The country is again stunned and polarized as another life has been violently taken, on video. The life of a young Black man, Tyre Nichols.

The perpetrators of this violence were police officers. Ostensibly professionals charged with the duty to “protect and serve.” The apparent failing is itself disheartening and confusing to some.

Then, we have the added wrinkle that, in this case, the police officers were themselves Black.

Half of us shake our heads and go “see, this isn’t about race.”

and

Half of us shake our heads and go “racism affects us all.”

How can we both be right?

I've noticed that many people backpedal a bit and say that they are not ready to have that conversation. While I understand that, I also need people to understand that, as a black woman, I can never have that conversation with your relatives and/or friends for you.

At The Culture of Respect, we believe that the stories of our lived experiences are the best tools we have to change the hearts and minds of others.

We’ve put together a list of 10, off-the-beaten-path Black History Month resources that will move and entertain, warm and open hearts, and spark constructive, connecting conversations.

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On this day I always reflect on a piece of my family history—my father was in attendance in 1963 for Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.