Karyn Parsons, who played Hilary Banks on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, discusses her own upbringing in the 70s and contrasts it with her mother's experiences in the Jim Crow South and the civil rights era, and her daughter's post the murder of Georg Floyd. She emphasizing the generational differences in their encounters with race.

Karyn spoke with Sheree Curry originally for an article that appeared in USA Today. You can catch the 50 minutes of that conversation on the ShereeCurryMedia YouTube channel, or on Spotify and podcast platforms under "This Conversation Matters." Subscribe for forthcoming episodes.

Takeaways

• Generational differences in experiences with race
• Impact of historical events on racial experiences

Chapters

• 00:00 Generational Experiences with Race

W. Kamau Bell speaks with Sheree Curry on the role of conversations as a catalyst for change, rather than the change itself. Hear the full Ep. 1 of This Conversation Matters on Spotify or: https://youtu.be/PMF49lB7cjo

Takeaways

• Create a space for free-flowing and judgment-free conversations
• Conversations are the tip of the change spear, not the change itself

Chapters

• 00:00 Creating a Safe Space for Conversations

Karyn Parsons, who played Hilary Banks on the 1990s sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel Air speaks on This Conversation Matters about what it was like growing up biracial in America. She discusses her crush on Lenny Kravitz, the values her parents instilled in her and what she's up to now through her Sweet Blackberry Foundation.

Her conversation with host Sheree Curry was originally recorded for an article in USA Today's Race in America edition.

The conversation covers Karyn Parsons' early passion for acting, experiences of racial identity and belonging, growing up in Southern California, challenges of interracial relationships, teaching children about race, relocation and family life, involvement in a family film project, and reflections on mixed race identity.

The conversation delves into Karyn Parsons' family heritage, upbringing, and the diverse backgrounds of her parents. It then explores the mission and inspiration behind the Sweet Blackberry Foundation, followed by a discussion on her literary projects and the exploration of biracial identity. The conversation concludes with personal reflections on the influence of family, racial identity, and the experiences of biracial children.

Takeaways

• Passion for acting from a young age
• Reflections on racial identity and belonging Exploring family heritage and upbringing
• The impact of storytelling on education and empowerment

Chapters

• 00:00 Early Passion for Acting
• 06:12 Hair and Racial Identity
• 12:19 Interracial Relationships
• 18:07 Teaching Children About Race
• 23:21 Family Film Project
• 28:36 Mixed Race Identity
• 37:13 Sweet Blackberry Foundation
• 47:28 Personal Reflections

What does it mean to be mixed race in America today and how is that experience shaped by family, identity and the world around us?

In this episode, I speak with comedian and filmmaker W. Kamau Bell, creator of the HBO Max documentary "1000% Me: Growing Up mixed." He, along with a family featured in his documentary, discuss raising mixed race children in America and what life is like for some mixed-race individuals.

The conversation delves into the experiences of mixed-race individuals, the inspiration behind the documentary, the process of creating a film about mixed-race children, conversations about race and racism, the impact and feedback of the documentary, challenges and controversies, the evolution of racial categorization, and future projects and reflections.

In the second half of the show, the brothers in one of the families delve into their upbringing as a Black Filipino and the generational changes in experiences and perspectives.

This Conversation Matters is a weekly show about the social issues shaping our communities and our lives.

Takeaways

• Mixed-race experiences are diverse and often underrepresented in mainstream media.
• Conversations about race and racism are essential for understanding and addressing societal issues.
• The impact of the documentary on biracial experiences and perspectives