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Different Lenses

Intersectionality is not solely limited to race and sex. This summer, I have had conversations about systemic racism through a law lens with Dr. Joann Ross and a Christian lens with my Hive group at UNL.

Legal Lens

  • What’s legal isn’t always moral.

  • There have been attempts to destroy credibility by bringing up Black men's pasts in several cases, including with George Floyd.

  • Bystanders are always considered.

    • Good Samaritan laws have led to bystanders being charged. 1983 Cheryl Araujo case - she was raped in a bar with bystanders cheering her on. The Accused (1988) is about this case.

    • This is relevant with the George Floyd murder since three police officers were present and aware while a fourth officer, Derek Chauvin, murdered Floyd.

  • The way media covers things changes people’s opinions.

  • Victim blaming is very relevant.

  • Supreme court decisions don’t get implemented right away.

  • Intersectionality (race, class, gender) always needs to be considered.

  • Have conversations that make you uncomfortable.

  • The side effects of free speech

    • Just because you have the opportunity to speak freely doesn’t mean other people can’t react freely.

    • Free speech laws protects you from the government, not from other people. Other people can react however they would like.

    • A Bath and Body Works employee responded to a discriminatory comment harshly and was fired. Both parties were using free speech, but a private company can react how they want.

  • There are many historically racist cases.

    • Scottsboro case: Nine Black teenagers were accused of raping two white women on a train in 1931 and went to court with an all-white jury. 

Christian Lens

  • Align your choices with your values.

  • If you see the world through a faith-based perspective, that should apply to every part of your life.

  • Faith is not justified by works, but faith without works is dead.

  • Understand where people are coming from and come from a place of love.

  • Instead of playing offence or defence, have a conversation.

  • Jesus intentionally helped specific groups of people.

  • Love your neighbor even if your neighbor does not love you.

  • Don’t be a bystander to racial justice: raise money, help other people, don't just watch it happen.

  • What can you do to engage in conversations?

  • Change happens slowly because the younger generation doesn’t try to change the older.

  • Generational change:

    • Register to vote, get older people talking, teach them about how to talk about it so they can spread that knowledge and have conversations with others.

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