July 23, 2020 • 13 mins
How did we get here? A constructive dialogue on the awakening of our minds to the issues of Black America.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
You're listening to awaken in America, two minds on
a journey to create dialogueabout diversity, inclusion and
optimism.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Hi, and thanks for joining awakens in America.
This is the very first episodeand titled getting to know your
house.
We are so excited to have youyou'll meet Jess and Z today,
and we hope you'll stick aroundfor more.
So does, can you tell us whatmade you want to do this
podcast?
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Yeah, I think, uh, for me it was this period of
reflection I've been goingthrough and our friendship,
which started before quarantineand before all of that, it was
kind of like this perfect stormand got me into this, um, head
space of, you know, how can Ievolve as a person during this
(01:00):
time when I'm stuck at home and,you know, we can't go anywhere.
And, um, just kind of wanting tohave, you know, an opportunity
to grow as a person.
I'm so immersed in my life as amom and, um, as a wife and a
friend and you know, otherthings, but I've, I haven't
really had a time in my lifethat I can remember where I've
had a chance to really lookinward and, you know, figure out
(01:24):
ways that I can improve or grow.
And then you entered my life asa friend and then we got locked
down and, um, you know, justkeeping in touch with you
throughout this period and thesethree things that you and I have
talked so much about.
I think the politicalenvironment, you know, that
we're in with the currentpresident combined with COVID
(01:45):
and, you know, really theheaviness of that topic and
thinking about mortality and,um, you know, for me, I kept
thinking, you know, what am Igoing to do with my life while
I'm here and finding a way tofeel like I'm doing something,
um, you know, ultimately the, Ican be proud of that.
My kids can be proud of.
And then for me, I think the,you know, the murder of George
(02:10):
Floyd that happened at the endof may was the tipping point for
me, where I felt an urgency tofind a way to channel these
feelings and to make it intosomething, you know?
And I remember when we firststarted talking about this, you
and I said, even if we're theonly ones that listened to it,
or if it's just my mom and dador my sister, you know, whoever
(02:31):
close friends, at least it'llmake me feel like I'm doing
something.
Cause I do feel thisempowerment, you know, right now
because of those things thathave happened to express myself
about this topic about diversityand inclusion and, um, optimism,
which is, I think, you know, theangle that you bring to this,
you're so optimistic and sopositive and have really given
(02:53):
us this idea, you know, it wasyou who said, maybe we should
start recording.
Maybe we should do a podcast andyou have so much going on.
So I was really flattered thatthat was something that you
would even want to do.
Um, but how about you?
What are, what are your thoughtson why you wanted to do the
podcast?
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I'm like you, I thought that it was a rare
opportunity, um, to discuss allthese issues, um, on a platform
that was safe, um, that wasconstructive and, um, in an
(03:33):
unbiased way between two friends, um, in a nonjudgmental way too
.
Um, because there are so manyfacets to what we're
experiencing as I think, ashumans, as individuals, as
mothers, um, as daughters.
(03:55):
And, um, and I think thathumanity is crying out right now
for a change.
Um, I don't know how long itwill take that change to come,
but it feels like the wheels arein motion more than they ever
have been.
(04:15):
And that it would be a missedopportunity if we didn't take
advantage and do something withit now.
And I feel like there are a lotof people who also, this has
stirred up a lot of emotion forthem, and they're looking for
positive ways to channel thatemotion and what can I do?
And it's, it's lending itself todifferent perspectives.
(04:39):
Um, and people are allowingthemselves to experience all
these emotions because of COVIDlike you said.
Um, and so I also think that thetime is now because we have
video cameras.
I don't think that, um, thatpeople weren't aware that this
(05:02):
happened, but I think peoplewere able to brush it off or
dismiss it easily before,because it wasn't taped and they
didn't see it with their owneyes or they didn't experience
it, um, because they weren't thesame color.
And so now the veil has beenremoved and it's, it's really up
(05:24):
to each individual person tosay, you know, either I accept
responsibility for my role in itbecause everyone plays a role.
It's, it's a universe, it's aworld.
So no matter how small a partyou may play, everyone plays
some role.
And I think that, um, we allhave to find what our role is to
(05:48):
play.
It's not going to be the samefor everyone.
Um, and, um, I think that that'sfair, but I think that should
acknowledge that a change needsto occur.
And it's not just a change forBrown people or black people.
(06:09):
It's a change for humanitybecause we got created us or
whoever you want to believecreated you.
Um, but we were all created.
We didn't just appear here and,and, and believing that we were
all created, then we all havesome value just like the
(06:29):
animals, just like the dragonflies, everything has value.
And I think that just like wefight for the whales and the
ocean, the tortoises, the polarbears, we need to fight for
people.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I think, um, maybe we shouldtalk about some of the
reservations we had aboutstarting this, um, because it is
such a sensitive pain, you know,kind of riddled topic.
And like I've told you before,I'm very open with, you know,
(07:10):
how little I know about thehistory and what led us here,
but I think that's important.
And it's part of our value inthis discussion in this podcast
is opening up, you know, to oneanother, as friends and, and
having people hear thatvulnerability and
accountability, holding myselfaccountable for the things that
(07:31):
I haven't learned until nowabout my own country's history
about, you know, um, things thathave been happening in the world
since the beginning of time,since beginning of humankind.
But, um, like I told you, Ithink hopefully other people can
identify with that.
And I, you know, I think that'sour goal.
(07:51):
The second subset of our, of ourgoal is to socialize and
normalize this really difficult,sensitive, painful topic.
And the reason I'm speaking onmy own behalf, the reason I
haven't had those discussions isbecause of all those things,
it's embarrassing, it'sshameful, it's hurtful.
I didn't know how to have thosediscussions, you know, and until
(08:13):
this video came about where noone could avoid that video in
the whole world, I don't thinkanybody could avoid it if you
had a TV or if you had a deviceseeing this man, you know,
calling out for his life and himbeing murdered by people that
(08:34):
were supposed to trust, youknow, and this happened in our
own backyard and in, in a statethat I really like in a city
that I have visited and I'vealways actually thought really
highly of it.
There were so many layers to itthat kind of just caught me by
surprise.
And I have to think, you know,I'm just one white woman, you
know, mom, whatever, but therehave to be so more like me that
(08:55):
are kind of trying to come toterms and process these feelings
that, you know, maybe theyhaven't had before, either in
this level of intensity.
And then, you know, if they'realso like me in this time, I'm
trying to find a way to make adifference.
So for me, what I went throughthought process wise, after all
this, you know, the last fewmonths happened was I really
(09:18):
believe that these, you know,negative thoughts and the
discrimination and theinjustices, and a lot of that is
bread at home and you can startit and ended at home.
So I really kind of took thatupon myself to take a look at
how I'm raising my children andthe conversations I'm having
with my own friends and family,um, and make changes there, you
(09:40):
know, and having my kids werevery young, but having books
around talking about inclusionand diversity and having toys
that don't all look like us aswhite people, you know, because
that's not reality and itshouldn't be the way we're
raising our children, you know?
And, um, that's my hope and mygoal and, you know, a really big
(10:03):
focus that I have from thispoint forward is to make this a
part of our life, you know, as afamily in our house and the way
that we speak to each other andthe way, you know, we make
friends and I think how can youpossibly really grow as a
person, you know, or have yourchildren grow if you're not
(10:24):
bringing in other cultures andother types of people and other
influences, and, you know, likemy husband and I traveled, we
were fortunate to be able totravel a lot before we had kids.
And I would always take aninterest in, you know, the
different countries we weregoing to and learning about
those cultures.
So that was another kind ofrevelation that I had in the
last few months.
It was like, I've taken this,I've taken this interest in
(10:44):
other places and other types ofpeople and other cultures.
Meanwhile, we had somethinggoing on right here in this
country that I've paid suchlittle attention to.
And you know, now I feel veryguilty about that.
And so, um, you know, I did,like I said, I really want to
make a point to take it uponmyself, to educate myself so
that it can teach my childrenand whoever else along the way,
(11:05):
you know?
Um,
Speaker 2 (11:08):
That's very, that's very, um, honest of you and it's
very, it's very humbling to hearbecause a lot of people wouldn't
be able to admit those things.
And I think that's one of thereasons that I agreed to do the
podcast[inaudible] it wasbecause I felt like you, you
(11:32):
were the type of person, ifthere was ever going to be a
person or a time that, you know,you were the type of person that
I could, I could be honest with.
It's still difficult.
And, um, it's, it is painful.
It's painful because, um, youknow, speaking for myself, you
(11:53):
know, and I cannot speak foreveryone and I do not aim to
speak for every African Americanthat's out there.
We all have, uh, varying degreesof experience, um, depending on
who we grew up with or, um, whatwe were exposed to, or, um, my
social economic, you know,status or, you know, that kind
(12:15):
of thing.
So I can't speak for everyone,but I can speak, I think for
majority and saying that, um,many of us, I think never
really, unless we had a closewhite friend, wouldn't even
bother to bring up any of thesethings because it would be
dismissed.
(12:36):
So, you know, if you feel like,you know, someone's gonna say
something like, well, the reasonhe got shot was obviously
because, you know, he wasresisting police, um, or, you
know, yeah.
He had a criminal record or, youknow, whatever the case may be,
um, that, you know, because inthose conversations that would
(12:59):
be brought up as a way todismiss, um, the injustice.
It was like, why bother?
Because you're going down arabbit hole.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
All right.
That was part one of episodeone, meet your hosts.
We will be back next week withmore content and even better
editing as we figure this out onthe fly.
Thanks for tuning in.
Thank you for listening toawakened in America.
If you enjoyed today's podcast,be sure to subscribe and leave a
review.
(13:33):
You can also find us onInstagram at awakened in
America.
That's awakened underscore inunderscore America and remember
be mindful, be grateful.
And most of all be you.
You're listening to awaken in America, two minds on
a journey to create dialogueabout diversity, inclusion and
optimism.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Hi, and thanks for joining awakens in America.
This is the very first episodeand titled getting to know your
house.
We are so excited to have youyou'll meet Jess and Z today,
and we hope you'll stick aroundfor more.
So does, can you tell us whatmade you want to do this
podcast?
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Yeah, I think, uh, for me it was this period of
reflection I've been goingthrough and our friendship,
which started before quarantineand before all of that, it was
kind of like this perfect stormand got me into this, um, head
space of, you know, how can Ievolve as a person during this
(01:00):
time when I'm stuck at home and,you know, we can't go anywhere.
And, um, just kind of wanting tohave, you know, an opportunity
to grow as a person.
I'm so immersed in my life as amom and, um, as a wife and a
friend and you know, otherthings, but I've, I haven't
really had a time in my lifethat I can remember where I've
had a chance to really lookinward and, you know, figure out
(01:24):
ways that I can improve or grow.
And then you entered my life asa friend and then we got locked
down and, um, you know, justkeeping in touch with you
throughout this period and thesethree things that you and I have
talked so much about.
I think the politicalenvironment, you know, that
we're in with the currentpresident combined with COVID
(01:45):
and, you know, really theheaviness of that topic and
thinking about mortality and,um, you know, for me, I kept
thinking, you know, what am Igoing to do with my life while
I'm here and finding a way tofeel like I'm doing something,
um, you know, ultimately the, Ican be proud of that.
My kids can be proud of.
And then for me, I think the,you know, the murder of George
(02:10):
Floyd that happened at the endof may was the tipping point for
me, where I felt an urgency tofind a way to channel these
feelings and to make it intosomething, you know?
And I remember when we firststarted talking about this, you
and I said, even if we're theonly ones that listened to it,
or if it's just my mom and dador my sister, you know, whoever
(02:31):
close friends, at least it'llmake me feel like I'm doing
something.
Cause I do feel thisempowerment, you know, right now
because of those things thathave happened to express myself
about this topic about diversityand inclusion and, um, optimism,
which is, I think, you know, theangle that you bring to this,
you're so optimistic and sopositive and have really given
(02:53):
us this idea, you know, it wasyou who said, maybe we should
start recording.
Maybe we should do a podcast andyou have so much going on.
So I was really flattered thatthat was something that you
would even want to do.
Um, but how about you?
What are, what are your thoughtson why you wanted to do the
podcast?
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I'm like you, I thought that it was a rare
opportunity, um, to discuss allthese issues, um, on a platform
that was safe, um, that wasconstructive and, um, in an
(03:33):
unbiased way between two friends, um, in a nonjudgmental way too
.
Um, because there are so manyfacets to what we're
experiencing as I think, ashumans, as individuals, as
mothers, um, as daughters.
(03:55):
And, um, and I think thathumanity is crying out right now
for a change.
Um, I don't know how long itwill take that change to come,
but it feels like the wheels arein motion more than they ever
have been.
(04:15):
And that it would be a missedopportunity if we didn't take
advantage and do something withit now.
And I feel like there are a lotof people who also, this has
stirred up a lot of emotion forthem, and they're looking for
positive ways to channel thatemotion and what can I do?
And it's, it's lending itself todifferent perspectives.
(04:39):
Um, and people are allowingthemselves to experience all
these emotions because of COVIDlike you said.
Um, and so I also think that thetime is now because we have
video cameras.
I don't think that, um, thatpeople weren't aware that this
(05:02):
happened, but I think peoplewere able to brush it off or
dismiss it easily before,because it wasn't taped and they
didn't see it with their owneyes or they didn't experience
it, um, because they weren't thesame color.
And so now the veil has beenremoved and it's, it's really up
(05:24):
to each individual person tosay, you know, either I accept
responsibility for my role in itbecause everyone plays a role.
It's, it's a universe, it's aworld.
So no matter how small a partyou may play, everyone plays
some role.
And I think that, um, we allhave to find what our role is to
(05:48):
play.
It's not going to be the samefor everyone.
Um, and, um, I think that that'sfair, but I think that should
acknowledge that a change needsto occur.
And it's not just a change forBrown people or black people.
(06:09):
It's a change for humanitybecause we got created us or
whoever you want to believecreated you.
Um, but we were all created.
We didn't just appear here and,and, and believing that we were
all created, then we all havesome value just like the
(06:29):
animals, just like the dragonflies, everything has value.
And I think that just like wefight for the whales and the
ocean, the tortoises, the polarbears, we need to fight for
people.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I think, um, maybe we shouldtalk about some of the
reservations we had aboutstarting this, um, because it is
such a sensitive pain, you know,kind of riddled topic.
And like I've told you before,I'm very open with, you know,
(07:10):
how little I know about thehistory and what led us here,
but I think that's important.
And it's part of our value inthis discussion in this podcast
is opening up, you know, to oneanother, as friends and, and
having people hear thatvulnerability and
accountability, holding myselfaccountable for the things that
(07:31):
I haven't learned until nowabout my own country's history
about, you know, um, things thathave been happening in the world
since the beginning of time,since beginning of humankind.
But, um, like I told you, Ithink hopefully other people can
identify with that.
And I, you know, I think that'sour goal.
(07:51):
The second subset of our, of ourgoal is to socialize and
normalize this really difficult,sensitive, painful topic.
And the reason I'm speaking onmy own behalf, the reason I
haven't had those discussions isbecause of all those things,
it's embarrassing, it'sshameful, it's hurtful.
I didn't know how to have thosediscussions, you know, and until
(08:13):
this video came about where noone could avoid that video in
the whole world, I don't thinkanybody could avoid it if you
had a TV or if you had a deviceseeing this man, you know,
calling out for his life and himbeing murdered by people that
(08:34):
were supposed to trust, youknow, and this happened in our
own backyard and in, in a statethat I really like in a city
that I have visited and I'vealways actually thought really
highly of it.
There were so many layers to itthat kind of just caught me by
surprise.
And I have to think, you know,I'm just one white woman, you
know, mom, whatever, but therehave to be so more like me that
(08:55):
are kind of trying to come toterms and process these feelings
that, you know, maybe theyhaven't had before, either in
this level of intensity.
And then, you know, if they'realso like me in this time, I'm
trying to find a way to make adifference.
So for me, what I went throughthought process wise, after all
this, you know, the last fewmonths happened was I really
(09:18):
believe that these, you know,negative thoughts and the
discrimination and theinjustices, and a lot of that is
bread at home and you can startit and ended at home.
So I really kind of took thatupon myself to take a look at
how I'm raising my children andthe conversations I'm having
with my own friends and family,um, and make changes there, you
(09:40):
know, and having my kids werevery young, but having books
around talking about inclusionand diversity and having toys
that don't all look like us aswhite people, you know, because
that's not reality and itshouldn't be the way we're
raising our children, you know?
And, um, that's my hope and mygoal and, you know, a really big
(10:03):
focus that I have from thispoint forward is to make this a
part of our life, you know, as afamily in our house and the way
that we speak to each other andthe way, you know, we make
friends and I think how can youpossibly really grow as a
person, you know, or have yourchildren grow if you're not
(10:24):
bringing in other cultures andother types of people and other
influences, and, you know, likemy husband and I traveled, we
were fortunate to be able totravel a lot before we had kids.
And I would always take aninterest in, you know, the
different countries we weregoing to and learning about
those cultures.
So that was another kind ofrevelation that I had in the
last few months.
It was like, I've taken this,I've taken this interest in
(10:44):
other places and other types ofpeople and other cultures.
Meanwhile, we had somethinggoing on right here in this
country that I've paid suchlittle attention to.
And you know, now I feel veryguilty about that.
And so, um, you know, I did,like I said, I really want to
make a point to take it uponmyself, to educate myself so
that it can teach my childrenand whoever else along the way,
(11:05):
you know?
Um,
Speaker 2 (11:08):
That's very, that's very, um, honest of you and it's
very, it's very humbling to hearbecause a lot of people wouldn't
be able to admit those things.
And I think that's one of thereasons that I agreed to do the
podcast[inaudible] it wasbecause I felt like you, you
(11:32):
were the type of person, ifthere was ever going to be a
person or a time that, you know,you were the type of person that
I could, I could be honest with.
It's still difficult.
And, um, it's, it is painful.
It's painful because, um, youknow, speaking for myself, you
(11:53):
know, and I cannot speak foreveryone and I do not aim to
speak for every African Americanthat's out there.
We all have, uh, varying degreesof experience, um, depending on
who we grew up with or, um, whatwe were exposed to, or, um, my
social economic, you know,status or, you know, that kind
(12:15):
of thing.
So I can't speak for everyone,but I can speak, I think for
majority and saying that, um,many of us, I think never
really, unless we had a closewhite friend, wouldn't even
bother to bring up any of thesethings because it would be
dismissed.
(12:36):
So, you know, if you feel like,you know, someone's gonna say
something like, well, the reasonhe got shot was obviously
because, you know, he wasresisting police, um, or, you
know, yeah.
He had a criminal record or, youknow, whatever the case may be,
um, that, you know, because inthose conversations that would
(12:59):
be brought up as a way todismiss, um, the injustice.
It was like, why bother?
Because you're going down arabbit hole.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
All right.
That was part one of episodeone, meet your hosts.
We will be back next week withmore content and even better
editing as we figure this out onthe fly.
Thanks for tuning in.
Thank you for listening toawakened in America.
If you enjoyed today's podcast,be sure to subscribe and leave a
review.
(13:33):
You can also find us onInstagram at awakened in
America.
That's awakened underscore inunderscore America and remember
be mindful, be grateful.
And most of all be you.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
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.