Following on from its June special Bear Witness, Take Action, YouTube Originals will feature another episode on Saturday, aptly titled “Continuing the Movement”. As in the original special, the sequel will feature celebrities like Mark Cuban, Anthony Anderson, Keke Palmer and others discussing issues of racial inequality.
BEAR WITNESS, Take Action 2: Continuing The Movement will be shown on December 5 at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) on YouTube on the channel “YouTube Originals”. Those interested in tuning in live can also post a reminder on YouTube to let them know when the show starts. Actress Keke Palmer and rapper Common return as presenters.
The special is part of the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund, which aims to help black creators and artists
The preview for the discussion includes videos from the summer’s Black Lives Matter protests that began in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Along with the videos, the text flashing across the screen suggests that this program will focus on how to maintain the momentum of the movement that is supposed to bring about change. The text reads: “Now that we have marched and called for justice and raised our voices and flooded our social networks and attracted the attention of the world. What is the way forward now?”
As in the first part of “Bear Witness, Take Action 2” there will be panel discussions, musical performances and prominent speakers on issues of racial inequality.
Two of the panel discussions will focus on the impact that athletes have had on the current political debate. The Cuban, who owns the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, will participate in a discussion with Malcolm Jenkins of New Orleans Saints Safety. According to a press release, the two will discuss white privilege, civic responsibility and social justice. WNBA star Skylar Diggins-Smith will discuss the role of athletes in bringing about political change and what the future of athletes in activism might hold. Diggins-Smith will speak with Atlantic reporter Jemele Hill and activist and professor Harry Edwards, who has studied the experiences of African American athletes throughout his career.
Other prominent participants include Karamo Brown from Queer Eye, who will talk to YouTuber ARROWS about where race, gender and sexuality intersect. The head of the national LGBTQ task force, Kierra Johnson, will join them. Actors Skai Jackson and Brandon Kyle Goodman will join another panel to discuss how to use their platform, and How to Get Away with Murder star Kendrick Sampson will talk with Color of Change President Rashad Robinson about what steps can be taken to bring about change and promote racial equality.
Anderson will have an appearance on the show. Actor Asante Blackk, Washington football team defender and Chase Young, and Olympic medalist Katelyn Ohashi will also be part of the program, along with musical performances by R&B legend Patti LaBelle and rappers SAINt JHN and Rapsody.
Other panelists will include journalist Soledad O’Brien, cast author Isabel Wilkerson, CNN commentator Bakari Sellers, Peacock commentator Zerlina Maxwell, philosopher Deepak Chopra, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, the founder of the Essie Justice Group, Gina Clayton-Johnson, educator Brittany Packnett Cunningham, activist Mari Copeny, activist Naomi Wadler, YouTuber Tarek Ali and psychiatric staff Dr. Mariel Buquè, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford.
Keke Palmer spoke in a press release about how passionately she continues the conversation about racial inequality. “I am honored to return to Bear Witness, Take Action and to work with YouTube to amplify black voices and bring about the changes we need to see now. It is so important that we continue the dialogue on racial justice beyond a specific moment,” she said in a statement received by Washington Newsday. “I want to encourage my peers to continue having thoughtful and powerful conversations that will lead us to change. Let’s talk about it, let’s act and let’s make sure that change is realized.
