Name: How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time
Uploaded: 2019-05-29T14:52:45Z
Duration: 16 min 41 s
Description: Baratunde Thurston explores the phenomenon of white Americans calling the police on Black Americans who have committed the crimes of ... eating, walking or generally "living while Black." In this profound, thought-provoking and often hilarious talk, he reveals the power of language to change stories of trauma into stories of healing -- while challenging us all to level up.

Baratunde Thurston: How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time

How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time

Baratunde Thurston explores the phenomenon of white Americans calling the police on Black Americans who have committed the crimes of ... eating, walking or generally "living while Black." In this profound, thought-provoking and often hilarious talk, he reveals the power of language to change stories of trauma into stories of healing -- while challenging us all to level up.

Everyday actions by Black Americans—like selling water or having a barbecue—can become criminalized through biased 911 calls. The talk exposes how these seemingly small incidents are rooted in a wider pattern of white supremacy, where discomfort turns into danger. By breaking down headlines and reimagining the actions behind them, language can transform trauma into healing and reveal the structures that uphold injustice. Shifting these narratives is key to building a safer, more inclusive society for everyone.