Episode 66: Waking Up to Social Justice, a Family History

This is part 1 of the Awkward Social Justice series, where we explore our history as non-activists; trace our inroads into civic engagement and social justice issues; and finally offer a encouragement and resources for others who are just getting started. We talk a lot about race as the prevalent example for social justice, because our early Awareness Moments came in that context, and because this is a very alive topic for Leslie. This is an invitation to expand your own awareness - of your biases, your privileges, your assumptions and actions. There are some great resources in the Show Notes to help you, and we are always an email away.

This is part 1 of the Awkward Social Justice series, where we explore our history as non-activists; trace our inroads into civic engagement and social justice issues; and finally offer a encouragement and resources for others who are just getting started. We talk a lot about race as the prevalent example for social justice, because our early Awareness Moments came in that context, and because this is a very alive topic for Leslie. This is an invitation to expand your own awareness - of your biases, your privileges, your assumptions and actions. There are some great resources in the Show Notes to help you, and we are always an email away.

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7 Reasons Why 'Colorblindness' Contributes to Racism Instead of Solves It - Everyday Feminism — Since it’s the responsibility of White folks to educate ourselves and each other (and not expect people of color to be our trainers), I encourage you take to heart the seven reasons I’ve already been taught:Colorblind Ideology Is a Form of Racism | Psychology Today — Colorblindness creates a society that denies their negative racial experiences, rejects their cultural heritage, and invalidates their unique perspectives.

Let's break it down into simple terms: Color-Blind = "People of color — we don't see you (at least not that bad ‘colored' part)."Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah — Leslie's favorite book from 2016. He recommends getting the audiobook read by Trevor Noah himself. You need to hear Trevor read the Hitler story to you. It's not what you think. You'll die laughing. Raising Race Conscious Children | Resource for Talking About Race & DiversityNational SEED Project - White Privilege and Male Privilege — Dr. Peggy McIntosh’s excellent paper, from which many iterations of “Unpacking the White Privilege Backpack” have been taken. Read the original. As Dr. McIntosh says in her footnotes: “Some people "get" the idea of systemic privilege and ask "But what can I do?" My answer is, you can use unearned advantage to weaken systems of unearned advantage. I see white privilege as a bank account that I did not ask for, but that I can choose to spend. People with privilege have far more power than we have been taught to realize, within the myth of meritocracy. Participants can brainstorm about how to use unearned assets to share power; these may include time, money, energy, literacy, mobility, leisure, connections, spaces, housing, travel opportunities. Using these assets may lead to key changes in other behaviors as well, such as paying attention, making associations, intervening, speaking up, asserting and deferring, being alert, taking initiative, doing ally and advocacy work, lobbying, campaigning, protesting, organizing, and recognizing and acting against both the external and internalized forms of oppression and privilege.”Safety Pin Box — One of the best ways for white people to begin learning how they can use their power to dismantle systemic racism. It’s a subscription program that gives you weekly assignments that progressively move you through being a better ally and actor for racial justice.Helenita Frounfelkner gets $50,000+ in donated goods for Houston Flood Victims — Helenita is amazing. Check out her great work and support it if you are able.

"We received a 5500 lbs of baby essentials valued around $50K from these brands. I have to say that these brands aren’t huge conglomerates. These are family-owned and operated companies run by teams of less than 5-6 people who came together out of the extraordinary goodness of their hearts to help some of the tiniest flood victims. My heart is SO full. This is the Lord’s work. I am so grateful."