Red Emma’s

Nina Simone sang, "To be young, gifted, and Black" but what happens when the passion that drives our gifts becomes mislabeled as angry, aggressive, or even explosive? Do we combat or embrace these labels? Are we wrong if we accept them? Is being angry adding to the problem? Do we stop hammering the walls forged by the oppressor to divide us and begin to just give it a soft tap, by code-switching or silencing ourselves to make others feel more comfortable and safe? The questions are endless. Young, Angry, and Black is a new series of intimate and engaging discussions about the origins and effects of being mislabeled and misrepresented as people of color. Despite the way the title and topic reads, this is not a segregated discussion. You don't have to be black to attend but you will need a growth mindset in order to fully participate in this discussion. We are encouraging anyone who is interested to add their perspective. All voices matter, but be advised, this discussion will not be watered down. If you don't feel comfortable with the title, we suggest taking time to reflect and to decide whether this event is for you. With the use of the dialogue protocols in Valencia D. Clay's book, "Soundless Cries Don't Lead to Healing: A Critical Thinking Guide to Cultural Consciousness", each discussion will be driven by literature from black authors whose voices have gone beyond paper and pushed our collective movement forward.