In honor of Black History Month, we are revisiting some previous conversations we have had with some amazing people we had the honor of talking to over this past year. One extra special guest was our very own Co-Founder’s father, Harry Anderson, who spoke with us about his experiences growing up in the 1960’s amid segregation and racial tensions associated with the era.

While some might feel angry about this unequal playing field, Harry advises that “we are all part of the human race, and you can’t go through life being angry at people who have historically oppressed you. You have to find ways to achieve your objectives, irrespective of what other people do.”

The Jim Crow Laws that Harry speaks of have left a residue of systemic racism in the United States, making the continuous struggle for human equality far from over. Harry reflected on this truth and said, “We’re starting from a position of marginalization in many instances, which means having to work harder and having to go farther just to try to get to the same level.”

Harry ended up having a 13-year career in law enforcement: “I can't even begin to tell you all the experiences that you have as a police officer. It's this kind of thing I think everybody should do for one year. If you just do it for one year, you will understand the human condition, but you will just have to leave before you get jaded,” advised Harry.

Harry made an interesting distinction regarding what it means to be a policeman to him: He said, “I never saw myself in law enforcement. I saw myself in public service and public safety...much of the problem that you have in the country now within the realm of police work is that officers see themselves as law enforcers.”

It is this nuanced perspective that was so fascinating to explore with Harry, and we hope you take the time to do so for yourself by listening to our full conversation linked here

Written by Isabella Harnick