This is a really good, really concise video that explains in greater detail Minister Tony’s point about the system not working for black people: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrHIQIO_bdQ 20:10:34 From Vincent Calloway : Sad to say a lot of our kids are not prepared for college intellectually, psychologically and spiritually. You have to be grounded BEFORE you go to college. So many IDEAS, philosophies and practices that destroy our youth. Parents are asleep about what is really going on on college campuses. 20:10:36 From Melissa Boyd : QUESTION: So much to address, where do we start? It feels overwhelming sometimes 20:11:23 From Ronell Smith : @ Rob Mellinger - thanks for sharing this! 20:14:31 From John : Observation: I cannot understand why our people never stay angered enough and fueled to where we keep our dollars in our pockets/boycott, until we get heard! 20:14:37 From Vincent Calloway : I keep hearing that word REPENT 20:14:56 From Dr. Dave Pulley : Very true to Vince's point about more preparation for college. We also have to recognize that not everyone is MEANT to got to college. Some are designed for mentorship and apprenticeship in Entrepreneurship. Some are skilled at business for their trade. There should be more emphasis on one's purpose so that their career aspirations are lead by the Spirit above anything else. 20:16:01 From Vincent Calloway : As Pastor Ted has shared with me, if we change our minds (i.e., repent) God will change our hearts. We need a heart change, not just legislative or behavioral change although I will accept legislative and behavioral change for now. 20:16:19 From Dr. Dave Pulley : Very true @John. It becomes a challenge when it comes to the inner wrestling with lifestyle. However, we need to be more willing as a people to make sacrifices in that regard. 20:17:07 From Lori in CT : Amen Dr. Dave Pulley. 20:17:20 From Dr. Dave Pulley : Very true. Renew our minds...we need this in many areas and then we can lead the nation to do the same. 20:17:54 From John : Dr. Pulley, I know that has got to be the number 1 reason as to why we will keep spending: lifestyle 20:17:56 From Angela Denise Gladden : Repentance............ 20:18:03 From Angela Denise Gladden : 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 KJ21 if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 20:18:11 From John : you're so right 20:21:40 From Dr. Dave Pulley : Yeah @ John. We have been acculturated and accustomed to "The American Dream." However, there is a way to balance this. We should start with boycotting the companies who have explicitly and overtly shown racist views and actions like Gucci for example. Start with companies the like and support black owned as much as possible. This becomes an easier first step to move to boycotting and buying black owned only. 20:22:13 From erbody : Yes Repentance is key. But do you realize how difficult it is for people to acknowledge that the are benefiting from white privilege/racism. People admitting that their power and position is coming from the the oppression of others. I think this makes repentance very difficult and stunts progress in ending racism. 20:24:41 From Idris Robinson : How to be an Antiracist by Dr. Ibram Kendi 20:24:54 From Vincent Calloway : No change without repentance. No repentance without awareness. No awareness without truth. Facing the truth can be painful. 20:25:35 From Idris Robinson : The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In The Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander 20:25:41 From Idris Robinson : Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates 20:26:16 From Idris Robinson : The Philadelphia Negro by Dr. DuBois 20:26:29 From Dr. Dave Pulley : Great truth progression @ Vince!!! 20:26:44 From Melissa Boyd : I've been learning a lot from Dr. Greg Carr out of Howard University in D.C. He's on YouTube. 20:27:16 From Idris Robinson : How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time | Baratunde Thurston https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZgkjEdMbSw 20:36:33 From Vincent Calloway : Issues of sexual orientation, sexual identity, sexual behavior can’t compare with the plight of the black man and black woman in America. And this nation still doesn’t have it right. 20:41:18 From Gregory Bruton : This was very powerful. 20:41:20 From Corie Alicea : The is intersectionality between some in the black and LGBTQ community. We are talking about the importance of treating every person according to their humanity. That is key! 20:41:39 From Ronell Smith : Thank you gentlemen for arranging this platform 20:41:47 From rob.mellinger : Yes, Corie! 20:42:42 From Dr. Dave Pulley : From a spiritual perspective, anything that causes division in a "body" is demonic. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of ALL truth. Anything that goes against Jesus is of the Enemy and has a demonic objective. 20:43:30 From Gregory Bruton : thanks Dre!!!!