This guest post was authored by Rahsaan Harris, the President & CEO of The Emma Bowen Foundation For Minority Interests in Media. Dr. Harris most recently served as EPIP's second Executive Director from 2012-2014. 

Don't give up

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

We started something special at our "Chautauqua-in-Manhattan" moment on Dec 3rd and we encourage you to keep going. Please take the time to foster your understanding of others. Engage in tough conversations about race. Push yourself past your comfort zone. Here's a challenge: Commit this Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service to be a part of the solution: * Take an "unusual suspect" to see Selma: The Movie (click here) * Make plans to go to Chautauqua this summer to become part of an ongoing conversation. Weeks that particularly stand out include: Week One ::  21st-Century Literacies   ::  June 27 - July 4, 2015 (view events & speakers) Week Two :: Boys Will Be Boys, Then Men   ::  July 4 – 11, 2015 (view events & speakers) Week Three ::  Immigration  ::  July 11 - 18, 2015 (view events & speakers) - See more at: http://ciweb.org/lecture-themes-2015#sthash.LShYj0s2.dpuf * Volunteer in your community (click here) * Join EPIP.org to surround yourself with people who are engaged in self reflection through an intentional leadership practice (click here) DO SOMETHING!  Here are some readings to inspire your thinking:

• Race, the Police and the Propaganda by Nicholas Kristof http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/opinion/sunday/nicholas-kristof-race-the-police-and-the-propaganda.html
• An understanding of "colorism" http://colorismhealing.org/tag/darrick-hamilton/
• Chris Rock Talks to Frank Rich About Ferguson, Cosby, and What ‘Racial Progress’ Really Means http://www.vulture.com/2014/11/chris-rock-frank-rich-in-conversation.html
• Toni Morrison to Colbert: ‘There’s No Such Thing As Race’ http://colorlines.com/archives/2014/11/toni_morrison_colbert_show.html

We're not sure where we go next but I know that we will get to a better place if we go there together.