The Counter-Narrative Show

 In this heartfelt episode of My Black is Beautiful and My Melanin is Poppin: Beauty Blab, the host and her guests Corey Singletary and Arlene Blake dive into the complexities of Black motherhood, with a special focus on mother-daughter relationships. They explore nurturing, fostering individuality, open communication, generational parenting shifts, emotional support, and the impact of cultural and religious expectations. The conversation also touches on how beauty standards influence young Black girls and how today’s mothers aim to raise empowered, self-aware daughters. 

In a discussion on "Black Men Vote: Trump & Hillary," two black men with differing political views shared their perspectives. Derek, a Hillary supporter, expressed growing disillusionment with the political process, citing the system's limitations and the showmanship of candidates like Trump. OJ, a Trump supporter, emphasized the importance of economic opportunity and criticized the outsourcing of jobs. He argued that Trump's focus on trade policies and job creation is crucial, despite Trump's flaws. Both agreed on the need for higher voter turnout and the potential issues with the voting process, highlighting the importance of local and state-level voting. In the conversation, Speaker 1 promotes their social media presence across various platforms, encouraging engagement through likes, shares, and subscriptions. Speaker 3, identified as OJ Mallory, shares their Facebook profile for contact, mentioning their initial paranoia about facial recognition but later embracing it due to frequent tagging. Speaker 2, Derek, provides a link to their artwork website, Derek of Baltimore, and reiterates the availability of their work on Facebook. The conversation ends with Speaker 1 expressing gratitude and hinting at future discussions on topics like capitalism versus socialism.

The discussion on healing Black families from the inside out featured Dr. Sharonda Davis, Donna Godfrey, Chasity Chandler, and Carl Laurie. Dr. Davis emphasized the importance of African American women owning their stories and destigmatizing therapy. Donna Godfrey highlighted the generational impact of violence and the need for open dialog. Chasity Chandler discussed the stigma around mental health and the role of black therapists. Carl Laurie stressed the interconnectedness of health aspects and the need for holistic approaches. Key coping strategies included acknowledging stress, asking for help, journaling, and practicing self-care.

Rasheem and Candace discuss the role of racialized social workers in policy development. Candace, a recent MSW graduate, emphasizes the importance of social workers' frontline experience in addressing institutional and structural racism. She highlights the disjuncture between Canadian social work education's focus on direct practice and the need for broader policy engagement. Candace shares her research findings, noting the underrepresentation of racialized people in public administration and the need for their voices in policy-making. She advocates for social workers to be proactive in policy development and suggests strategies for self-care and engagement, including writing petitions and advocating for systemic changes.

The Counter-Narrative show discussed misconceptions about polyamory, emphasizing that it's not just about sex but involves deep emotional connections and communication. Participants shared their experiences, highlighting the importance of clear communication, setting boundaries, and managing jealousy. They discussed the challenges of coming out as polyamorous, especially within black and queer communities. Resources recommended included Facebook groups, books like "More Than Two" and "The Ethical Slut," and platforms like Clubhouse for learning and support. The conversation underscored the need for radical honesty and emotional intelligence in polyamorous relationships.

The Counter-Narrative show explored the lack of diversity in the cannabis industry. Key statistics include 12% of Americans as active marijuana users, a 67% increase in cannabis sales in 2020, and a $61 billion US industry. Denise Vito, a cannabis epidemiologist, emphasized the health benefits of cannabis, particularly for HIV patients, and the need for better education. Tyrone Russell highlighted the high barriers to entry, such as $200,000 for licensing, and the importance of education and social equity. Shaggy Brown stressed the need for more knowledge in urban communities and the potential of plant medicine for healing. The discussion also touched on the impact of legalization and decriminalization on racial disparities and the criminal justice system. The discussion on the Counter-Narrative show focused on the lack of diversity in the cannabis industry. Speaker 3 highlighted the normalization of cannabis usage through hip hop culture. Speaker 2, a Latina woman, emphasized the need for education and the challenges in hiding cannabis evidence. S. Rasheem and Speaker 4 debated the importance of diversity, with Speaker 4 arguing for inclusivity across races. Dr. Videau stressed the importance of funding mechanisms to support diverse voices. The conversation also touched on the need for proper channels to prevent predatory investors and culture vultures from exploiting knowledgeable individuals.

The Counter-Narrative show featured Natoya and Joy, two black women entrepreneurs, discussing their businesses and challenges. Natoya's brand, Amazing Sophistication, is a footwear line inspired by her children's initials and her background in mental health. Joy's HR consulting firm, HR for the Culture, focuses on supporting black female entrepreneurs, highlighting the struggles of black-owned businesses, which average $24,000 annually. Both emphasized the importance of community, networking, and overcoming misconceptions about entrepreneurship. The pandemic impacted their businesses differently, with Natoya starting during the pandemic and Joy leveraging e-commerce growth. They shared strategies for building generational wealth and the significance of their work in the black community.

Rasheem hosts a discussion with Ali Hassan and Forus about their experiences as brown and foreign individuals in the U.S. Ali, originally from Rockville, Maryland, with roots in Hyderabad, India, discusses the challenges of assimilating into a predominantly white area and the importance of cultural appreciation. Forus, born in Lahore, Pakistan, shares his cultural shock upon moving to the U.S. and the benefits of learning multiple languages. Both emphasize the significance of their Muslim faith and the misconceptions surrounding it. They also discuss the impact of the current election on their communities and the importance of education and cultural understanding.

The discussion on race, politics, and social justice featured Vicky J, a beauty YouTuber and social justice advocate, and Carl, a minister and PhD student. They discussed Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protest, praising his strength and the widespread support he received. They also highlighted Beyoncé's album "Lemonade" as a significant cultural and social commentary. The conversation touched on the importance of holding entertainers accountable, the impact of the 2016 election on race relations, and the evolution of social justice from civil rights to human rights. Both guests emphasized the need for rehumanization and the role of diverse representation in media.

Brooklyn Taylor, a dating coach and matchmaker, discussed compatibility and choosing the right mate on the "Hers, Mine and Yours" show. He emphasized that compatibility is about finding a partner who complements you, not just sharing similar interests or backgrounds. He highlighted the importance of chemistry and the ability to handle situations together, such as dealing with family conflicts. Taylor noted that both experienced and inexperienced daters face challenges, with the latter often lacking relationship skills. He advised regular social interactions and kindness in uncoupling to maintain respect and future possibilities. The hosts also shared personal experiences and insights on dating in different cities.