The only way to undo racism is to identify and describe it — and dismantle it. Anti-racism is actively taking action, and using our voice to dismantle white supremacy on all platforms; it’s far more than being “not racist”. It is identifying your own white privilege and admitting that you yourself are a part of the problem, it’s saying, “I will call attention to racism when I see it”, because calling things out as they truly are is liberating and it needs to be done.

While I realize that this is a conversation that needs to be had with Black Teachers and Leaders, I also knew that right now the black men and women of this country are exhausted, not only by the treatment they’ve endured for centuries, but by the system that has cheated them time and time again, and the hundreds to thousands of well-meaning white folks wondering what they can do, what it’s like and how they’re feeling. I am dedicated to learning more from the lens of the Black Teachers that are already sharing so much, but I didn’t feel that right now was the time to put myself among the many others begging for podcast content from an already exhausted voice, no matter how powerful the message might be.

I want to serve the black community but not from the place of white martyr or savior, I want to do so authentically and while I believe that it is important to hear more from Black, Indigenous and People of Color, especially those that are walking or have walked the journey of single-motherhood, I didn’t want add to their current state of overwhelm. And, maybe those are just the excuses that I’ve used to justify to myself why I haven’t stepped beyond the comfort level of featuring women I already know… So with that I decided to reach out to a friend, who although she is a white woman, she is a student of anti-racism, and a very vocal one at that. She studies a black advocate, educator and activist, so I thought she’d would be a good place for me to start, but this will definitely not be the one and only conversation had around this topic on this platform.

As a survivor of sexual, verbal, psychological and emotional abuse, Erica has explored the deeper layers of trauma through the lens of Eating Psychology, 12-Step Recovery and Anti-Racism, all in an effort to discover what “hurt people hurt people” truly means on a cultural, historical and interpersonal level. An extroverted introvert, Erica can usually be found taking a mid-day long drive along the California Coast, accompanied by a great playlist and an even greater desire for truth, connection, sushi and plenty of alone time. She also has a knack for taking everything personally and dancing like everyone is watching.

Being a white woman raising a mixed race child, I’ve constantly struggled, wondering if I am doing enough to help her to embrace both cultures from which she comes, and the truth is I’m not, the truth is I need to do more. With that, I thank you for joining me today to unpack an uncomfortable topic, identifying and learning ways in which I can dismantle my own white privilege in order to better serve my child and our community. I hope you listen in again soon as we continue to hear more from teachers, leaders and mothers, to expand our own stories as single-mothers and recognize what we can do to raise children that are both courageous, compassionate, and eager to build an all-encompassing world. Until next time...


Books:
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1728209803/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1591713685&sr=8-2

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509283/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591886296&sr=8-2

Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings

https://www.amazon.com/Fearing-Black-Body-Racial-Origins/dp/1479886750/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31JPIRKL8802Z&dchild=1&keywords=fearing+the+black+body&qid=1591888473&sprefix=fearing+the%2Caps%2C252&sr=8-1

This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell

https://www.amazon.com/This-Book-Anti-Racist-lessons-action/dp/0711245215/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591888733&sr=8-1

Podcasts:
Speaking of Racism

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-of-racism/id1448794346

Follow Erica on IG: @whats_eating_erica_j

Suggested IG Handles to follow:
@ckyourprivilege
@speakingofracism
@rachel.cargle
@moemotivate