You Ain't Imagining This!

Habari Gani! Ujamaa!

Join Marlene and the Espresso Talk Today Team to celebrate the fourth day of Kwanzaa. Today, we focus on cooperative economics (Ujamaa in Swahili).

Lay down your Kwanzaa mat (mkeka in Swahili).  

Place your candleholder (kinara in Swahili). Light another red candle.

Fill your Unity cups (kikombe cha umoja in Swahili). 

See you there!

Habari Gani! Ujima!

Join Hans and the Espresso Talk Today Team to celebrate the third day of Kwanzaa. Today, we focus on collective work and responsibility (Ujima in Swahili).

Lay down your Kwanzaa mat (mkeka in Swahili).  

Place your candleholder (kinara in Swahili). 

Fill your Unity cups (kikombe cha umoja in Swahili). 

See you there!

Habari gani! Kujichagulia!

Join Ben and the Espresso Talk Today Team to celebrate the second day of Kwanzaa. Today, we focus on Self Determination (Kujichagulia in Swahili).

Lay down your Kwanzaa mat (mkeka in Swahili).  

Place your candleholder (kinara in Swahili).

Fill your Unity cups (kikombe cha umoja in Swahili). 

See you there!

Habari gani! Umoja!

Join Robin and the Espresso Talk Today Team to celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa. Today, we focus on Unity (Umoja in Swahili).

Lay down your Kwanzaa mat (mkeka in Swahili).  

Place your candleholder (kinara in Swahili).

Fill your Unity cups (kikombe cha umoja in Swahili). 

See you there!

In this special episode on Christmas Day, Ben reads a Christmas story by Leo Tolstoy. The story is called Papa Panov's Special Christmas. Why did we choose a story by Tolstoy? He was a great philosopher, essayist, and writer.  You may remember that he wrote Anna Karenina and War and Peace.  Did you also know that Dr. Martin Luther King was a great reader and student of Tolstoy?  It's true. So, we selected a Christmas story by Tolstoy that discusses kindness and compassion based on the biblical verse: "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me..." (Matthew 25:35). ETT Team member Ben Koponen reads this gentle and loving Christmas story.

The media is one of the most powerful forces in a free and democratic country.  It can shape opinions, promote ideas, and influence how people think--in positive and negative ways. Studies show that most white people don't have contact with people of other races so all their views of Black people are developed from the media. Yet the media portrayal of African Americans has often been negative. From outright false information to unconsciously biased information, the media has been (at times) leading or pushing the narrative that portrays African Americans in a negative (and mostly inaccurate) light. Moreover, African Americans have been systematically excluded from decision-making positions in the media. They also are not consulted about the accuracy or sensitivity of the information in news stories, advertisements, or television shows. Robin and Hans discuss the media has portrayed African Americans, how it has evolved over time, and how it can be improved. They also discuss the different Black news broadcasters, the challenges they faced in the overwhelmingly white media industry, and their role in changing media perceptions of African Americans. This is an exciting and historic show that can help to raise awareness of the power of the media and its ability to help or hinder race relations, negative Black portrayals, and white views of Black Americans.  

In this special and unique episode, Elder Mel reads a short story by Langston Hughes called, "One Christmas Eve."  This story is written in a genre that is not widely known: the African American holiday story. In these unique stories, Black writers and activists present racial and social justice issues and Black cultural traditions during the Christmas Season.  They highlight the different experiences of Black and White families and discuss problems like segregation, poverty, and violence (lynching). After the reading, the ETT Team of Mel, Robin, Marlene, and Barry discuss the issues presented in this story. This proved to be a lively and spirited discussion! Join us for this uncommon Christmas story and conversation! 

Interracial relationships are more common but still not fully accepted by society and families. Some people face violence, isolation, and scorn. Yet interracial relationships have existed in the United States since the country was founded but they have faced special difficulties, particularly relations between Black and White people. These relationships were illegal in many states--and not only southern states. Yet they have endured even at the risk of imprisonment, isolation, and violence. In 1967, the Supreme Court invalidated all state laws that made relationships between Black and White people illegal. Yet society didn't start to accept these relationships until very recently after learning of famous and enduring "mixed" relationships. Still, interracial relationships face special hardships. Join Robin and Hans for their uncommon conversation about the difficulties faced by people in interracial relationships, how many people work through these difficulties, and how their struggles may have paved the way for legalizing same-sex marriages.

This uncommon wellness show focuses on the importance of knowing and practicing your culture.  This can be very difficult during the COVID pandemic when our traditions are reduced because of social distancing and other important restrictions to stay safe. Yet we can learn and practice our culture and traditions. One important way for African Americans to learn and practice our culture is through the celebration of Kwanzaa. In this wellness episode, Robin teaches the seven Kwanzaa principles and gives the basics of the Kwanzaa rituals. This episode is designed to prepare you to join the Kwanzaa celebration, which begins on December 26. She also teaches how to do the rituals safely during the COVID pandemic. The ETT Team will do a daily Kwanzaa ritual. This show encourages everyone to learn and appreciate their cultural background and traditions--and why they are so important to your wellness. 

This pandemic holiday season demands that families find new activities that are fun and safe. Watching classic holiday movies is a long tradition. But have you ever watched African American holiday films? Or read Black holiday stories? Grab an eggnog espresso and get ready for a great discussion! Join the ETT Team as they discuss their favorite Black holiday movies. They also examine the elements of a holiday movie, the importance of Black films during the holidays, and the differences between classic (White) holiday movies and African American holiday films. The answers might surprise you. Another surprise: listen to Black holiday stories read by Mel and Marlene!