Having Conversations about Race

2020 was not only the year of the pandemic but also an eye-opening chapter that shined a light on the struggles and biases that black Americans face every day. Protests and public debates echoed that of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. And black Americans felt the full weight of it. In the span of one-week anxiety and depression cases related to racism increased from 36% to 41% amongst Black Americans. The realization that racism still exists in our society has led many to ask questions and ponder the contents of their own hearts. So, as we prepare to celebrate the life and legacy of. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., how can we have peaceful, honest and open conversations about race that foster empathy, love, and understanding rather than hate and division? Here to help us is Dr. Pam McAllister Johnson, the first African American woman to be a mainstream journalist and current university professor.