In this episode, SooJin and Hannah sit down with TV personality Melissa Beck (formerly known as Melissa Howard) from MTV’s reality series The Real World: New Orleans (2000). Melissa found her true calling in motherhood and is raising three mixed-race daughters with her partner, Justin. As an antiracist parent, Melissa is helping her children to “see” difference by immersing them into different - and sometimes uncomfortable - environments and has found food to be a great catalyst for learning. She reflects on her own childhood, growing up in a mixed-race family where colorism was prevalent, and describes how these experiences have shaped her approach to parenting. Melissa is building a truly safe space where her girls can explore their own racial identities and ask lots of questions. Nothing is off limits or “hushed” in their family. Melissa has a strong sense of self, a great sense of humor, and a quiet confidence that all contribute to her focused efforts to raise antiracist kids.
Please note: We sometimes use the acronym BIPOC, which means Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color.
Resources:
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.