Senator Reverend Warnock and Atlanta Icon Phaedra Parks Close Black History Month with Instagram Live Conversation
This was Senator Reverend Warnock’s first Instagram Live conversation, continuing his efforts to meet Georgians where they are in the digital media environment
Senator Reverend Warnock and Phaedra Parks discussed the importance of Black History Month and what it means to them, the contributions of Black Americans to the nation, and more
Senator Reverend Warnock: “Black History Month means a lot to me. I am a product of the work of our ancestors, the folks who’ve been doing the work long before you and I showed up. And, like you, I wouldn’t be where I am were it not for the folks who paved the way. I am an iteration of the American dream. And I like to remind people that when we say happy Black History Month, we really mean everybody. Everybody ought to celebrate Black history, because America would not be America without the contributions of Black Americans”
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined Atlanta attorney and television personality Phaedra Parks for an Instagram Live conversation to discuss the importance of Black History Month, the contributions of Black Americans to the nation, how family and mentors influenced and supported their upbringing, and what advice the Senator has for young Black Americans who want to become change agents in their communities. This was Senator Warnock’s first Instagram Live conversation, continuing his efforts to meet Georgians where they are in the digital media environment. During the 30-minute-long live conversation, Senator Warnock and Ms. Parks also discussed how they stay motivated in the fight for equality during these polarizing times.
“Even with the craziness in Washington, every few days, I pinch myself. I can’t believe I get to do this work, that I get to represent 11 million people, the people of Georgia, in the United States Senate. I get to fight for Black farmers who have been discriminated against, literally for centuries. We were able to work with colleagues of mine like Cory Booker, and literally get billions of dollars in relief for Black farmers. I passed a bill that capped the cost of insulin so your grandma can afford her insulin. I pushed President Biden to do the student debt relief that you saw him doing throughout his administration,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Who gets to do these incredible things? And so even with the craziness in Washington, I just keep my eye on the prize. As John Lewis, who was one of my mentors, used to say, ‘Who am I? Who are you? Who are we to give up?’”
Senator Warnock also talked about his upbringing in public housing in Savannah, Georgia, and the importance of having a loving family and community that invested in him. This tied into his advice to young Black Americans who want to be agents of change in their communities; the senator highlighted the importance of leaning on community, getting an education, and taking time to prepare and put in the hard work that leads one to accomplish their dreams and enable others to do the same.
“I got a good quality education in the public schools of Savannah. I had two parents who loved on me and poured into me, and a church community that surrounded me, and other mamas and dads. As you know, in the Black community, we got a lot of play mamas and play daddies and play cousins, and they all become part of the village. And they could convince me that I could make a difference. And I believed it. I believed it, and kept on pushing,”said Senator Reverend Warnock. “But you have to prepare. You have to do the work. You have to be disciplined. You have to go to school and pass the test and do the work. It’s a terrible thing for the moment to arrive and you’re not prepared. Too often, the folks who know aren’t talking and the folks who don’t know are talking. We need people who are prepared to lead us in a time like this.”
Missed the live conversation? Interested media can still view the conversation on Instagram HERE.
See key excerpts from the Instagram Live conversation below:
Phaedra Parks (PP): “What does Black History Month mean to you?”
Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “Black History Month means a lot to me. I am a product of the work of our ancestors, the folks who’ve been doing the work long before you and I showed up. And, like you, I wouldn’t be where I am were it not for the folks who paved the way. I am an iteration of the American dream. And I like to remind people that when we say happy Black History Month, we really mean everybody. Everybody ought to celebrate Black history, because America would not be America without the contributions of Black Americans, without the contributions of people of African descent. And you know, I was speaking recently at the National Cathedral, preached there last week, and in the midst of all of this debate about DEI and folks making it a bad word, you know, part of what I said the other Sunday at the National Cathedral is that don’t tell me you don’t believe in DEI when you literally live in a White House built by Black hands, by the hands of people who are uncompensated for their work. America is America because of the contributions of African Americans. And I’m proud to represent all the people of Georgia as the first Black senator from our state.”
PP: “With politics and everything being so polarized, how do you really stay motivated to fight some of these very challenging things that we are dealing with politically, and continue the fight for equal rights for everyone? What motivates you?”
SRW: “I care. You know, in addition to being a pastor and a senator, my favorite job is daddy. I’m a father. I’ve got two amazing children. My daughter is eight, my son is six, and when I think about the kind of world that I want them to live in, and when I think about the sacrifices of my own parents, that gets me up every day. And even with all the craziness in Washington, I have to tell you, Phaedra, I’m really living the dream. I have always wanted to be a person of impact. I’ve always wanted to be an agent of change for the better. Martin Luther King Jr. was my model from childhood, and I decided early on that I wanted to have my life make a difference in the world. I often say that I was born a year after Dr. King’s death, but Martin Luther King Jr., his spirit at least, recruited me to Morehouse. I was so inspired by his voice. As a kid, I used to try to preach like him, and eventually you find your own voice. And I just wanted to go to the college that Dr. King attended as a poor kid who grew up in Savannah, Georgia in Kayton Homes housing projects. I just wanted to go to Dr. King’s school. I didn’t know I’d end up leading Dr. King’s church. God always dreams a dream bigger than a dream. We’ve been dreaming for ourselves. And I mean it, even with the craziness in Washington, every few days, I pinch myself. I can’t believe I get to do this work, that I get to represent 11 million people, the people of Georgia, in the United States Senate. I get to fight for Black farmers who have been discriminated against, literally for centuries. We were able to work with colleagues of mine like Cory Booker and literally get billions of dollars in relief for Black farmers. I passed a bill that capped the cost of insulin so your grandma can afford her insulin. I pushed President Biden to do the student debt relief that you saw him doing throughout his administration. Who gets to do these incredible things? And so even with the craziness in Washington, I just keep my eye on the prize. As John Lewis, who was one of my mentors, used to say, ‘Who am I? Who are you? Who are we to give up?’”
PP: “Amen. Now I’ve heard you preach. We’ve been friends for decades. But what advice would you give to people who want to be a leader? What do you say to young Black leaders who want to make an impact in their community, who want to be an agent of change? You talk about coming from very meager beginnings in Savannah, how did you ever see yourself in this position? Did you realize that you had greatness in you? And how did that come into fruition?”
SRW: “I think preparation is necessary.”
PP: “Amen.”
SRW: “And I got a good quality education in the public schools of Savannah. I had two parents who loved on me and poured into me, and a church community that surrounded me, and other mamas and dads. As you know, in the Black community, we got a lot of play mamas and play daddies and play cousins, and they all become part of the village. And they could convince me that I could make a difference. And I believed it. I believed it and kept on pushing. But you have to prepare. You have to do the work. You have to be disciplined. You have to go to school and pass the test and do the work. It’s a terrible thing for the moment to arrive and you’re not prepared. Too often, the folks who know aren’t talking and the folks who don’t know are talking. We need people who are prepared to lead us in a time like this.”
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