2.10: Let's Talk Language: Black or African-American?

04/23/20 • 20 min

1 Listener

This episode answers the number one question I’ve been asked since starting First Name Basis: How do I know whether to say ”Black” or “African-American”?

I went straight to the source and asked a number of my friends and family how they prefer to identify and why. Listen to hear from:

Mielle Harmon
Ken Clarke
Ramiah Jackson
Antony Deshay
Nina Clarke-Telfer
Laura Schnell

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

“A Complete History of the Census Race Boxes”

“The Changing Categories the U.S. Census has Used to Measure Race”

Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood

This episode answers the number one question I’ve been asked since starting First Name Basis: How do I know whether to say ”Black” or “African-American”?

I went straight to the source and asked a number of my friends and family how they prefer to identify and why. Listen to hear from:

Mielle Harmon
Ken Clarke
Ramiah Jackson
Antony Deshay
Nina Clarke-Telfer
Laura Schnell

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

“A Complete History of the Census Race Boxes”

“The Changing Categories the U.S. Census has Used to Measure Race”

Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood

Previous Episode

2.9: How to be a Liberator

We had an amazing conversation on Instagram and I really didn’t want you to miss it! I shared a post about resisting the temptation to be seen as a savior and becoming a liberator instead. Then, one of the members of our First Name Basis fam asked what it looks like to be a liberator and we launched into an awesome conversation about 5 things that we can all do to be liberators.

The five things we discuss are:

Learn: Learn about the issues facing marginalized communities and about the privileges you hold.
Listen: Diversify your social networks and your social media
Walk with us and amplify our voices: People with power, privilege and resources are accustomed to their voices being the loudest in the room. To be a liberator you have to be willing to take a back seat and amplify the voices of those in marginalized communities
Redistribute your resources: Support businesses owned by People of Color, and support nonprofit organizations that are run by People of Color and are doing the work to support under-resourced communities.
Be civically engaged: Keep up with current events and vote for leaders who listen to and support marginalized communities.

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Visit the First Name Basis Bookshop

Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood

Next Episode

2.11: Cinco de Mayo is Not Mexican Independence Day

It seems like we need to shout it from the rooftops because most Americans are pretty convinced that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, and that is just not true.

Cinco de Mayo is the commemoration of Mexico’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla. It was an amazing feat for the 2,000 Mexican soldiers to stave off the large army of 6,000 French soldiers.

In this episode we discuss: