111 Comments
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Mal Pronouns's avatar

What you said needs to be heard more, especially with white folks. This country has a lot to do to live up to its promise. And right now, this is the moment. More white people need to be involved in solidarity with POC leaders about how we build the country we want, with humanity and love and equality for everyone.

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PodcastPhD's avatar

Great conversation. and I admire you even more by answering Katie's question about "aren't you hopeful for our country?" and you so eloquently walked Katie through the Black experience. I am a white 64 yo woman married to a black 66 yo woman. we have been together for almost 30 years. My wife has taught me so much. when I was beside myself that we as a same-sex couple were not allowed to marry. "it's not fair. it doesn't make sense. it's not right" I said. She gently shook her head. "this is how it is" and I don't think she said much more. I stopped dead in my tracks and let the light in and began the journey of really understanding systematic racism. from there it remains obvious to me that our country is stuck because we have yet to come to terms with slavery and all of its inequity and the far reaching impact it has had. Isabel Wilkerson got it so right. I look forward to seeing what you do next. thank you for your bravery, and talent and joy.

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Ava DuVernay's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. And brava on your thirty years together. Wow. What a beautiful and rare gift. 🫶🏾

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PodcastPhD's avatar

Oh my goodness…. You replied. What an honor. Thank you.

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Mary Farrell's avatar

Bless you Ava the truth teller.

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Lisa Sharon Harper's avatar

What a great conversation. I was with Katie Couric in Charlottesville the night before the mayhem in 2017 and with you in Selma (when you invited the organizers on-set to witness the Turnaround Tuesday filming that day). Both were sacred space. So, I’m not surprised, at all, that you found each other. So grateful for this particular conversation. In our current climate the work of prophetic leaders is seeking new models.

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Ava DuVernay's avatar

Thank you! And I love that our paths crossed on SELMA! I remember that day!

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Lisa Sharon Harper's avatar

I will NEVER forget that day. Never. Holy ground. 🙏🏽🙌🏽

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Lisa Sharon Harper's avatar

I absolutely LOVE your response to the myth of who we really are as a nation. That’s the thing about Black women. Our family stories, themselves, are disruptions of the myths. For us to go along with the myths is to forsake the truth of what happened to our families—and ourselves.

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Ava DuVernay's avatar

Amen.

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April's avatar

I'm so glad Ava spoke on this idea of America that never fully been fulfilled. This is the reason we are in these times as the truth of America reveals itself. America wants segregation so badly. Unfortunately, the work force practice injustice in a passive way that people can't live out loud. I wish hierarchy in the work place is demolished. Titles gives some power to be hateful towards those without these titles, not knowing some of us without titles of hierarchy still are valuable and in many cases make more money. I've seen negative attitudes as some don't agree a person that looks like me should be advising them to correct or properly submit their work for myself and team to complete our job. I've had to get my white or Mexican counterparts to advise the same request in order for an employee to respect my request.

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Julie Cuccia-Watts's avatar

It’s time to become what we should have been all along. We the people every color of the rainbow, every faith.

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susanna knittel's avatar

Ava, I am very grateful to you for naming it as it is: what we are seeing out there in the US is the underbelly of America. It has been obvious in your community and beyond. May this shadow manifestation be an impulse to rectify these dark forces with deeper consciousness about who we are as American people

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Jess B.'s avatar

Thank you, smart, wonderful women! We need you. :)

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TS Elliott's avatar

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 good work

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The-Poet-Producer's avatar

This was SUCH a great conversation to sit in on!! Yes, you should make it more of a regular thing! Looking forward to hearing more about that documentary you're working on! :)

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Dr. Breeze Harper's avatar

lessons 🤌🏾🤌🏾✨

more independent -- and also more global 🌍

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Ava DuVernay's avatar

💯💯💯

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Lynn O’Neal's avatar

Would have to agree.

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Demi's avatar

Thank you both for this conversation. It gives me hope because women from all walks of life are thinking similarly and are offering ways to cope and yo help.

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Stacie Hayes's avatar

This was Awesome! For me the convo was rich and thought provoking!

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Monique Lisa Johnson's avatar

Great conversation. 👏🏽

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Monique Lisa Johnson's avatar

Blessings Queen 👸🏽 one day we will work together on an amazing project. 🙏🏾

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Abbetuck (Arts Activism)'s avatar

😍

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Arelettia's avatar

You look great! I’m so very proud of you and your accomplishments! You are so awesome!

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Kathryn's avatar

Ava, you are sooo right

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