We like to think that we have come so far as a global society, but there is still so much injustice, hate, and racism out there. In the last few years, hate crimes have been on the rise. White supremacists have been emboldened. Anti-immigrant rhetoric has intensified. We condemn these awful examples of prejudice and bias and hate, but systemic racism is something different. It is less about violence or burning crosses than it is about everyday decisions made by people who may not even think of themselves as racist. As sociologist Eduardo Bonilla-Silva has said, "The main problem nowadays is not the folks with the hoods, but the folks dressed in suits." Systemic racism persists in our schools, offices, court system, police departments, and elsewhere. Why? Think about it: when white people occupy most positions of decision-making power, people of color have a difficult time getting a fair shake, let alone getting ahead.

As a white European straight male, I have never had to experience any of the prejudice many of my Black, Asian, and Hispanic friends face daily. For me and everyone else like me, it has taken the death of another innocent man and global protests for us to really reflect on these issues. To better understand the racism, prejudice, and hate millions of people in the U.S. and around the world face every day, I invited my friend Kevin Taylor to come on the podcast to talk about his personal experiences. We discuss Black Lives Matter, how you can show support for the movement, and our thoughts on people protesting for “Blue Lives Matter.” Kevin also shares some personal stories and examples of times he has been affected by systemic racism, his deeply rooted fear of being pulled over by the police, and what it is like growing up knowing that the cards are stacked against you.

Links

Kevin Taylor

Instagram @kev_taylor1

Please Watch: Dave Chappelle’s 8:46

www.blacklivesmatter.com

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Millennialism

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