Active Allyship...it's more than a #hashtag!"

On this episode of “Active Allyship…it’s more than a #hashtag!” Sunni and Lisa discuss moments of awakening in the realm of social justice with Debby Irving during The 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge interview.  On their newly introduced segment called, “Did you Know?” Sunni and Lisa tackle another painful reminder of what it’s like to be black in America - the Aurora Police incident in which a black mother and her children were wrongfully detained and made to lie facedown on hot asphalt. Straight B.S., but you’ll have to listen to get our thoughts on the matter.

There is so much taking place in these United States of America, to include being in the midst of “two pandemics and a revolution”.  We know you’re wondering, what two pandemics? Well, put your earphones on and have a listen! Hint: white supremacy is a pandemic!  Anyway, we wanted to share tools that would be useful in assisting to bridge the gap, creating a better understanding.  The 21- Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge interview with Debby Irving is informative, eye-opening and quite honestly, rather revealing.  Debby shares what she was “marinated” in as a child growing up in white suburbia and the impact it had on her life, mentally, emotionally and physically.  Transparency is the word that comes to mind when listening to this conversation.  Debbie is very transparent about her upbringing and the connection to her “awakening”.  

Now, back to The 21- Day Racial Equity Habit Challenge, (which by the way, “was first hatched by Dr. Eddie Moore Jr.” fingers crossed, we’ll have him on the show as well), this tool provides a variety of options for engagement and learning - “For 21 days, do one action to further your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression and equity.”  If you haven’t already, join our Active Allyship…it’s more than a #hashtag! Facebook Group to participate in the challenge we are launching. Our goal is to inform, engage and act!  Yes, the word “ally” is a verb, requiring action - no nouns around here!

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On this episode of “Active Allyship…it’s more than a #hashtag!” …Sunni and Lisa introduce a new segment called “Did You Know?!” and we will ask each guest what they were marinated in. During the "Did You Know?!" segment, we share newsworthy topics that you may not have been aware of, trust us on this one!  We will also be asking our guests the question, "What were you marinated in?"  

We all know that the Revolution is a marathon, not a sprint; it’s a movement, not a moment.  Mindfulness During the Revolution with Dr. Monea is required listening.  What an informative discussion, some of the revelations are jaw-dropping!  We delve into what Dr. Monea was marinated in, and her metamorphosis into such an incredible wife, mom, yogi and resource.  Dr. Monea shares experiences along her journey to educate the masses and to amplify the voices of some of our most vulnerable. She shares tools for mindfulness during the Revolution for both Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and our Allies.  We promise, you do not want to miss this episode either, especially when Dr. Monea realizes as a young child that she was different in the eyes of the privileged… and the “Village” that created a safe space for her to morph into her truest, most authentic self.  Dr. Monea is a modern day super-woman who understands the importance of making time to nurture herself.  She knows that the effort to inform, engage and act requires resilience. Dr. Monea shares the three “Rs”, I bet you want to know what they are, come on now, you know you have to listen to find out!

Cali by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

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Free Download / Stream:  https://bit.ly/wataboi-cali

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On this episode of “Active Allyship…it’s more than a #hashtag!” …Sunni and Lisa discuss the Umbrella of Racism: What exactly does racism mean?  Like, really, what does racism mean?  Not what it means to you, but what does it really mean?  We delve into several definitions, written by experts (Ijeoma Oluo and Dr. Ibram Kendi) to arrive at one that examines and accurately reflects the behavior and structures.  We also examine racism, the Big “R” and the little “r” according  to Dr. Steven Robbins. Listen, racism isn’t simply a word, it’s a cancer!  Are you familiar with structural, institutional or even the term systemic, all words inserted before the word “racism”? Sunni shares some of her personal experiences dealing with micro and macro aggressions and how she dealt with them.

Cali by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi
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On this episode of Active Allyship...it's more than a #hastag! ... Sunni and Lisa discuss past and recent incidents of white women (and men) weaponizing their whiteness.  When white women (and men) unleash their whiteness, privilege and sense of entitlement, it is dangerous!  We discuss the calls to the police with false accusations solely based on race.  This venomous behavior has got to STOP!  

Newly introduced legislation would make calls to 911 with false accusations a crime.  On the left coast (California) "The Caren Act" would make racially biased calls illegal and in the Big Apple (New York), the "Amy Cooper Bill" would make it a hate crime when callers make false accusations based on race, gender and religion. Hopefully, this legislation won't die waiting to be passed and will be passed unanimously.  Wait, we actually need to introduce legislation to ensure consequences for white folks to STOP calling the police with lies, damn!   

Cali by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi
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On this episode of “Active Allyship…it’s more than a #hashtag!” …Sunni and Lisa hear first hand accounts of Norman C. Neverson’s (Sunni’s Uncle) journey from hardship to haven through an educational system, specifically designed to exclude him. Honestly, it feels like you’re eavesdropping as little known facts are revealed, get ready for the big twist!  

Here is some information on the Closing of Prince Edward County's Schools from www.virginiahistory.org  Our guest, Norman Neverson was one of the children affected. 

After Virginia's school-closing law was ruled unconstitutional in January 1959, the General Assembly repealed the compulsory school attendance law and made the operation of public schools a local option for the state's counties and cities. Schools that had been closed in Front Royal, Norfolk, and Charlottesville reopened because citizens there preferred integrated schools to none at all. It was not so in Prince Edward County. Ordered on May 1, 1959, to integrate its schools, the county instead closed its entire public school system.

The Prince Edward Foundation created a series of private schools to educate the county's white children. These schools were supported by tuition grants from the state and tax credits from the county. Prince Edward Academy became the prototype for all-white private schools formed to protest school integration.

No provision was made for educating the county's black children. Some got schooling with relatives in nearby communities or at makeshift schools in church basements. Others were educated out of state by groups such as the Society of Friends. In 1963–64, the Prince Edward Free School picked up some of the slack. But some pupils missed part or all of their education for five years.


Cali by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi
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On this episode of Active Allyship…it’s more than a #hashtag!” Sunni, Lisa and Dr.  David Campt, author of "The White Ally Toolkit Workbook: Using Active Listening, Empathy, and Personal Storytelling to Promote Racial Equity" discuss the application of tools to support White Allies. They also discuss why white allies must take over the work of “woking."

Description of "The White Ally Toolkit Workbook: Using Active Listening, Empathy, and Personal Storytelling to Promote Racial Equity."

How does a white person who aspires to be an ally against racism talk to their friends and family who are in denial about racism against people of color? The White Ally Toolkit Workbook gives people concrete guidance about how to respond a wide variety of statements that racism-denying white folks make everyday. In addition, the workbook presents a sequenced curriculum that an ally can use if they want to purposefully change someone in the circle of influence as well as reflection and self-assessment tools that will help allies see themselves more clearly. These tools help allies refine their interactions with others so they can move the needle on the large-scale racism denial among the whites about American’s most pressing and long-standing problem.

Cali by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi
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Free Download / Stream:  https://bit.ly/wataboi-cali
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On the debut episode of "Active Allyship...it's more than a #hashtag!" Sunni & Lisa talk about what they were marinated in growing up.

They also talk about what this podcast is about, why it is so imperative, and why it is WAY past time to dismantle systemic racism.

Cali by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream:  https://bit.ly/wataboi-cali
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/qXptaqHIH5g