Race Matters

Can writing be a political practice? How do you write in a way that serves liberation, the making of better worlds? 

Today Samantha and Bipasha are in conversation with Fabliha Yeaqub, a queer Bangladeshi writer, artist and community organiser based in so-called New York. We are talking about her journey with writing as catharsis and as rebellion, how it relates to her political work, and what it means to forge community connections amidst the individualist culture of the West. This episode is grounded in June Jordan's timeless words: I must become a menace to my enemies.

Connect with Fabliha’s work

Fabliha’s piece 'muslim girlhood is a knife. you kill us, and yet we will live forever’: https://fablihayeaqub.substack.com/p/muslim-girlhood-is-a-knife-you-kill

Website: https://www.fablihayeaqub.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fablihayeaqub/ 

Marigold Seeds Collective: https://www.instagram.com/marigoldseedscollective/ 

Amader Dawat: https://www.instagram.com/amaderdawat/ 

June Jordan’s I Must Become a Menace to my Enemies: https://poets.org/poem/i-must-become-menace-my-enemies 

This episode was co-produced and co-hosted by Samantha Haran and Bipasha Roy, Audio editing by Bipasha Roy, Supervising Producer was Tanya Ali, Executive producer and final mixing by Shareeka Helaluddin

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It takes a femme queen. 

Movement as liberation, and the spirituality of performance. Join Ethan Lyons and Tim Worton in deep kiki with the Ruby of Western Sydney, vogue diva from the House of Silky, Jubahlee talking the love and kinship within the ballroom scene.

This episode was produced and hosted by Ethan Lyons and Tim Worton, with Supervising Production and podcast edit by Shareeka Helaluddin 

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“I’m a child of the revolution” 

Theatre as protest, storytelling as weapon. Fifty two years since the inception of Black Theatre - the subversive art form that spoke back to the colony and incited the beginning of community controlled services; resonates to this day. We’re so honoured to be speaking with Angeline Penrith, the creative director and curator of Redfern Renaissance. Angeline is a Wiradjuri & Yuin actor and story teller, a proud Redfern local and from a trailblazing family of activists and storytellers.

Show up, everyday for First Nations resistance

Black Caucus - mutual aid and local actions

Action for Public Housing - resisting gentrification of Redfern, fighting for housing rights

Black Peoples Union - revolutionary organisation that pursuing full self-determination and Sovereignty

Survival Guide on Radio Skid Row - archive of conversations hosted by Joel Spring and Lorna Munro on the history of Black resistance and the destruction from gentrification, in Redfern.

Pay the rent

Black Caucus - mutual aid funds

Deadly Connections

Decolonise Sex Work - mutual aid funds

Grandmothers Against Removal NSW

Stop Black Deaths in Custody content note for names and images of deceased peoples

This episode was collaboratively produced, hosted and edited by Alicia Zhao and Shareeka Helaluddin. 

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A collision of sounds and a system built through found materials transforming every space it enters.

Guest hosts (and fbi family) Madi Martin-Bygrave and Virginia Barahona chat to DJ, community-builder and artist Lulu Quintanilla. Her hand built sound systems are a conduit for questioning culture in a particular moment. An emblem of her candour and DIY ethos where transmuting possibility is found in the club, a youtube archive or a community gathering.

This episode was produced and hosted by Madi Martin-Bygrave and Virginia Barahona, with supervising production and audio editing by Shareeka Helaluddin.

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Not only is this Dunya temporary, it is also worth saving. Until we are all free.

Open your ears and hearts with Sara El Youghun and Attu Ngor as they have a vulnerable chat with artist, poet, and kin Mustafa. Together they explore his new album Dunya, dedicated to those still living in this world, fighting, praying, grieving and holding on to hope.

Mustafa tells us about the importance of faith, culture and community as a lifeline. Sharing his Nubian roots in relation to Islam, Mustafa invites us to his world with dance and mercy, reminding us of the importance of growing together rather than apart.

This episode was made possible by Shareeka Helaluddin and greatly contributed to by Tim Worton, Mateo Baskaran and Toobs.

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Repping the Black Caucus and some of the staunch advocates he organises alongside, Wiradjuri organiser and creative Ethan Lyons joins us as guest host.

Stories that ode his matrilineal teachers, movements across black resistance, solidarities across borders and how young people can find their space in liberatory movements. Plus, a track list of queer, Black and First Nations excellence selected by Ethan.

Continue to follow, learn, get organised and show material solidarity

In conversation: Uncle Robbie Thorpe, Kieran Stewart-Asherton and Uncle Coco on 3CR Radical Radio

Follow Ethan's work

Aunty Lizzie Jarret

Justice for David Dungay Junior Campaign

@blakcaucus

@firstnationsresponse

@sydtentembassy

@paulsilva69

 

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Objects tell their stories if you let them.

Bringing together inane objects, tapestries, Musiviri paintings and self portraits; Nusra Latif Qureshi work recognises the cracks within imperial institutions and reveals a complex beauty. Sehej Kaur and Toobs bring us an in depth interview with the Pakistani visual artist, who has spent many years reclaiming the Musiviri art form, alchemising it into a political statement and tool for autonomy.

Birds in Far Pavilions is on at the Art Gallery of NSW until 15 June 2025.

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Fourteen years too long, permanent visas and protection now.

Content note: this episode traces the cruelty of state violence and asylum seeking experiences, with mention of suicide. There is no graphic detail, however we ask that you take care when listening in.

Joannie Lee and Sara El Youghan take us to the Refugee Encampment in Punchbowl, at the 24-hour Protest. Passing its 111th day, many have been waiting outside Minister Tony Burke's office seeking stability and an end to the temporary visa system that leaves them in precarious, unjust work and life conditions. Solidarity to all those fighting the violence of borders, and those who had the courage to share their stories with us.

Listen in, take action through Tamil Refguee Council / @trcaustralia

This episode was produced by Joannie Lee and co-hosted by Sara El Youghan. Special thanks to Janey Li and and Samantha Haran who joined the encampment and assisted in recording. Shareeka Helaluddin was the supervising producer.

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What does accessibility to sexual liberation really mean? 

Content warning: this interview contains mention of sexual violence. 

Alicia Zhao shares an intimate dialogue with friend, artist and advocate Dakota Quin. Facing the question of the body no longer being a productive vessel for capitalism, Dakota’s artistic and activist work seeks to find the pleasure and possibilities of embodied liberation. We learn about their story and how it culminated in the upcoming film, Unspeakable, a body of work in collaboration with Esther Bridget Joy.

Read more about and support the Unspeakable documentary: Rediscovering Sexual Liberation After Sexual Violence, and follow their instagram for updates.

Produced and hosted by Alicia Zhao
Podcast and CRN edit by Mateo Baskaran

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A tale of two Dilwale's: Mateo and Bipasha move through the phenomena of Bollywood cinema and its grasp on broader subcontinental culture. Specifically, a classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and it's less-regarded not-so-classic Dilwale (2015), both starring the inimitable SRK and Kajol.

They trace their relationships with growing up with Bollywood cinema, recount watching these films five hours back to back; and reflect on the depths and contradictions of these cultural outputs.

Produced by Shareeka Helaluddin
Hosted by Bipasha Roy and Mateo Baskaran
Podcast and CRN edit by Mateo Baskaran

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.