First Name Basis Podcast

We have the opportunity to celebrate one of America's greatest heroes this month, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During the month of January we will learn about the untold story of Dr. King and give you the tools you need to confidently teach your children about his life and his legacy.

In this episode she covers:

• His background and upbringing
• His time in college/graduate school
• How he came to be the spokesperson for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and then go on to be a prominent leader in the Civil Rights movement
• His influence on the election of President John F. Kennedy
• How he was viewed as a threat to the nation and investigated by the FBI
• His philosophy of nonviolent resistance that carried him through and inspires us all

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

"The Radical King," edited and introduced by Cornel West

Code Switch Podcast: "The Original Blexit"

"John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Phone Call that Changed History" by Steven Levingston, Time

John F. Kennedy and the Civil Rights Movement

Martin Luther King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail

"MLK's Speech Attracted Intense FBI Attention" by Tony Capaccio, The Washington Post

The Threatening Letter Written and Sent to Dr. King from the FBI

Song Credit: "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood

Michael Bennet is a husband, father of two, and an attorney for the Navajo Nation.

In this episode he shares:

• The importance of looking outside yourself to learn about the culture of others
• His family's Thanksgiving traditions and how we can focus on gratitude during the holidays
• The significance of Navajo language and culture in his own life

firstnamebasis.org

Song Credit: "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood

In this episode we interview Ryan Kamper. Ryan is from the Diné (Navajo) Nation. He is of the Folded arms people born for the Anglo-Saxon people, his maternal grandfather is of the Blackstreaked woods people and his paternal grandfather is Anglo-Saxon.

Ryan grew up on the reservation and moved to the city when he was 12 years old. He received an Associates of arts from Paradise Valley community college and is working toward a bachelor's degree in technology management. Ryan is currently a Senior Business Systems Analyst working in Higher Education at Maricopa Community Colleges. His current career goals are to finish his bachelor's degree and work toward becoming a software developer his personal goals are to continue preserving family history, culture and traditions of his tribe. In this episode we discuss:

• Teaching your children about Thanksgiving
• Ryan's personal experience with stereotypes and oppression
• Cultural appropriation during Halloween and Thanksgiving
• How to get involved with the Native American community
• Native American cultural values of family, respect for the environment, and the legacy we want to leave on this earth

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

powwows.com

Song Credit: "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood

So now that you know the untold story of Thanksgiving, how in the world do you teach your children about it?

Don't worry one bit friend, I have 4 concrete things you can do to make sure you are being honest and inclusive this fall!

1. Tell the real story of Thanksgiving.
2. Share resources with your child's teacher.
3. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
4. Research harvest festivals around the world.

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 13: "The Untold Story of Thanksgiving"

Harvest eBook and teacher resources by First Name Basis

American Indians in Children's Literature blog

A list of books by and about Indigenous Peoples on the First Name Basis Bookshop

Song Credit: "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means that us parents are faced with the question of what to tell our children about this (somewhat controversial) holiday. You probably remember having a part in the annual school play reenacting the "First Thanksgiving" and you know that's no longer (and never was) appropriate because it paints a pretty inaccurate picture of what happened all those years ago. But if that's not what happened, what did?

In this episode Jasmine shares what she's learned about the untold story of what actually happened during that harvest festival in the autumn of 1621. She covers:

• The events leading up to the harvest festival, including the initial meeting between the Europeans and the Wampanoag people
• The role of Tisquantum (Squanto)
• The festival itself and the events that followed
• Sarah Josepha Hale-The Mother of Thanksgiving
• Henry Wadsworth Longfellow-an American poet who carefully crafted the romanticized version of the Thanksgiving story

Be sure to tune in to the next episode for tips about how to use the untold story of Thanksgiving to paint a more accurate picture for your children.

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

"Why I'm Not thankful for Thanksgiving" by Michael Dorris

"Rethinking Columbus" (This book contains the article: "Plagues, Pilgrims, and the Truth About Thanksgiving" by James W. Loewen")

"Beyond Heroes and Holidays"

Plimoth Plantation

Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast

Sidedoor: A Podcast from the Smithsonian, "That Brunch in the Forest"

Song Credit: "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood

In this episode we interview Ivan Aragon, a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient. Ivan is from Chihuahua, Mexico and came to the United States with his family when he was 9 years old. He shares his experience growing up as an undocumented immigrant in Phoenix, AZ. Listen to hear:

• Ivan's powerful story of hope and hard work
• The difference between Hispanic & Latinx
• The DACA program, it's requirements, and its impact on his life
• His experience in one of the top MBA programs in the country
• How parents can talk to their children about our neighbors who are undocumented
• How families can get involved in the Hispanic/Latinx community
• How we can be everyday activists and support people in our community who are undocumented

firstnamebasis.org

Song credit "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood

In this episode we interview Catrina Gandara, a fellow podcaster who was born and raised in Mexico. Catrina grew up celebrating Dia De Los Muertos and has carried on those traditions with her family, as well as created new, meaningful traditions!

Catrina teaches us:

• the history of Dia De Los Muertos
• the difference between Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween
• using Dia De Los Muertos to teach your children about death
• creating opportunities for family history work during Dia De Los Muertos
• how to appreciate but not appropriate during Dia De Los Muertos

We also chatted about Sol Book Box, an awesome resource that parents can use to teach their children more about Hispanic heritage/ Latinx culture.

And don't forget to check out Catrina's outstanding podcast, Create Joy Podcast.

Song Credit: "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood

In this episode we interview Chad Kennedy, a Deaf ASL Professor at BYU and UVU. Chad teaches us the following:

• His experience at a hearing school vs. a Deaf school
• His preference for identity-first language
• How to communicate respectfully with Deaf people if you are hearing
• Stereotypes about Deaf people
• Deaf Pride
• How hearing families can get involved and learn about the Deaf community

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Chad recommended the book "For Hearing People Only: Answers to Some of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Deaf Community, Its Culture, and the 'Deaf Reality'"

Song Credit: "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood

In this episode, we share stories of how we've used the lessons we learn through First Name Basis in real life.

Jasmine tells the story of how she was taught the history of Ruby Bridges when she was in 3rd grade. It's difficult history and it wasn't easy to process especially at such a young age.

Now that Jasmine is a teacher herself, she recently had an opportunity to teach her third graders about Ruby Bridges. It was a redemptive experience to teach her story in a way that acknowledged the painful truth, but also made space for healing and hope.

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Ruby Bridges, National Women's History Museum

Revisionist History Podcast, Season 2, Episode 3: Malcolm Gladwell

Song Credit: "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood

In this episode we get a brief overview of Deaf history and culture, including the history of American Sign Language.

Carter begins the episode discussing his background and how he came to know ASL, and he shares an embarrassing story about the time he asked a Deaf person if they could lipread. Then we talk about the troublesome legacy of Alexander Graham Bell and his impact on Deaf education in America.

Next, we discuss the history of American Sign Language and Gallaudet University. From there, we tell the story of the "Deaf President Now" or "DPN" movement. We close with some comments on the cochlear implant debate, respectful language, and ideas for how to get involved in the Deaf Community.

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

Alexander Graham Bell's Legacy Through Deaf Eyes

Brief Summary of the DPN Protests.

Interviews with Dr. I. King Jordan, First Deaf President of Gallaudet University.

Interested in learning American Sign Language or becoming an interpreter? Visit Discover Interpreting

Song Credit: "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood