Joshua Williams

05/17/21 • 44 min

Hearing Josh talk about how he's constantly thinking about it and actively working at not coming across as "shady" makes me sad. I hate that the onus is often on Black people to look non-threatening. This is not right and it saddens me that this is a daily reality for African Americans. They are fighting a centuries long battle of stereotypes and false information that are rampant among white Americans.

Speaking of that, I really, really appreciate Josh's confession that even he sometimes harbors questionable viewpoints against other Black people. Would that we all were so honest and forthcoming to deal with our own shadow selves. I couldn't agree more with his conclusion that we must unlearn hidden lessons we were taught or learned by osmosis about Black people (or any negative stereotypes/ideas about any race for that matter). Giving everyone the benefit of the doubt goes a long way!

One of the things I love about Josh are his convictions! He holds them strongly, but not in a self-righteous way. He is broken-hearted over police violence and the effect it has had disproportionately on Black communities, yet instead of becoming cynical about the Police, he takes the initiative to reach out to them, to learn and grow, and be in dialogue.

I also love how Josh challenges us on the phrase "Black-on-Black" crime. We must come to the realization that that phrase is a racist way of saying, "crime." I really appreciate the wisdom Josh lives by at such a young age. He has already come to the understanding that we all experience the world a different way based on our experiences, where we grow up, the traumas we've faced. He knows not to discredit anyone else's opinion because it doesn't match his narrative or his lived experience. Although he admittedly gets frustrated with the systemic problems our country has, he actively works at not vilifying the other and at working towards unity. Would that we were all this wise. May we all learn to better love our neighbor as ourselves as Josh has.

Favorite Quote:

With great power comes great responsibility. - Uncle Ben from "Spiderman"

Josh's Podcast: The Mis-Education of John Mark

Who Is John Mark?

Josh on Instagram

Favorite Quote:

With great power comes great responsibility. - Uncle Ben from "Spiderman"

Josh's Podcast: The Mis-Education of John Mark

Who Is John Mark?

Josh on Instagram

Previous Episode

JaQuintin Means

Right out of the gates JaQuintin exposes his heart in how he expresses his desire for unity. When he's explaining injustices against Black or Indigenous people, it's for the sole purpose of educating, overcoming, and healing in order to create a better future for our children. Doing the hard work now will yield positive results for future generations.

JaQuinitn's insight into how there are people from every race thriving and oppressed really challenged me to stop and think and see this through his lens. It was a powerful declaration that he has given much consideration to. According to JaQuintin, the difference between the oppressed and the thriving is always self interest and the willingness to exploit others. His controversial opinion is that America is not driven by white supremacy, but by greed. Take some time and sit with that. Suspend judgement and look at it from all angles. This is why it's important to hear different viewpoints...not to get immediately offended by them, but to add them to what you know or are learning and consider this new aspect and how it fits in with what you already know.

I can't believe that this was the first time I asked the question: "Why do you think it's so hard for people to talk about racism?" I'm inspired by JaQuintin's honest insight regarding the depths of pain, trauma, guilt, and fear that are embedded so deep into our collective American psyche. There are no easy answers or easy ways to walk through this. Reconciliation is usually a painful process, but it's a necessary pain that will eventually yield healing. His explanation of the invisible wall of racism acting as a barrier to unity is a fantastic analogy that describes the reality of racism in this country. This is a dialogue that is beneficial to us all because we all have a stake in this.

Which of us has ever achieved anything hard alone? We normally go through the difficulties (or mountains) of life with the help, encouragement, or shoulder to lean on of someone close to us. Thus, I completely resonated when JaQuintin acknowledged that very fact so eloquently when he said, "We all have a mountain to climb and the only way we can get there is if we lend a hand to each other." That is such a beautiful, true sentiment. It is in acknowledging that none of us are where we want to be but that we're going in the right direction whenever we're helping others.

I had a major "aha" moment when JaQuintin said, "Racism uses fear and guilt." It's an obvious truth I haven't been able to concretely and concisely express before. But there is now, out in the open, as plain as day. Once you see it, you can't unsee it. Watch and listen, you will see these tactics everywhere. This is a simple way to become more aware as well as a simple conversation to have with others. Question the fear, question where their guilt comes from, question the origin of where people are finding their "facts." Oftentimes, we prefer to stay where we're comfortable instead of rock the boat and question our ill informed family and friends about where they got their information from. This is one way to be an ally.

I genuinely admire JaQuintin's heart for unity and his understanding that it is humility that will get us there. He is a walking reminder of Mother Teresa's quote: Only humility will lead us to unity, and unity will lead to peace. May we all have the humility to see that we've not arrived yet and the teachableness to press onward in our quest for unity, as JaQuintin has.

Quote:

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. - Nelson Mandela

JaQuintin's book: Willie

JaQuintin's Website

JaQuintin on Instagram

Willie Lynch Letter

Next Episode

Corey Hutchins

Corey's passion for tap is contagious. I love how excited he gets when he talks about it! I love the freedom of expression and form that tap dance allows. But mostly I appreciate how personal this is to Corey, how he knows he's part of a culture of the history of tap and he's doing his part to pass the mantle and history down to the younger generation.

I like how Corey views the world and sees opportunities. For example, how he used his time traveling with Riverdance to learn more about world cultures and how each culture processes things differently. He watches, learns, and gains understanding in how to respond in different situations...when you need to stand up and defend yourself and speak out vs when you just lay low and move on. The beauty and wisdom of life experience.

Corey spoke to the all too common burden of having to read a situation immediately in order to know how to most appropriately respond. He doesn't want to ignite any racist fears that may be laying dormant under the surface of someone in his presence. I'm equally saddened and astonished by this skill. I'm sad he is put in this position in the first place, that he doesn't have the freedom to just be. But I'm super impressed with how easily he just lets things go in the name of peace. He would rather live to see another day. What incredible character!

We've come full circle with the backpack analogy being used again near the end of our season. I really like how Corey describes what it's like. He says he never asked for it, doesn't want to carry it, but has it none the less. So since this is the situation he finds himself in he adapts and decides he gets to determine how he's going to handle this unwanted burden and how in doing so, he can make his family name better.

I greatly appreciate Sarah's teachable heart and posture of humility in desiring to watch, listen, and learn about how to not only be a better mother, but how to best equip their daughter for life. I love their strong foundation and importance they put on communication and honesty. All of us could benefit from these conscious choices in parenting and relationships.

I had the most wonderful time visiting with Corey. I left our conversation feeling uplifted and hopeful. He has that dynamic personality that leaves it's mark on you...at least he left his mark on me. I'm reminded of Maya Angelou's quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” May we all leave those we touch today and everyday feeling loved and better than they did before our encounter, as Corey has.

Corey's Performance at the Hartford Public Library

Corey's Performance in Riverdance

Corey's Instagram