"Racism takes not just a mental toll, not just a societal toll, not just an economic toll on the citizens of America but we have to bear a physical burden, it's an actual weight that we have to carry." The idea that racism is a disease is no longer just a metaphorical concept but is instead now proven by medical science. Michael Harriot explains the research that began in the 1970s that led to this conclusion.
If you were a Black man imprisoned and tortured for fighting against the brutality of apartheid in South Africa, could you forgive your oppressors? Siya Twani did just that. This is a don’t miss episode. We all need to hear his story. It is especially relevant today with the slaughter of over 1,000 Israelis and the continued bombing and killing of over 1,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
In this episode, Simma, the Inclusionist, welcomes guest Siya Twani, who grew up under South African apartheid and became a freedom fighter with Nelson Mandela. Siya shares his experiences of imprisonment and torture, which ultimately led him to speak on reconciliation, forgiveness, and mental toughness. The conversation explores the importance of discussing race within the context of apartheid and the impact of racial trauma on Black children. Tune in to gain insights from Siya's powerful story and his perspective on race.
Siya's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness. He emphasizes the importance of addressing racial trauma and healing the wounds caused by racism. Siya challenges the notion that talking about race is unnecessary, reminding us that those who experience racism daily are tired of living with it.
The conversation delves into the history of apartheid in South Africa, shedding light on the extreme racial discrimination and inhumane treatment endured by black, Asian, and colored people. Siya highlights the stark contrast between the privileged lives of white South Africans and the poverty and oppression faced by the majority.
Siya's involvement in the liberation movement and his time in prison shaped his mission to promote reconciliation and empower others to move from victimhood to empowerment. He shares his personal process of forgiveness, acknowledging that it was not easy but necessary for his own healing and liberation. Siya believes that forgiveness is a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation.
The episode also explores the concept of reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. Siya acknowledges that while it was a step towards healing, it did not fully address the systemic injustices and inequalities that persist in the country.
Siya's work as an international speaker focuses on promoting justice, equality, and difficult conversations. He encourages education, engagement, and building healthy human connections across racial and cultural lines. Siya's message is one of hope and the belief that change is possible when we confront our biases, challenge the status quo, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable world.
Don't miss this thought-provoking episode with Siya Twani, a true freedom fighter and advocate for reconciliation. His story will inspire and challenge you to examine your own beliefs and take action towards a more just and inclusive society.
This episode should make us stop and ask ourselves, “what kind of world do we want to live in?” Are we willing to act from love, and kindness or do we want to live in hate, revenge, `and continuous death?
Visit www.siyatwani.com to learn more about Siya and his work.
Guest Bio
Siya Twani is a South African Global Citizen with a passion to add value to people. A Passionate Educator, Mr Motivator and Inspirational Speaker.
Siya Twani grew up in Cape Town in the 60s and 70s and experienced first-hand the pain of racism and discrimination. He was committed to the struggle and spent time in prison aged 17 for this commitment.
He now lives in England and visits schools/ colleges/Universities and companies as a Motivational and Inspirational speaker to talk about his own experiences and lead workshops on a variety of themes
“Siya, You are truly a wonderful person who inspired us all and brought us all closer to a better understanding of humanity. You have such a remarkable and powerful story to share with the world which is not one of anger nor bitterness but one of love and a desire to bring people together… you have touched all of our lives.” Teacher (Tendring Primary)
Host Bio
Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker and facilitator and the host of the podcast, “Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People.”
Contact Simma@SimmaLieberman.com
Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information
Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)
Connect with me:
Previous Episodes
Race, Sentencing, and the Criminal Justice System: A Shocking Inside Perspective A Conversation on Race with Sean Wilson, Organizing Director of Dream.Org Everyday Conversation on Race with Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale (DEI OG for 47 years) Breaking the Chains: Fighting Caste Oppression with Thenmozhi SoundararajanLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating
"In a state that had been decimated economically by the Civil War, they found a cash cow, the mass incarceration system." The United States incarcerates more people than any other nation in the world, and Black and Latino people are disproportionately affected by mass incarceration. Michael Harriot explains why that reality is intentional and began with "Black codes" following the Civil War.
"It's not just about fairness, it's about making your product as good as it can be." Michael Harriot debunks the myth that any attempt at equity is an attempt to achieve equality of outcome. This concept simply isn't possible because minorities are subject to economic, social, political and educational deficits that white people do not experience.
The power of education was not lost on enslaved people; despite the threat of death, they taught themselves to read and write. Michael Harriot explains Black people's crucial role in creating America's public school system.
"A lot of the things we think of as conservative aren't really conservative; they're just white." The term conservative has come to mean certain things, yet the policies they support don't often back their ideologies. For instance, it makes no sense to say you support small government but then back pro-life policies that are ultimately the federal government telling a woman what to do. Michael Harriot shares several examples of hypocritical thinking and explains that conservative really means "pro white."
theGrio Black Podcast Network is proud to announce that two of our original podcasts, theGrio Daily and Being Black: The '80s, have received nominations from The Lovie Awards for their outstanding work. Click here to vote for Michael Harriot and here to vote for Touré, and spread the word! Let's show the world we value Black storytelling.
"White Jesus can't walk on water, but he can build the hell out a slave ship." Michael Harriot explains why using religion and faith as a way to govern can be problematic. He discusses the many hypocrisies that are inflicted on the American people daily, including discriminating against the LGBTQ+ community but allowing divorce or racial segregation when the Bible states, "love thy neighbor."
"Every white person in America benefited from slavery." White Americans pedal several narratives about slavery that are historically inaccurate. Wypipologist Michael Harriot lists off some of the falsehoods and reveals the truth behind the most wild claims.
Thanks to our loyal listeners for making theGrio Daily a Lovie Awards finalist in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category. Click here to cast your vote and help us bring home the win!
Thanks to our loyal listeners for making theGrio Daily a Signal Awards finalist in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category. Click this link to cast your vote and help us bring in the win! https://vote.signalaward.com/
"Never in the history of America have white people actually participated in a free market." Michael Harriot refutes the theory that slavery was rooted in capitalism. He analyzes real estate, education, and entertainment to explain why white people have never been a part of free-market capitalism.
In this episode, Simma The Inclusionist, is joined by Sean Wilson, the organizing director of Dream.org's Justice Team. With 17 years of lived experience and direct involvement with the criminal legal system, Sean brings insight into a system that he believes is broken and in need of reform. They discuss the importance of talking about race, especially in a society where some are trying to criminalize almost everything. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the role of race in America's history.
Time Stamps
[00:02:13] Sweeping race conversations under the rug
[00:06:03] Internal transformation in prison
[00:09:22] Racial disparities in sentencing
[00:14:17] Disparities in drug sentencing
[00:19:22] Sentencing and racial identity
[00:27:35] Systemic racism and incarceration
[00:29:14] Challenging the criminal legal system
[00:35:27] Systemic racism in criminal justice
[00:43:12] Black codes in the criminal legal system
[00:45:10] Racism in the criminal justice system
[00:49:00] Country music and rap fusion
[00:53:42] Show notes available for download
Simma interviews Sean Wilson, the organizing director of Dream.org's Justice Team, who shares his deeply personal experience with the criminal justice system and the impact of systemic racism. Sean, who was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opens up about his troubled youth, including getting involved in criminal activities such as selling drugs and committing armed robbery.
At the age of 17, Sean was arrested and sentenced to 50 years in prison for his crimes. He reflects on the harshness of his sentence, questioning how a judge could sentence a young boy to the same amount of time he had lived on this earth. Sean highlights the racial disparities within the criminal justice system, emphasizing that Black and Brown individuals are often given much harsher sentences compared to their white counterparts for similar offenses.
He discusses the historical roots of systemic racism in the criminal justice system, tracing back to the 13th Amendment and the implementation of Black codes, which restricted the freedom of African Americans and perpetuated a form of slavery through convict leasing. Sean emphasizes that these discriminatory practices continue to target Black and Brown people, leading to disproportionate rates of incarceration.
Sean also addresses the issue of racial bias in sentencing, where black individuals are more likely to receive longer sentences compared to white individuals for the same offenses. He highlights the need for judges and prosecutors to view individuals before them as human beings deserving of grace, understanding, and the opportunity for redemption.
As the organizing director of Dream.org's Justice Team, Sean is dedicated to closing prison doors and opening doors of opportunity. The organization works in three issue areas: climate justice, tech equity for Black and Brown people, and criminal justice reform. Sean's role involves training and building up leaders to advocate for transformational legislation that will reduce mass incarceration.
In terms of recommended resources, Sean suggests reading "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the racial disparities within the criminal justice system. He also recommends "Better Not Bitter" by Yusuf Salaam, one of the Central Park Five, who shares his personal journey of transformation and resilience after being wrongfully convicted.
For those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system, Sean suggests watching the HBO documentary "Growing Up Milwaukee," which follows the lives of young individuals assigned mentors, including Sean, who share their stories to deter them from a life of crime. He also recommends the documentary "13th," which explores the history and impact of mass incarceration in America.
To connect with Sean and learn more about Dream.org's work, you can reach out to him via email at seanwilson@dream.org or follow him on social media platforms such as LinkedIn (Sean Wilson) and Facebook. You can also visit the Dream.org website and follow the organization on Instagram and Facebook for updates and information on their initiatives.
This episode sheds light on Sean Wilson's personal experience with race and the criminal justice system and highlights the urgent need for systemic change to address racial disparities and promote justice and equality for all.
Key Takeaways:
Systemic racism is deeply rooted in the criminal justice system, leading to racial disparities in sentencing and treatment.
Black individuals are often subjected to harsher sentences and less leniency compared to their white counterparts for similar offenses.
The criminal justice system perpetuates harm and fails to provide opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation.
Advocacy and reform efforts are crucial to address the systemic racism within the criminal justice system.
Open and honest conversations about race are necessary to bring about meaningful change and find common ground for solutions.
To learn more about Sean Wilson and his work, visit the Dream.org website and follow him on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Additional resources mentioned include the book "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander and the documentaries "Growing Up Milwaukee" and "13th."
Guest Bio
Sean is the Organizing Director at Dream Corps. As someone with 17 years of lived experience and direct involvement with the criminal legal system, Sean brings an advantage and insight into a system he believes to be broken and in need of reform. Before joining the Dream Corps JUSTICE team, Sean was the ACLU of Wisconsin’s Smart Justice Campaign Manager, where he managed the campaign to reform probation and parole. In addition, he also serves as a commissioner on the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Commission (GJJC), a State Advisory Group (SAG) that advises the DOJ on its juvenile justice programs and funding decisions and serves as an independent forum to discuss juvenile justice policy issues.
Host Bio
Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker and facilitator and the host of the podcast, “Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People.”
Contact Simma@SimmaLieberman.com
Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information
Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)
Connect with me:
Previous Episodes
Everyday Conversation on Race with Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale (DEI OG for 47 years) Breaking the Chains: Fighting Caste Oppression with Thenmozhi Soundararajan Breaking Barriers: John Blake on Racial ReconciliationLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating
Thanks to our loyal listeners for making theGrio Daily a Signal Awards finalist in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category.
Click this link to cast your vote and help us bring in the win!
"You can't keep a Black person out of any place." Michael Harriot brings the laughs with his list of people you're bound to run into at every Black gathering. Which one are you?
Drumroll sound effect from Pixabay
"What they're worrying about is your kids learning about what white people did." Michael Harriot looks at the changes to school curriculums in places like Florida and Tennessee and finds that states aren't erasing Black history; instead, schools are leaving out white people's role in Black history.
"Black people see America in a different way." Michael Harriot wrote a book, y'all! Black AF History is the story of America through the lens of Black people. When it comes to history, we rely on historians to give us the facts, but because most of them are white, a lot has been left out. Slave revolts, the American Revolution, and the Obama presidency are just some of the historical events reexamined with a focus on life in the South.