All the Things—PNW

Erin travels to Washington D.C. to celebrate her former student, Brooke Brown, being named the 2021 Washington State teacher of the year. This week’s episode discusses how and why Washington D.C., a predominantly Black community, is underrepresented and underserved by the government. They talk disparities in education, and the privileges afforded to non-black students versus the structural barriers that burden black communities and families, even though they represent the majority of D.C. citizens.

Milagros Thompson, a black female in-school counselor, joins the circle this week to share her observations on the declining mental health of her black and brown students—even more so in-person than online. Fernell discusses why online school offered a safer and more accommodating space for many marginalized students, and the pitfalls of expecting students of color to conform to white supremacy culture. Dr. J  brings in the history of social work and the support systems that were inspired by communities of color. Erin tells the story of a negative interaction between a principal and a black student, and why adults need to earn the respect of their black students, not demand it.

Today’s episode starts with a story from a school district in Newberg, Oregon, where the school board banned displays of flags in classrooms, including the Black Lives Matter flag and all Pride flags. Our hosts discuss the hope represented by these flags and the reason why students need them to feel seen. Drawing on their own experiences, Dr. J opens up about the bigotry they faced as a D1 athlete. Fernell explains how she was alienated by her teachers and leveraged athletics to build trust within her racially isolating community. Erin reflects upon her childhood abroad, the culture shock of coming to the U.S., and the reason why she chooses to stay, in spite of it all.

Today on ATT—PNW, we’re talking about how black/brown/LGBTQIA folks move through the world, and the territoriality enforced by white supremacy. Dr. J talks about their weekend surrounded by whiteness, Erin tells the story of why she and her husband are consistently harassed by airport security (even though they are both experienced travelers), and Fernell explains how she follows in her father’s footsteps and protects herself by establishing herself as a community fixture.

As America's youth heads back to school in-person, many white parents and teachers are relieved at the idea of life returning to normal, despite a worsening pandemic and a nationwide racial reckoning. Meanwhile, Black and Brown folks wonder if the systemic changes promised by educators and administrators across the country will be fulfilled, or if they were empty to begin with. Today, our hosts are joined by Bonita Lee, a Black educator and community leader, to discuss how to best guide students towards racial healing, rather than try to hide the truth about our history.

Today's episode features The Root of Our Youth, a coalition of middle school through college students who work to achieve racial equity and radical structural reform in education. They gather together, in-person for the first time, and share their experiences working with legislators, doing community outreach, and educating educators. They demonstrate the value of celebrating each other's successes and humanizing each other as black/brown/LGBTQIA+ individuals, in order to heal our communities.

Critical Race Theory has come under political fire in recent media, with Texas Senator Ted Cruz declaring CRT teachings to be "every bit as racist as the Klansmen in white sheets". Erin, Fernell, and Dr. J, three educators and scholars of CRT, debunk false narratives surrounding its principles and implementation. Finally, they explain the consequences of keeping the truth about our history from the children of America. 

On July 8, Zaila Avant-Garde made headlines when she became the first Black American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. A scholar and an athlete, Zaila's lesser known accomplishments include three Guinness World Records for Basketball. Our hosts discuss why it is that Zaila's academic achievement has received wall-to-wall media coverage, while her basketball records are treated as almost a footnote in her story. They explore black excellence and the ways in which the media discredits, dehumanizes, and erases black youth, while still demanding perfection from them.

In light of the lifted mask mandate and the rapid disappearance of masks in public spaces, the hosts discuss the ramifications of the lifted restrictions. They discuss the reasons why many black and brown folks will continue to mask up, and contextualize compliance restrictions and safety around America's pattern of medical racism.

Today's ATT—PNW features two very special guests! Michael and Ruba, two leaders of student government at their university, join the trio to discuss the various hurdles that they face as Black and Brown students and the racist structures that they have encountered in higher education.

In honor of Juneteenth and the liberation of Black individuals, today's episode dives into the specificities of the Emancipation Proclamation. Our hosts break down the "smoke and mirrors" utilized to dismiss the needs of Black Americans and neglect legislative redress of the generational trauma and poverty inflicted by the federal government. Moving forward, they discuss more substantial ways to support black communities and memorialize both the historical and present crimes committed against black lives.

Today, the trio celebrates the success of their first Sisterhood Summit quarterly event. They reflect on what Sisterhood means, while modeling what strong multicultural, multiracial, multigender, and multigenerational relationships look and feel like. Discovering our strengths allows us to empower each other.

May first commemorates International Workers' Day, which celebrates labor rights and the protection of the working class. May first also marks May Day, a spring festival from Ancient Roman times. Erin reminisces on her Alma Mater's mandatory May Day festivities and points out the irony of funneling money and resources into archaic European traditions instead of supporting and investing in the community (many of whom are BIPOC). Fernell and Dr. J discuss the continued reverence of the Eurocentric ideals/customs and their detrimental consequences.

Though the conclusion of the Derek Chauvin trial brought a renewed sense of justice and trust to many white folks, the murders of Daunte Wright and Ma'Khia Bryant at the hands of police brutality contradicted this white comfort. Often, white individuals and institutions place the blame on black victims for "not complying", as if disobedience warrants a death sentence. Though George Floyd's death was filmed and televised, it took the system 330 days to convict his murderer. Today on ATT, Fernell and Erin share their own stories of raising black children in a culture that threatens their right to existence. Dr. J discusses the willful choices that white parents must make to model antiracism for white children, and teach them to protect their black peers. The three discuss the struggle that black folks face in humanizing themselves in white space, and make their recommendations for a better future.

Today's ATTPNW begins with a well-known aphorism: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". Though harmless at face value, sentiments such as these enable white supremacy and erase the oppressed by weaponizing niceties. The trio delves into the nuances of these aphorisms, and continues on to the complacency, the willful ignorance, and the selective empathy ingrained in White Supremacy Culture.

As the world honors the death of a Black man who was killed publicly by police-sanctioned violence, we also acknowledge the anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—both on Easter, the day that commemorates christ's resurrection. On this episode, the trio discusses faith, how it relates to racial identity, and how it can be weaponized by those who misunderstand. What differences have these historicized events made in your life? What will it take for you to rise?

Paternalism, or the practice of controlling less powerful groups for their supposed best interest, and the individualistic nature of White Supremacy Culture are the subject of this installment of "All the Things—PNW". Dr. J, Fernell, and Erin identify the paternalism embedded in whiteness and the ways in which it holds POC communities hostage. They discuss the problem with individualism in a systemically racist culture, the division that it enforces, and its overall paradoxical qualities. 

On this episode of "All the Things—PNW", Erin, Dr. J, and Fernell explore the sense of urgency that white supremacy instills in our culture. From panicked decision-making to conformity, the three friends tackle the toxicity and hypocrisy of a futile sense of urgency.

Fernell, Erin, and Dr. J take on the topic of defensiveness on today's "All the Things—PNW". They examine the psychology of defensiveness and consider why it is that criticism is always associated with shame in our culture. Drawing on their own experiences, they discuss how to grow and learn from situations that challenge your perspective.

Today, "All the Things—PNW" dives into the idea of cancel culture. The trio discusses the history of "canceling", radical love, and who is truly silenced when we don't hold abusers of power accountable.

This chapter of "All the Things—PNW" confronts and engages with whiteness and the ways in which it poisons all of our lives. From the assimilation it forces to the dangers it inflicts, our hosts emphasize telling the truth about white supremacy culture, in order to protect Black folks and heal White folks from the ways their actions/attitudes are killing them too.

For the article on the characteristics of white supremacy:

https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/white-supremacy-culture-characteristics.html

Our third episode! The fantastic three unfold each of their origin stories, remembering how they became their most authentic selves. Racial otherness, gender identity, multiculturalism, academic/athletic excellence—the trio details coming together to do the work and growing together to be a family amidst a pandemic.

Today, the trio reminisces on each of their successful and meaningful athletic careers. Whether it be gymnastics, baseball, basketball, soccer, or life in general, the friends discuss what it means to really show up—especially as women of color and gender-nonconforming individuals. Listen in as they discuss assimilation, failure, and what it means to be yourself to the fullest.

Welcome to the first installment of "All the Things—PNW"! In this episode, Erin unpacks a racially-tense altercation with her neighbors. Fernell and Dr. J join in a discussion about how we can be present and support each other in the face of racial abuse and trauma. 

Music: It Just Makes Me Happy by Dj Quads