Sugar & Spice

A meeting with Jennifer Reddy who was elected to the Vancouver School Board in October 2018. In this episode, we are exploring Jennifer's journey, being born in the East Kootenays on Ktunaxa territory to immigrant parents and now being an elected member of the municipal government. What inspired her to run? What challenges does she face? How is it like to be a settler in an elected role? And much more. 

In this episode we are discussing the topic of microagression with an incredible friend: Joanne Banh. She will help Sara and Somaya better understand the term "microaggression" - a concept that, although easily talked about, is much more difficult to live. 

How much difference in beliefs can you handle when it comes to your partner?

Where do you draw the line in disagreements? 

What are some challenges when you have very different world views?

How do you overcome these challenges? 

How do you allow an environment of learning?

When do you know that it is time to walk away? 

In this episode, we try our best to answer some big questions :

Do all racialized people of colour need to be social justice warriors? Do they all need to be progressive?  

What about Barack Obama, Kamala Harris and Jagmeet Singh; can all people of colour reach those positions of power or is it for those who hold certain privileges?

And is all representation anti-racist?

Join us as we discuss these questions.

Join us this week as we keep taking part in the 16 days of activism campaign for the Elimination of Gender Violence.  This episode brings light to the intricacy of gender violence, how it is often more than just physical abuse and indeed manifests differently. We talk about how immigrant women have been able to escape gender violence despite the added challenges that come with adjusting to a new country; to how women in Colombia are subject to ridiculous beauty standards,  are heavily sexualized to the point that they are seen as a "piece of meat " or just trophies and how this might have to do with the ongoing rise of femicides in the country.

This is a fun dialogue where Sara and Somaya talk about the difficulty of dating a white person or dating in general as migrant women. Can you date someone that doesn't understand the cultural and linguistic nuances of your identity?

In this episode, Somaya and Sara talk about Belonging. Belonging is something that many have us may have struggled with, whether you’re an immigrant, a second-generation immigrant, or a person of colour. 

It is something that some of us come across more often than others. Especially those who were born in another country, have a thick accent or look like they are from another country. However, this becomes a struggle when you spent a significant part of your life in Canada, or you were born here. Do you see yourself as a Canadian? Are you perceived by others as a Canadian? Do you feel like you belong here?

In this episode, Sara and Somaya talk about how various political parties engage migrant communities during the US election and the Canadian elections. 

Who Should Pay for the First Date? 

This question may seem like such a simple question with an obvious answer, but is it?

In this episode, Sara and Somaya deconstruct this question by tackling the concepts of equity vs. equality and how gender roles have caused toxic masculinity and excluded people of the LGBTQ+ communities.

Why is it so hard to say no even when we feel uncomfortable? Are we too polite ? Too Selfless?Do we even have an option to say no?

In this episode, Sara and Somaya discuss why they have found it difficult to say no in the past and what  they are doing to currently  have more autonomy on their decisions.  They talk about how questions about  their past relationships , immigration journey or even a simple question to ask for your number can feel intrusive and yet difficult to leave unanswered.