Citizen Activism - Emmanuel Acho

Courtesy of Clip Art Library (http://clipart-library.com/clipart/113.htm)

Part of this week's readings for graduate school was on Activism and Citizenship, and I could think of no better example than Emmanuel Acho who played for the Philadelphia Eagles as a linebacker, and is now a Sports Analyst for Fox Sports.

I started following him shortly after the George Floyd killing when, in the face of tremendous anger and rage throughout the country and world, he calmly sat on a plain metal chair against a white background, and peacefully began his now famous "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man".

In these video conversations, he calmly brought up opinions, issues and thoughts that many people had, but were afraid or uncertain how to bring them up in a world on fire with outrage on Mr.Floyd's death.  He discussed the perspective of growing up black, and explained how "pain and hurt sometimes doesn't know how to express itself."

He has invoked Dr.Martin Luther King's famous words that "A riot is the language of the unheard"  in trying to explain the anger over Mr. Floyd's death that lead to rioting and destruction in many cities.  But at the end of his first video, he noted that the way forward as a nation with a history of slavery, and to understand, address and overcome racism, is with education, exposure, compassion and empathy.

He has since published additional video conversations with famous interracial couples, and the challenges and difficulties they have faced in their lives.  All can be found on YouTube.  He can be followed on Instagram and Twitter as well.

But the testament to the true success of his genuine, calm, simplistic open discussions is that the wisdom and knowledge of his conversations has landed him a book deal with his new partner and publisher, Oprah Winfrey.    It is a testament to take his knowledge sharing and awareness raising, and put it into a book where it can be passed down to generations to come.

Great job Emmanuel Acho!   A true Citizen Activist!