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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Black Agenda summary
Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman
Bold Solutions for a Broken System
23 mins
Brief summary
The Black Agenda by Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman is a call to action for Black people and allies to create an agenda for real change. It offers insights into the complex issues facing Black people in America and provides actionable steps for individuals and communities to take towards systemic change.
Table of Contents
The Black Agenda
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
You can’t fight for the climate without fighting for Black lives.
In the summer of 2020, Black Lives Matter protests took place throughout the United States and across the world. It was a time of reckoning in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. Similar murders had taken place at the hands of policemen, but this one evoked a different kind of protest. One that ignored geographic boundaries and spread across the world.
For climate activist Mary Annaïse Heglar, these protests were a long time coming. But she found it very confusing to suddenly see fellow environmentalists say that they needed to pause their fight for climate justice and focus on Black Lives Matter activism instead.
She was confused because, for her, it wasn’t an either/or proposition. She’d been fighting for climate justice for ten years. And she knew that the fight hinged on attacking systemic racism head-on. In other words, you can’t fight one issue without also, at the same time, fighting the other. Because they’re wrapped up together like toxic bedfellows.
In white environmental activist circles, there’s an enduring myth that Black people don’t care about animals and the environment. That’s not true, and there’s the data to prove it. But it is true that many Black people don’t relate to white environmentalists – the people who say that they care deeply about protecting people and the planet. Why? Because many of these people and organizations fundamentally misunderstand the nature of the struggle. They see racism and climate justice as being two separate issues, when, actually, they’re entwined.
To understand this better we need to introduce a key concept: intersectionality. This concept was first introduced by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw. An intersectional approach is one that looks at how different marginal identities can impact each other. For example, intersectional feminism doesn’t just look at how being a woman can affect your opportunities in the world. It also looks at how being a Black woman, or a Black queer woman can magnify the discrimination you experience. It says, we can’t understand one struggle without understanding how those related struggles intersect and compound it.
Intersectionality is a key concept for understanding why the Black Agenda is essential for climate activism. Climate change has been called the "Great Equalizer." The logic being, the destruction of the planet affects everybody. That statement is true, but it’s incomplete. Because the thing is, climate change affects everybody, but it doesn’t affect everybody equally. In fact, as Annaïse Heglar says, instead of being an equalizer, climate change is actually the “Great Multiplier.” It takes any threat you were already under, and multiplies it.
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What is The Black Agenda about?
The Black Agenda (2022) is a compilation of essays by Black experts reflecting the latest developments and challenges in diverse fields such as wellness, criminal justice, climate activism, and AI.
The Black Agenda Review
The Black Agenda (2022) by Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman is a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges faced by the Black community and a blueprint for creating change. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With impressive research and personal narratives, it sheds light on the systemic issues that the Black community continues to face.
- The author provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to racial inequality, offering actionable steps for individuals and society to address them.
- Through its compelling storytelling and well-argued perspectives, it challenges readers to actively engage in conversations about race, ensuring that it's anything but boring.
Who should read The Black Agenda?
- Activists of all stripes
- Anyone who wants to know how tech perpetuates racism
- Anyone who wants to know how climate change and racial justice are linked
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The Black Agenda FAQs
What is the main message of The Black Agenda?
The main message of The Black Agenda is the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by Black communities and advocating for racial equality and justice.
How long does it take to read The Black Agenda?
The reading time for The Black Agenda varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Black Agenda a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Black Agenda is a powerful and enlightening read. It sheds light on key issues and provides valuable insights for creating a more inclusive society.
Who is the author of The Black Agenda?
The author of The Black Agenda is Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman.
What to read after The Black Agenda?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Black Agenda, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Get It Done by Ayelet Fishbach
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- The Power of Fun by Catherine Price
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- Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
- Toxic Positivity by Whitney Goodman
- In Praise of Slowness by Carl Honoré
- Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters