It took me three days to write about Philando Castile.

Took that long to process the news that yet again, Black American lives would not be deemed worthy of justice; that here in the U.S., our lives can be taken with impunity at any moment, for any reason, or for no reason at all – for going to the corner store for pop (while Black), a “routine” traffic stop (while Black), being in the wrong place (i.e. America) at the wrong time (i.e. the 21^st Century) in the wrong skin.

It took me three days to write about Philando Castile, officer Yanez, and the judgment of “not guilty,” somehow rendered in the face of (warning: graphic footage) videographic evidence live streamed around the world by Castile’s girlfriend during his public murder at the hands of the Saint Anthony Police Department. They are hands that we now know will get to go home and hold their children and love their partner, privileges that Mr. Castile will, of course, never again enjoy.

Three days, y’all.

And by the time I did write, my twitter feed had begun to bleed word of yet another grievous and brutal murder of an innocent Black person by the cops. Word – words, that is – 140 character statements on Charleena Lyles, a pregnant, disabled mother of four who called the cops to report a burglary and was slaughtered in her own home, in front of her children, by the paid public officials she had turned to for help and protection – officials who, by the way, were recorded discussing the woman’s background and acknowledging awareness both of her history of mental health issues and the likelihood of children being present into the house before they began the fatal shooting.

And all this leading up to Juneteenth…

I’ve got to say it.

The paramilitary arm of the state, if it is to continue selling the myth that it is an institution of public servants mandated to “serve and protect,” necessitates serious attention to the need for accountability structures to ensure appropriate hiring, rigorous training in deescalation strategies and nonviolent communication techniques, community/civilian oversight, and regulatory check-ins. In the interest of establishing a true community policing system, I would also argue that the police should be hired from the communities they are intended to serve and sharply demilitarized.

The lie that the police are here to protect us has been exposed. Who, after all, is the us in this formulation? Who is being protected when a pregnant woman at home alone with her children can’t call on the police to help protect her from burglars without risking her life at the hands of those who justify this violence on the basis of public service and protection? Why do White criminals get treated better than innocent Black people by the cops who claim to serve us all?

No more hiding, no more lies. The system has not failed us, it has simply exposed the reality that it was never built to protect us in the first place.

The police should no longer be granted political and legal immunity for the murders they routinely commit, they should not be protected when they prey upon children and (again routinely) target communities of color. Everyone suffers from implicit biases, but in the case of the police who are armed and apparently authorized to commit any violence they deem utile, leaving victims without recourse to legal protections or justice for the (often brutal) murders of their loved ones. And yes, I’m using the word murder intentionally, to draw attention to unlawful, vicious killings we are told in a million ways we are supposed to just forget about as we are encouraged to accept the pat, insufficient and unrepentant justifications.

Hear me: when the police joked about this woman’s mental health history, when they slaughtered her in her own home, after her own call for help, in front of her children, they were not AFRAID FOR THEIR LIVES. They are trained professionals, responding to a typical request for assistance from the community they are (ostensibly) paid “to serve and protect.”

As a black, non-binary, queer femme who has been paying taxes since their teen years, I have to say, I am increasingly unwilling to pay the salaries of the people who would willingly shoot me in my own home, in front of my family, with no compunction about responsibilities, duties, or the requirements of justice. I do not feel safe. I am not protected under these circumstances.

We hear so much about how the police “can’t do their jobs” without this kind of licensed, unregulated impunity, without a sense of freedom to exercise whatever force (which is to say, violence) they deem “necessary,” but necessary for what? Against whom? Who in this system is truly being protected, I ask you? Who do you know that is truly afraid for their lives? And how am I supposed to do my job, knowing that a cop could kill me at any time…no crime committed, no law broken, in total compliance, with my hand up, in my own yard or home, in my own car, in front of my children, my spouse, my neighbors. I ask you again, how am I  supposed to do my job (as an academic and a researcher, as a community member, as a family member) while I must fear for my life anywhere and everywhere I go in my own community?

Is the cop who kills me for no reason, and is then back on the streets truly contributing more to my community than my professional research and nonprofit service, my volunteer work, the financial support I provide for my family? Is his value that much greater than mine, simply because the police department doesn’t want to be held accountable, merely so they can continue to function free of oversight?

It is unacceptable; I submit to you: when the legal code does not protect us, we must change it.

When the cops are allowed to ignore the laws that do exist for the purpose of public protection, we must bring all American citizens into compliance with those laws.

The police are not inherently just in their actions – they are people, they have biases, they make mistakes, but they are also paid professionals who are trained for high-stress, potentially volatile situations, and who have been armed by our government with military grade assault weapons making the implementation of lethal violence very easy to enact. Therefore, the tax-based salaries and stated sociopolitical mission of the police require that they accept the responsibility that comes with the position and the armaments with which we have (unwisely) outfitted them.

It is imperative that we refuse to legitimize this unnecessary, unprovoked violence, force and the taking of lives in communities of color as simply the acceptable, collateral damage that we pay for “law and order.” When the laws are written so they don’t apply to the lethal use of paramilitary force against U.S. citizens in full compliance with the law and with the commands of the authorized authorities, they are no longer working in service of either the people, the “justice” (or shall we say, justification) system, or the cause of “order.”

And although we live and labor under a system that does not protect us equally, I reject the notion of a black-and-white America, or an us-versus-them America, or a divided States of America. Instead, I believe that true healing and justice for all lie in the direction of a United States that has room enough for all our voices, languages, cultures, faces and stories.

An America that does not protect all of us, does not protect any of us.

On February 4, 2016, members of the African community in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center were brought together to express their opinions on what themes and topics they were interested in talking about within the African community related to healing, wellness, and the African Diaspora. They also talked about what it looks like to be inclusive of the entire African Diaspora, including children, youth and senior citizens. After this gathering, many felt that the community needed more time to plan an event together. With this in mind, the Marnita’s Table team added one more planning convening to give the community time to plan.

On April 14th, 2016 the community gathered once again. With catering by the Red Sea and Akwaaba African Market, guests were nourished by good food and positive conversation. Everyone in the room was able to have their voices heard – from young to old.

Throughout the evening, children could be heard laughing, drumming, and making new friends. The night ended with Circle Share-in where every single guest, including children, told everyone what they were grateful for. Some shared gratitude for coming together in community, while others said they were grateful for life itself. The night ended with conversation, new relationships and excitement about the future of the community.

On Friday, April 1^st CentraCare-Long Prairie and Long Prairie/Grey Eagle High School came together with Marnita’s Table to host a Career Fair for high school students and community members interested in a new or future career. Community members, educators, families, and representatives from many different careers came to make new connections and share knowledge about new careers.

Throughout the evening, those looking to do more research on careers received handed a passport that categorized all careers using colors. The different categories were along the lines of STEM, Arts, Human Services, Business/Management, and Agriculture.

Each student or community member interested in these categories were encouraged to not only grab related materials, but to make a connection with someone interested in the same field/s. A resource wall was available for students seeking materials about every career represented at the event.

The night came to close with Circle Share-in, laughs and hugs, and raffle prizes for students who completed their passports.

On March 30-31, 2016 St. Thomas University hosted their annual Diversity and Inclusion conference. Guests were local and global leaders on diversity and inclusion practices in the workplace and society as a whole. Celebrating it’s 28^th year, Marnita’s Table was invited as a guest and speaker for the conference. Marnita Schroedl, CEO of Marnita’s Table, spoke on taking risks and trusting in oneself during the opening performance. Her speech was honest and powerful as it explained how “we live in a capitalistic society… what we value we pay for” and how to not undermine your experience and worth.

During the conference speakers from all over the world gave insight on how to create a more inclusive environment for all and how to reach out to those who have been historically left out of organizations. Marnita’s Table held a session on Intentional Social Interaction and it’s use in not only the community, but in business as well.

On February 23, 2016, the Catalyst Initiative hosted its first convening of all seed grantees from 2015. This was a chance for our community partners to share lessons learned and begin to explore how their networks can be enhanced and communities of practice built.

Each organization was invited to bring up to four representatives. We invited each group to share a five-minute presentation on their project and lessons learned to date. The stories were compelling, inspiring and creative examples of the innate power to heal that resides in each of us.

Throughout the day a few seed grantee healers led sessions. Samba Fall taught us about the unique elements of African Healing Drums and gave personal examples of how they have dramatically improved the health of his own daughter.

Dr. Joi Lewis led a session exploring topics such as radical self care and what it really means to be present. Dr. Lewis is a coach and consultant for those searching for authentic connection with themselves.

The day was filled with networking and educating one another on achievements and challenges faced. Themes that wound through every organization’s story included the surmounting of obstacles and successes in integrative, spiritual and cultural practices for health and wellbeing.

Spend a few hours with Marnita Schroedl, and you’ll start thinking that if we could get five million people into her Minneapolis home, the state soon wouldn’t have a problem left to solve.

Schroedl and her husband, Carl Goldstein, run an organization — Marnita’s Table — that connects the powerless to the powerful through the first thing they have in common: food. It prompted reader Melissa Garrity to suggest her for News Cut’s You Should Meet series:

Ah Marnita! She is such a wonderful person. She is a connector. She has an art of bringing people of diverse backgrounds together to connect. Something, I think we can do more often. She has a huge heart and has always brought people together at her table….she then started a non-profit organization (along with her husband Carl Goldstein), called…Marnita’s Table (see marnitastable.org). She focuses on starting conversations to bring people together from diverse backgrounds: culturally, financially, gender, sexual orientation, you name it. She feels if we can bring everyone to the table, we can accomplish something.

Schroedl grew up as a foster child in an all-white town in the Pacific Northwest. “I never really quite fit,” she said. “I struggled a lot in high school; I attempted suicide four times.”

She left home when she was 16 with $5 in her pocket.
“When I left home I made this vow: Nobody would ever feel unwelcome. As long as I had a roof over my head, that anybody who came to my door, that I would make everyone feel welcome in my home,” she said.

She worked in Los Angeles for a time and went back to college with the idea of getting into public relations. But a deeper sense of justice was tugging at her.

“I went to community college for two years and transferred into UCLA as an honor student,” she said. “I got all the way to midyear in my senior year. Something happened in the middle of a ‘skepticism and rationality’ seminar. It was one of these… ‘do I exist?’ discussions. I may not exist, but in my non-existence there are people who are literally homeless and starving and need help. I got up and walked out.”

With a career in corporate communications established in California, she moved to Minnesota in the ’90s. But her then-husband left her and the company she worked for went bankrupt.

“I’ve had one of those weird lives,” she quipped. “I basically sat down and revisioned myself.”

A dozen or so years ago, she met journalist Carl Goldstein, and turned her attention to doing something that makes a difference. Marnita’s Table was eventually born, as described on her organization’s website:

Our model, Intentional Social Interaction, is designed to catalyze enduring relationships between disparate populations and the organizations that serve them. In just six years we have become recognized and respected for our ability to bridge cultural differences and bring people of all ages, ethnicities and background together for the common good. Instead of being a “think tank,” we are a “connect & then do tank.”

It started when a non-profit, Social Venture Partners, was interested in engaging more people of color in philanthropy and asked her to put together an event. “So I invented something called the ‘dinner and dialogue’ and they gave us a small grant.”

Quickly, she says, she knew she was onto something. Marnita’s Table events — simply called, “a table” — are organized around a theme — homelessness, education, HIV, for example. People are allowed to invite anyone they want, sometimes to her home. “No less than 50 percent of the people have to be considered “the minority” — non decision-making and non-resource holding, she said. (See “Eating at the Table of Knowledge” for more information)

The meal is a big part of it. So are cards with questions on them spread around the table. “It’s not designed to talk about your problems,” she said. “It’s designed to talk about what you have in common. So you’re feeling pretty good; you have a nice glass of wine, there’s some good food. The food and the question on the table are leading it. There’s no facilitator.”

The smallest group at her table was was 12. The largest has been 700. Up to 150 have been in her home at once.

“Most of our things are passive,” she said. “You walk in and someone in the room will give you wisdom. Everyone here is viewed as an expert.”

Food, she says, is the great equalizer that allows people to talk about something they have in common. It’s what happens after that which solves problems.

“On November 5th, a young man came up to me and walked up with this in his hands,” she says, holding a very small baking pan with a cookie. “(He said), ‘You don’t know me. I came to your table three years ago, and what you didn’t know is I was homeless and I met someone in your living room. He gave me a job the next day. He knew I was homeless so he let me live in my car. He didn’t mind that I didn’t have a permanent address. I saved enough that I now have a kitchen and an efficiency apartment. Because I was at the table, I now have a kitchen.’”

During a table, people will leave contributions in envelopes. Schroedl keeps the notes attached to a few dollar bills. “‘Forgive us that it’s not more,’” she says, reading one. “‘If people only knew.’” She pauses and then shakes her head saying, “Forgive us for being poor.”

Schroedl says many of her “tables” take place in the 6th Congressional District. “They have all sorts of racial issues,” she said. “It’s a very diverse community in St. Cloud now. Most of those people come from conservative evangelical churches; they’re bringing them in as war refugees.”

In February, St Cloud School District Superintendent Bruce Watkins hosted a table with 90 community members to consider ways to improve the schools, a program called “Together We Succeed.”

She described a typical moment in the life of a table:

“There was a Somali man, and a man who (on a form participants fill out) said his passion is ‘maintaining a non-Socialistic, free society that is not taxed in excess.’ This guy and this guy aren’t in the same room very often. They both had 9th graders so they were talking about what educational success looks like to them. The Somali man said both his daughters were gang raped at a war refugee camp and so the definition of success to him is ‘when both of my daughters sleep through the night and they come home from school smiling.’ This other man had a 9th grade daughter, too, and he leaned in and touched the other man’s hand. And they put their heads together and they started talking. It’s about that human relationship and seeing each other as something other than their politics.”

But in this case, the program didn’t work out. The summer state shutdown scuttled it. Still, you can’t defund a human connection.

There are many more success stories, however. Schroedl hosts tables for students, who, she said, change their behaviors because of them. One young woman, for example, said she was getting D’s and F’s until she went to one of Schroedl’s dinners. Sometime later, she returned with a report card. “‘What you don’t know is I went back to class with a goal,’” she recalls the woman saying . “At the end of her quarter, she was getting B’s. She said the dinner and conversation “‘was the very first time anyone looked me in the eye and treated me as if I had value. I started behaving as if I had value.’” She’s in college now. She also works for Schroedl.

“It’s about knowing that all of us need a place. We need to know that we’re safe, that even if mom and dad get a divorce and that we don’t have money that we’re going to be connected, that we matter, that we have value. And that’s the number one thing I hear from the young people who come to the table: We mattered,” she said.

Each summer, Schroedl and Goldstein host an “I Have a Dream Graduation Party.” In 2008, a graduating senior invited her grandfather, a 78-year-old from Otter Tail County who “was deeply uncomfortable with the idea of mixed-ethnic romantic relationships.”

“There was food everywhere and we took all the furniture from the main floor of our house and put carpets on the front yard. We made a living room and dining room on the front yard so everyone could dance,” Schroedl recalled.

“Fifteen minutes after he came, he was literally bouncing saying, ‘This was the best party I’ve been to in my life.’ Fifteen minutes later he said, ‘I’ve never been with this many people of color before in my life. I always thought we had nothing in common, but it’s just that we’ve never talked before.’”

“Fifteen minutes after that he came up to me and said, ‘I live in Otter Tail County and the white people don’t talk to the immigrants and the immigrants don’t talk to the white people. I always thought it was because they were just in my community taking things, but I’m getting it’s because we don’t have a connection.’”

“The fourth time he comes back to me and says, ‘I’ve been talking to my wife; we want you to come to Otter Tail county and do a table.’”

“You know your living room will be half-filled with immigrants and people of color?” Schroedl said.

“He looked at me and said, ‘My community is dying. We can’t get anything done. This looks like it could really help my community.’”

Six months later, she said, the granddaughter brought a boyfriend home.

“He was Mexican-American,” Schroedl said. “And Grandpa showed up unexpectedly.” They both got along great, she said.

“‘What happened?’” Schroedl says the granddaughter asked him.

“‘You took me to that thing six months ago. I didn’t know what I didn’t know.’”

All because of a vow made by a 16-year-old girl who didn’t fit in.

http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/2011/11/table/