You Ain't Imagining This!

You Ain't Imagining This!

By Robin LoftonSociety & CultureHistory
Download on the App Store

You Ain't Imagining This! episodes

  • White Supremacist Memorials Still Exist
    Robert E. Lee Memorial Statue (Richmond, VA). Edmund Pettus Bridge (Selma, AL). Confederate Soldiers & Sailors Obelisk (Birmingham, AL). Buffalo Bill Cultural Center (Kansas). Columbus Day holiday. Gone with the Wind. What do these have in common? They remember the history of White Americans.  However, many people—particularly people of color—are denouncing these public remembrances for their idealization of slavery, segregation, genocide, mass rape, and other atrocities. Other people respond that their history or heritage is under attack.  Who is right? Can we respond in a way that acknowledges the full--and often ugly--history? The Espresso Talk Today team approaches these difficult questions and gives their opinions about what should be done about these historical sites. Join us in this lively discussion about White supremacy hidden in plain sight. There are no right or wrong answers--just opinions here! Grab your espresso...
    1 hr 17 min
  • The Reality of Black Rage
    Black rage is real. Black rage is a normal response to systemic racism and daily racial indignities, hostilities, and microaggressions experienced by Black people.  But it can have an impact: Racial Battle Fatigue. In part 2 of our uncommon conversation on Racial Battle Fatigue, Professor William Smith continues the discussion of Racial Battle Fatigue, which is a systemic race-related repetitive stress injury. We also discuss Black rage and how strong connections with culture and community are keys to managing difficult emotions, living in an anti-Black environment as well as improving Black health and well-being.
    33 min
  • Racial Battle Fatigue: An Introduction for Black Folks and White Allies
    Time to get real about racism. An introduction to Racial Battle Fatigue. What is it? What are the effects? Professor William Smith discusses the roots, symptoms, and health effects of Racial Battle Fatigue with Espresso Talk Today. Microaggressions and the stress of living in an anti-Black environment are the focus. Take a deep breath and face the facts.
    36 min
  • Real Talk about HBCUs: Gotta Have 'Em!

    Today we are having a Real Talk about HBCUs! When and why were they created? What is it like to attend an HBCU? Are they still relevant and necessary? Let's get real and discuss Black colleges and universities--and how America has worked so hard to deny education to Black Americans. Spoiler alert: America failed!

    32 min
  • How to Support Black Mental Health & Wellness

    Health equity matters. What does health equity mean? How do we achieve health equity? Rawle Andrews, Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, joins the Espresso Talk Today team to discuss his vision and work at this prestigious and powerful mental health organization. Mr. Andrews will discuss certain mental health problems in the Black community and how this work is supporting mental wellness in different and innovative ways. This is an important show that can save and uplift Black lives. As Rawle Andrews says, "There is no health without mental health." Join us!

    56 min
  • Reflections of a Double HBCU Graduate
    2020 was known as the “Year of the HBCU.” While many universities were struggling and saw student enrolment decline, many of the country’s 107 HBCUs—who have always struggled with funding and resources—witnessed a rise in student interest, enrolment, and financial support. Many prominent African Americans were educated at an HBCU. In this episode, the Espresso Talk Today team meets with Rawle Andrews, Jr. Esq., Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation. He will share his experiences and thoughts about attending two HBCUs (Texas Southern University and Howard Law School). We will also discuss how his education at Black colleges affected his career vision and goals for equity in health care.
    33 min
  • Lessons from Black Women History Makers

    It's Women's History Month. The ETT Team is excited to discuss courageous Black women who are making history right now. Simone Biles. Naomi Osaka. Nicole Hannah-Jones. Meghan Markle. Rosa Parks. What do these women share? Besides excelling in their professions, they are also working in an environment that exposes them to mental or physical harm. Most importantly, they all refused to allow themselves to suffer harm in their toxic professional environments. They all simply refused. In academia, elite sports, and beyond, Black women are facing pressure and criticism in their quest to excel in their professions. We are simply expected to endure harsh criticism, excessive stress, and punishment within their professions and from society at large. The Espresso Talk Today team is focusing on the impact of professional stress on one’s mental and physical health—and how to manage and control it.  In this episode, we will discuss the courageous women who have taken extraordinary steps to protect their mental health. They all began by saying, “no” to the dangerous and destructive expectations of a society that does not value them. We will discuss the power of saying no and other ways that we can protect our mental health. 

    59 min
  • Black History Story: Sankofa Part IV The Struggle and the Victories

    Our epic Black History story continues! The Espresso Talk Today team is pleased to present Sankofa: An African American Saga. Part IV continues with the struggle for equality and civil rights. But Black Americans are also making great inventions, opening universities, and changing the laws. Intellectuals like WEB Dubois and educators like Booker T. Washington lead the struggle. But they are others. 

    39 min
  • Black History Story: Part III From the Joy of Freedom to the Uncertain Promise of Equality
    Our epic Black History story continues! The Espresso Talk Today team is pleased to present Sankofa: An African American Saga. Part III begins with the joy of freedom experienced by the freed Black population to the elusive and unlikely reality of equality and civil rights. The Black freedmen and women continue the fight for civil rights while establishing prosperous communities, thriving universities, and working to secure citizenship rights and privileges. Although all the freed people wanted equality, tensions arise between factions pushing for quick and irreversible change and factions willing to wait and work within the reluctant system.
    26 min
  • Black History Story Part II: Facing the Middle Passage and Slavery to Fighting for Freedom

    An epic Black History Month story! The Espresso Talk Today team is pleased to present Sankofa: An African American Saga. Part II begins with the treacherous Middle Passage as Africans stolen and kidnapped were taken to America. The story then continues to discuss slavery, the revolts and activism of the free and enslaved Africans, abolition, and the incredible contributions of Black people. 

    33 min

About You Ain't Imagining This!

From the publisher's feed

You Ain't Imagining This! (YAIT) is an extension of Ama-Robin Lofton's the Espresso Talk Today Podcast. It is a bold and mindful podcast rooted in Black truth-telling, healing, and collective power.…