Friends,
This will be my penultimate blog post. I will eventually write a closing post on my evacuation from the Philippines and my final thoughts from the experience (long story short: I’m safe at home in the U.S.). For now, though, to neglect recent events on this blog when much of my time as a YAV has been spent grappling with racial injustice would feel like a disservice to the platform that you, my readers, have allowed me.
The Washington Post recently published a Perspective piece by Tre Johnson, the headline of which reads, “When black people are in pain, white people just join book clubs.” I ask that you please join me in reading Johnson’s article and reflecting on what it means for each of us. If you do not have a subscription to the Washington Post, you can access the article on July 1st as one of your three free articles for each month.
The cultural change that racial justice demands of us is not easy, convenient, or comfortable. Educating ourselves is just one step in the long and difficult process of eliminating racial oppression.
I know many of you reading this are affiliated in some way with Davidson College, my alma mater. One very simple way to grease the wheels of cultural change is to help circulate and/or donate to The Power of Education & Philanthropy: Supporting Students & Antiracism at Davidson Campaign (the link to donate and read more is below). There is a special challenge for those who donate before the end of the day on June 30, 2020: “For every alumni donor who makes a gift—of any size, to any designation on campus—for the first time this year (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020), our challengers will give $25 to support The Power of Education: Supporting Students & Antiracism at Davidson campaign.”
Donate here to The Power of Education & Philanthropy: Supporting Students & Antiracism at Davidson Campaign: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/DavidsonCollege/the-power-of-education-philanthropy-supporting-students-antiracism-at-davidson/?a=466953&fbclid=IwAR33Rf65jmv9gEdvLN-QvtkOctC76J2-AyU74bjKUw0RwlTxdXVYpyYORds
Lastly, some additional words of wisdom from social media:
Questions, comments, concerns, and smart remarks will be gladly received at clara.hare.grogg@gmail.com.
Clara Hare-Grogg, YAV 2019-20 
Thanks, Clara. I sent this article to my book club and got 2 responses! We have read Just Mercy and Waking Up White and a couple of slave related books. Seems hard for some folks to engage in unpleasant things. Hopefully, after this we can learn and do more. As I told your dad, I consider myself an educated, informed, aware person, who has been working for justice all of my life, and I have had a steep learning curve. I didn’t know Black GIs couldn’t access most of the GI Bill until a few years ago. I am amazed at my ignorance. Hopefully this new momentum will result in real change. I am also very hopeful for the leadership of your generation. Marylyn
On Mon, Jun 29, 2020, 12:25 PM Clara Hare-Grogg, YAV 2019-20 wrote:
> claraharegrogg posted: ” Friends, This will be my penultimate blog post. I > will eventually write a closing post on my evacuation from the Philippines > and my final thoughts from the experience (long story short: I’m safe at > home in the U.S.). For now, though, to neglect re” >
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We are living in the midst of a Cultural Revolution and it is good to know that you are helping it. Due to our American value (ideology) of individualism it is hard to see systemic or structural racism. But maybe it is being revealed as never before. Keep up the good work. Blessings in all things, Bob (Montgomery)
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I love you! Thank you! Jane
On Mon, Jun 29, 2020, 12:26 PM Clara Hare-Grogg, YAV 2019-20 wrote:
> claraharegrogg posted: ” Friends, This will be my penultimate blog post. I > will eventually write a closing post on my evacuation from the Philippines > and my final thoughts from the experience (long story short: I’m safe at > home in the U.S.). For now, though, to neglect re” >
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Clare, I read the Post every day and I saw that article and saved it. It is spot on. I think we all have a responsibility to educate ourselves and to become more aware of our own complicity in the systemic and institutional racism that exists in our world. But our responsibility now goes well beyond, too, our own reading and enlightenment. We all need to actively work toward diminishing racial injustice.
I am glad you are safe. What a year 2020 has been. Surely 2021 will be better.
Peace, Larry
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