Challenging the stories that divide us: Irvin Weathersby Jr. on confronting systemic injustice and prioritizing empathy

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Irvin Weathersby Jr. explores white supremacy, DEI, and fostering empathy through storytelling

A decade ago a White Supremacist walked into a Church in Charleston, South Carolina and killed nine Black parishioners. In the aftermath of this horrible event, photos of the murderer circulated with confederate flags and symbols.?

We hit this moment where we as a culture and a country were willing to consider the impact of our public symbols. Our monuments. Our statues. The artistic representations of our history–and the way they served to sanction violent, racist behavior.

In South Carolina, officials finally took the Confederate flag down from the statehouse.? All across the country, officials began removing statues and monuments linked to racist ideologies.??

This was a REALLY BIG DEAL. As a culture we began waking up to this idea that our art is not JUST our art. It’s a snapshot of our history. When we re-evaluate it, we reckon with that history and that is how we create a more just future.?

But this process has been tense. It has emboldened white supremacists. It has led all of us to grapple with our own histories.

Our guest today is Irvin Weathersby, Jr. went on his own journey to confront America’s past through its monuments. As you listen today, no matter who you are, I hope you’ll keep in mind the questions I’m asking myself: what stories am I telling myself about the past? How have I learned them? What if there’s more to those stories?

Office Hours: Questioning our beliefs

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