Obligated

We hold them accountable. Actors, sports stars, musicians, politicians, we hold all of them accountable. They have a voice. They have an audience. People listen to things that they have to say. So they, especially African Americans should speak out right? They should all speak out against the social injustices of this country. A lot of them do just that.

Now I'm not too hard on the ones that don't. I know that it's not an easy thing to do. I know that with cancel culture being as prevalent as it is some of them have to be careful what they say. I get that. I understand.

For me though it's a little bit different. I'm not famous. I don't have a huge audience of people who listen to what I have to say. I'm just a host of a very small podcast. I'm also a man that preaches being true to myself. I talk all the time about keeping it real. So that's what I try to do.

So, even though my audience is small I still feel obligated to use what little voice I have to speak out. So that's what I've done.

Now my podcast it's usually fun. It's an entertainment podcast. Mostly about my opinions on movies, television shows, sports and pop culture. I try to stay away from the hard topics like religion and politics, but like I said I have an obligation to use my voice.

So I did. I did an episode on the Colin Kapernick situation. I gave my honest opinion on how the narrative of injustice changed to being about respect for the flag.

I also last February did an episode dedicated to the celebration of Black History Month. As a black man with a voice I think that it is only right that I praise the great accomplishments of my people.

I did an episode on Stephen A. Smith. A black man who's done amazing things throughout his career at ESPN. He's also a man that has often used his voice to speakout against injustice. Especially in the matter of diversity of head coaches and general managers in sports.

I have an episode on Jemele Hill a black woman who's also has done great things at ESPN. She also continues to use her voice to speak out and now has a show on CNN coming soon.

Anyone that knows me also knows that I grew up a Jehovah's Witness. I did an episode on my childhood growing up in that religion. Not to promote it or convert people. Not to get people to change their beliefs but just to inform them. Just to let them know that I didn't have the strict terrible childhood they believed I did.

Having daughters of my own I with great disgust watched and did an episode about the Netflix documentary on Jeffrey Epstein. I felt obligated to speak out not only against him but against anyone that would do such horrible things.

I featured a man Daryl Davis in one of my episodes. I found it quite astounding that a black man would befriend Klan members. The best part of the story is that over 200 klansmen quit do to his efforts to give them a different view of black people.

Now since I've started my podcast I've also ventured out into other forms of entertaining people. That's where Vocal comes in. I've found a place where I can write and have people read my work. Vocal has helped me find a more creative way to speak out and share my views on things with a whole new audience.

Now the question is in 2022 what am gonna do to foster in kindness and inclusivity. Well I'm going to continue to use my podcast to speak against injustices. Not only those against blacks but also things that I feel may not be fair to anyone regardless of color. I'm also making a concious effort to put more diverse characters in my stories. But the main thing that I'm going to do is help and support my fellow writers.

Since I've been writing on vocal I have interacted with some amazing people. People of all different ages, races, and backgrounds. All talented and enthusiastic about writing. I've been encouraged and shown support for my work.

I was even given the opportunity to collaborate on a story with a few other great writers. The vocal community is a place where I feel safe. A place where all criticism is creative. Where we all want the success of each other. So that's what I'm going to continue to do. I'm going to continue to read and support the other writers work.

I'm going to continue to interact with them in our social media groups. I'm going to continue to help them in any way that I can. I going to nurtue healthy conversations between us about any social differences that we may have.

I'm also going to listen to their perspectives and views and be very open minded about their experiences and opinions. I'm also going to encourage any young people that I come across that have aspirations in writing to join vocal as well. I may even offer to pay their monthly fee to give them opportunities to enter the challenges.

I'm not doing this for publicity or likes. I'm doing this because of who I am. That I'm a person that believes if you have a voice you should use it the make the world better. I believe that showing love, speaking out against injustice, promoting kindness and inclusivity is not just something I want to do. It is my obligation.

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My name is Tyrone Livingston. You can find the link to The Lisper Podcast in my bio.