Our country is in upheaval right now. Black Lives Matter and police brutality are front and center, and protests are continuing around the country. So to better understand what Black Americans are experiencing in this moment, Bethany and Kathleen spoke with five Black listeners of An Acquired Taste to hear how they’re feeling and coping in this current moment, and to hear their hopes for our country’s future. This podcast has always been first and foremost about creating a safe community, and in this week’s episode, we’re going to rally around a community that’s hurting and give them the microphone to tell their own stories.

FOLLOW OUR GUESTS!

Ace - Insta: @aceofspades2120 Twitter: @AceOverton

La-Shelle - insta: @trainershelle Snapchat: @Shelles

Charisse - Insta: @charisse.wade90

Please support the companies that support us!

Betabrand - Find out why women are ditching typical work pants for Betabrand’s Dress Pant Yoga Pants. Right now, our listeners can get 25% off their first order when you go to Betabrand.com/taste

Raycon - Now’s the time to get the latest and greatest wireless earbuds from Raycon! Get 15% off your order at BUYRAYCON.com/taste!

Liquid I.V. - One serving of Liquid I.V. provides the same hydration as drinking 2-3 bottles of water alone. Get 25% off when you go to LIQUIDIV.COM and use the code TASTE at checkout!

Legacybox - Legacybox is a way for you to easily and affordably digitally preserve your past. To brighten your day, Legacybox is currently offering an incredible 40% off! Buy today to take advantage of this EXCLUSIVE offer, then send in when you’re ready. Go to Legacybox.com/TASTE and save 40% while supplies last!

George Floyd Memorial Fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

Minnesota Freedom Fund https://minnesotafreedomfund.org

Black Visions Collective https://www.blackvisionsmn.org

Reclaim the Block https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home

Campaign Zero https://www.joincampaignzero.org

NAACP Legal Defense Fund https://www.naacpldf.org

National Bail Out https://secure.actblue.com/donate/freeblackmamas2020

Black Lives Matter https://blacklivesmatter.com Bail Project https://bailproject.org National Bail Fund Network https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory The Innocence Project https://www.innocenceproject.org Run With Maud https://www.runwithmaud.com Justice For Breonna https://justiceforbreonna.org

VIDEO: Killer Mike’s full speech (via Bringing Down the Band) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy9io6VEt58

“Hidden Colors” documentary series: https://hiddencolorsfilm.com

Social Change: Everyone Has a Role to Play: https://bit.ly/2Xmw2Lo

Research-based solutions to stop police violence: https://bit.ly/2MjjazF

My Role in the Social Change Ecosystem: https://bit.ly/2AzHQkv

Where To Donate & Find Mental Health Resources Related To The George Floyd Protests (Via Bustle) -- https://www.bustle.com/p/where-to-donate-find-mental-health-resources-related-to-the-george-floyd-protests-22946925

"Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America's Heartland" by Jonathan M. Metzl

-- https://www.amazon.com/Dying-Whiteness-Politics-Resentment-Heartland/dp/1541644980

Here Are Ways to Support Black Lives Matter Protesters and Help Call for Justice (Via Complex) -- https://www.complex.com/life/2020/05/here-are-ways-to-support-george-floyds-family-and-those-protesting-his-death

19 Black Influencers That You Should Be Following (via Refinery 29) -- https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/black-fashion-influencers-instagram

Do Not Let Your Outrage Go to Waste. After Protests, Here’s What Comes Next (Via Glamour) -- https://www.glamour.com/story/do-not-let-your-outrage-go-to-waste-after-protests-heres-what-comes-next

The Best Black Movies of the Last 30 Years (Via Complex) -- https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-best-black-movies-of-the-last-30-years/

"How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi -- https://amzn.to/2AGATOE

14 books by black authors that are shaping our conversation about race -- https://mashable.com/article/new-books-black-authors-you-should-read/

Anti-Racism Resources for White People: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR2_aTX_DQ9rHSF6iwY1C6IAOAoLLUzWkP4Gk5YiXFuHg4BHMI-xgHN9dKc

"White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Peggy Macintosh

https://www.pcc.edu/illumination/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2018/05/white-privilege-essay-mcintosh.pdf

“White Fragility: Why it’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo, PhD

https://robindiangelo.com/publications/

“How to be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi

https://www.ibramxkendi.com/how-to-be-an-antiracist-1

“Dear White People: Let’s Not Continue to be our Ancestors” by Natalie McCabe Zwerger