42 Confronting anti-Black racism with Kimberly McCormick

An incredibly powerful interview with Kimberly McCormick talking about understanding, acknowledging and taking action concerning the Black Lives Matter movement. Kimberly works at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta Georgia, is a singer/songwriter, and runs a growing community supporting diabetics. We met in a marketing group on Facebook where I found her to be an enormously inspiring speaker with a powerful way of getting past white defensiveness about our complicity in anti-black racism. So I asked her to come and talk to me so I could share her clarity, wisdom and powerful message. We talk about: The sadness in the Black community and the roller-coaster of emotions at the moment The impact of 400 years of oppression today The relief that finally people are paying attention Trying to understand the weight of the emotion, both sadness and anger within the black community Being able to accept when Black people don’t want to talk about what’s going on Moving through White fragility and not getting defensive when confronted about racism Allowing Black people the time to exhale and work out where they are with the current situation The importance of listening and learning about the situation God deciding to take definitive action in 2020 to make humans listen The impact of Covid-19 on getting the world to wake up and take notice The impact of 400 years of oppression and stress on the overall health of the black community Carrying the grief of one’s ancestors Being brave to ask questions and move on if you get it wrong Being willing to open yourself up to things you’ve never encountered before Being willing to get uncomfortable Changing your circle if everyone in it looks like you How if you want to break the ice you need to be willing to be the ice breaker What can white people in particular do now to help change the world, hopefully for good? And lots more. Kimberly's Facebook page.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and maybe leave a review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That’s also where you’ll find strategies, support and resources to help make your midlife magnificent. There’s a midlife wellness program, courses, midlife mentoring to help make the most of your next chapter and our online Members Club. If not now, when?