Conversation With Modernistic Dreamers: A.C.T.O.R (A Continuing Talk On Race)
Sunday was the opening event of Judge Not: A Photo Exhibition and Open Discussion on the Perception of Black Men. We got a chance to join the conversation with D.C’s nonprofit organization – Town Criers. Many people were in attendance – young, old, blacks and even a few whites came out. Many expressed ideas and frustration on injustice within the black community. What does it mean to be a black (African-American) male in today’s society and what can we do to change the negative perceptions and create opportunities for black males to be successful? Many participated in the open discussion – some felt angry, others were confused, but this event definitely was a release. We’ll like to thank Town Criers for the opportunity of gaining new knowledge and understanding of how important it is for us to be united as 1.
Below is a brief interview with Town Criers co-founders Rinaldo Murray, Cherron Murray, and Chekeim Wymes who are educators and activist on the rise to get minds open and change the world:
What inspired #judgenot?
We discussed this for a while before beginning. When the Trayvon Martin incident happened and that’s when we knew something must be done. Not knowing there would be 10 Trayvon Martins after a while, we decided that it’s time we turn our voice into action.
“#judgenot which explores the question, What do you see when you see a black man? The intent is that each person walks away from the discussion feeling something: challenged, educated, uncomfortable, enlightened, refreshed, reassured and hopefully inspired and moved to action!”
How did town criers come about? What is your mission?
It came about in 2006. We wanted to do something that was using photography to tell a story and also to inspire people to change their lives. Our mission is to allow people to see the social landscape of America. In the effort to bring out social change meaning, things that we feel will bring to the forefront that people don’t know about, or don’t see. It’s our job to put it in their face and have that conversation to make them realize what’s happening.
Being a teenage mom, I’m already stereotyped. I have a son who too will be stereotyped because of the color of his skin. How can I instill in him to not be another statistic?
You brainwash him to be good. Tell him the things that he can be and surround him with positive people. Make sure he’s not programmed to be someone’s little man. Tell him how great he is.
What do you think the youth can do to change the world? I feel that we are very powerful but don’t know how to use our strength as an advantage. We go about things the wrong way and handle situations unruly.
Get involved in different organizations that help build their confidence to start being a part of the change. I think a lot of times youth have all of the energy but, it’s directed in the wrong direction. And part of that is on us being older and having experience but not helping guide that. So it has to be a collective effort between the youth and older people to be involved to help guide that energy. It’s time for all of us in our 30s to be mentors. We have to help create habits, start getting them to think and understand different things to build good habits they can later pass down to the next generation.