Espresso Talk Today

"I don't see race!" "That wasn't racist; that was a compliment!" These statements are racism denials. What is racism denial? How can anyone deny that racism? The answer: we all deny racism at some time!  Racism denial is both a political strategy and a coping mechanism. We will discuss these two uses of racism denial and the eight different types of racism denial. The Espresso Talk Today team is joined by Phillippe Copeland, Ph.D. of Boston University Center for Antiracist Research to explain racism denials, how to recognize them, how to respond to them, their effects, and his goal for an antiracist society. Grab your espresso (and a pen) and listen to this enlightening show!

Collective grief. Suffocated grief. Anticipatory grief. Black grief is unique.  Western society tries to define grief and describe the grief process. Swiss-American psychologist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross extensively studied the grief process; her research has set the standard for understanding grief. However, this standard is not fully relevant or applicable to the Black grief experience.

Espresso Talk Today is joined by psychologist Mary Chappell, Ph.D. who will discuss the uniqueness of Black grief, the failure of western society to acknowledge Black grief, the problem that this causes, and how Black people can support each other during the grief process. Dr. Chappell also discusses the warning signs of grieving persons who need extra support. Please join us for this compassionate and life-affirming discussion about this difficult subject. 

Grief Therapists:

Association of Black Psychologists (Directory for Black Mental Health and Wellness professionals)

Betterhelp.com 

Financial aid specialist Kim Bradley returns to the podcast show!  In this show, Kim Bradley discusses the most important form to apply for financial aid: the FAFSA! The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Kim will discuss the important ways to complete this form, costly mistakes, and things that you must do. These are the must-dos and must-don'ts for this important form.  Kim Bradley will walk you through the FAFSA beginning with your name!  Don't take anything for granted. Don't make assumptions. Follow the instructions. This podcast show can help you get the money you need for college! Don't end up in the problem pile!

Important Information:

October 1: FAFSA Application Submission Launch Date. Apply ASAP!

Official website of the College Board! Everything about applying for college: www.bigfuture.org

• Scholarship winner every month on www.bigfuture.org

Official Federal Student Aid Official Website: www.studentaid.gov

Phone number: 1-800-4-FEDAID

Note: This podcast show is part of ETT's Financial Empowerment series.

What is Black Activism? Who are today's Black activists and what are they doing? We are discussing the importance of Black activism and the great work of young Black activists today. ETT is also presenting non-traditional ways of engaging in Black activism. Join us for the practical and enlightening show.  

Yes, Black History Month comes only once per year. From the special museum and library exhibits to the musical and cultural festivals, Black History Month is a vibrant time of remembrance, learning, and celebration. But there is no need to start singing the end-of-Black-History-Month blues!

Doug (making a special appearance!) and Robin discuss this special month and how they plan to celebrate Black history and culture throughout the year. They also discuss how Black history and culture are under attack and how to respond to this white supremacist attack.

Grab an expresso and join this uncommon conversation!

I was taught that Africa has no history! Teachers, textbooks, television, and movies have hidden Africa's history and its contributions to humanity. This is a White supremacist history of Africa. It is still being taught today.  In this short presentation, educator and YouTube content creator, Kirk Wadi joins the Espresso Talk Today team to give us a quick taste of real African history that includes advanced civilizations, complext trading systems, and great learning centers. Join us to learn true African history!

Many of America's greatest stories were told by Black Americans who had been previously enslaved. These first-person narratives told how enslaved people lived every day. They told of the difficulties, pain, and hardships. But they also told of the courage, love, and community of people aiming to love and protect their families. In this week's episode, the Espresso Talk Today team reads the narrative of Mrs. Rosina Hoard who had been enslaved in Texas.  Her words are read by ETT team member, Elder Mel, who is her great-grandniece. This is Black History--American history--that should never be forgotten. Don't miss this uncommon episode!

Special Musical Selection: "I Wish I Knew how It Would Feel to be Free" performed by Nina Simone. 

In 1954, the Supreme Court invalidated school segregation in the famous Brown v. Board of Education case.  In this special episode, the ETT Team performs a play showing the real struggle to desegregate public schools. Thurgood Marshall, and Charles Hamilton Houston as well as parents, children, and activists fought hard for equality in education--and this play shows their struggles, hardships, and ultimate victory. Join the team for this special episode in honor of Black History Month.  Grab an espresso and hear the real history--and current state--of segregation in American schools. This is the history that Ron DiSantis does not want you to know.

America has never accepted its racist history. Instead, it tries to distort history and cover up the past. This has erased many of the great contributions of Black Americans. This has also erased the past shameful acts of the American enslavers, colonizers, and other white supremacists.  The Espresso Talk Today team is opening Black History month by confronting America with its history coverups and distortions and how it has affected all Americans. Join us for this controversial show.

The ETT team concludes its Black Love series (January) by discussing Black women who have shown self-love and courage. Black love is often discouraged and criticized. Black love is often punished. Yet Black love endures and grows. In this episode, we will discuss the courageous women who have taken extraordinary steps to show self-love by practicing self-care and self-respect. They all began by saying, “no” to the dangerous, destructive, and degrading expectations of a society that does not value them. We will discuss the power of saying no and other ways that we can show love for ourselves and others. Refusal resistance is power!

Racial encounters happen. Every. Single. Day. Anywhere. Anytime. Black people experience them so often that it affects our mental and physical health. Anticipating a racial encounter can also cause stress and trauma. Racial encounters often cause headaches, insomnia, trembling, stomach pain, and many other physical ailments. In this uncommon espisode, the Espresso Talk Today team is joined by a special guest who discusses a racial encounter at a department store that left her feeling terrified, vulnerable, and dehumanized.  Her story is real. Please join us to hear about her encounter and learn self-care steps to support her health and well-being. Full names have not been used in order to protect the participants.

Note: This true story could cause a stress or trauma response. Please listen with caution. 

The Espresso Talk Today team presents a lesser-known essay written, in 1958, by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This powerful essay discusses the 6 essential elements of nonviolent resistance. This shows Dr. King as a passionate scholar, a courageous clergyman, and a radical resister. Nonviolent resistance is powerful and effective. It does resist. Dr. King reminds us, "It is not for cowards."

A special show in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Essay: An Experiment in Love (1958)

Presenter: Ben Koponen

What is Black self-love? This controversial show presents the history, obstacles, and challenges of Black self-love. Slavery, racism, and stereotyping have directly affected the expression of Black self-love. Join us to learn the elements of Black self-love and how Black Americans have struggled (against the odds) to show love for themselves, their families, their community, and even their country. Be prepared for surprising truths.

Musical Selection: Black on Black Love by Queen Latifah

Join the Espresso Talk Today team to celebrate the seventh day of Kwanzaa! On this seventh day, we celebrate Faith or Imani (in the Ki-Swahili language).

• African Folktale: Damon and Pythias 
• Musical Selection: A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke

Harambee (Let's come together) and enjoy!

Asante Sana for joining our Kwanzaa celebration!

Join the Espresso Talk Today team to celebrate the sixth day of Kwanzaa! On this sixth day, we celebrate Creativity or Ku'umba (in the Ki-Swahili language).

• African Folktale: The Feast 
• Musical Selection: Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Harambee (Let's come together) and enjoy!

See you tomorrow to continue our Kwanzaa celebration.

Join the Espresso Talk Today team to celebrate the fifth day of Kwanzaa! On this fifth day, we celebrate Purpose or Nia (in the Ki-Swahili language).

• African Folktale: How Walukaga Answered the King 
• Musical Selection: Stand Up (from Harriet) by Cynthia Erivo

Harambee (Let's come together) and enjoy!

See you tomorrow to continue our Kwanzaa celebration.

Join the Espresso Talk Today team to celebrate the fourth day of Kwanzaa! On this fourth day, we celebrate cooperative economics or Ujamaa (in the Ki-Swahili language).

• Ashanti Folktale: Ananse and the Bearded Rock 
• Musical Selection: Bambugu Blues (Album: I speak Fula) by Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba

Harambee (Let's come together) and enjoy!

See you tomorrow to continue our Kwanzaa celebration.

Join the Espresso Talk Today team to celebrate the third day of Kwanzaa! On this third day, we celebrate collective work and responsibility or Ujima (in the Kiswahili language).

• Poem: The Christmas Reunion Down at Martinsville by Augustus M. Hodges 
• Musical Selection: Keep Fighting for Peace by Cory Henry

Harambee (Let's come together) and enjoy!

See you tomorrow to continue our Kwanzaa celebration.

Join the Espresso Talk Today team to celebrate the second day of Kwanzaa! On this second day, we celebrate self-determination or Kujichagulia (in the Kiswahili language).

• Short story: "The People Could Fly" by Virginia Hamilton
• Musical Selection: "Goodbye Song" by Cynthia Erivo and Terence Blanchard

Harambee (Let's come together) and enjoy!

See you tomorrow to continue our Kwanzaa celebration.

Join the Espresso Talk Today team to celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa! On this first day, we celebrate Unity or Umoja (in the Kiswahili language).

• Short story: "One Christmas Eve" by Langston Hughes
• Musical Selection: "One Love" by Bob Marley

Harambee (Let's come together) and enjoy!

See you tomorrow to continue our Kwanzaa celebration.