For Michael and two childhood friends, growing up Black meant putting up with subtle slurs and insults — a form of racism known today as “microagression” — comments typically masked in the guise of humor, confusing to the person who is the target, sometimes devastating.
Michael, who only wants to use his first name on the radio, leads the discussion.
He and his two friends, Ernest Monts and Orrin Johnson, talk openly about how they cultivated the ability to appear invisible — whether in stores, in elevators or in the presence of police — a necessary survival skill for young black men.
Part 1. Microagression.
Part 2. Racism and Invisibility.
Part 3. Toxic Masculinity.
This edition of Juneau Afternoon was presented by the Juneau Black Awareness Association. It aired on January 28, 2021 on KTOO Juneau 104.3 at 3:00 p.m. Also, online at KTOO.org and rebroadcast at 4:00 p.m. on KRNN 102.7.
