Living while Black !

As I'm paying attention to the Black Lives Matter, I'm coming across more and more injustices and issues that I was completely missing. The talk by Baratunde Thurston is yet another deeply moving and disturbing narrative of what many of us fail to see and appreciate.

How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time

Baratunde Thurston explores the phenomenon of white Americans calling the police on black Americans who have committed the crimes of ... eating, walking or generally "living while black." In this profound, thought-provoking and often hilarious talk, he reveals the power of language to change stories of trauma into stories of healing -- while challenging us all to level up.

Also check out:

Check out Baratunde Thurston's website:

https://www.baratunde.com/#baratunde

Baratunde Thurston's "Living while Black" page:

https://www.baratunde.com/livingwhileblack

And a collection of "Living While Black Headlines"
https://airtable.com/shrq7t6zz5zwImq54/tblftqCxO7gcK1Ol3/viwAMSwE7vNXtV1nR?blocks=hide

Can you be "not racist" ?

Racism is a Real Issue. And in the last few months, with all of the happenings all over the globe, and especially in the US, the issue has come to forefront.

Today, I came across a conversation with historian Ibram X Kendi. And this clarified a lot of doubts and conflicts I had about the subject in my mind. This is an important conversation to listen to. I hope you do.

The difference between being "not racist" and antiracist

There is no such thing as being "not racist," says author and historian Ibram X. Kendi. In this vital conversation, he defines the transformative concept of antiracism to help us more clearly recognize, take responsibility for and reject prejudices in our public policies, workplaces and personal beliefs. Learn how you can actively use this awareness to uproot injustice and inequality in the world -- and replace it with love. (This virtual interview, hosted by TED's current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers and speaker development curator Cloe Shasha, was recorded June 9, 2020.)

13th

This is a powerful documentary that you should definitely watch. Its now available for free viewing on YouTube for the next few months.

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of race and the criminal justice system in the United States. The film's title refers to the 13th Amendment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krfcq5pF8u8

Create a Podcast : It's easier than you think.

One of the things on my bucket list that I haven't got around to is having a podcast. One of the reasons is that it's not an easy thing to do. And editing the same is even more complex.

Yesterday Freia made a podcast. And then edited it. And played it for me. I was amazed. By the quality and the ease which she created a high quality podcast with a friend who was on the other side of the country. In under 3 hours.

I was intrigued. And checked what software she was using. She used 2 of them. The first to record the podcast. And the second to edit it. I checked both and they were Amazing and Cost-effective.

I hope to have my podcast published before the end of this year. Check them out. And maybe you'll be inspired to have your own podcast.

The most reliable and easy way to record your podcast remotely

• Record your podcast's audio AND video locally.
• Separate audio and video tracks for each guest.
• Livestream it to YouTube/Facebook/Twitter.
• Let your listeners call in via video.

https://riverside.fm/

It’s how you make a podcast.

Record. Transcribe. Edit. Mix. As easy as typing.

Take control of your podcast with Descript.

https://www.descript.com/

Please wear a mask !

Last week I started going to office. There were notices posted regarding social distancing, wearing masks in common places, and one-way directions for movement for hallways and stairways. The building management had even put up touch free "Antimicrobial Solutions" sanitizers. However, there was minimal adoption of any of these norms, by many if not most of the office attendees.

I was and am still unable to understand how in a Society that prides itself on the rule of law and even has the highest incarceration rate in the world, the flouting of all rules and norms is taken so lightly. There seems to be denial even after over 10,000,000 cases and 500,000 deaths globally of which over 3,000,000 cases and 130,000 deaths in the US alone.

Many people seem to be in denial and assume that it's unlikely to affect them or their families. What I fail to understand is that even if this is what they think, why can't they take small precautions that in no way affect them but decrease the probability of others being affected.

We wish our fellow humans well, even strangers as we say "Good Morning", and yet we refuse to convert those words into actions.

Here's a conversation with Bill Gates. And if this even encourages 1 person to change their attitude and behavior, I'll be thrilled.