“Looking down the barrel of a gun is devastating….Although I was a kid it was very clear that there was lots of hate, and I was kind of frozen.”Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew WaitsEpisode Summary: Growing up surrounded by racism and police brutality, a man tries to understand and heal his past by seeing what’s really inside the belly of the beast.Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningWebsite: www.thisisactuallyhappening.comAndrew Waits: http://andrdewwaits.com/Today’s episode featured scholar and novelist Dr. Michael Datcher. Michael is author of the critically-acclaimed  New York Times Bestseller Raising Fences, the novel AMERICUS and the book of literary theory ANIMATING BLACK AND BROWN LIBERATION: A Theory of American Literatures. You can find out more about Michael and his work at www.michaeldatcher.comSupport the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happeningEngage with the Community: Join the This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link https://www.teepublic.com/stores/this-is-actually-happening-store?ref_id=9467 to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. Content/Trigger Warnings: violence, lynching, police brutality, explicit languageIntro Music: "Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed: “Cylinder Four/Five” – Chris Zabriskie ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.