With everything happening in America in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, we felt it necessary to step back and discuss our thoughts, as well as how we're communicating racism and the constant pursuit of equality in our country to our kids. We also felt it important to acknowledge that we haven't done enough as podcasters to highlight the music of black artists, especially those who are up and coming, and we commit to do better. We've also included information about a few organizations we've donated to that we'd encourage you to as well. Finally, we compiled a playlist of some of the black artists who paved the way for the music we love, as well as those making music today that are blowing our minds.

We'll be back next week with our previously scheduled Episode 099: Top Albums of 2020 (So Far). In the meantime, be well, be safe, and please keep pushing at the system for widespread reform. It is possible to finally realize the values of the American experiment in this generation.

Songs featured in this episode:

• Archie Shepp: "Blues For Brother George Jackson"
• Moses Sumney: "Virile"
• Nerija: "Riverfest"
• John Coltrane: "My Favorite Things"
• Leon Thomas: "The Creator Has A Master Plan (Peace)"
• Sudan Archives: "Limitless"
• Cameron Graves: "El Diablo:
• Alice Coltrane: "Going Home"

Organizations we recommend donating to:

• Color Of Change: Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. Help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 1.7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.
• ACLU: Legal Services and support to those with a wide range of civil rights complaints; have been at the forefront of fighting for civil rights for decades.
• NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund: America’s top legal firm fighting for racial justice. 
• The Bail Project: Seeking to end the racial and economic disparities in the bail system, and help pay bail for those who cannot afford it. Has paid bail for more than 10,000 people since its founding in 2007
• Black Mamas Matter Alliance: This is a partnership between the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) and SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective that was founded in 2013. Mission statement is to center Black mothers to advocate, drive research, build power and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights and justice. Women’s reproductive rights and maternal health are causes near and dear to our hearts.

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