Hide Transcript
To me, being woke means that you recognize that the world is not a simple place, that everything is not all equal, that justice has not happened yet for everyone. And that there's a lot of work to be done. [MUSIC] Your eyes are wide open and you're paying attention. And you're reaching out, and speaking to people along the way, and bringing them on. To increase the amount of wokeness in your community. Being woke is like eyes wide open, everything is clear. You can always see things that other people can just ignore or they just don't know. Woke for me is just being outraged all the time and being able to stay human and feel outraged about injustice that is happening around me. It's being uncomfortable all the time. And making sure that I'm speaking on behalf of those that can't speak out for themselves. Some people know what's happening around them, but they are not doing anything. Right. They're just like, well, it is what it is. Yeah. That's not what woke means, that you actually Take it upon yourself to be like, this is something I need to fix. I need to be part of the solution. And the other thing is, to do that knowing that you can fix it, whatever your level of platform is, there's always an opportunity for you to do just a little something to support them. I also think about what words actually mean, and how we give them power, right? Are you just going to wear it across your chest, but actually not live it out, or are you going to give this word a meaning with your actions? With your daily commitment. And I think in order for us to really progress, we're gonna need people to really step out of their comfort zones, and have those uncomfortable conversations, and not just live in a space where they get to preach to people who already understand what it means. Couldn't agree more. I think to be woke means that you are aware of the issues and the world around [MUSIC] [UNKNOWN] I believe it means that you are engaged in the work of justice. This is a time where we just, we can't afford to be asleep. We have to be all the way alert. Without action on the knowledge that we have now, our world will never change. And we need that more than ever. [MUSIC]
By Malaika Jabali ·

The resistance against racism, xenophobia, and other forms of hate that have escalated around the globe comes in all forms. This Sunday, it could come with a home cooked meal.

Organizers behind several groups– including the Dream Defenders, the Women’s March, and Color of Change– are aligning Avengers-style to encourage community building and constructive political discussion in a unique way.

The organizers have coordinated potluck dinners that will all take place this Sunday, June 25 as a tool to discuss political issues that are often off-limits in our workspaces, where we often spend most of our time.

According to Dream Defenders co-director Umi Selah, “[t]here are so many reasons why every-day folks don’t go to protests. Some people can’t get out of work, some could get fired for being at them, some people are just scared to get out there. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t political, that they are ok with what’s going on in Washington or Tallahassee or City Hall. Day of Dinners will allow those people to get engaged and make new movement family.”

People interested in either hosting or attending a dinner can visit DayofDinners.org and sign up to be matched with other participants nearby. Upon registration, participants can message hosts, specify dietary needs, add a guest, and see who else will be joining their dinner.

While attendees probably won’t need any help thinking about subjects to discuss, given our hyperactive political climate, Day of Dinners has it covered just in case.

Hosts will be sent conversation guides that include topics they can touch on, tips on how to facilitate meaningful conversation and pointers on how to handle conflict, should the need arise.

“We’re going to have people from all over the place coming together to have real, meaningful conversations and share their cultures with new people,” said Rachel Gilmer, co-director of Dream Defenders. “We hope that this is a step forward in combating the hate we see and experience in the news and in our lives. Everyone deserves respect, dignity and a full stomach, so we’re going to give that to each other.”

So far, 10,000 people have come together to participate. Other groups joining Dream Defenders–a Florida-based youth group that organized around the killing of Trayvon Martin and originated the Day of Dinners idea- are the Movement for Black Lives, United We Dream, Planned Parenthood, I am an Immigrant, Take on Hate, Million Hoodies, The People’s Supper, Ben and Jerry’s and more.

TOPICS: