You Ain't Imagining This!

Representative John Lewis inspired a nation and more than one generation. He left a legacy of courage, activism, and non-violence. Young people and students are now picking up the torch and working for a better and more equal world. These young activists are working for civil rights, environmental justice, indigenous peoples' rights, women's rights, LGBTQ rights as well as leading the Black Lives Matter movement. In this exciting and informative episode, Hans (recently finished graduate studies) and Ben (second-year university student) discuss how John Lewis has inspired them and how student activism appears today. This is a unique episode that compares activism in the 1960s and activism in 2020. Interesting discussion by two young activists, practical advice on getting involved, and lessons from a civil rights icon. What does "good and necessary trouble" look like to you? 

For more than 200 years, Harvard University has been profiting from the photos of an enslaved man (named "Renty") and his daughter. Their descendants want the photos returned and they are taking the powerful university to court. Many universities are finally admitting their participation in and profit from African slavery. A few universities are making reparations; others are only making apologies. What will Harvard do? A court will decide. Sibling-lawyers Doug and Robin discuss this trending issue and want your thoughts too. Grab a cup of espresso and join this uncommon conversation!

The Covid-19 pandemic has a new star on the scene: the mask. In the midst of fear and isolation during the lockdown as well as people wondering who the virus will target next, scientists, policymakers, and ordinary people are looking for solutions to the COVID pandemic. The mask is being touted by many as an easy way to stop the spread of the illness. Many countries have made wearing the mask mandatory in stores, restaurants, and other indoor venues.  For this reason, some people believe that the requirement to wear a mask infringes on their individual rights. Americans and Europeans share many ideas and values but they sharply diverge on the government's power to mandate masks. This conflict is affecting the ability to stop the spread--individually, nationally, and globally.  In this unusual episode, the Espresso Talk Today team meets to discuss the "mask" experiences in their state or country.   Doug (yes, he's back!) in Seattle, Hans in New York, Ben in Amsterdam and Robin in Brussels discuss how their country (or state) is handling the pandemic, the government's decision on masking, and how the pandemic is being controlled in their respective areas. Listen and join this unique conversation.  Is it a public health issue or an issue of individual rights? 

Systemic racism is widely recognized and is (finally) being fought and dismantled.  Around the world, people are protesting against racism and racial violence. Education is one important area in which racism is recognized and also being attacked. Leading the movement against racism in educational systems are students of color who are feeling empowered to fight for an education that acknowledges and supports them. This has led to examining educational curricula, questioning who decides the boundaries of knowledge, and critiquing power systems that maintain white supremacy. In this unique discussion, Robin and Ben question how to decolonize educational systems. They also examine how the educational structure is damaging to students of color while unfairly elevating white students. As a Black university student in Amsterdam, Ben discusses his frustrations with the educational curriculum that excludes the contributions of people of color and his abhorrence to the pseudo-scientific and racist research of certain acclaimed white professors. This is a dynamic discussion that might cause you to question your own educational experiences as well as that of your children!  

Since George Floyd's murder, Black Lives Matter has received a lot of attention from many sources: media, politicians, athletes, and ordinary people. And it is (finally!) receiving a lot of understanding from the White community. But Black Lives Matter did not just emerge on the scene following Mr. Floyd's horrific murder. It actually formed in 2013 following the murder of 17-year old Trayvon Martin by a self-proclaimed and armed community volunteer in Florida who labeled him as a thug.  Black Lives Matter has since been organizing, marching, protesting, and working tirelessly since that time to make the world understand that Black lives are threatened every day. No Black life is safe. The movement has faced scorn and rejection by many in the White community. The activist-organizers have even been called terrorists! Robin and Hans discuss Black Lives Matter and its evolution and growth as a movement. Many people are unfamiliar with its humble beginnings, its dedicated founders, its unique structure as a grassroots organization, and its dedication to saving Black lives. In this episode, you will get the facts. You don't want to miss this enlightening episode!

America's original Founders--Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and others--were revolutionaries and resisters. They created a new nation but also a new relationship between the government and the people. Yet there were omissions, problems, conflicts, and racism. They never reached a clear decision on slavery, the rights of women, or the rights of the indigenous populations. Work remained to be done. America's new Founders were also revolutionaries and resisters but they were more committed to the Republican ideals of equality, freedom, and individual rights for all people. They are often not revered like the original Founders but their accomplishments were arguably greater, definitely more egalitarian. In this special episode, Robin discusses these new Founders--she names names!--and their contributions towards perfecting the Union for all people desiring life, liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Join this uncommon and revolutionary discussion.

We are celebrating Pride Month. Pride Month is so important because it acknowledges huge change for the LGBT+ community, as well as the wider societal implications. This is positive and powerful. Yet the LGBT+ community still faces discrimination, hate, and violence. And the Black LGBT+ community experiences these problems at a higher rate but with less access to legal recourse and support. Unfortunately, these unique Black LGBT+ problems are written out of the general LGBT+ narrative and the systemic racism discussion. This leaves Black LGBT+ people--especially Black Trans women--in a vulnerable and dangerous position, leading to disproportionate levels of incarceration, poverty, homeless and violence. In this ground-breaking episode, Robin and Hans identify these problems, consider possible solutions, and discuss how Black activists and LGBT+ activists can work together for the advancement and safety of all their communities.

Gratitude can be taught and learned in different ways. "The Hunter and the Antelope" is a fable from Nigeria in which different animals teach the importance of gratitude to a crocodile. The fable is presented by Elder Mellanese in honor of Juneteenth. But the story is interesting and important throughout the year!

This is free bonus content from Espresso Talk Today. Enjoy and remember to send your comments to the Espresso Talk Today team at [email protected]. You can also contact the team in their Facebook group at the Espresso Talk Today Forum, Twitter @EspressoTalkToday, or Instagram at Espressott.  

Enjoy the story.

The Covid-19 pandemic. Police Violence. White supremacy and terror. Dehumanizing events. Micro-aggressions. Systemic racism. Everywhere. Every day. We, as African Americans and other people of color, face constant threats not only to our physical safety but also to our mental health and security. You might then ask: "What do I have to be grateful for?" Answer: A lot! And this is not to diminish the real threats and actions that we are hearing about and seeing every day. But gratitude is not about them. It's about you. It's your superpower that can help you to see the good in your life and attract even more good. Gratitude also positively affects your physical and mental health in very real and tangible ways. In this unique and practical "holiday" episode, Robin will discuss the importance of the "gratitude habit" then guide you through several meditations to help you tap into your gratitude superpower. As this show is being released on the Juneteenth holiday, Robin will also discuss the history of this holiday and how newly-freed enslaved African Americans expressed their gratitude on this "Black Independence Day."  How can you feel and express your gratitude on this important holiday and every day of the year? Listen and do the meditations. Claim and use your gratitude superpower today. The elders and ancestors would be proud!   

COVID-19 has been called the "Great Equalizer." This statement has certainly been proven untrue between individuals and among the different economic, racial, and ethnic segments of society. But it is also untrue on a global scale. Different countries have approached and handled the coronavirus in different ways, with very differing results. In this dynamic episode, the Espresso Talk Today team compares the development of the coronavirus in European countries and the United States. The team also compares the countries' tactics for fighting the coronavirus and limiting its spread and mortality.  Using first-hand experience, Robin, Hans, and Ben discuss the successes and failures of these different approaches as well as life during this pandemic. Join this unique discussion with experiences from your country.