The Relay

The term “Queer” is often used as a broad umbrella term for the LGBTQIA+ community. But the term not only describes sexual and gender identities, it is also a politic, a way of being and operating in the world. In this episode we continue our discussion about queerness as both a form of identity and a particular politic that aims to defy the limits of prescribed norms and structures in favor of more expansive ways of being in relation and in community with one another. We examine how these ways of being not only have implications for those who identify as queer, but also for how we all conceive of what’s possible in the way of justice and community-building. Roundtable guests for this conversation include once again Jude Feng, Dr. Jessica Davenport, and Janae Ariel.

The term “Queer” is often used as a broad umbrella term for the LGBTQIA+ community. But the term not only describes sexual and gender identities, it is also a politic, a way of being and operating in the world. In this episode we’ll discuss queerness as both a form of identity and a particular politic that aims to defy the limits of prescribed norms and structures in favor of more expansive ways of being in relation and in community with one another. We’ll examine how these ways of being not only have implications for those who identify as queer, but also for how we all conceive of what’s possible in the way of justice and community-building. Roundtable guests for this conversation include Jude Feng, Dr. Jessica Davenport, and Janae Ariel.

“Whiteness” is a term often used in discussions about race. And yet it is not so much a reference to white people, but rather to a set of behaviors, privileges and ways of being that are common to--yet often take for granted by--white people. In this episode, Secunda and Luke are joined once again by Dr. Rachel Schneider and the Rev. Dr. Matt Russell to continue their discussion of whiteness, it’s relationship to white supremacy, and how justice-minded white folks are seeking to disrupt and undo it’s already and always insidious and violent trajectory.

“Whiteness” is a term often used in discussions about race. And yet it is not so much a reference to white people, but rather to a set of behaviors, privileges and ways of being that are common to--yet often take for granted by--white people. In this episode, Secunda and Luke are joined by Dr. Rachel Schneider and the Rev. Dr. Matt Russell to discuss whiteness, it’s relationship to white supremacy, and how justice-minded white folks are seeking to disrupt and undo it’s already and always insidious and violent trajectory.

In 2018, Pittsburgh artist Alisha Wormsley created and posted what many considered to be a “controversial” billboard in the East Liberty neighborhood of the city. The billboard contained a single sentence that read: “There are black people in the future.” The simple statement was a profound one; in the context of a gentrifying neighborhood where black residents were being rapidly displaced, the billboard critiqued community planning strategies that expunge and erase black communities. But more than a critique, the billboard was also indicative of a particular artistic practice, mode of study and social engagement that has come to be known as “Afrofuturism.” In this episode, Secunda continues her conversation with De'Anna Daniels, Jaison Oliver, and Dr. Jessica Davenport about afrofuturism and its creative and cultural possibilities for community-building.

In 2018, Pittsburgh artist Alisha Wormsley created and posted what many considered to be a “controversial” billboard in the East Liberty neighborhood of the city. The billboard contained a single sentence that read: “There are black people in the future.” The simple statement was a profound one; in the context of a gentrifying neighborhood where black residents were being rapidly displaced, the billboard critiqued community planning strategies that expunge and erase black communities. But more than a critique, the billboard was also indicative of a particular artistic practice, mode of study and social engagement that has come to be known as “Afrofuturism.” In this episode, Secunda is joined by De'Anna Daniels, Jaison Oliver, and Dr. Jessica Davenport to explore Afrofuturism and its creative and cultural possibilities for community-building.

The Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) label is often used to describe those who descend from an incredibly large and diverse expanse of geographies, languages, histories, and cultures. This week Jude Feng is joined once again by Asian American advocates and activists Thu Nguyen, Muizz Akhtar, and Steven Wu to discuss some of the central issues impacting justice for AAPI communities across the U.S.

The Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) label is often used to describe those who descend from an incredibly large and diverse expanse of geographies, languages, histories, and cultures. This week Asian American advocates and activists dig into both the significance and the drawbacks of using "AAPI" as a catchall term for the richness and complexities in their community/ies. We also discuss some of the central issues impacting justice for AAPI communities here in Houston and across the U.S. Roundtable guests include Thu Nguyen, Muizz Akhtar, and Steven Wu.

Adrienne Maree Brown’s book entitled, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds has become a staple among folks in our collective as well as among wider social movement circles. In this episode we continue our discussion of the book, specifically the ideas of “fractals” and “interdependence” and the implications for movement-building and the types of change we seek in our communities. Roundtable guests include Brandi Holmes and Jude Feng.

Adrienne Maree Brown’s book entitled, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds has become a staple among folks in our collective as well as among wider social movement circles. In this episode we discuss the book, specifically the ideas of “fractals” and “interdependence” and the implications for movement-building and the types of change we seek in our communities. Roundtable guests include Brandi Holmes and Jude Feng.