I think this is important to share and discuss.
I'm still processing my reactions to both this interview and the protests. Here are some things I'm willing to say:
1. This interview with Marissa Janae Johnson allowed me to connect with her more. I know more about her. I know more about where she is coming from. I agree with her about much. I disagree with her about some. She impressed me.
2. Some of the things she said countered what I saw on the video of the Seattle protest. Some of the audio Elon played, countered what I saw/could hear on the video. I'm not sure where the truth lies, but I'm glad I have more information with which to base any conclusion I might come to.
3. She is sincere. She is not a Clinton plant or a Sarah Palin acolyte. I think it is important to make that clear since the memes have been repeated so often.
4. I acknowledge my defensiveness about these protests. I'm still sorting through what is a defensive response and what is reasoned disagreement.
5. As a former crisis counselor, I tend to see things through a lense of empathy. I try to relate my experiences to the experiences of the the person I am listening to, even if they are not exactly the same (no two people's experiences are ever exactly the same). I also try to understand that people don't process things the same as me. I shut down when I am yelled at and my immediate response to being told what to do is to do the exact opposite. :P Those are a couple of my many quirks. Some days I'm more mindful of them than others. Some peoples' quirk is to yell back at someone when they are being yelled at. I'm not saying that is good or bad, I'm just saying that it's part of the range of human responses to conflict. I wish people on all sides of the issue were more mindful of their own reactions and about how their actions might trigger others.
6. I support and will continue to support the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement even if I don't support all of its tactics or personalities.
I haven't gone to bed yet. I might not be able to sleep because my mind races when these sorts of things get in my head. If am able to sleep I'll try to respond later when I wake up. ;)
