Dr. Vernon Damani Johnson is the retired Ralph Munro Distinguished Professor Civic Education, department of political science, Western Washington University. His research focus is comparative settler colonial states in the global system. Damani has authored several scholarly and popular articles and two books on issues ranging from revolution in Africa to race and identity in American politics, and blogs on politics. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd he has advised both grassroots groups and government officials on ways to eliminate systemic racism from American institutions.