Podcast Summary
Focus on experiences, joy, and authentic connections: Embrace life's journey, prioritize relationships, and seek authentic experiences rather than material possessions.
Life is about more than just diagnoses or material possessions. Leila Saad, an author and antiracism advocate, shares her experiences living in Qatar and encourages us to focus on sharing time with loved ones, experiencing joy, and learning. In the discussion, Leila also highlights the importance of authentic connections and being present, rather than being in service to others' needs all the time. Additionally, O'Reilly Auto Parts was mentioned as a trusted resource for professional automotive advice and expertise. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of authentic connections, self-growth, and valuing experiences over material possessions.
Examining daily lives and taking responsibility: Personal commitment required to understand and address white supremacy, not about being taught or waiting for perfect solution, examining daily lives and acknowledging feelings of invisibility and discrimination to create a more inclusive world.
Understanding and addressing white supremacy requires a personal and lifelong commitment from those who hold white privilege. The abundance of resources, such as books, can be overwhelming, but it's essential to recognize that this work is not about being taught by others or waiting for the perfect solution. Instead, it's about examining our daily lives and taking responsibility for our role in this complex and generational issue. The speaker's personal experience of growing up as a black Muslim woman in predominantly white spaces shaped her understanding of the world and her sense of not belonging. This feeling of invisibility and the need to work harder to overcome discrimination are common experiences for people of color. By acknowledging and addressing these feelings, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable world.
A high-achiever's journey to understanding racism: Even top performers can feel excluded from racial conversations, leading to a deeper understanding of white supremacy and a commitment to anti-racism education.
Even high-achieving individuals can feel invisible and unheard, especially when it comes to issues of racism. This was the experience of the speaker, who despite being at the top of her class, felt excluded from conversations around race and racism. It wasn't until the 2016 US elections and the ensuing conversations around politics and race that she began to truly understand her own role in the system of white supremacy. This realization led her to publicly speak out against white supremacy in her essay "I Need to Talk to Spiritual White Women About White Supremacy," which went viral and catapulted her into the world of anti-racism education. Despite the exhaustion that came with this newfound role, she felt compelled to continue the conversation and connect with other black people dealing with racism in different parts of the world. The speaker's journey highlights the importance of having open and direct conversations about racism, regardless of where you live, and the impact that these conversations can have on individuals and communities.
Understanding interconnectedness and self-care in anti-racism work: Effective anti-racism work requires self-care, compassion, and understanding of others' experiences. White people should acknowledge their role in dismantling white privilege and create a counterculture that distances themselves from it, while acknowledging complexities of race, ethnicity, and nationality.
Compassion and understanding the interconnectedness of all people, including ourselves in others' experiences, is essential for personal well-being and effective anti-racism work. The speaker shares her personal experience of being burnt out from constant anger and trauma, emphasizing the importance of putting down the armor and not sacrificing oneself in the process. The conversation around white privilege is not about identifying what it is, but rather for white people to understand their role in dismantling it by creating a counterculture that distances themselves from it while acknowledging the complexities of race, ethnicity, and nationality. In essence, being true to oneself and understanding the nuances of identity are crucial steps in the anti-racism journey.
Understanding Culture and Nationality: A Personal Journey: Culture and nationality shape experiences and values, but they don't define us entirely. Being an ally requires self-reflection, understanding, and addressing unconscious biases. Prioritize self-care for energy and resilience.
Culture and nationality are interconnected, shaping our experiences and values, but they do not define us entirely. For instance, being French does not mean having the same experience for everyone, as seen in the case of someone being French and Senegalese. Additionally, being an ally is a practice, not a title to be given. It requires self-reflection, understanding, and addressing unconscious biases. It's essential to recognize that antiracism work is a personal journey, including self-care and treating ourselves with kindness and compassion. This year has been particularly challenging, and it's crucial to prioritize self-care to maintain energy and resilience. The podcast "Ghost of a Podcast" by Jessica, a Hannah, serves as an excellent reminder of the importance of self-care and reflection.
Recognize the impact of societal messages on self-perception: Understand and prioritize self-worth, independent of race or accomplishments, to foster authentic self-care and personal growth.
Self-care is non-negotiable, especially for those who are holding space for others. During her personal growth journey, the speaker realized the importance of not abandoning or betraying herself, as she had internalized messages of self-worthlessness due to white supremacy. She recognized the ways in which she had unwittingly perpetuated this system against herself, leading to feelings of invisibility and imposter syndrome. The speaker encourages everyone to acknowledge the impact of societal messages on their self-perception and to recognize their inherent worth, which is not dependent on their race or personal accomplishments. By embracing this understanding, we can prioritize self-care and create a more authentic and fulfilling relationship with ourselves.
Effects of white supremacy on intracommunity conflicts: White supremacy's internalization leads to lateral violence and lack of unity among people of color, rooted in colonialism and European exploitation, requiring healing and compassion
The pervasive effects of white supremacy extend beyond interracial relations and manifest in intracommunity conflicts among people of color. This internalization of privilege and oppression can lead to lateral violence and a lack of unity among different ethnicities and backgrounds. The legacy of colonialism and European exploitation has left deep physical and psychological wounds that continue to impact the way we view ourselves and each other. It's crucial to recognize the systemic roots of these issues and prioritize healing and compassion for ourselves and others. White privilege is a complex and exhausting burden that requires constant vigilance and resilience, and it's essential to acknowledge the impact it has on our daily lives, both externally and internally.
Maintaining mental peace through external and internal boundaries: Establish external boundaries by unfollowing triggers, not engaging in all conversations, and ensuring safety. Set internal boundaries by prioritizing self-care and personal values.
Having boundaries, both externally and internally, is crucial for maintaining mental peace and focus, especially for conscious black individuals who are constantly exposed to societal issues and aggressions. External boundaries can be established by unfollowing triggers on social media, not engaging in every online conversation, and ensuring safety and understanding from interviewers or hosts. Internal boundaries involve setting personal limits and not taking on every cause or issue. It's essential to prioritize self-care and well-being while acknowledging the importance of personal values and the need for others to respect them.
Practicing self-care and finding joy are essential parts of anti-racism work: To be a good ancestor in anti-racism work, prioritize self-care, define joy on your own terms, and overcome fears to thrive, not just survive.
Practicing self-care and defining joy on your own terms are essential aspects of anti-racism work. External boundaries are important, but internal boundaries are equally crucial to avoid getting trapped in negative emotions and reactions. Constantly engaging in anger and outrage can be detrimental to your well-being, and it's essential to find joy and self-care spaces to counteract the stress and trauma of fighting against racism. Remember, being a good ancestor means not just surviving but thriving, and joy is an essential part of that. Additionally, it's essential to recognize and overcome fears that prevent us from experiencing joy, as joy should not be seen as a luxury but a necessity for personal growth and resilience.
Childhood experiences and upbringing shaping perception of joy: Recognize and challenge limiting beliefs to reclaim joy, understand parents' and ancestors' stories for deeper self-understanding
Our past experiences and upbringing can shape our perception of joy and our ability to experience it freely. For some, joy may be equated with danger or something forbidden due to survival tactics adopted from difficult childhoods. This can lead to a lack of relaxation and an inability to do things just for the joy of it. It's important to recognize and challenge these limiting beliefs and make an effort to reclaim joy and do things for the sake of enjoyment. This can be a form of resistance work, especially for those who have experienced trauma. Additionally, it's essential to understand that our parents and ancestors may carry their own traumas and survival tactics, which can impact us in unexpected ways. Engaging in conversations and learning about their stories can help us gain a deeper understanding of them and ourselves.
Embrace self-worth and freedom: Black individuals can resist white supremacy by focusing on self-care and worthiness, healing internal trauma, and contributing to shared humanity.
Each individual has the power to resist white supremacy and privilege by living as if they are already worthy and free, rather than waiting for external validation. This internal work is crucial because, as a black person, one is born with trauma that can be exacerbated or managed but never truly quelled. The importance of self-care and prioritizing oneself cannot be overstated in a world that is constantly at war with us. By filling ourselves up first, we can contribute to our shared humanity and collectively make progress towards ending the war within ourselves and in the world.
Staying Connected in Challenging Times: Despite hardships like pandemics and natural disasters, we can find solace in our shared experiences and communities. Stay strong, stay connected.
Despite the current challenging circumstances, such as the ongoing pandemic and natural disasters, we are all connected through our shared experiences and communities. Leila emphasized this sentiment during her conversation with Amanda, expressing solidarity with her "guitar clique" and encouraging everyone to stay safe and strong. The backdrop of the ongoing crisis in LA, with its raging fires and smoky skies, added to the sense of ominous uncertainty. Yet, Leila also acknowledged the importance of staying connected and appreciating our shared bonds, no matter the distance. On a lighter note, Leila also made a brief mention of Prize Picks, a fantasy sports app where users can win up to 100 times their money by selecting and comparing the projected performances of two or more players. The app currently offers a first deposit match of up to $100 using the code GET100. Overall, the conversation between Leila and Amanda touched on themes of resilience, community, and the importance of staying connected during difficult times. It also highlighted the potential for fun and excitement, as demonstrated by the mention of Prize Picks.
