Something You Can Do

Posted on April 6, 2025 by Robert Lloyd

Spokane, like many cities in the United State has seen its share of protests over the years. And year after year thousands show up at the Martin Luther King Rally and March. Who’s who of Black Spokane will show up. Black organizations and community centers show up. Church groups show up. Local press shows up. Politicians show up. They are ethnically and economically diverse. In 2011 there was a bomb found along the MLK March route. For the following year thousands more turned out for the march.

One of the current cliches is that we are all in it together. But how is this expressed in terms of social justice? In the constitution it says liberty and justice for all, but Blacks were counted as only 3/5ths of a person. The diversity of the nation has increased through immigration but we still all live in our silos and everyone was not and is not considered equal. One of most segregated organizations are our churches. But now when we are on the verge of a tyranny when everyone is losing their rights suddenly we are all in it together. But our protests are still segregated. The only diverse marches and rallies here in Spokane are the Martin Luther King rally and march in January of each year.

Thousands Turn Out in Spokane and The Nation

Our protests are not diverse. Think of these examples:

Civil Rights Movement (1960s -1970s)
Vietnam War Protests (1960s -1970s)
Environmental Movements (1970s – present)
Indigenous Rights
LGBTQ+ Rights
Black Lives Matter (2010s – present)
Protest Anti-Semitism
Protest Anti-Muslim
Open Housing
Homeless Rights
Economic and Labor Protests
Anti-Trump Protests
Women’s March

How do we all work together? When people leave the meetings and rallies they return to their homogeneous communities. Check out the following links for things that can be done in-between the significant emotional events of major protests.

198 Methods of Nonviolent Action:

Pass this out at every march, rally and meeting you attend

Practitioners of nonviolent struggle have an entire arsenal of “nonviolent weapons” at their disposal. Listed below are 198 of them, classified into three broad categories: nonviolent protest and persuasion, noncooperation (social, economic, and political), and nonviolent intervention. A description and historical examples of each can be found in volume two of The Politics of Nonviolent Action, by Gene Sharp

Timeline of the Black Experience

Starting from the earliest known history and progressing through the modern era this timeline includes significant milestones, historical context, and important figures. It demonstrates the resilience and contributions of Black individuals and communities throughout history, as well as the persistent impact of systemic racism and the continued fight for civil rights.

### Pre-Colonial Africa (Before 1619)

– **3000 BC – 1500 AD**: Ancient African civilizations flourished during this period, showcasing the rich history and cultural heritage of the African continent [[1]]

– **Ancient Egypt (c. 3000 BC – 30 BC)**: One of the world’s earliest and most advanced civilizations, known for its monumental architecture, including the pyramids.

– **Kingdom of Nubia (c. 2000 BC – 350 AD)**: Located south of Egypt, known for its rich gold deposits and powerful kingdoms like Kerma and Kush.

– **Kingdom of Aksum (c. 100 AD – 940 AD)**: A major trading empire in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, one of the first African kingdoms to adopt Christianity [[2]]

– **Empire of Ghana (c. 6th – 13th centuries)**: Flourished in West Africa, controlling trans-Saharan trade routes in gold and salt.

– **Empire of Mali (c. 13th – 16th centuries)**: Rose to prominence under Sundiata Keita, reached its peak under Mansa Musa, known for its wealth and Islamic learning centers.

– **Empire of Songhai (15th – 16th centuries)**: Succeeded the Mali Empire, known for its administrative sophistication and military prowess.

– **Great Zimbabwe (11th – 15th centuries)**: Thrived in southeastern Africa, renowned for its impressive stone structures [[3]]

– **Swahili City-States (10th century onwards)**: Developed along the East African coast, serving as cosmopolitan centers of trade [[4]].

### The Beginning of the Transatlantic Slave Trade (15th – 19th centuries)

– **Late 15th century**: Portuguese initiate the transatlantic slave trade, initially transporting Africans to work on sugar plantations in Cape Verde and Madeira islands [[5]].

– **16th century**: Spanish and Portuguese establish colonies in the New World, increasingly turning to Africa for labor as Indigenous populations decline [[6]].

– **17th – 19th centuries**: The transatlantic slave trade reaches its peak, with an estimated 10-12 million Africans forcibly transported to the Americas [[7]].

### Colonial America and Early United States (1619 – 1865)

– **1619**: Arrival of the first recorded Africans in English North America at Point Comfort, Virginia [[8]].

– **Mid-17th century**: Establishment of lifelong slavery and hereditary servitude in Virginia and other colonies [[9]].

– **1705**: Virginia Slave Codes codify the dehumanizing nature of slavery [[10]].

– **1739**: Stono Rebellion, the largest slave uprising in the colonial period [[11]].

– **Late 18th – early 19th centuries**: Rise of the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad [[12]].

– **1861 – 1865**: American Civil War fought over the issue of slavery.

### Emancipation and Reconstruction (1865 – 1877)

– **1865**: Ratification of the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery [[13]].

– **1865 – 1877**: Reconstruction Era, aimed at rebuilding the South and integrating formerly enslaved African Americans into society [[13]].

– **1868**: Ratification of the 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States.

– **1870**: Ratification of the 15th Amendment, prohibiting the denial of voting rights based on race.

### Jim Crow Era and Early 20th Century (1877 – 1950s)

– **Late 19th century – 1965**: Implementation of Jim Crow laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States [[14]].

– **1896**: Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision upholds “separate but equal” doctrine [[15]].

– **1909**: Founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

– **1914 – 1918**: World War I, with approximately 370,000 African Americans serving in the U.S. military [[16]].

– **1920s – 1930s**: Harlem Renaissance, a flowering of African American cultural, literary, and artistic expression.

– **1939 – 1945**: World War II, with over one million African Americans serving in various branches of the U.S. armed forces [[17]] [[18]].

### Civil Rights Movement and Beyond (1950s – Present)

– **1954**: Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision overturns Plessy v. Ferguson, declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

– **1955 – 1956**: Montgomery Bus Boycott led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks [[19]].

– **1963**: March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech [[20]].

– **1965**: Voting Rights Act passed, aimed at overcoming legal barriers preventing African Americans from exercising their right to vote [[21]] [[22]].

– **1964**: Civil Rights Act passed, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin [[21]].

– **1968**: Fair Housing Act passed, prohibiting discrimination in housing [[21]].

### Presidential Administrations and Their Impact on Black Americans

– **Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933 – 1945)**: New Deal programs often reinforced racial inequalities, but also provided some economic relief [[23]]() [[24]].

– **Harry Truman (1945 – 1953)**: Desegregated the armed forces and advocated for anti-lynching laws [[25]].

– **John F. Kennedy (1961 – 1963)**: Initially hesitant on civil rights but eventually supported the movement, leading to the introduction of a comprehensive civil rights bill [[26]].

– **Lyndon B. Johnson (1963 – 1969)**: Aggressively pursued civil rights legislation, resulting in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 [[25]].

– **Jimmy Carter (1977 – 1981)**: Supported affirmative action and appointed a significant number of Black Americans to federal positions.

– **Ronald Reagan (1981 – 1989)**: Marked by a rollback of civil rights policies and opposition to affirmative action.

– **Bill Clinton (1993 – 2001)**: Implemented the 1994 Crime Bill, which contributed to mass incarceration, disproportionately affecting Black Americans.

– **Barack Obama (2009 – 2017)**: First African American president, implemented the Affordable Care Act and advocated for criminal justice reform.

– **Donald Trump (2017 – 2021)**: Presidency marked by rhetoric and policies perceived as hostile to Black Americans.

– **Joe Biden (2021 – Present)**: Signaled a commitment to racial equity, including executive actions on racial justice and proposals for police reform [[23]].

### Cold War and Vietnam Era

– **1950s – 1980s**: Cold War period saw African Americans facing a dual struggle for civil rights at home while being part of the global ideological battle against communism [[27]].

– **1955 – 1975**: Vietnam War era, with African American soldiers playing a crucial role despite facing systemic racism [[28]]. The anti-war movement became intertwined with the civil rights struggle [[29]].

### Modern Challenges and Movements

– **1980s – Present**: Mass incarceration disproportionately affects Black communities, with Black adults imprisoned at five times the rate of white adults as of 2020 [[30]].

– **2013 – Present**: Black Lives Matter movement emerges, focusing on police brutality and racial justice [[31]].

We Need the Activism of the 18 – 25s

The years between 18 and 25 are critically important for an individual’s future life experience, particularly in the context of political activism. This period, often referred to as “emerging adulthood,” is a pivotal time for brain development, personality formation, and the establishment of long-lasting civic engagement patterns. Let’s explore the significance of these years for political activists in detail:

Neurobiological Development and Decision-Making

During the ages of 18-25, the brain undergoes significant changes that are crucial for political activism:

Prefrontal Cortex Maturation: The prefrontal cortex, responsible for higher-order cognitive processes such as planning, impulse control, and decision-making, continues to develop well into the mid-20s [1]. This ongoing maturation is essential for political activists as it enhances their ability to make informed decisions, plan campaigns, and strategize effectively.
Emotional Regulation: The limbic system, involved in emotional processing and risk-taking behaviors, also matures during this period [2]. This development is crucial for political activists who often face emotionally charged situations and need to regulate their responses effectively.
Synaptic Pruning and Myelination: These processes improve cognitive abilities and decision-making skills [1], which are vital for activists navigating complex political landscapes and making critical choices about their involvement and strategies.

Identity Formation and Value Systems

The years 18-25 are fundamental for shaping an individual’s identity and values, which are core to political activism:

Identity Exploration: According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, this period involves exploring various possibilities in love, work, and worldviews to develop a coherent sense of self [3]. For political activists, this exploration is crucial in forming their political identities and determining the causes they will champion.
Self-Focused Exploration: Emerging adults often focus on developing the knowledge, skills, and self-understanding necessary for adult life [4]. This self-focus allows future activists to identify their passions and develop the competencies needed for effective advocacy.
Value System Development: The experiences and exposures during this period significantly influence the formation of an individual’s value system, which is fundamental to their political beliefs and motivations for activism.

Civic Engagement and Political Participation

The 18-25 age range is critical for establishing patterns of civic engagement that often persist throughout life:

Early Political Socialization: This period is crucial for political socialization, with family, friends, and institutions playing significant roles in motivating initial political participation [5]. These early influences can shape an activist’s long-term engagement and approach to political issues.
Skill Development: Early involvement in activism during this period leads to the development of political literacy and social capital, which are crucial for ongoing civic participation [6]. These skills, acquired in the formative years of activism, often become the foundation for a lifetime of effective political engagement.
Long-term Impact: Studies show that civic participation in adolescence and young adulthood helps develop a civic identity associated with higher levels of engagement later in life [7]. This suggests that activists who start their journey during these years are more likely to maintain their commitment and involvement over time.

Social Impact and Movement Building

The unique characteristics of youth activism during this period can have significant societal impacts:

Challenging Norms: Young activists between 18-25 are particularly effective at deconstructing prevailing societal standards and questioning deeply rooted systems of authority [8]. This ability to challenge the status quo is crucial for driving social change.
Innovative Approaches: With their adaptability and familiarity with new technologies, young activists in this age group often pioneer innovative methods of mobilization and communication [9]. This innovation can significantly enhance the reach and effectiveness of political movements.
Global Connectivity: The issues championed by today’s young activists, such as climate justice, racial fairness, and gender equality, often transcend geographical and ideological boundaries [10]. This global perspective, developed during these formative years, can lead to more inclusive and far-reaching activism.

Conclusion

The years between 18 and 25 are undeniably crucial for shaping an individual’s future as a political activist. This period encompasses significant neurobiological development, identity formation, and the establishment of civic engagement patterns that often persist throughout life. The experiences, skills, and networks developed during this time can set the foundation for a lifetime of impactful political activism.

For political activists, these years represent a unique opportunity to shape their worldviews, develop critical skills, and establish the groundwork for long-term civic engagement. The activism initiated during this period often has far-reaching consequences, not just for the individuals involved but for society as a whole. As such, supporting and nurturing political engagement during these formative years can have profound implications for the future of social movements and political change.

When Truth Is Not Common Sense

In the world were truth and trust is rapidly disappearing how can we navigate the information that we’re getting? From governments at all levels including international. Truth in the medical system – pharmaceuticals, insurance, HMO’s, hospitalization, elder care, rehabilitation companies, doctors. Truth in newspapers. Truth in electronic media – broadcasting networks, online media, podcasts. Celebrity talking heads. Truth in financial and lending institutions, treasury department, banks, credit unions, stocks and bonds markets. When the watchdogs are being fired and bribed, what can we the citizens do? Can we trust the AI companies popping up all over the place with all kinds of claims?

Give your family and community the resources they will need at 4comculture.com.

Navigating a world where trust and truth are eroding can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like every institution—government, media, corporations, and even emerging technologies like AI—has become a source of skepticism. However, there are practical steps and strategies that individuals can take to critically evaluate information, protect themselves, and foster trust in their own communities.

1. Understanding the Crisis of Trust

The decline in trust is not new. Public trust in government, for example, has been steadily eroding since the 1960s, influenced by events like the Vietnam War, Watergate, and economic crises. Today, this distrust extends to nearly all institutions, including media, corporations, and even science. The rise of misinformation, “alternative facts,” and the dismissal of experts has only deepened this crisis. This erosion of trust has real consequences: it makes it harder to solve societal problems, weakens democracy, and fosters division. However, many believe that trust can be rebuilt through transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.

2. How to Navigate Information in a Distrustful World

A. Be a Critical Consumer of Information

Verify Sources: Always check the credibility of the source. Is it a reputable organization? Does it have a history of accuracy? Be wary of sensational headlines or unverified claims.
Cross-Check Information: Don’t rely on a single source. Compare information across multiple outlets to identify consistent facts.
Understand Bias: Recognize that all sources have some level of bias. Learn to identify the perspective or agenda behind the information.

B. Use Tools to Combat Misinformation

Fact-Checking Websites: Use platforms like Snopes, FactCheck.org, or PolitiFact to verify claims.
AI Tools: While AI can be helpful, it’s important to understand its limitations. AI-generated content can sometimes perpetuate biases or inaccuracies, so use it as a supplement, not a sole source.
Media Literacy: Educate yourself on how media works. Learn to distinguish between news, opinion, and propaganda.

C. Demand Transparency and Accountability

Support Transparent Institutions: Advocate for organizations and governments to share data and decision-making processes openly. Transparency has been shown to improve trust.
Engage in Civic Participation: Participate in local government meetings, vote, and hold leaders accountable. Citizen engagement is a proven way to rebuild trust.

3. Protecting Yourself as a Consumer

Distrust extends beyond information to products, services, and industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Here’s how to protect yourself:

A. Research Before You Buy

Look for independent reviews and third-party certifications for products.
Avoid relying solely on company claims; instead, seek out consumer reports or watchdog organizations.

B. Advocate for Consumer Protections

Support policies that require rigorous safety testing and transparency from manufacturers.
Push for stronger regulations on industries like pharmaceuticals and elder care to ensure accountability.

C. Build Relationships with Trusted Professionals

In healthcare, finance, or other critical areas, seek out professionals with strong reputations and personal recommendations.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek second opinions.

4. Rebuilding Trust in Your Community

While global and national trust issues may feel insurmountable, change often starts locally. Here’s how you can foster trust in your immediate environment:

A. Strengthen Local Connections

Build relationships with neighbors, local businesses, and community organizations. Trust grows through personal interactions.
Participate in community events or volunteer efforts to create a sense of shared purpose.

B. Support Independent Media

Local and independent media outlets are often more accountable to their communities. Support them through subscriptions or donations.
Diversify your media consumption to include a range of perspectives.

C. Advocate for Ethical AI

As AI becomes more prevalent, push for transparency in how AI systems are developed and used.
Support companies and organizations that prioritize ethical AI practices and are open about their algorithms and data usage.

5. What Can “The Little Folks” Do?

For individuals who feel powerless in the face of these challenges, small actions can still make a big difference:

Educate Yourself: Knowledge is power. The more you understand about how systems work, the better equipped you’ll be to navigate them.
Build Networks: Connect with others who share your concerns. Collective action is often more effective than individual efforts.
Stay Informed, but Not Overwhelmed: It’s easy to feel paralyzed by the sheer volume of information. Focus on what you can control and take small, meaningful steps.

Final Thoughts

While the erosion of trust is a significant challenge, it’s not insurmountable. By becoming critical consumers of information, advocating for transparency, and fostering trust in our own communities, we can begin to rebuild the foundations of trust. Urge action from your local organization and leadership. Vet them for transparency and being available for critique. Remember, change often starts with individuals like you—taking small, deliberate actions to make a difference.

You may also want to ask how do we verify information sources effectively? What resources can build our critical thinking? What role do community groups play in this?

pewresearch.org2Americans’ Trust in Government, Each Other, Leaders | Pew Research Center

Many Americans think declining trust in the government and in each other makes it harder to solve key problems. They have a wealth of ideas about what’s gone wrong and how to fix it.

umich.edu1Breaking down public trust

By Rebecca Cohen (MPP ’09)Americans’ trust in government institutions to “do the right thing” has steadily eroded since the late 1960s,1 correlated for many analysts with events such as the Vietnam War, Watergate, the ’70s oil embargo, and President Reagan’s 1981 inaugural address.2

pewresearch.orgKey findings about Americans’ declining trust in government and each other

Americans say the public’s trust has been declining in both government and in their fellow citizens. But most say this can be turned around.

oecd.orgTrust in government | OECD

Countries face a crisis of trust which becomes increasingly concerning amid economic downturns, health emergencies and other crises. Since democracies require citizen trust in government to function effectively, the OECD Trust Survey provides governments with the data, tools and solutions necessary …

Mobilizing or Organizing After the Marches or Rallies

Posted on June 6, 2020 by Robert Lloyd

How I See It by Bob Lloyd

There are mobilizers and there are organizers. The demonstrations you have seen and participated in for George Floyd here and across the globe have been successful mobilization events. What is needed now is grassroot organization.

The map on the left are the communities in Spokane where this discussion needs to take place. Suggestions of what you can do in your community are at this link: Mobilizing to Organizing

Additional photos from demonstration Sunday May 31.

Sunday June 7, 2020 started off at 10:30 am with meditation and yoga exercises at the Red Wagon. At 2:00 pm the NAACP had one of the largest outside rallies in Spokane’s history. The tone of this rally was set by Kurtis Robinson, Kiantha Duncan, and Le’Taxione. Kurtis Robinson welcomed a large standing crowd at the Lilac Bowl. Kiantha Duncan followed asking everyone to sit down on the grass and center themselves. She had three messages that she wanted to deliver to three groups of people. She thanked all who showed up to nonviolently express their outrage and disappointment with police brutality throughout the country. If there were those who came looking for trouble with signs with hateful speech, she wanted them to take those signs and sit on them. Then she called upon all law enforcement agents to obey the law and treat all demonstrators with respect and human dignity. My observation was that there were no visible signs of law enforcement. Le’Taxione told the audience that he was not speaking to make anybody feel good, he was there to express his strong objections to brutality and the status quo. But he made it quite clear he and the youth he brought would not allow anybody to hijack this peaceful demonstration. If so, they would be escorted out of town. These photographs bear witness to the unified desire that everyone should receive equal justice.

After your demonstrations at the Red Wagon or City Hall you could:

Ask 5 of your new or trusted friends for their email addresses and mobile phone numbers so you can set up a meeting regularly via Zoom to discuss strategies and planned measurable actions. Assign someone to send information about the measurable actions you plan to info@4comculture.com so they can be shared at the website 4comculture.com. Hopefully when the city opens up and you can have meetings in public places such as coffee shops you will be able to have these discussions face-to-face.
If you can find 4 people that will accompany you to an arterial in your neighborhood each could stand on a corner displaying their signs for an hour or more
Walk up and down the block or cul-de-sac where you live with your sign and handout sharing why you march and what others can do to help. This is something you can do alone.
Stand in front of the house you live in with your sign and have a discussion about why you march with anybody that will join you. Have two socially distant chairs nearby.

Being Black I am always visible! I am asking you to shed your invisibility.

History Lesson On Organizing

Kwame Ture: Converting the Unconscious to Conscious

https://youtu.be/4Y3KQbQF3Qk

How I See It : Mask Making

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Robert Lloyd

Make masks for Blue voters / Let Red go to church / Blue pray at home

Sometimes we can’t wait on the cavalry!
Let’s put the wagons in a circle.
The battle has begun!
We are under attack, we must do the best we can with what we have.
The creative will have the best chance for survival.
It’s good to be prepared and independent but in times like this we need to be inter-dependent.

Message To Our Spokane Brothas

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Robert Lloyd

What does it mean to be a brotha? Is that a term based upon skin color or ethnicity or is it an understanding of common goals? We are in a war that’s being fought on two levels. One is the immediate problem with COVID-19. The other is the systemic problems that lead to a disproportionate number of deaths among people of color and the poor.

If we are brothas we need to support each other in this war at both levels. We need to support each other in measurable ways, not just throw around cultural symbols. We need to start by asking little things of each other.

If you are a friend you will wear a mask because it protects you from me and me from you.
We need to believe in and support the idea of one justice indivisible. If you don’t know what I am talking about a starting point would be The 14 Principles listed at 4comculture.com.
The Spokane School District Board of Education wants to name several new school buildings. It would be nice if two of those schools were named after people of color. You can nominate someone: Nomination Link. I have nominated Frances Scott and Ruben Trejo.
It would be good to let us know your personal level of commitment: Ally, Actor or Accomplice. See page at 4comculture.com.
You need to have an online presence. You need to let your other brothas know what it is you stand for. One simple way to do this is to participate in online posting and messaging at Facebook.
Let’s become civic activists. Participate in local social justice organizations or engage in new methods of non-violent action that include physical, virtual and hybrid actions.
We each need to develop a social justice budget. It would be nice if you would donate on a regular basis to the things that you believe in. Let me suggest that you make a donation to anybody or any group that you choose, but do it in the name of Spokane Brothas. The reason I suggest doing that is to build a power base that would be respected. I would suggest a budget that would express your volunteer time as well as your cash contributions. For example a budget of $100 a month could include:
- Volunteering: 7 hours a month at the national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour would be about a $50 in-kind contribution. What if you showed up to volunteer in a Brothas T-shirt?
- Send a check to the Black Lens. About $4.00 a month buys a subscription.
- Contribute to an informational issue campaign. For example about $16 pays for a MailChimp service that will send your message to a mailing list of thousands that you have built. In times of quarantine and isolation you have to find ways other than community meetings to deliver information about your issues. You could buy a yard sign with your message or issue or candidate.
- Give $20 to local and/or regional progressive organizations or blue political parties – to the same organization/s every month so they can feel your presence.
- Give $10 to national progressive organizations or blue political parties – to the same organization/s every month so they can feel your presence.

If we only had 14 brothas contributing at this level this would be $1400 per month or $16,800 per year. Imagine what would happen if we had 100 brothas.

Your comments are welcome. If I haven’t heard from you by June 12, I will assume you are not interested.

Bob L. info@4comculture.com

Black Prisoner’s Caucus Family & Community Summit

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Robert Lloyd

Duaa-Rahemaal Williams

Duaa Williams organized this summit held at The Carl Maxey Center on September 28 2019 to bring the formerly incarcerated together with the communities they are still a part of. The goal is to bring “humanizing and fellowshiping” into the incarceration system, as NAACP President Kurtis Robinson said in an interview on KYRS radio:

http://kyrs.org/playlists/92319-kurtis-robinson-on-black-prisoners-caucus/