Race Matters

Today on the show we are joined by Genesis and Carielyn, two organisers part of Anakbayan Sydney, a national democratic movement of Filipino youth.You’ll hear them speak to the current political climate and dangers in the Philippines, how it got to this, what they feel the diaspora’s responsibilities are, and the dissonance of talking to parents and elders who have been swayed by propaganda and disinformation. They also spoke about preserving story and memory, and the ways in which a collective and political identity can be shaped and reclaimed. If you are wanting to know more about their work or how you can show solidarity, you can get in contact with them here.

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is it to talk about race and racism in this country? What is really at stake for racially marginalised people to speak to the truths of injustice? For a lot of People of Colour and First Nations peoples, it can be really hard to reconcile that these are not far-off extreme things occurring in only political debate or right-wing rhetoric. It can be in our closest and intimate relationships, and our work places. So these conversations are charged with emotion and knowing that to speak to injustice can be at the loss of a friendship, a partner, a job, a social structure you once thought was safe and familiar. 

This week, we were joined by award-winning journalist, co-founder and co-chair of Media Diversity Australia  - Antoinette Lattouf. She has just released a book titled How to Lose Friends and Influence White People. It reads as a sort of guidebook, speaking to race relations in this country and the ways in which doing anti-racist and advocacy work has shifted her relationships and livelihood. Tanya Ali spoke to her ahead of her two appearances at Sydney Writers Festival this week. 

This episode was hosted by Tanya Ali, with special guest Antoinette Lattouf. It was produced and edited by Shareeka Helaluddin.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are really excited to be airing the debut of our first ever series, Beyond Borders by Binta Yade. Conceptualised, produced and edited by Binta herself - the series discusses how expressions of blackness materialise in the UK and in Australia, and the ways in which black folk from either place continuously move beyond the limitations set by - and redefine - the mainstream amid the divergent history of the African Diaspora in these places.

In this first episode, we hear Binta chatting to coveted writer Sisonke Msimang alongside accomplished anti-racist facilitator and advocate Maxine Thomas-Asante. Their words go well beyond surface, piercing through to upheaval shallow conversations about race, blackness, conceptions of self and a radical dreaming rooted in deep, critical connection.

You’ll also hear an exclusive interview between Binta and FBi’s own Tariro Mukando sharing an intimate reflection on this piece and how it came together. 

The Beyond Borders features the artwork of Gianna Hayes. She shares, “these pieces have been produced by overlaying plant-dyed fabrics. They reflect the merging of terrains, landscapes and waters as a response to the merging of conversations and experiences as black folks navigate various spaces. We carve our own sacred ecosystems that awaken our divinity”

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darren and Sara are back!

This week we bring you a piece produced by special guest Hannah Lai, exploring the work of two First Nation-led surf collectives that are not only reclaiming but actively shaping reconnection with waterways, and what that means for kinship and a sense of self. Hannah spoke to to Munna Munna man and surf coach Jordie Campbell and organiser of Naru Surf Gathering Amber Mercy. We hear about how they’ve navigated the ocean terrain and the politics around this; and how the work that they do has led to ongoing knowledge-sharing and resilience through surf and community-building. 

This episode was hosted by Darren Lesaguis and Sara Khan, with a piece produced and edited Hannah Lai. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of his show on the 30th of April with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, this week Shareeka chatted to Bornean-Australian author, wood carver, rapper and poet Omar Musa.

Often described as liminal, oscillating between genre, culture and disciplines - Omar's work defies definition. We chat about reaching a point of wanting to create from a place of euphoria and healing, creating your own myths, how wood carving has brought a visceral and tactile connection to his homeland of Borneo, and taking up unapologetic space with art making to challenging norms. Listen back to hear this powerful, tender conversation and to be flawed by Omar's poetic responses.

• Join Omar Musa & Friends for a night of storytelling, visuals, poetry and political commentary on Saturday 30th April at 9pm. Tickets available here through the ACO website, $35 for under 35s and from $49 for adults.
• Omar will also be appearing at the Sydney Writers Festival later in the month, with limited tickets available here through the SWF site. 

This episode was hosted, produced and edited by Shareeka Helaluddin with special guest Omar Musa. Cover image: Omar Musa in his studio courtesy of the artist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lost work, increased racism, inequitable resource, burnout, questionable Diversity & Inclusion strategies, the risk of losing a generation of artists, gestures towards hope.

Today on the show we are talking about the impacts that the ongoing pandemic has had on the lives and wellbeing for First Nations artists and creatives of colour. We all know the arts have been hard hit all round - but what about for marginalised communities that were already experiencing uneven representation and opportunity in creative industries. Diversity Arts are publishing their second Lost Work report detailing all this and more, including whether global anti-racist movements like Black Lives Matter and #stopasianhate have led to meaningful industry shifts. The results are concerning and paints a picture of how oppressive practices continue to impact the lives and wellbeing of our creative communities.

We were joined by two artists who shared their experiences of the last few years: Wakka Wakka Kombumerri dancer Katina Olsen and Shyamla Eswaran, dancer and founder of south asian arts movement Bindi Bosses. We also chatted to Alexia Derbas, researcher and policy manager at Diversity Arts Australia, who helped us make sense of the findings.

This episode was hosted, produced and edited by Shareeka Helaluddin, with special guest Alexia Derbas, Katina Olsen and Shyamla Eswaran. Thank you to Sara Khan who helped conduct these interviews. Cover image: Shyamla Eswaran and Katina Olsen courtesy of the artists. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we bring you something a little different with the help of special guest, artist and creative grief guide Gabriela Georges, founder of The Grief Cocoon.

We chatted to Gabriela about creating brave and creative spaces to process grief, and the many ways as people of colour we mourn within our communities and beyond. We shared our different grief practices, and Gabriela helped us put words to difficult feelings through conversation and poetry.

We hope this brings some comfort and resource to our communities, but also recognise this is a deeply challenging time. We've put together some resources of support, centring the experiences of People of Colour, First Nations and LGBTQIA+ groups. Love and solidarity to everyone grieving today and everyday.

• Qlife 1800 184 527 // QLife provides Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships
• BeyondBlue 1300 22 4636 // 24/7 mental health support via phone. Limited hours webchat available 1pm-12am
• LGBTIQA+ Support After Suicide bereavement groups by Switchboard // A free program for LGBTIQA+ people who have been bereaved through suicide
• Our Directory // Connecting Mob, Māori & BIPOC with mental health and wellbeing support 

This episode was hosted by Tanya Ali and Shareeka Helaluddin, with special guest Gabriela Georges. It was produced and edited by Shareeka Helaluddin. Cover image: some wild flowers in alpine grass captured on Ngarigo country. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Note: In this episode you will encounter mention of adverse mental health, depression, suicidality, homophobia and Islamophobia. Whilst not discussed in detail, we acknowledge that these instances could be distressing for audiences, and ask that you take care if you choose to engage. We've put together some resources of support in our notes here. 

Mohammad Awad is a Queer, Arab, Muslim artist and mental health worker whose work traverses poetry, playwriting, advocacy and Queer-Muslim centred mental health support. To coincide with the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, he joined Darren and Sara for a Queer Muslim Ramadan special to honor the messiness and complexity this time can hold for queer Muslim communities - regardless of your understanding of faith and identity. They chatted about reframing faith and ritual, reclaiming pre-colonial queer ancestry, poetry as a life force and the legacy of queer Muslim communities creating spaces by and for each other. 

If some themes in this episode were challenging or distressing, here are some places that can offer free, anonymous and immediate support. 

• Qlife 1800 184 527 
• BeyondBlue 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Safe Haven 02 9113 2981
• Islamophobia Register - Information for reporting and knowing your rights if you have experienced Islamophobia in so-called Australia

This episode was hosted by Darren Lesaguis and Sara Khan, with special guest Mohammad Awad. It was produced and edited by Shareeka Helaluddin. Cover image: a photo of Mohammad Awad courtesy of the artist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Majeda Beatty is an actor, singer, cultural practitioner and organiser. Darren and Sara spoke to Majeda following the debut her event For The Girls Deadly Edition - a night centring the creative talents of First Nations artists spanning music, drag, photography and art. They spoke about the importance of Blak joy, Blak resilience, and Blak futures; and creating spaces that go beyond an acknowledgement to celebrate First Nations expression and vulnerability.

To find out more about Majeda's work and her upcoming projects, you can follow her Instagram. 

This episode was hosted by Darren Lesaguis and Sara Khan, with special guest Majeda Beatty. It was produced and edited by Shareeka Helaluddin. Cover image: a portrait of Majeda Beatty courtesy of the artist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandy O'Sullivan is a Wiradjuri transgender and non-binary academic, teaching Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University. They speak with Darren Lesaguis about their journey into academia, the term 'queer' in all its complexities, challenging gender binaries and so much more.

You can catch Sandy on the Beyond the Binary panel as part of the Sydney Opera House's All About Women 2022. More info and tickets here.

Follow them on Twitter @sandyosullivan.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.