"White people have made great strides in being racist." The attack on CRT and the word "woke" came out of nowhere, so Michael Harriot wants you to be more prepared for the next wave of backlash that is brewing. Michael predicts the educational practices that he believes will soon be under a microscope by conservatives.
In this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, host Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist, invites Dr. Lonny Avi Brooks, a professor of communication and Afrofuturism, to discuss his unique background as a Jewish, Black, and Native American individual. Avi and Simma explore the intersectionality of race and religion considering recent conversations on anti-Semitism and racism. The conversation also delves into the concept of Afrofuturism and its significance. Tune in to gain insights and engage in an Everyday Conversation on Race.
Dr. Lonny Avi Brooks emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and respecting the rich cultures and dignities of others for personal growth and self-understanding. When you disregard or suppress someone else's culture, you limit your own potential for a fulfilling life. He shares what it means to him to be Black, Jewish, and Native American in his everyday life and the impact it has had on his relationships, and the actions he has taken to eliminate racism, antisemitism, and all forms of hate. He recounts his earliest memories of going to synagogue with his brother and how he integrates and loves who he is today. Lonny Avi Brooks is busy traveling and speaking on Afrofuturism, is active in synagogue and Jewish life, as well as involved in Native American communities.
Key Points in this episode:
• Recognizing and appreciating diverse cultures, allows individuals to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
• How systemic oppression, crime, and homelessness are all results of a lack of understanding and respect for differences and denial of opportunities and inequality. By disrespecting and trivializing other cultures, people who subscribe covertly or overtly to white supremacist culture not only harm others but also hinder their own growth and understanding of the world.
• Experience of being Black and Jewish in a mostly white Jewish synagogue
• Dismantling the myth that all Jewish people are white and looking at the depth, complexities, and similarities amongst Jewish people across the world.
• How Afrofuturism serves to preserve and expand Black culture. Guerrilla tactics are used to showcase the existence, power, and potential of Black people. By appreciating and valuing the culture and history of others, individuals, both Black and non-Black, can contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.
• Why acknowledging and respecting the rich cultures and dignities of others is not only essential for personal growth and self-understanding but also for creating a more just and harmonious society.
• The way that Afrofuturism and other futurisms empower individuals and communities by fostering self-esteem, creativity, and innovation.
• Why it's essential that all individuals know their own history and cultural background to have a sense of identity and motivation that will guide their success. Afrofuturism, along with Indigenous Futurism, queer futurism, Jewish Futurism, and Arab Futurism, provides diverse visions of the future that inspire and empower young people.
• When people know where they come from. their history and the contributions of "their peoples," it encourages them to be more self-confident and creative.
• Why Afrofuturism plays an important role in reclaiming lost cultural heritage erased by colonialism. By leveraging the past and projecting it into the future, Afrofuturism allows individuals and communities to preserve their cultural heritage while envisioning new possibilities. This process is particularly important in the face of attempts to erase the history of Black people.
• The crisis in the US with some state governments and school boards, eliminating African American history from their curriculum. They are "rewriting American history," even claiming that there was "personal benefit from slavery for enslaved people."
• Futurism movements offer diverse visions of the future that represent marginalized communities and encourage individuals to make a difference for themselves and their own groups.
• Why it is essential that people engage in conversations about race and antisemitism, and other "isms" to break down barriers and promote understanding between people of different racial backgrounds.
• Why Octavia Butler, Afrofuturism, Black Panthers. Greenwood, Tulsa, “The Watchman” are all important.
• Simma Lieberman acknowledges that many individuals may feel hesitant or afraid to have these conversations due to the fear of saying the wrong thing, feeling attacked, or being ignored or trivialized. However, this podcast, Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People, aims to create a safe space for these conversations, encouraging listeners to overcome their fears and engage in dialogue.
To learn more:
• Attend conferences and events that focus on race, such as Afrofuturism or Afrocomiccon. By participating in these gatherings, individuals can engage in conversations about race, learn from experts in the field, and broaden their understanding of different racial experiences.
• Read histories of African Americans, Africa, Judaism, racism, antisemitism, and indigenous history.
• Learn about intersectionality across race, culture, and other differences.
Timestamps
[00:01:05] Afrofuturism and identity/ Jewish, Black, and Native American
[00:04:55] Multicultural identity and cultural questioning.
[00:09:38] Mishap at the synagogue with Avi Brooks and his brother
[00:15:06] Hebrew school and re-envisioning inclusivity.
[00:19:16] Systemic white supremacy and culture.
[00:24:33] Ethnic inner-ethnic war/the realities of antisemitism and racism
[00:27:10] Cultural Vibranium and Afrofuturism.
[00:32:06] The Black Speculative Arts Movement.
[00:38:41] Afrofuturism and new creativity.
[00:41:02] African music and artists.
[00:46:31] Attending Afrofuturism and Comic Cons.
[00:49:24] Inclusion in conversation with Dr. Lonnie Avi Brooks.
Guest Bio
Dr. Lonny Avi Brooks is Professor in Communication, Cal State University, East Bay. Co-executive producer, The Afrofuturist Podcast; co-organizer, Black Speculative Arts Movement; co-founder with Ahmed Best of the AfroRithm Futures Group; co-designer of the game Afro-Rithms From The Future. Co-founder, the Community Futures School, Museum of Children’s Arts (MOCHA). Research Affiliate@Institute For The Future & Long Now Foundation Fellow and visiting professor@ the Stanford d.school. Author, “From Algorithms to AfroRithms in Afrofuturism” in Black Experience in Design: Identity, Expression & Reflection.
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.” Simma is the creator of the program, "Inclusive Leadership from the Inside Out."
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 Simma:
Previous Episodes
Breaking the Chains: Fighting Caste Oppression with Thenmozhi Soundararajan Breaking Barriers: John Blake on Racial Reconciliation Why We Must Bridge Divides: A Conversation on Inclusive Leadership with Sally Helgesen & Mercedes MartinLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating
"Woke is just the opposite of white supremacy." Michael Harriot dives into the educational disparities in the country's public school system and focuses on Alabama, where white students are the minority, yet, 90% of the history students are taught is white history. Michael explains that parents working to indoctrinate white history into the curriculum display white supremacy.
"Black people are the roots of American style comedy." As comedy month at theGrio comes to a close, Michael Harriot explains the history of comedy and the roles enslaved people played in making it what it is today. The Greeks are credited with creating the art form, but their version of humor is not what we enjoy today. Instead, that style was developed by enslaved people who used laughter to cope with their oppression.
"When someone asks you why Black people don't talk about Black-on-Black crime, it's because we're doing something about it." Michael Harriot debunks several myths often used against Black people to prove a point even though none of them are rooted in fact. Things like "Black on Black crime," or the assumption that Black people don't value education or refuse to comply with police.
"If you're just more racist out loud without hiding it, you can gain a more loyal group of supporters." With the election of former President Donald Trump came the death of the racist dog whistle, meaning being racist behind closed doors is no longer the norm. Instead, politicians and white nationalists now take pride in sharing their racist ideologies in public
"Most churches didn't split because of ideological or theological reasons; they split because of racial reasons." The history of religion and its relationship with race is examined. Michael Harriot explains that nine out of America's ten largest Protestant denominations split because of conflicting views regarding race and slavery.
From grassroots movements to political advocacy, explore the powerful journey of Dalit activists working towards dismantling caste oppression.
In this episode, you will be able to:
● Shatter the silence surrounding caste discrimination in US-based South Asian communities.
● Delve into the world of Dalit rights activism to understand the struggle against centuries-old caste subjugation.
● Grasp why legislation against caste discrimination in California could be a game changer.
● Realize the paramount importance of caste equity competency in breaking down workplace barriers.
● Get attuned to how somatics can mend the psychological wounds inflicted by caste discrimination over generations.
My special guest is Thenmozhi Soundararajan
Joining the conversation is Thenmozhi Soundararajan, a Dalit rights activist born in the heart of East Los Angeles, bringing a fresh perspective to igniting change for Indian Americans and marginalized communities. Raised in the harsh reality of structural casteism, she uses her lived experiences as the foundation of her fight against this persistent issue. Additionally, she is admired for her talents as a transmedia storyteller, songwriter, writer, hip-hop musician, technologist, and author of The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition. Her story and experiences form an intricate tapestry of struggle, resilience, and commitment, making her an invaluable guest on the topic of Dalit rights and caste discrimination.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction
00:01:19 - Guest Introduction
00:03:40 - What is Caste?
00:07:19 - Caste Discrimination in the US
00:09:19 - Personal Experience and Hiding Identity
00:16:46 - Addressing Misconceptions about Trafficking
00:17:20 - Structural Caste and Sexual Exploitation
00:18:19 - The Need for Civil Rights Organizations
00:19:35 - Discrimination and the Fight for Caste Equity
00:24:35 - Caste as a Protected Category
00:32:28 - The Impact of Caste Oppression
00:34:09 - Changing Hearts and Minds
00:35:11 - Discrimination within South Asian Communities
00:37:54 - Groundbreaking Conversations and Unity
00:39:10 - Responding to Denial of Caste
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
● Go to the website www.RaceConvo.com to listen to more episodes of the show and engage in conversations about race.
● Please share the show with at least one or two other people who may be interested in having conversations about race.
● If you enjoy the show, please leave a review to help support it. Don't forget to give it five stars if you think it's a five-star show.
● If you'd like to help support the show, you can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking on the donate button on the website.
● To understand more about caste and Dalit rights, visit Equality Labs, an organization fighting for caste equity and civil rights. Learn about their work and support their cause.
● Support the coalition led by Equality Labs and Senator Ayesha Wahab to make California the first state to ban caste discrimination. Stay updated on their progress and join their efforts.
Guest Bio
Thenmozhi Soundararajan is a Dalit rights activist based in the United States. She is a transmedia storyteller, songwriter, hip-hop musician and technologist. She founded Equality Labs, which “is an Ambedkarite South Asian power-building organization that uses community research, political base-building, culture-shifting art, and digital security to end the oppression of caste apartheid, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and religious intolerance.” Her work and writings against caste oppression in the United States have been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post.
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
Breaking Barriers: John Blake on Racial Reconciliation Why We Must Bridge Divides: A Conversation on Inclusive Leadership with Sally Helgesen & Mercedes Martin Rising Above Racism: Dr. Randal Pinkett's Journey to DEI ExpertiseLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating
"We live in a country where slavery is still legal. Every American is a slave catcher." Michael Harriot takes a deep dive into the fugitive slave clause in the U.S. Constitution that instructed white Americans to become slave catchers whether they owned slaves or not.
"Nobody wants policing to work correctly more than Black people." Data has proven time and time again that America's policing system is broken, but Michael Harriot believes the blame doesn't fall on individual officers. Instead, he explains that until racism, education, and economic disparities are dealt with, police can't successfully stop or solve crime fairly.
"Not all heroes wear capes." Daryl Atkinson has been crowned the winner of theGrio's inaugural Heroes Initiative meant to highlight everyday leaders who support, uplift and move Black communities forward. The attorney and activist from North Carolina has dedicated his life to legal advocacy, fair public policy, and inmate rights. Atkinson joins Michael Harriot to discuss some of the biggest hurdles facing his non-profit organization Forward Justice and highlight their recent legal wins. The pair also share statistics about the disparities plaguing the American justice system and discuss what the public can do to help.
"If you say what Black people need to do is just focus on crime, who do they think we are, Batman?" Michael Harriot explains why it's ignorant and racist to blame Black people for the violence in their communities and not keep that same energy when other demographics commit the same crimes. He explains that there are several issues like education, policing, and equal pay that have to be addressed by white America before real change can be achieved.
"If you really want to learn about white history, you have to start with the history of slavery." As America celebrates it's independence, Michael Harriot shares a history lesson that is left out of the July 4th discussion. He details how slavery was used to make the United States an economic superpower and explains why enslaving Africans was different from any form of slavery we've seen in history.
Original airdate: 12/7/22
In this conversation on race, Simma talks with John Blake, a well-known author, and journalist with CNN. He reports on race, religion, and politics. His most recent book is, More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew
John Blake's story begins with a familiar narrative of a biracial child struggling to find their place in a racially divided America. But just when you think you know where the story is headed, a surprising twist throws everything into question. What happens when John meets his estranged white family members as an adult? Will he reject them as he did with his white heritage? Or will he embrace them, leading to a transformative journey of empathy and forgiveness? Join us as we explore John's journey of racial reconciliation and the power of relationships in bridging seemingly impossible divides.
Why Race Is Important
Race is a central theme not only in the personal lives of many individuals but also in the larger context of American society. Understanding the importance of race requires recognizing that it shapes people's experiences, opportunities, and challenges in significant ways. By talking about race and valuing the various perspectives and experiences that come from different racial backgrounds, people can grow in empathy, cultivate meaningful relationships, and foster a more equitable and just society. In the conversation between Simma Lieberman and John Blake, John shares that his own experiences growing up as a biracial child with a white mother and black father has had a profound impact on his life, shaping both his personal struggles and his professional pursuits as a journalist reporting on race relations in America. He emphasizes that race is a key element in understanding and addressing social issues and that acknowledging and embracing diversity can ultimately bring people together and create a better society.
In this episode, you will be able to:
The resources and solutions mentioned in this episode are:
The key moments in this episode are
00:00:02 - Introduction
00:01:53 - Why Race Is Important
00:03:54 - Discovering His Mother's Race
00:05:49 - Meeting His Mentally Ill Mother
00:11:02 - Lessons About Empathy and Forgiveness
00:15:52 - The Importance of Relationships in Combating Racism
00:17:47 - The Need for Intentional Diversity
00:19:19 - Telling Optimistic Stories
00:21:57 - The Continual Conversion Process
00:26:45 - Creating Opportunities for Meaningful Contact
00:30:28 - Importance of Diversity in Communities
00:34:52 - The Capacity for Change in Racism
00:37:57 - Cancel Culture and the Importance of Listening
00:41:01 - Personal Music and Book Recommendations
00:42:08 - Recommended Readings and Eric Liu's Work
Guest Bio
John Blake is an award-winning journalist at CNN.com, the online site for CNN and an author. He has been honored by the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Academy of Religion, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Religion Communicators Council and with the GLAAD Media Award. He was most recently the winner of the 2019 Sigma Delta Chi awards for Excellence in Journalism for his online columns on race and politics. His 2020 essay, “There’s One Epidemic We May Never Find a Cure For: Fear of Black Men in Public Spaces,” was recently selected by Bustle Digital Group as one of the 11 best essays on racism and police violence. The other authors on that list included Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ibram X. Kendi, and Roxane Gay. Blake’s book, “Children of the Movement,” was a finalist for the 2005 NAACP Image Awards in the Outstanding Literary Work Non-Fiction category and a finalist for the Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Awards. He has spoken at high schools, colleges, symposiums, and in documentaries about topics such as race, religion, and politics. Blake is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and a graduate of Howard University.
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
Why We Must Bridge Divides: A Conversation on Inclusive Leadership with Sally Helgesen & Mercedes Martin Rising Above Racism: Dr. Randal Pinkett's Journey to DEI Expertise Cops Against Systemic Racism: Ed Cronin & Mike Alexander's Journey [Part 2]Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating