Top 10, Part 2

Previously, I created and then shared a list of ten people who inspire me (linked). In the midst of everything that is happening in our world, right now, I've noticed something unsettling about my list as it was being composed. Within my ten spots, I have one black person. Within my ten spots, I have one female. It's a pretty homogeneous group; there isn't a lot of diversity in regards to the people who I'm following.

I know that I need to step outside of my bubble. I'm open to any/all suggestions for who I need to add to my list so that it is has a more diverse representation. In the meantime, I'm reading things, I'm watching things, and I'm listening to things that will allow me to learn and better understand people who don't necessarily look like me.

Here's a few more lists of some things that I've consumed and that I'd recommend. I hope that you'll consider exploring some of the titles that I'm about to share. It will be worth your time.

What have I read, recently:

• All American Boys, by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reyonlds (Reading Now)
  
• The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander
• Dear Martin, by Nic Stone
• Ghost, by Jason Reynolds
• Ghost Boys, by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Reading Next)
• Look Both Ways, by Jason Reynolds
• The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas
• Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning, by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
• The Stars Beneath Our Feet, by David Barclay Moore

What have I watched, recently:

• 13th - This. Watch this.
• Fruitvale Station - so I didn't watch this recently, but it left such an impact that it immediately came to mind  light of our current situation.
• Just Mercy and Selma - these two movies are both FREE during the month of June on Amazon 
• Watchmen - I watched this series on HBO, last fall/winter. It's the one thing on this list of things that I've watched that is not like the others. I'm including it on this list because the first episode is how/when I first learned of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921.
• When They See Us - so I didn't watch this recently, either. It's a four-episode series on Netflix that I watched, last summer. It's absolutely devastating (like most of these titles), but it's also absolutely outstanding.

What have I been listening to (podcasts), recently:

• '1619,' a podcast series from the New York Times - I especially recommend the first episode.
  
• Flying Coach with Steve Kerr and Pete Carroll
  "Gregg Popovich on America in 2020, the Leadership Void, and What Needs to Change"
  
• Unlocking Us
  "Brené with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist"

I'm not saying that these titles on this list are the best of the best, but they are what I've consumed (and I've really enjoyed them). What would you add? Please share with me. I'm looking to continue my learning so that I can better understand.

Top 10, Part 1

I don't know what sparked this idea. I don't remember why I started this list of people. And I'm not entirely certain how to classify this list of people that I've created.

Nonetheless, this is a list of people who inspire me. It is a list of people who are sharing ideas and messages that excite me. This is a list of people who are creating content - articles, books, podcasts, videos, articles - that I am pushing to the top of my reading/listening/watching lists upon publication.

• Brene Brown - First I watched her TED Talk, "The Power of Vulnerability." Then I read her book, Dare to Lead. And now I'm listening to her podcast (her voice is one of the ultimate voices for narrating a podcast), Unlocking Us. As I'm writing this, I'm questioning why have I only read one of her books?
  
  
• Pete Carroll and Steve Kerr - I am combining these two names to take-up one spot due to their partnership on the podcast that they co-host, Flying Coach. I love learning about leadership from sports. These two coaches are two of the very best in their respective sports.
  
  
• James Clear - He only has one book, Atomic Habits, but it's a great one. He has also made the rounds on the podcast circuit as an excellent guest; two that I'd highly recommend are Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris, "194 Atomic Habits,  James Clear," and The Rich Roll Podcast, "Episode 401 James Clear." His 3-2-1 Thursday (3 ideas, 2 quotes, and 1 question) newsletter is one that I subscribe to and read regularly. And the one thing that distinguishes Clear from every other person on this list is the Clear Habit Journal that he has created and I use, daily.
  
  
• Tim Ferris - He is an author, but I've never read any of his books. He has a newsletter, 5-Bullet Friday that I subscribe to and a podcast, The Tim Ferris Show that I love. His podcast is on the lengthier side (almost always over an hour, and sometime beyond two hours), but his guest list and the content discussed is exceptional. Worth noting about the guest list for his podcast seems to be the diverse areas of expertise that they bring to each episode. He may have Jamie Foxx or Arnold Schwarzenegger one episode, Dr. Jane Goodall the next, and either Ryan Holiday or Jocko Willink to follow
  
  
• Malcolm Gladwell - He has a podcast, Revisionist History, which is good. It's his books, however, which are great and why he has a spot on my list. If you're looking for one to introduce yourself to Gladwell, my favorite is David and Goliath.
  
  
• David Goggins - The only member of the U.S. armed forces to ever to complete training as an Air Force Tactical Air Controller, Army Ranger, and Navy Seal. He is also considered to be one of the world's best ultra-endurance athletes. I highly recommend that you listen to the audio-book version Can't Hurt Me, which is the book that he wrote. His message motivates. 
  
  
• Jon Gordon - I had the pleasure of listening to Gordon speak during a School Administrators of Iowa conference some years ago. Positivity is his platform. He's written numerous books that are quick and easy reads; they are written as stories to give insight that will allow us to better ourselves as individuals. Recently, I was introduced to his Positive University Podcast where he interviews guests - many of whom are coaches.
  
  
• Ryan Holiday - The writer who turned-me on to the teachings of stoicism. Holiday's books include a stoic influenced trilogy of The Obstacle is the Way, Ego is the Enemy, and Stillness is the Key (my personal favorite). He also has a podcast, The Daily Stoic with is definitely worth a listen (episodes range from a couple of minutes to under an hour).
  
  
• Joshua Medcalf - I've read one of his books, Chop Wood Carry Water, and listened to another, Pound the Stone. Chop Wood Carry Water is easily in the conversation for books that earn a spot on my Mt. Rushmore of books. Medcalf preaches process, which is a message that has me all ears. I'm counting down the days until his next book, Win in the Dark, is released.
  
  
• Jocko Willink - A retired officer of the United States Navy who also served in the Navy SEAL teams, has become one of my favorite authors and podcasters. His content is geared towards leadership and discipline, and it is great. As a Dad, I am especially fond of his Way of the Warrior Kid book series and the message that it conveys to kids.
  

None of the people on this list work in schools, but they are teachers. None of the content that the people on this list share is in regards to school, yet it is has value in education. You see, I strongly believe in personal development over professional development. And the ideas and messages that these 10 people share will undoubtedly make us better people, which in-turn makes us better educators, principals, teachers, etc.

So this is my list. It certainly doesn't end at 10 names, but for the sake of this post that is where I decided to draw the line. I'm curious to know, who would you make a case for me to add to my list?  Please share with me. And also, if you took the time to read this post, I hope that I've made a strong enough case that you're now motivated to explore at least one of the names that I've mentioned. It will be worth your time.

Listen, Learn, and Understand. Be an Ally.

Writing brings me mental clarity. It's therapeutic for me. I enjoy it.

The other night, my family and I attended a peaceful protest to combat police brutality, racism, inequity, and injustices. It was a humbling experience.

Within the messages, several ideas resonated with me that I'd like to capture and share.

• I can't walk in your shoes. But I can LISTEN and LEARN in an attempt to UNDERSTAND.
• Be an ally for you.

A thought that resonated with me the most, however, came in reference to talk of mass incarceration and the assassinations of black historical figures. And while I don't recall the direct quote, one of the speakers posed the question, how would your life be different if all of your fathers and all of your leaders were continually taken-away from you? This question underscored my privilege; it really left an impact with me and forced me to reflect. 

Shortly after the protest, while putting my nine-year-old son to bed, I ran through a daily list of prompts with him. When I asked him about something that's worrying him, he responded with being worried that racism won't end.

In 2004, Kanye West rapped, "Racism's still alive, they just be concealin' it." In light of recent events, it is apparent that racism remains a harsh reality. Nonetheless, I'm hopeful. One of my favorite movie lines, from one of my favorite movies - The Dark Knight - "The night is darkest just before the dawn."

I've spent a lot of time during the past week, or so, listening, reading, and watching content related to the social injustices that have taken and continue to take place. I'll start to close with a few more ideas that have caused me to further reflect and stretch thinking that I'd grown-up believing.

• It's not enough to not be a racist. Not being a racist is passive. Being passive towards racism allows for racism to continue. We have to be active anti-racists.
• People aren't racist. People do racist things. 
• It is harmful to say that we don't see color. Color is a part of who we are. What's harmful is to treat someone different because of their color.

We all have bias, and that's not wrong. As I imagine Brene Brown telling us, we need to lean-in. Embrace being uncomfortable in an effort to learn and grow. I'm listening, I'm learning, and I'm trying to better understand. I want to be an ally.