By Lisa Bennett
I remember always complaining as a child about my grandparents wanting to watch the news on our one TV when I wanted to watch something a bit more entertaining. Now that I am just shy of 60, and given the current state of America—honestly, the world—I guess I understand a little better.
My grandmother’s common yet most impactful response was, as always, the answer: “Just Keep Living.”
Side note: I actually wrote a book called Just Keep Living: Conversations with Granny, and here I am again, proving her correct. I now watch the news just as much because I need to know how I’m going to be impacted. I need to be aware so I can plan for myself and my family.
So, as I was getting my update on the world today, a thought occurred to me.
What if we—Brown people—just sat down and took a rest?
What if we packed our bags and went back to the lands we were stolen from? What if we moved to countries that are actually welcoming to our wealth of contributions? What if, for the first time in this country’s history, Black folks decided that we were done fighting for everyone else?
What Happens When the Backbone Sits Down?
Black people have been fighting for everyone. Always.
From the abolition of slavery to civil rights, from voting rights to police reform, from labor movements to LGBTQ+ advocacy—Black people have been on the frontlines. Not just for ourselves, but for the collective good. And somehow, history keeps repeating itself: we fight, we organize, we sacrifice, and then, when change finally comes, others step up to enjoy the benefits while we’re left to clean up the next mess.
So, what if we sat this one out?
I don’t mean to sound harsh, but I have to ask: why is it always on us?
If history has taught me anything, it’s that this country does not move forward without Black leadership. But let’s be honest—our leadership has never been freely acknowledged or respected. Our intellect, our warnings, our foresight? Constantly ignored.
I dare not say there haven’t been allies. There have. But never in America has any group paid a higher price for progress than African Americans. We have lost our lives, our land, our wealth, and still, we have fought for a better country—not just for ourselves, but for every marginalized community. We have punched up just to survive.
And now? Here we are again.
One of the most eloquent, thoughtful, and respected leaders on the planet, Michelle Obama, literally warned America. She didn’t speak in code. She didn’t sugarcoat it. She laid it all out in plain English. And yet—people dismissed her. They dismissed Black scholars, Black activists, and Black communities who saw this coming.
And now here folks are, crying.
So, I have to ask—why is it that Black wisdom is only acknowledged in hindsight?
Trump Is Back—And Now What?
With Donald Trump once again at the helm, the alarm bells are ringing. Rights are being stripped away, healthcare access is disappearing, policies that help regular people—not just Black people, but working-class Americans of all races—are being rolled back.
We’re watching as protections are dismantled, voting rights gutted, and economic policies rigged against everyday families. It’s getting harder to afford rent. Harder to access healthcare. Harder to just buy eggs.
And yet, the same people who dismissed Black voices before are now in a panic. But where were they when we were screaming at the top of our lungs that this was coming?
We’ve done our part. We’ve shown up. We’ve organized, strategized, and mobilized. So maybe it’s time for others to step up. Let’s see if those who have benefited from our struggle can carry the movement without us.
A Thought Experiment: What Happens Without Us?
If we take a step back, what happens? Do progressive movements hold the same strength without Black voices pushing them forward? Do voting rights efforts still carry urgency without the turnout of Black communities? Do social justice campaigns still thrive when we aren’t doing the heavy lifting?
Would America finally feel the weight of what it has always expected us to carry?
What if we really sat this one out—not just symbolically, but physically?
What if we left?
What if we stopped pouring our innovation, our brilliance, our labor, and our culture into a country that has done everything it can to erase, exploit, and undervalue us? What if we built somewhere else—where our wealth, talents, and history are respected rather than stolen?
Would America survive without us?
Black People Know How to Survive—Do You?
Here’s the truth: it wouldn’t be the end of the world for us. We’ve had practice. We have survived enslavement, Jim Crow, segregation, economic exclusion, systemic racism, and every attempt to break us. Survival is in our DNA.
But can America survive without us?
So, how about it? Will America finally fight for itself? Because this time, we just might sit this one out.
About
Lisa M. Bennett is a transformation specialist, an international speaker and award-winning author. She is known for turning around underperforming organizations – blending interpersonal savvy and on-the-ground visibility to ensure employee buy-in and high morale. A collaborative, yet decisive leader who builds, leads and empowers cohesive, high performing teams that rally around a common vision and repeatedly outperform expectations. Formerly an executive with a multinational Global Fortune 500 consulting firm, she now uses her gifts to help people gain the confidence to turn their faith into action. She believes that with the correct mindset anyone can become fearless. In fact, as the CEO of Fearless Coaching LLC she helps everyday dreamers seeking to find their path, maximize their potential. She is also a partner and executive coach with C-Crets, a career advice platform offering career coaching services, online courses, and topical content through blogs and a podcast.
In February 2022, she authored her first book, “Just Keep Living: Conversations with Granny”. A book filled with life-changing, and in her case, life-saving conversations and wisdom-filled anecdotes her grandmother shared. Bennett wrote the book as part of her therapy during her recovery from depression and a suicide attempt. The book has garnered industry endorsements from influencers like former Burberry CEO and SVP of Apple Retail, Angela Ahrendts. OWN Network actors, Timon Kyle Durrett (Queen Sugar) and William Bryant Jr (Greenleaf) have also endorsed the book and have appeared with Bennett for book signings.
The book has won several awards in the Inspirational Book category and was considered for a 2023 NAACP Image Award. In October 2022, Bennett was deemed a “Sister with Super Powers” by Rolling Out Magazine and Chevrolet. Bennett has appeared on several celebrity podcasts including the Michael Colyar Morning Show, The AC Green Show (local Chicago Radio) and is a guest host on DopeliveinTV: LIVE (stream). Lisa still finds time to serve her community as Chairman of the Board for the Gary Alumni Pathway to Students (G.A.P.S) and various other community service organizations. Currently, Bennett, who’s parents both served in the United States Armed forces, is concerned with the alarming suicide rate of veterans (44 per day) and the increasing suicide rate (1.8 million attempts) of LGBTQ youth per year. She hopes her efforts and book will help guide people through those difficult times. She says the book illustrates how her grandmother’s love, laughter and wisdom provided a blanket of protection for her.
