“Fix it.” This is what damali ayo (no, she doesn't use capital letters in her name) asks of us concerning racism in order improve our world. She delivered her ten-point presentation to a packed house at Lapinsky Auditorium at UNCA January 19 at 7 p.m.

She raises the bar for those of us who think we are not racist, as stated in the title of her lecture: "Are You Ready to Fix Racism? (or are you still pretending it doesn’t exist?)." The well-known artist, writer, and lecturer tackled the subject of racism with candid humor, which she feels is a healthy and infectious approach to social change.

Giving key points to this type of change, damali breaks it down into ten individual points, among these “educating yourself” and “getting real.” She delivers fresh advice, like “where to put your foot after you’ve taken it out of your mouth.”

A revitalizing evening, demali delivered her message with grace. It was a true awakening as to how individuals can be part of the solution in their own communities. She challenges her audiences to make decisions with more thought, and to make those decisions today.

The program at UNCA was part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week. If you would like to learn more about how you can “fix” racism, or about damali ayo, visit her website at damaliayo.com.