So you've come down really, really
hard on all the violent protests and the looting that's
going on.
But you do acknowledge that they're just angry
and they don't know how to channel that anger?
Yeah, absolutely right.
And Atlanta is the home of the civil rights movement.
That's no secret.
So we're used to protests and to gatherings
and true organization.
But what we saw happening in our city on Friday
was not in that spirit at all.
I understand the anger and the frustration.
Because I'm feeling it.
I'm watching my children feel it, too.
But we also saw that there was just
a need for disruption from some.
And I went back today.
And I pulled the "Appeal for Human Rights."
It was a document that was drafted by some students
from the Atlanta University Center.
Roslyn Pope was a Spelman student.
And it was a very succinct document that was put together
during the Civil Rights Movement that
outlined exactly what their grievances were
and the resolution that they were seeking.
And I think that is a conversation that we
have to move towards now.
We have articulated our grievances.
We're angry.
But now, we've got to formalize it
so we'll know what the point of satisfaction
is in this country.
And there's so much work to be done.
Yes.
But I think a lot of-- and especially a lot
of the young people-- are saying the peaceful protests didn't
work because we're still in a situation like this.
So the peaceful protest don't work.
I feel like there has to be--
and I've spoken with Tyler Perry about this
and a lot of people--
there has to be a plan.
Even today when I call the "Appeal for Human Rights"
that the student is drafted in the 1960s,
I sent it over to Killer Mike.
And what I said to him is, we've got to lead this conversation
and create a true framework.
Our young people don't have any direction.
And there is no clear leadership.
But we've been through this before.
And I often quote Audre Lorde.
"Revolution is not a one time event."
Peaceful protests in this country got results.
We got through the Civil Rights Movement.
And we have been moving forward in this country
for a very, very long time.
But it didn't happen in an instant.
In the same way one protest is not
going to make everything suddenly go away and change,
it's got to be a framework for us to know exactly what it
is that we want.
We know that we want black men and women not
to be killed on our streets.
That's a very easy answer.
But the reality is, if we don't change our policies,
and if we don't acknowledge and address
the systematic issues that have gotten us to this point today,
then we're going to be in this state of chaos
for a very long time.
And I think that is such an important point.
Because as a white father, I have never
had to say to my kids, be careful when you go out there.
Be careful for the police.
And when you are a black child in this country--
and I've explained this to my 13-year-old twins--
this is something you go through every day.
You wake up every morning and know you are black.
And you know that you are going out there.
And you are going to be in a level of potential danger
that my two sons will never have to understand.
And I appreciate your saying that.
And I was even thinking back to after Ferguson,
having a conversation with my son, and him saying to me, mom,
you have no idea how hard it is to be a black boy in America.
And I remember his anguish and his pain.
And what struck me today as I was thinking about Ferguson
is that for his entire life he's had
to deal with this anguish and this pain
because he's seen it on television day in and day out.
And he feels helpless.
And the reality is, it doesn't matter how many conversations I
have of my kids and my sons, if you aren't having them
with your kids, then we all got to have this conversation.
But I do think there has been a monumental shift
in this country this week.
And I know it's true.
Because I'm seeing white police officers
take a knee next to black protesters.
So the fact that they are articulating
very boldly and very publicly, saying
I don't have all of the answers, but I recognize that you're
hurting, I think is a step that we
hadn't seen taken in this country at least
in my lifetime.
Yeah, yeah.
And then you have the sheriff in Flint, Michigan,
who is fantastic, who took off his uniform, his badge,
and marched with the peaceful protesters, and took a knee.
I think we have to take a break.
Because I want to get all this in.
So I'm going to take a break.
But that just broke my heart, just hearing your son say,
you have no idea how hard it is to be a black boy.
And it's like, I can't imagine growing up
with that kind of anxiety and fear.
And of course that creates anger.
Of course it goes somewhere when you're--
but we're going to take a break.
And we'll be back.