E116. White Allyship - with Jason Biehl, Antiracist Educator, History Teacher, & Writer

“White folks need to realize that something’s been done to us - that we’re raced. Like, we’re not actually white… We were Polish, we were German, we were Irish. We’ve lost that ethnicity we’ve lost that culture, and our legacy is taking it from other folks, right? I still have work to do on exploring my own family… We actually have more ability to research our people and find them, and yet we still don’t do the work. Why is that? ‘Cause we’re afraid of what we’re gonna find.” - Jason Biehl

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Jason Biehl. Jason is an antiracist educator, born and raised in Washington, D.C., with over 20 years of experience working in education with youth from diverse backgrounds. In 2017, he founded Change The Narrative, and he works collaboratively as an educational consultant to further racial equity within organizations and schools. Jason is a truly radical thinker, who clearly puts a high priority on his self-awareness and humility. We’re excited for you to gain his perspective on fighting racism :)

(8:15) Jason introduces himself, his work on the frontiers of antiracism, and a turning point in his life.

(14:00) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - serious, hard-working, caring - and how being overly caring can lead to being hurt.

(18:05) Jason shares the front of his mask - playful/humor, outgoing/optimist, steady/reliable - then, he and Ashanti critique our standard email salutations.

(22:25) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - worried, heavy, what’s next - and shares some family matters that have been on his mind lately.

(26:25) Jason shares the back of his mask - scared, sad/grieving, self-doubt - and how these things apply both to his country and his inner self.

(32:50) Jason reflects on how difficult it was within his college culture when he switched his major to African American Studies.

(37:40) Ashanti and Jason continue discussing white allyship.

(41:30) Then, they discuss how men’s work stands in solidarity with other marginalized groups by exploring the cognitive dissonance of masculinity.

(51:40) Ashanti and Jason find common connections in the education and men’s work world, then they wrap up the conversation.

(56:00) Jason shares how you can get in touch with him.

---

Connect with Jason Biehl:

Website: http://www.changethenarrative.me

Instagram: instagram.com/j.biehl

Twitter: twitter.com/JasonWBiehl

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jason-biehl-738171103

---

Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/support

Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

If you are interested in being on the Face to Face podcast, email us at [email protected]

---

Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks

Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch

Website: branchspeaks.com

---

Send in a voice message:

anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support