Episode 139 – Experiences and Life as a Black Man – Charles Fai and Shannon May – Part 2

We continue our conversation about how to move towards equity, what it means to be an Ally and Charles’ experiences of living as a black man.  

He shares getting his first and only speeding ticket, being questioned by police when getting into his own car… multiple times, being questioned as to what business he has in this neighborhood… 5 blocks from his home… even being criticized about the music he was playing to calm his nerves from being pulled over by the police that same night on his way home.  And, he shares his story of being held at gunpoint and what got him through; what he had to do inside his head to keep himself calm to increase his chances of seeing his wife and unborn child again… and this for not actually doing anything wrong.

If all of this sounds ridiculous and exhausting… imagine living it.  This is his actual life!  The one he gets to experience and that lives inside his head as he navigates life on a daily bases.

Statistics show that police are more likely to use lethal force on a black man for the same behavior as a white man… for that same behavior.   (Interesting when you hear his story about getting his speeding ticket.)

How do we understand and accept that racism has been a part of our culture and training… so it is not surprising that it might be how we behave.
One question is… what do we do with that information?

How do we integrate NEW information… about situations, about people, etc.

How do we help support ourselves, those around us and our communities to change things… not just when people of color are around?

I asked Charles about the word Colorblind.  He posed a great question to help us see how this concept and term does not actually play out when the rubber meats the road.  How it does not serve him or our communities.

A beautiful example and question about curb cuts to help us understand perspectives and what we it means to be an ally… equitable.
“Do you know how many blocks have curb side cuts?”  
IF you had to travel in a wheel chair… that information would be priceless to guide where you travel and how you navigate your needs, wants and life.

Little things make big changes