Episode 40: The Practice of Remaining Awake

Jan 21

In this special MLK Day episode, Emma and I reflect on the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the meaning of remaining awake during times of social upheaval, and what it means to bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice in everyday life.

Inspired by Dr. King’s 1968 sermon Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution, the conversation weaves together history, current political realities, the concept of the Beloved Community, and the courage of young people to tell the truth without fear. Along the way, Emma offers her own “chicken nugget wisdom,” reminding us that awakening is not about knowing everything, but about refusing to look away.

Chapters

00:58 – Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Amber reflects on why MLK Day matters beyond the holiday, naming Dr. King’s lifelong work against racism, militarism, and poverty, and the throughline of dignity and belonging that shaped his leadership.

02:01 – Community Center and Keynote Speaker

Amber shares her experience attending the MLK Breakfast at the Crispus Attucks Community Center and hearing a keynote from Frederick Joseph, whose words affirmed the importance of youth voice and truth-telling.

03:40 – Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution

The conversation centers on Dr. King’s final Sunday sermon and the metaphor of Rip Van Winkle, who slept through a revolution. Amber and Emma explore what it means to remain awake when others choose comfort, distance, or denial.

07:17 – Understanding Racism and Privilege

Amber unpacks Dr. King’s critique of the “bootstrap myth,” systemic inequality, and how generational advantage shapes opportunity, connecting historical policy to present-day disparities.

09:58 – Identity and Race Conversations

Emma asks incisive questions about race, skin color, and belonging, leading to an honest discussion about how identity is socially constructed and how people are categorized, labeled, and misunderstood.

23:41 – Proactive vs. Reactive Actions

Using the 3D Power Tools framework, Amber and Emma distinguish between reactive responses to injustice and proactive commitments rooted in values, preparation, and daily practice.

25:08 – Reflecting on Riots and Public Statements

Amber reflects on 2020, institutional responses to racial reckoning, and how performative statements often replace meaningful action, revealing the difference between alignment and appearance.

26:43 – The Trump Era and Divisiveness

The conversation turns to the current political climate, rising division, ICE, and how “empire” reveals who is truly committed to justice, dignity, and shared humanity.

31:20 – The Concept of the Beloved Community

Amber explains the Beloved Community through the teachings of Bernice King and the work of The King Center, emphasizing that it is not a destination, but a daily practice rooted in dignity, truth, and nonviolence.

38:01 – Good Trouble and Youth Courage

Inspired by John Lewis, Amber asks Emma the keynote question: “What’s the first time you made good trouble?”
Emma recounts standing up to racism at a young age, illustrating how children often recognize injustice before fear teaches them silence.

47:46 – Final Thoughts and Wisdom

Emma offers her closing “Chicken Nugget Wisdom,” reminding listeners:

Don’t fall asleep to what’s happening
Don’t overwhelm yourself into despair
Talk to young people, because they hold wisdom adults often forget

Amber closes by affirming that awakening is not about learning something new, but remembering who we were before oppression taught us to look away.

Listener Reflection

Where have you noticed yourself waking up, or drifting back to sleep?
What values guide your actions when comfort is tempting?
When was the first time you made good trouble? (Thanks for this question, Frederick Joseph!)