The Seeds You Sow

We're switching the format for Black History month! We are honoring historical African American people, films, shows, or movements of our past and putting them in conversation with people who are doing similar work today. We believe it is important to acknowledge the predecessors who planted the first seeds of hope for our people and it is also important to acknowledge those who are still plowing away in the garden and brining forth that harvest for all of us to enjoy and be inspired by!

This week we honored the following:

Because of Julie Dash, we have Ava DuVernay.

Because of Tupac Shakur, we have Kendrick Lamar

Because of Barbara Christian, we have Ula Taylor

We could take the time to TELL you who these people are but instead we would encourage you LISTEN to the episode instead. The stories and highlights of these phenomenal black figures in our society are definitely worth sharing.

We also played a couple of rounds of the hilarious game Black Card Revoked, highlighted some great books, and overall had a good time. Tune in for some history, fun, and a great show! =D

We're starting off Black History Month with boldness and a great sense of pride by affirming the POWER we hold not only as individuals but also as a community. We know the culture is hyped right now about the  Marvel Studios Film, 'Black Panther' which inspired us to explore the question, what does it mean to have super hero like qualities? This episode is dedicated to discussing the importance of establishing a healthy sense of self worth and being unapologetic in who you are, in reference to the gifts & powers you have as an individual and how you share those abilities with your community. We discussed the importance of building a strong sense of identity because it leads to an increased sense of self worth, which in turns leaves you in a better position to uplift and encourage others.  We then took the time to honor people in our personal lives who demonstrate superhero like behavior. After, we self-identified our personal superhero like qualities and offered them to YOU(our listeners) to encourage you to think about what greatness and power you have to offer to the world as well. Finally, we highlighted the power of humility, because only when we're humble enough to acknowledge our weaknesses can we truly let our strengths shine even brighter.

This week was full of laughter, good times, and inner reflection as we examined how we view the differing perspectives of spirituality in today's Black community. This topic was inspired by the book Why did Jesus, Mohammed, and Buddha cross the road? Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World by Brian D. McLaren. We understand we are living in a culture where people are quick to reply as opposed to understand. This inspired us to think critically not only about how to discuss the different religious or non-religious perspectives we all hold, but also about the power in learning how to listen to one another and our different stories we have in reference to our spiritual walk in life.

We’re starting off season two by discussing topics that for decades have been considered inappropriate unless discussed behind closed doors. However, in the words of James of Baldwin, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” In the spirit of addressing things in a direct manner we decided to have a holistic conversation about sex. This episode was inspired by a talk given by Pastor, Author, and Speaker Toure' Roberts, entitled Sexual Wholeness! This encouraged us to think critically about how we discuss sex in today’s culture and about the multiple perspectives we all have. 

Take Root & Give Back:

We Highlighted the organization, The Eastside Cultural Arts Center

Reading is Good for the Soil(Mind):

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry (Mildred D. Taylor)

The Man Book (Jareem Gunther)

Tales of Semple (Langston Hughes)

The Mother of Black Hollywood(Jennifer Lewis)

Articles Referenced:

Changes in American Adults' Behavior towards Sex​ 1972-2012

(http://psy2.fau.edu/~shermanr/Twenge%20Sherman%20&%20Wells%20In%20Press.pdf)

"The Sex Talk Isn't Enough"

(https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2017/05/17/how-to-teach-teens-to-have-healthy-romantic-relationships/?utm_term=.8899a283edec)

"In the era of #MeToo Conversations about Sex are more important ever!"

(https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/blog/20986742/in-the-era-of-metoo-conversations-about-sex-are-more-important-than-ever)

In this episode, we discussed the power of the process and offered our personal affirmations to keep you all motivated and focused for 2018. Instead of fixating on the end result we highlighted the importance of embracing and respecting the journey it takes to get there. It was a lively, empowering, well rounded conversation where we offered our own personal testimonies on discovering and embracing the balance of being patient and persistent towards the dreams you have in life.

Also in the studio as our guest, was Musician and Artist, Jaylen Green. Jaylen offered her inspirational story and process of completing her debut solo album, "Better Late than Never" which is available now on Spotify.

Articles Referenced: Why You Should Give Up on Goals(http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20171117-why-we-should-all-give-up-on-goals-already)

The Power of the Process(https://experiencelife.com/article/the-power-of-process/)

Books Referenced: The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoir(Jennifer Lewis)

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry(Mildred D. Taylor)

The Man Book (Jareem Gunter)

Seed of the Day:

This week we had a difficult but much needed conversation about the recent sexual assault allegations that have been covered in the news and shared through the #MeToo movement. We stressed the importance of recognizing if we are going to discuss the issue of sexual assault we first have to address the issue of a culture that objectifies women and the power dynamics that are being demonstrated between men and women. We also highlighted the point that these recent allegations are NOT trending topics, but a painful truth that we all - men and women - are experiencing and dealing with. Through this conversation we were able to shed light onto the people aiming to overcome their pain and foster hope as they reclaim their power by sharing their stories. We also promoted the need to establish healthy and respectful mindsets between men and women, so that we can encourage a culture of people who look to love & support one another, instead of to dominate and control.

Take Root & Give Back: Youth Uprising Center

Reading is Good for the Soil: Have a Little Faith (Mitch Albom) & "The Prophet (Khalil Gibran)

Articles Referenced: Sexual Violence Against Women: Understanding Cross-Cultural Intersections (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777345/)

Seed of the day: "Narratives of Blackness: How We Identify Individually & Collectively as Black People and the Importance of Sharing Our Stories."

We had an empowering conversation about black identity in American society and shared our own personal stories of how we see ourselves as individuals connected to the rich legacy of Black History. Through this conversation we were hoping to spark dialogue, encourage others to think of their own journey of identity, and challenge all to listen to and respect the differences between us and the similarities we share as Black Americans in today's world.

We referenced an excerpt from the book "Who is Black? One Nation's Definition" by author and retired professor Floyd James Davis. We also highlighted the books, "Dreams of My Father" (Barack Obama), "Souls of Black Folk" (W.E.B. DuBois), as well as the new album "If All I Was, Was Black" by legendary singer Mavis Staples of the Staple Singers. Check out the new clip below! The full episode is now available now iTunes.

Seed Of The Day: This episode is a response to Beyoncé & Eminem's new song "Walk on Water," a lyrical message to the fans that the artists are not God, and that people should not "believe in them, the way that they do." This prompted us to question and discuss the line between idolization and admiration of a celebrity, and why this is or isn't problematic for society.

Take Root & Give Back: Thai Chu, founder of Listen For A Change (www.listenchange.org)

Reading is Good for the Soil: The Marrow of Tradition (Charles Chestnut)

Articles Referenced: "Celebritiy Worship and The American Mind" (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/donna-rockwell-psyd/celebrity-worship-and-the_b_13794782.html)

Seed Of The Day: We had the chance to examine how social media plays a role in our culture and establishing the importance of making sure that we know how to use the social media and not have the social media use us.

Take Root & Give Back: The Angels in Orange (https://www.axios.com/the-angels-in-orange-fighting-californias-fires-2496642109.html)

Reading is Good for the Soil: 'The Gifts of Imperfection'(Brene Brown), Life in Overtime(Tierra Rogers), & Man's Search for Meaning(Viktor Frankl)

Articles referenced by:

"How Black People Built Social Media" (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-black-people-built-social-media_us_58139254e4b08301d33e08dc)

"6 Ways Social Media Affects our Health(https://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/06/30/a-run-down-of-social-medias-effects-on-our-mental-health/&refURL=&referrer=#43595f152e5a)

Seed Of The Day: Are you internally woke? The importance of not only intellectual awareness but mental/emotional health awareness.” We had an honest conversation about the need for our community to be vulnerable and seek thearpy in order to repair and move forward.

Take Root & Give Back: Jus Me of Just Mindfulness www.justmindfulness.com

Reading is Good for the soil: ‘The Four Agreements (Miguel Ruiz) and ‘Raising Fences’ (Michael Datcher) We also highlighted the new album ‘4eva Is a Mighty Long Time’ by hip-hop artist Big K.R.I.T.

Articles referenced: "FAMILY-CARE, COMMUNITY-CARE AND SELF-CARE TOOLKIT: HEALING IN THE FACE OF CULTURAL TRAUMA" by The Community Healing Network and American Black Psychologists Association