Tippets by Taps - Issue #136
New week, new issue. This week saw an immense tragedy and the devastating aftermath. This issue is part of my attempt to process, learn, and search for answers. It features an op-ed by Kareem, speeches by Trevor Noah, Chris Cuomo, Killer Mike, some much needed leadership shown by the police, and more.
Breaking Point
I have written and rewritten this preamble. Words escape me. The ones I can find don’t do justice to the emotion. The last few days have been a heart-wrenching reminder of the divide that exists in the United States. Of the pressure that has built up over the previous twelve weeks. Of the tension that has built up over the last two centuries. A breaking point.
The murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed in a Minneapolis street by a police officer, has lit the tinderbox with devastating conclusion. Peaceful protestors shot with rubber bullets and pepper spray. Reporters getting targeted. Officers mobbed by the crowd. Curfews around the country. The national guard called in to keep the peace. This is not the way forward. The lack of leadership is glaring. And appalling.
I struggle to process it all as a brown immigrant, father to a young son, someone lucky to have lived a privileged life. I don’t have the words, depth of knowledge, or understanding to offer the path forward. Instead, I will leave you with articles, videos, and images that offered me insight and hope over the last few days. I also wanted to share the below resources I have found helpful/informative:
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/# –> Links to petitions, places to donate, resources to educate on the various issues
https://www.embracerace.org/ –> Resources on parenting and childhood education on race
http://booksforlittles.com/ –> Books for kids focused on race
So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
South Asians and the Civil Rights Movement
Please share others with me that you have found educational and instructional.
Thank you,
Rishi
Don't understand the protests? What you're seeing is people pushed to the edge
Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s op-ed in the LA Times.
But COVID-19 has been slamming the consequences of all that home as we die at a significantly higher rate than whites, are the first to lose our jobs, and watch helplessly as Republicans try to keep us from voting. Just as the slimy underbelly of institutional racism is being exposed, it feels like hunting season is open on blacks. If there was any doubt, President Trump’s recent tweets confirm the national zeitgeist as he calls protesters “thugs” and looters fair game to be shot.
Yes, protests often are used as an excuse for some to take advantage, just as when fans celebrating a hometown sports team championship burn cars and destroy storefronts. I don’t want to see stores looted or even buildings burn. But African Americans have been living in a burning building for many years, choking on the smoke as the flames burn closer and closer. Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it wherever it lands. But we have to stay vigilant, because it’s always still in the air. Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it wherever it lands. But we have to stay vigilant, because it’s always still in the air.
George Floyd, Minneapolis Protests, Ahmaud Arbery & Amy Cooper
Trevor Noah has been a tremendous presence, coming into his own over the last few months. In an incredibly moving and articulate speech, here he describes the social contract we share with others in the context of the protests this weekend.
“We sign a contract with each other as people, whether it’s spoken or unspoken and we say, "Amongst this group of us, we agree in common rules, common ideals and common practices that are going to define us as a group.” That’s what I think a society is, it’s a contract. And, as with most contracts, the contract is only as strong as the people who are abiding by it. But if you think of being a black person in America who is living in Minneapolis or Minnesota or any place where you’re not having a good time, ask yourself this question when you watch those people: What vested interest do they have in maintaining the contract?“
George Floyd, Minneapolis Protests, Ahmaud Arbery & Amy Cooper | The Daily Social Distancing Show
Chris Cuomo: George Floyd's death exposed 2 different Americas
CNN’s Chris Cuomo says America in the wake of the death of George Floyd is ‘a tale of two cities,’ and called for 'majority and minority to unite together’ in order for the country to be at its best.
Chris Cuomo: America as two cities
One of the best, smartest, impromptu speeches I have ever heard. Amazing leadership. https://t.co/SHiPBdVDvC
9:28 PM - 29 May 2020
A one minute lesson in leadership.
Be calm. Speak with confidence. Don’t ask something you won’t do yourself. Lead from the front.
https://t.co/bGSylvH18E
8:14 AM - 31 May 2020
An ARMY of volunteers in Minneapolis helping neighbors clean up business damage. “Bring a broom” they were told. What a sight. https://t.co/OjzXpEXCLk
10:16 AM - 30 May 2020
A cop was separated from his team, and protestors protected him. Ain’t that something. https://t.co/l9jHJNcfH3
10:04 PM - 30 May 2020
Quote I’m thinking about: “I can’t breathe.” - George Floyd
Random housekeeping: moving to Substack
Starting next week, I will be changing newsletter providers from Revue to Substack. I’ve enjoyed working with Revue over the last 2.5+ years. They do a great job of managing content, email communications and link sharing. The reason for the change? It felt like time for something new, and some additional experimentation on my part on my part.
If you’re a long time subscriber (thanks Mom!) and wondering what this change means for you:
The email address: You’ll receive newsletters from taps@substack.com (please add it to your safe senders list!)
Design: The issues will hopefully make consumption easier, but the will admittedly be less visually appealing
If you don’t want to be moved over, let me know by responding to this email or by unsubscribing from the new newsletter. I promise not to be offended (but I will certainly ask you for feedback!)
For those of you who enjoy receiving Tippets, please continue providing me your thoughts and suggestions. I will be experimenting more going forward and want to hear what resonates with you. Thank you for your ongoing readership and support.