My Racist Friend

Fresh off of another successful peaceful transition of power in the U.S.—and despite attempts to the contrary two weeks earlier—Don and Amy enjoy the moments of joy that broke through the clouds in the form of President Joe Biden's inauguration, even as they acknowledge the problems that persist. The highlight of that event for many came from poet Amanda Gorman, whose words spoke of the messy and unfinished nature of this country. Their conversation also touches on the cult of QAnon, a new podcast where a man listens to women, growing up in the Bicentennial, and the two degrees of separation that connect them to the T.V. show "Glee."

Additional resources:

• "The shock and awe of Donald Trump's final days" (Salon, by Heather Digby Parton, January 22, 2021)
  

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Amy and Don discuss a statement from the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus seeking transparency in the search for a new superintendent to head the local school corporation. This conversation covers the importance of representation and the problems inherent in sustaining a Good-Ol'-Boy network. The friends also note the similarities between the people who stormed the Capitol last week and those who arrived in 2019 to support the presence of white supremacists in the city farmers' market.

Additional resources:

• "As a community that strives and struggles ..." (Press Release, by Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus, January 13, 2021)
  

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Back after a holiday hiatus, Don and Amy try to catch up on the events of the day: an attack on the U.S. Capitol building that delayed the certification of electoral votes for President and Vice-President. Discussion includes reactions by various groups, the comfort of being believed, and the differences in approach to mob actions by police.

Additional resources:

• "If you had the Indiana Football Coaches Association ..." (Twitter, by @AustinHoughTGN, January 6, 2021)
  

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Don and Amy are joined by Dr. Maureen Walker in discussing disruptive empathy and the challenge of engaging across difference, especially when part of that difference rejects the humanity of the other. They also explore the persistence of white supremacy across our history and within groups that are not white.

This episode contains several mentions of the N-word.

Additional resources:

• "Exclusive: Lee Atwater's Infamous 1981 Interview on the Southern Strategy" (The Nation, by Rick Perlstein, November 13, 2012)
  

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Amy and Don share their "After-election Word Barf" to reflect on a projected victory for Joe Biden and end to the Donald Trump administration. While recognizing lots of work and difficult times remain, the friends discuss the challenges of talking to people mired in fear and end with a list of three good things that lift their spirits.

Additional resources:

• "U.S. Presidential Election Results 2020: Biden Wins" (NBC News)
  

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As Election Day approaches, Amy and Don talk about efforts to put social workers in the local police department, and the problems inherent in that approach. Don shares the second half of a story he started in a previous episode about being harassed by local law enforcement. Plus, a little more Lovecraft Country and a plug to watch Schitt's Creek.

If you missed the first half of Don's story, listen to Episode 2.23 ("Love Louder").

By the time the next episode comes out, the country will have finished casting their votes to shape the course of the nation for the next four years. #Vote, if you haven't already. Be respectful, and be safe.

Additional resources:

• "How Zello Became A Recruitment & Organizing Tool For The Far Right" (WNYC Studios, On the Media, October 16, 2020)
  

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Don and Amy participated in a virtual session at the Flyover Podcast Festival, hosted online by Dimension Mill on October 8-9, 2020. In their session—"Sharing the Messy Parts of Relationships"—they talked about how they started this podcast, the impact it has had, and what they hope to accomplish by continuing to share their conversations.

Thanks to Rachel Kucera, Gretchen Knapp, and everyone at Dimension Mill (including Sweetwater, for sponsoring the event).

Additional resources:

• "Letter alleges white supremacists sell at farmers' market" (Indiana Daily Student, by Ellen Hine, June 11, 2019)
  

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Fresh news that Donald Trump was hospitalized after contracting coronavirus is fodder for a discussion about loving kindness toward harmful people and the generational traumas of both enabling and suffering oppression. Amy and Don talk about the importance of making the negative impact of power visible, because you can't change what you won't acknowledge.

In this episode Amy incorrectly attributes an article on power. The article, written by Jean Baker Miller in 2010, is included in the resource links below

Additional resources:

"How Trump Could Have Exposed Biden and Others to COVID at the Debate" (Scientific American, by Tanya Lewis, October 5, 2020)

"Here's a timeline of Trump's Covid-19 illness so far" (CNN, by , October 5, 2020)

Street Lovingkindness Video Series (Sharon Salzberg)

"A 'Karen' by Any Other Name ..." (Maureen Walker, October 1, 2020)

"Telling the Truth About Power" (Women & Therapy Journal, by Jean Baker Miller, November 29, 2010)

"Bias in your body" (My Racist Friend podcast, May 13, 2020)

"Clear Language on Slavery" (Twitter, @AbsurdistWords, June 24, 2020)

On October 8, 2020, Don and Amy will participate in a virtual session at the Flyover Podcast Festival, hosted online by Dimension Mill. In their 2p session—"Sharing the Messy Parts of Relationships"—they will talk about how they started this podcast, the impact it has had, and what they hope to accomplish by continuing to share their conversations.

Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Our friends discuss threatening comments posted in response to Don sharing an article on Facebook about vehicles being used as weapons against protestors, and the limits of engaging violent speech. Amy and Don share their frustration and confusion about exchanges irreconcilable with their desire to connect across differences. Plus, more examples of things that give them strength.

Additional resources:

• "What Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court Nomination Means For The 2020 Election" (NPR, by Deirdre Walsh, September 27, 2020)
  

On October 8, 2020, Don and Amy will participate in a virtual session at the Flyover Podcast Festival, hosted online by Dimension Mill. In their 2p session—"Sharing the Messy Parts of Relationships"—they will talk about how they started this podcast, the impact it has had, and what they hope to accomplish by continuing to share their conversations.

Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Lovecraft Country again serves as a catalyst for conversation, with a recent episode of the TV series touching on the dangers to Black residents when integrating white neighborhoods. Don and Amy talk about school districting and home purchases, sparking an eclectic conversation that includes cultivating community and the recurring trauma Black people experience during this cultural awakening to white supremacy.

Additional resources:

• "Ossian Sweet (1895-1960)" (Black Past, by Susan Bragg, July 18, 2007)
  

Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes