Black Men Unlearning

The guys talk about the challenges Black men face in maintaining our good health mentally, emotionally, and physically. The conversation includes vulnerable discussions about their own fears around healthcare, battles with loss, challenges with battling COVID, and the importance of rejecting individuality by managing our wellness in community. The episode also includes the debut of BMU's new segment, "Really, bruh?" 

In this episode, the guys discuss the fallout from Deshaun Watson's sexual assault cases, and the poor job we do of practicing accountability in our society. The discussion touches on our takeaways from the Me Too movement, our reactions to other assault cases by prominent Black male celebrities, and the lengths to which we'll go to protect our feel-good. 

This episode cites reporting by Jenny Vrentas in the New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/07/sports/football/deshaun-watson.html) and an opinion piece on the reactions of Deshaun Watson's teammates by David Dennis Jr. (https://andscape.com/features/why-arent-nfl-players-speaking-out-on-deshaun-watson/).

*Warning: This episode of Black Men Unlearning contains adult language.*

On this episode of BMU, the guys consider what it means to be authentic and if it is possible to embody multiple authentic expressions of self.  The discussion ranges from our use of code switching, social media habits and how we come to understand the multitudes we all contain.

Today's episode references a conversation between Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin, an excerpt of which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdR0PVznL4o. 

The guys are back and wondering why we spend so much of our lives being in a rush. The episode includes discussion about the where we learn to be in a hurry, the capitalism of it all and what we stand to lose by rushing through our lives.

The guys discuss the Will Smith/Chris Rock altercation and how our perspectives and biases shape our responses. Their discussion considers the importance of the rhetoric used to characterize the conflict, how men's roles as protectors factor in to navigating major boundary violations, and what we can take away from how the situation unfolded in the public sphere.

On episode #20 of BMU, the guys explore their hair journeys, taking it all the way back to barbershops in the 90s. They discuss their first experiences growing their hair out, their families' response to their long hair, society's perception of Black hair and the link between standards of professionalism and white supremacy.

Kyle and Edwin explore what it means to live the good life or at least *a* good life. The discussion starts with their past perceptions of what pursuits make our lives good, and transitions to evaluating the barriers that stand between us and living/obtaining the good life.  

Kyle and Edwin are back with the first new BMU episode of 2022, and they're tired. The episode includes discussions about the forces that conspire to keep us exhausted, making good choices about showing up in for ourselves and others and focusing on what we can control.

Kyle and Edwin discuss intimacy in relationships including how we navigate boundaries and walls, the beliefs and emotions that challenge our ability to let people get close to us, and what it means to allow ourselves to be vulnerable.

Kyle and Edwin share their reflections about the pitfalls of approaching relationships sacrificially and consider the value of "selfull-ness" in establishing healthy relationships.