White Women of #Vanlife, We Need to Talk

The truth is this: as white women on the road, we’ve taken up a lot of space within the #vanlife movement. And it’s long past time to unpack how white women’s presence in popular road travel negatively impacts the Black traveler community. So in this episode, we spend some dedicated time addressing topics related to antiracism within the modern van life movement, why it’s been so tough to see positive change in this community, white women travelers’ collective role in all of this, and how to develop the practice of lifelong learning when it comes to antiracism work.

NOTE: We wanted to recognize that, in addition to the update at the top of this episode we recorded to address some community feedback regarding the topic of assimilation, we also want to call out thanks to another incredible community member that when we discuss classism (vehicle and event ticket affordability being two examples) in this episode alongside racism, we are perpetuating the limiting and harmful narrative that folks in BIPOC communities are in lower socioeconomic brackets. Furthermore, this action is an example of a microaggression, and something we apologize for and take seriously. We are linking an additional resource here to underline why linking classism and racism is problematic so you can continue to learn alongside us. To our listeners: please listen critically.

Resources From This Episode:

Diversify Vanlife on Instagram: @diversify.vanlifeDiversify Vanlife Book Club: @diversifyvanlifebookclubFollow Jayme on Instagram: @gnomad_homeFollow Rachel Cargle on Instagram: @rachel.cargleWhite Fragility by Robin DiAngeloHow to Talk to Your Family About Racism, by Jen WinstonWomen On The Road on Instagram - @womenontheroadJoin the Women On The Road Podcast Facebook group

Additional Resources in Antiracism Work:

Podcasts:

Still ProcessingCode SwitchPod Save The PeopleAnother Round Good Ancestor1619

Books:

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma OluoMe and White Supremacy by Layla F. SaadHow to Be Anti-Racist by Ibram X. KendiThe New Jim Crow by Michelle AlexanderEloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittany Cooper

Instagram Accounts:

@seedingsovereignty@nowhitesaviors@theconsciouskid@officialmillennialblack@blavity

Looking for more? NPR created a long list of the latest antiracist media you’ll want to consume.

A Short List of Incredible Black Womxn To Follow and Support On Instagram:

Noami Grevemberg - @irietoauroraTeresa Baker - @teresabaker11Erika Hart - @iharterikaLayla F. Saad - @laylafsaadGina Danza - @wildginaaLaura Edmondson - @laura.edmondsonJari Jones - @iamjarijonesAvery Francis - @averyfrancisNaomi O’Brien - @readlikearockstarNedra Glover Tawwab - @nedratawwabIjeoma Oluo - @ijeomaoluoChelsea Murphy - @she_colorsnature

Sponsor Websites & Codes:

DannerBetterhelp - get 10% off with promo code ROAD

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WOTR is produced and hosted by Laura Borichevsky.
Music is by Jason Shaw and Josh Woodward.
Podcast cover artwork designed by Dani Opal.