Olivia and Raven talk about the infantilization and invalidation that often occurs when people attempt to assist disabled people. They cover the double standards for providing help to nondisabled and disabled people, when so-called “help” can be intrusive or harmful, and the importance of respecting boundaries when offering to assist someone.

Discussion Summary:

00:35: Discussion intro.

00:52: Beginning of episode, and why people either don’t accept when a disabled person refuses assistance, or they refuse to assist a disabled person asking for help.

04:10: Making a bigger deal of disabled people’s actions and mistakes than those of nondisabled people.

09:07: When people are intrusive in the way they offer assistance.

11:56: Getting upset with people for refusing assistance, and why so-called “help” can sometimes hinder a person’s independence.

14:19: When attempts to be helpful can be harmful, and the double standard for offering assistance to disabled and nondisabled people.

28:21: Why some people decide to help disabled people by speaking to the person accompanying them, rather than speaking directly to the disabled person.

33:54: Experiences with being helped by someone who won’t address you directly.

46:29: Behaving as though accommodating a disabled person is an inconvenience or favor.

49:37: The importance of asking “how can I help you?”, and setting preconceived notions aside when assisting a disabled person.

50:58: Outro.

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod,

Facebook page,

Instagram.

Music credits: Opening: Goestories - Noir Et Blanc Vie

Discussion intro: "Leopard Print Elevator" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Closing: First Class - DJ Williams

Raven gives a brief history of Maria W. Stewart, the first Black American woman to deliver public speeches, and performs a fiery read of an excerpt from Stewart’s lecture "Why Sit Ye Here and Die?".

References:

Maria W. Stewart: Powerful Public Orator for Black Women’s Rights

https://kentakepage.com/maria-w-stewart-powerful-public-orator-for-black-womens-rights/

(1832) MARIA W. STEWART, “WHY SIT YE HERE AND DIE?”

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/1832-maria-w-stewart-why-sit-ye-here-and-die/

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod,

Facebook page,

Instagram.

Music Credits: Thanks to purple-planet.com for the intro music.

Author Intro Background: "Night Cave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Reading Background: "Spirit of the Girl" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Olivia tells us a bit about Harryette Mullen Ph.D., an educator and award-winning poet, and performs a solemn read of Harryette’s poem "We Are Not Responsible."

References:

Harryette Mullen

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/harryette-mullen

We Are Not Responsible

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/145281/we-are-not-responsible

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod,

Facebook page,

Instagram.

Music Credits: Thanks to purple-planet.com for the intro music.

Author Intro Background: "Cool Vibes" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Reading Background: "Double Drift" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Raven honors National Freedom Day, February 1, advocated for by Richard Robert Wright, and created in 1948 in remembrance of the signing of the 13th Amendment.

References:

NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-freedom-day-february-1/

RICHARD R. WRIGHT, SR. (1855-1947)

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/wright-richard-r-sr-1855-1947/

Why is Black History Month in February? How do you celebrate? Everything you need to know.

https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/4292640001

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod,

Facebook page,

Instagram.

Music credit: Thanks to purple-planet.com for the intro music.

Background music: "Drums of the Deep" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Olivia gives us the backstory of Haitian Independence Day, January 1, shining light on what's often described as the largest and most successful slave rebellion in the Western hemisphere.

Reference:

HAITIAN REVOLUTION (1791-1804)

https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/haitian-revolution-1791-1804/

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod,

Facebook page,

Instagram.

Music Credit: Thanks to purple-planet.com for the intro music.

Background music: "Accralate" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Raven shares the history of Emancipation Day, celebrated August 1 by free Black Americans in the 1800s to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the British empire on August 1, 1834.

Reference:

African American holidays, like Aug. 1, deserve national attention

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/08/01/african-american-holidays-like-aug-1-deserve-national-attention/

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod,

Facebook page,

Instagram.

Music Credit: Thanks to purple-planet.com for the intro music.

Background music: "Arcane" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Olivia talks about the North American Indian Days, celebrated the 2nd week of July, and the Heart Butte Society Celebration of the Blackfeet tribe, which takes place the 2nd week of August.

Reference:

What are the Festivals That the Blackfeet Indians Celebrate?

https://www.theclassroom.com/what-are-the-festivals-that-the-blackfeet-indians-celebrate-12083704.html

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod,

Facebook page,

Instagram.

Music Credit: Thanks to purple-planet.com for the intro music.

Background music: "Firesong" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Raven highlights some of Richard Robert Wright’s many achievements. A former slave, Wright served the black community through establishing educational institutions, opening a trust company, serving in the army, and civil rights advocacy.

References:

RICHARD R. WRIGHT, SR. (1855-1947)

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/wright-richard-r-sr-1855-1947/

WRIGHT, RICHARD ROBERT

https://digital.janeaddams.ramapo.edu/items/show/2619

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod,

Facebook page (Intersectional Insights Podcast),

Instagram (ISquared Podcast).

Music credit: "Chill Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Olivia and Raven talk about how classroom curriculum plays a role in the mentality that black people are less than. They focus on how the histories of different cultures are taught, the global perspective left out of the curricula, and the influence on students of all ethnic backgrounds.

Discussion Summary:

00:32: Topic intro, and the differences in the way black history and white American history are taught in the classroom.

04:02: The ladies recall being taught world history through the white lens, and call out some of the ways classroom curriculum excludes innovations and philosophies from Africa and the Middle East.

12:00: Teaching about cultures in a way that’s pitying or dismissive.

17:28: What’s dehumanizing about excluding parts of a people’s story?

21:21: Internalizing the way black history is recognized most for suffering, and not for progress, and the struggle to find contributions made by communities of color.

32:34: The lack of, and importance of representation in the curriculum and beyond.

39:19: The hyperawareness of the negative aspects of black history and culture, and failures to acknowledge and celebrate when blacks prosper.

45:24: The expectation for black people to be unaffected by how black history and culture are covered in the classroom.

47:49: Differences between learning opportunities at schools in low-income and higher income communities, and how it influences outcomes for black children and students in low-income households.

1:02:57: Outro.

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod,

our Facebook page,

and our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Music credits: Opening: Goestories - Noir Et Blanc Vie

Closing: First Class - DJ Williams

Olivia highlights Shontay Lundy, an entrepreneur who created a sunscreen specifically for people of color, and an advocate for black female founders.

Reference:

Meet the millennial entrepreneur who just scored a $1 million investment for her inclusive 'Black Girl Sunscreen' brand

https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-shontay-lundy-founder-of-black-girl-sunscreen-2020-9?amp

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod,

our Facebook page,

and our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Music credit: "Chill Wave" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)