Author Rev. Robert Turner and President Bonita Sostre celebrate the success of the Spring Mixer. Photos by Bill Allen.
By Deirra Stevenson
NYABJ (New York Association of Black Journalists) and NAMIC (The National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications) recently collaborated for a Spring Rooftop Mixer at Penthouse NYC. The event during Mental Health Awareness Month in May allowed 150 attendees from both organizations to network and enjoy seasonably warm weather as they nibbled on mouth-watering salads, light bites, refreshing beverages, and delicious desserts.
The icing on the cake was the appearance of keynote speaker Rev. Robert Turner, an esteemed change agent and the author of "Creating A Culture Of Repair: Taking Action On The Road To Reparations," available on Amazon. Turner's book sheds light on the multifaceted nature of reparations and the impact of racial injustice in America. The noteworthy author's book also focuses on persistent disparities in the Black community and the need for substantial government intervention to enforce economic reparations.
During an interview with Rev. Turner for NYABJ Pulse, he explained reparations extend beyond financial compensation and encompass spiritual, emotional, psychological, physiological, and biological elements. He highlighted the historical trauma and oppression faced by the Black community and discussed the need for a comprehensive approach to address the deep-rooted impact of racial injustice.
In response to a question about the intergenerational transmission of trauma, Turner acknowledged trauma's pervasive nature, stating it has become ingrained in the molecular and societal structure of America. He emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in America's understanding of violence and its embedded structures.
Regarding the ongoing debate about violence and the call for a revolution, Turner reflected on the Black community's historical, nonviolent nature, cautioning against mirroring oppressors' violent tactics. He mentioned the disproportionate use of force against the Black community, citing historical and recent examples of systemic violence.
"I saw the devastation in Tulsa," he said. "I saw what happened when a gun accidentally went off. When Black men try to do what others do (bear arms), the Second Amendment, unfortunately, in America, has never been applied to us. It's not right at all."
"When Black Lives Matter protested in DC, they were met with the National Guard and the military," Rev. Turner elaborated.
"Donald Trump incited an attack; they went inside the Capitol, right? And they had weapons. And so, wow, I understand that he wants to be violent. My faith even teaches me that you may win a battle but lose the war. There is no honor with oppressors; there never has been."
He continued, "They raped mothers, castrated men, and molested children; there is no honor with them. So, even when we try to fight back, they will fight back even worse because there is no honor. There's there's no rules of engagement. Even with that, we fight fair."
Turner added, "They beat Rodney King, strangled Eric Garner, and killed Freddie Gray. I understand an eye for an eye, but that never works well for us. Why? Because we have a conscience. And only heartless people can succeed in those types of measures."
Turner also addressed the migrant crisis, emphasizing immigrants should not be a scapegoat for current economic challenges. He criticized corporations' and developers' exploitative practices, attributing the issue to a greedy, capital-based system that pits marginalized groups against each other.
Lastly, Turner shared his perspective on the use of the N-word, recounting a personal encounter that underscored the term's harmful implications. He said there is a need to challenge and dismantle the systemic degradation associated with the word.
Throughout our conversation, Turner's insights illuminated the complexities of reparations, systemic injustice, and the need for holistic approaches to addressing historical and ongoing inequities in America.
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