We have been waiting to say anything about the current protests on our social media channels because honestly, I have been busy listening. Over the past couple of days, I have listened to and absorbed many heartfelt Black Lives Matters statements from our nation’s Black leaders.
This is a movement that lays bare many difficult realities that our fellow Black citizens face every day. It reminds us that institutional racism is always here. It reminds us that white privilege is real. A few years ago, I struggled with understanding my own. In 2001, I opened my first business and when I went into the bank with all my fancy ideas for a wine bar in Lafayette Square they looked at me and asked, “How much money do you have?” I was perplexed, I am here because you are the bank, you have the money. The bank wasn’t going to lend money to me until I had money. I then had to ask my parents, who took money out of their house and lent it to me so I could get a loan from the bank for the money needed to open my business. Without that first loan I never would have been able to open my first business and definitely would not be able to open the ridiculously capital-intensive Civil Life. That is white privilege and a textbook transfer of generational wealth that opened up a door for me. I accept it. It doesn’t make me a bad person. It doesn’t take anything away from my parents who worked hard to put away money and provide for me. It doesn’t mean I haven’t worked hard. It just means things were certainly easier for me than for many equally or more talented Black men or women. Once I accepted and understood my privilege, I found it in me to try and do more. But most importantly to listen more. The Black Lives Matter movement will continue to open eyes and gather supporters. If you haven’t, please listen to their voices and stories. These stories are important reminders that we all have work to do to make this an equitable society. We must use this moment in time to chart a new course and it will take all of us to achieve this. I suspect the road will be long. There is no simple fix to well over a hundred years of injustice. But, we must not wait and we must not become complacent in our pursuit. The protests will slow down over the coming days and weeks. But let’s not wait for the next atrocity to happen to our fellow Black Americans to do something. Let’s listen deeply now and put in motion in each of our lives a path so we can begin healing our country and make much needed progress towards an equitable, fair and civil society. Let us collectively support stronger efforts to address inequities in health care, education and housing felt by Black Americans and lower income Americans. We support many causes throughout the year that reach out to our fellow Black citizens. But we are not doing enough, and we are going to build on it going forward to make our City a better city. I myself am going to continue to listen and learn from the Black Lives Matter movement. Be Civil. Be Kind. And let’s push forward towards an equitable world. Respectfully, Jake PS. I am taking a bit off of social media during this as you may have noticed. If I have been doing things right, all of our regular customers already know 100% where we stand on these issues. I will be listening and reading as much as I can over the coming months and years to make sure I have heard and am able to support this movement in ways that I haven’t before. Our Civil Life customers are some of the most generous, thoughtful people I have ever met. All of us are needed to be instruments of change.
2 Comments
Joyce McRath
7/31/2020 03:05:13 pm
I like your testimony. I was honored to enjoy your product as an invitee to this year's CBN awards virtual ceremony. Question: why the name Sara-Lou Brew? You mentioned white privilege. Did you once live near the Jeff-Vanderlou area or own property in that area? Do you now own the rights to the name? That historic restaurant was a delicacy back in the day; a place my dad introduced me to as a kid, then I ended up graduating from the infamous Sumner High School just blocks away, so I would learn how to go on my own once I began to drive (we did not live nearby). I will consider purchasing this brew for nostalgic reasons as family gifts. Thanks, Joyce
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Jake
8/4/2020 09:07:48 pm
Hello Joyce, A bit ago we were approached by Northside Community Housing to make a beer to raise awareness and funds for the revitalization of the Sara-Lou Cafe. We are donating $1 a 6-pack to them currently for each 6 pack sold. We have a really good relationship with Northside Community Housing and are hoping to play a small role in their efforts to save the building. They are working on a gofund me. Our efforts are just a way to get the word out to a larger audience. I think they are also getting other businesses in different industries to also get the word out. The funds needed to save the building are great so I am hoping they are able to rally everyone to do it because as you know it was a cornerstone in The Ville. We are currently out of the beer but hope to make another batch in September if all goes well. Cheers, Jake
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AuthorThe Civil Blog has returned. It is predominantly authored by Civil Life Barman, Dr. Patrick Hurley, who can be found tending to our bar patrons on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. He is also responsible for tending to our draft lines, which is recognized as one of our most important tasks. Special guest writers will appear from time to time. We hope reading this blog will give you much insight about the Civil Life and most importantly help you understand a bit more about all of us that work here and the beers we put our hearts into. Archives
June 2020
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