Author: Reggie Jackson

One of the shifts taking place in equity work and conversations is a shift away from strictly talking about racism to include much more inclusive types of marginalization and discrimination. I find that there are two main reasons for this shift. The first of these makes perfect sense. There are more forms of discrimination than just anti-Black racism in American society. Those other marginalized and horribly treated communities are making their voices heard and are openly telling their stories. I am glad we are addressing all of those other things in a way that we never have before. Secondarily...

I took a strange, but satisfying journey off the grid over the past eight days. I confused my wife and friends by saying I wanted to be off the grid, meaning that I would stay disconnected from television, the internet, and my phone. I did not talk to anyone other than my mother, my wife, my daughter and my mother in-law on the phone. I did not answer emails. I had an ill advised out of office reply to my emails that sent emails to basically everyone who has emailed me over the past two years. It was embarrassing...

“I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councillor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says, “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your...

“Let’s begin by saying that we are living through a very dangerous time. Everyone in this room is in one way or another aware of that. We are in a revolutionary situation, no matter how unpopular that word has become in this country. The society in which we live is desperately menaced, not by Khrushchev, but from within. To any citizen of this country who figures himself as responsible – and particularly those of you who deal with the minds and hearts of young people – must be prepared to “go for broke.” Or to put it another way,...

“Dumboriss Smith has lips the size of Michelin tires.” – John Gruden, 2011 email “All I can say is I’m not a racist. I can’t tell you how sick I am. I apologize again to De Smith. But I feel good about who I am, what I’ve done my entire life. And I apologize for the insensitive remarks I had. I had no racial intentions with those remarks at all. … I’m not like that at all. But I apologize.” – Jon Gruden, 2021 apology tour Why is it that so many in the White community feel compelled to...

I keep hearing people say that they are tired of talking about race and racism all the time. They claim that it is causing discord and division and making people feel a great deal of discomfort. My response to this, has grown out of a feeling of frustration. I am tired of people claiming that their discomfort is more important than mine. Your discomfort is related to a conversation about racism, while mine is related to dealing with racism all the time. Your last seven years of hearing that Black Lives Matter pales in comparison to my lifelong battle...