The new book “The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn’t and How We All Can Move Forward Now” dives into the issues of inequity faced by millions of Black people living in America.

Author Bakari Sellers wrote the book in response to the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. In his book, he explores the burdens put on African Americans and looks to provide some answers for how to take positive steps forward.

Sellers joined “Inside the Issues” host Amrit Singh to discuss his new book.

Sellers is a former attorney and state legislator from South Carolina. His father, Cleveland “Cleve” Sellers, was a leader during the civil right movement.

“My father believes that we are back in 1954... his argument is objectively when you look at the metrics of success, we have not made that much progress," Sellers said. 

Although the younger Sellers doesn’t necessarily agree with his father on how much progress has been made, highlighting how younger generations can now build on the work that people like his father did. 

“I believe if we don’t acknowledge the price that they paid, if we don’t acknowledge the legacy that they left... then they may believe their lives were in vain,” Sellers said. “And I don’t ever want my father or whoever else who is the reason that I’m here with you today to think that.”

Sellers' book was released during a presidential election year. He said his book is less focused on politics and more so on chartering the future to reach racial equity.

“My book’s not a Black or white book. It’s not a Democrat or Republican book. My book's more a get-off-the-sideline book," Sellers said. “It’s about understanding the moment that we are in.”

One of the first steps Sellers recommends for finally achieving a racial reckoning is for people across the country to engage in meaningful conversations to help understand where people are coming from.

“The lack of empathy is the number one cause of issues in our country, and hopefully we can rectify that,” Sellers said.