63: How To Be An Ally, Even When You Feel Overwhelmed

06/10/20 • 47 min

1 Listener

Right now, during COVID, as #blacklivesmatter has (finally) picked up steam among white people, there is a lot to process – both intellectually and emotionally.

The anti-racism resources that are flooding our social media streams and filling our inboxes are so powerful, so well-intentioned, and helpful. Yet if this is anything like what we’re expecting to happen, soon, what we’re calling White Fatigue might set in for some people out there.

This episode is dedicated to pushing through the discomfort, committing to the fight, and includes a special bonus at the end: an anti-racism breathwork experience from Jenny Peni, to help you process and feel a little more grounded and able to do what you need to do.

Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at [email protected]

What to listen for:

White fatigue. It’s what we’re calling the effect of the incredible yet overwhelming amount of resources, suggestions, and places to support that are emerging now.
How people in a position of influence can undermine the effort by deflecting. Hear our thoughts on Drew Brees, and why we agree this was never about the flag.
What we might be doing that can help, or hurt, the people we run into in the supermarket.
The difference between an ally and a co-conspirator – and which we want to be.
A few tips and our resources on how to move from “not racist” to being anti-racist, including how to talk to your kids about race.
Want to make this sustainable? Weigh in on whether it would help if we created a weekly calendar of short things to do or read or watch, so you don’t have to weed through the overwhelm all by yourself.

PLUS, support us through Patreon! At that link, you’ll learn about the virtual community we are launching – and you’re welcome to join.

Like what you hear? Don’t miss another episode and subscribe!

Catch up on more commentary between episodes by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter – and even more opinions and resources if you join our email list.

Right now, during COVID, as #blacklivesmatter has (finally) picked up steam among white people, there is a lot to process – both intellectually and emotionally.

Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at [email protected]

What to listen for:

White fatigue. It’s what we’re calling the effect of the incredible yet overwhelming amount of resources, suggestions, and places to support that are emerging now.
How people in a position of influence can undermine the effort by deflecting. Hear our thoughts on Drew Brees, and why we agree this was never about the flag.
What we might be doing that can help, or hurt, the people we run into in the supermarket.
The difference between an ally and a co-conspirator – and which we want to be.
A few tips and our resources on how to move from “not racist” to being anti-racist, including how to talk to your kids about race.
Want to make this sustainable? Weigh in on whether it would help if we created a weekly calendar of short things to do or read or watch, so you don’t have to weed through the overwhelm all by yourself.

PLUS, support us through Patreon! At that link, you’ll learn about the virtual community we are launching – and you’re welcome to join.

Like what you hear? Don’t miss another episode and subscribe!

Catch up on more commentary between episodes by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter – and even more opinions and resources if you join our email list.

Previous Episode

62: Racism Against Asian-Americans During COVID-19 and How to Be An Ally

Unless you’ve tuned out of the news altogether, you will have noted that our President has used language referring to the COVID-19 pandemic as “the China virus.”

How do you think that has impacted the Asian-American population in our country? The stats of hate crimes and discrimination are clear - 1700 incidents reported within six weeks of tracking. It’s happening. If you’re not Asian but want to do something, where do you even begin to be an ally?

Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at [email protected]

What to listen for:

Misasha’s personal story of being uncomfortable in the South
Examples of racism - sometimes deadly - against Asian individuals during the COVID-19 era
Various administration and senator’s words and actions, both encouraging discrimination and against discrimination
Organizations that are here to help, including Stop AAPI Hate and Act to Change including their AAPI giving campaign
What you can do as an ally or helpful bystander
Best tips to maintain your mental health if you’re subject to discrimination

If you’d like to educate yourself on how to combat Asian American racism via the 24-minute video we referenced in the episode, here it is.

Like what you hear? Don’t miss another episode and subscribe!

Catch up on more commentary between episodes by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter - or sign up for our email list.

Next Episode

64: The Why Behind Trump’s Juneteenth Rally

We had to postpone our pre-scheduled episode on the importance of voting to bring you this critically-timed conversation on President Trump’s decision to return to the campaign trail on Juneteenth in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Without knowing the history and significance of both of these things, you might just think, oh well, he’s hoping 300,000 people gather without masks to support his next bid for Presidency - that’s not so smart.

But if you know the history, you realize it is way worse than that.

Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at [email protected]

What to listen for:

What is the significance of Juneteenth? The freeing of slaves in Texas.
How we were not taught the full truth about President Abraham Lincoln’s motivation for ending slavery.
How the history of the Tulsa Massacre was erased.
And... how President Trump “coincidentally” picked both Juneteenth AND Tulsa as the site of his return to the campaign trail.
Can you think critically about this choice, and what it might mean for propagating hate?

PLUS, support us through Patreon! At that link, you’ll learn about the virtual community we are launching – and you’re welcome to join.

Like what you hear? Don’t miss another episode and subscribe!

Catch up on more commentary between episodes by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter – and even more opinions and resources if you join our email list.