101 Ways to Respond to Social Injustice....Response #2

Response #2-Learn some history!! We are such a here and now culture. Every major social/political issue of today is tied to the past. Nothing is new, folks. Culturally-speaking, some groups are wired to see things in context however many are not. There are many dangers to missing context such as misunderstanding causes of problems and disconnection from the emotional baggage surrounding  what seems like a current event.  Historical interpretations, just like present day journalism, are value-laden. I would recommend having an openness to a variety of voices and listening to first-hand accounts of history. If you want to look at the past to get a better understanding of recent events in Baltimore: Here are three things (amongst MANY) that you can do from your computer: (1) Check out PBS's the African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross mini-series (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/video/the-black-atlantic/) , (2) Read some of Martin Luther King's thoughts about urban violence in the city of Chicago in the 1960s ( https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/publications/autobiography-martin-luther-king-jr-contents/chapter-28-chicago-campaign) , and (3) learn about violence against blacks from the journalistic work of Ida B Wells.