Success In Black And White ® - The Podcast

This week's dive into our Buzzword's Busted phrase "I Got Gypped" actually stems from a word I (April) used last week in the podcast.  This phrase is so common to me; I've heard it and I've said it whenever I feel cheated out of something.  Discover the racial epitaph behind this phrase- the history will blow your mind, and like we've been saying: "when you know better, you do better."

For the past five years, we have heard the elevation of the word "THUG" in negative political narratives; and for the past two decades, we've seen the word "THUG" embraced in the black and hip-hop communities. But how many people know where this term actually originated from?  It might surprise you. This week, we discuss the history of this buzzword and the cultural relevance today.

Resource mentioned:

(2013) What's a Thug's Life Looked Like in 19th Century India, CodeSwitch
(2015) The Racially Charged Meaning Behind the Word 'Thug'. NPR

A quick Google search for "how can I manifest..." returns 183,000,000 results.  Major influencers like Oprah use the term "manifestation" often, and the President has even used "Manifest Destiny" in the State of the Union address.  We wanted to know more about this term.  So today, we dug deep into history so we could talk about the cultural relevance of this term then and now.  You definitely don't want to miss this episode

Resource mentioned:

National Humanities Center: "Manifest Destiny": http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/mandestiny.htm

Washington Post: Trump's 'Manifest Destiny' in space revives old phrase to provocative effect: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/02/05/trumps-manifest-destiny-space-revives-old-phrase-provocative-effect/

Scene on Radio podcast series (learn your history): https://www.sceneonradio.org/

This week we discuss how we will be refocusing our podcast and business endeavors. Take a quick jog with us down memory lane and hear how we came to the decision to refine our offerings based on the need and current social climate. Stay tuned as we transition to this next journey in our lives, business, and podcast as we "Bridge the Racial Boundaries Gap" in our nation.

Y'all...we're tired. But, we're pushing through because the work that needs to happen now in our lives and society is important. Find out how to push through and continue working on the things that matter, how to conserve your energy, and how to step back when needed. 

Resource mentioned:

Rest, Relax, & Recharge: https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes/episode/25abfea5/relax-rest-and-recharge

Scene on Radio podcast series: https://www.sceneonradio.org/

Do you inspire people?  Are you a disrupter?  Are you an educator?  Whatever your role in pushing society forward from here on out, this episode is to encourage you to KEEP GOING!  Even when it feels rough.  Even when you may feel exhausted.  Even when you aren't sure how to modify your role to fit into your sphere of influence.  give up because in the middle of a social revolution, you need to be doing important and necessary work.

Resource mentioned:

Black Voices Amplified Series (top of page): https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes

Scene on Radio, Seeing White: https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/

We are wrapping up our Black Voices Amplified series (for now!) with a final episode highlighting our respondents' answers to the question "What does the world look like for you after this?".  We end with discussions about next steps and moving forward.

"I continue to do the work to impact those I can and they do the same...I think of ripples on the water where I am the stone."

"My perfect world is where black people and other minorities are treated equally and given the same benefit of the doubt that white people are given."

"My world is one in which talent and performance always wins. One where my intellect, passion, and ability is no longer seen as a threat."

Resource mentioned:

Scene on Radio, Seeing White: https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/

This is the no-holds-barred episode. No filter, just real answers. Better grab a drink and settle in.

"You love Black culture, Black innovation, and Black music, but you hate the thought of us fighting for our liberation from oppression because it makes you uncomfortable. So all I ask is for you (white people/fake allies/non-Black folks who bear witness without intervention) is to saying you care about Black people when all of your actions say otherwise. Just clear the air and say you love what we create but you hate us."

"...Recognize your privilege because it is powerful. Acknowledge that white supremacy and patriarchy is baked into our social structure and it causes harm to people of color on every continent. I would ask them to see my humanity before my skin color. Then I would ask, what are you fully committed to do to change a society that has always benefited you?"

"Don't give me any platitudes about your embrace of diversity and inclusion when your administration, your cabinet, and leadership fails to have someone that looks like me. You allow Black and Brown people to leave in droves, but make ways for White colleagues to realize promotions. Until there is change, real change, in hiring and promotion, and salary equity, there will never be real embrace of diversity and you will never realize inclusion."

This week, we reached out to black family, friends, and colleagues so that we could tell their stories.  In part 3, we amplify Black voices with no filter in the wake of the widely-broadcast murder of George Floyd as well as Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. 

Resource mentioned:

Scene on Radio, Seeing White: https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/

"I wish people knew there are different forms of protest and healing is part of that. My healing is sometimes disengaging from news and social media for my own mental health."

"I try to unplug from media sources just enough so that the trauma/rage I'm coping with doesn't envelop me, while still remaining informed. I wish people knew my super power was stealthfully dealing with thousands of racially-motivated micro-aggressions inflicted upon me my entire life and not reacting negatively to them."

"I wish people knew how exhausting this coping process is and how long it takes to recover from the highs and low associated with the emotions I feel. I wish people recognized that their attempts to be helpful are often centered around their own need to feel absolved. They need to engage in their own self-discovery and not rely on a Black friend to be their guide or do it for them."

This week, we reached out to black family, friends, and colleagues so that we could tell their stories.  In part 2, we amplify the coping processes used in the wake of the widely-broadcast murder of George Floyd as well as Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. 

Resource mentioned:

The Meeting After the Meeting: Black Google: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5dzlNmqFturMiSXgBFXAdp?si=VgqkYp8cS8iDBEVXv7-6-w

Success in Black and White: Codeswitch Episodes
1: https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes/episode/4b850ce6/54-codeswitch-real-talk-part-1-of-2
2: https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes/episode/4c66b37f/55-codeswitch-real-talk-part-2-of-2