Examine your Fear, Become an Accomplice, and Speak Up: Interview with Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr.
I was recently privileged to interview Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr, a leading activist for justice, peace, and the environment! He is a board member of Pace e Bene and the founder and president of Hip Hop Caucus. As we reflected on the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tony McDade, Rev said that it breaks his heart to see black people killed by the police. He reflected on his own experiences as the victim of police brutality, and spoke of how the killing of George Floyd is the spark for the Civil Rights Movement of the 21st Century. Rev is encouraged by the momentum of the protests, especially that white people are not only being allies, but are also being accomplices. This shows that we as humans are getting better at working together. We need to shift policy, said Rev, or policy will definitely shift and change us.
When I asked Rev why he still advocates for nonviolence, he said that, firstly, nonviolence is a smart strategy. It is more effective than violence, and is better for all. Secondly, nonviolence is a spiritual way of looking at the issues. Lastly, Rev explained we live nonviolently for the good of ourselves, because if someone is violent toward others, the violence will come back at them and they will become bitter.
I also asked Rev how white people and non black people of color can be better allies/accomplices. Rev encouraged people to educate themselves, and to also pay close attention to the systems in place, such as the police, that are reinforcing inequality. Protective service workers should have what they need, but not more, explained Rev. He said, “Firefighters don’t have tanks, and police don’t need them either. We don’t want to criminalize or militarize our communities.” The perceived need for this level of militarization comes from fear, and when white people begin by examining where that level of fear comes from, and why they feel that they need those services to feel safe, then we can start to root out racism.
Rev and I also discussed how climate change, racial justice, and militarism all go together. Each of these systems uses an extractive mentality, taking what you want without showing regard to anyone or anything else. This extractive mentality reinforces our dependence on fossil fuels, the military, and police departments that don’t care about the community. Because of this, we can’t separate ourselves into different groups of activists. Organizing is how we will make change, and how we will, as Rev put it, “build the beloved community.”
Rev reiterated that right now our world is in trouble because people look to violence to fix conflicts, to find solutions to arguments, and to attack people who have problems. But we believe we can live in a world where we are not hurting one another, and that’s what we are striving for. That’s what I’m striving for—a place that is kind, respectful, and loving where we all can be together.
Thank you Rev for taking the time to share with all of us. Watch the full video above, and march on!
Rosie Davila is Pace e Bene’s Summer Youth Intern. She is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Anthropology and Peace Studies. She has illustrated several books on nonviolence and lives on a farm in Kentucky with her family.