Janine welcomes Mariel Hagan, Zofia Barczak, and Colleen Miller, her close friends for over 13 years, to discuss how social media and the internet have changed the way that race is talked about and how this has impacted black mental health. They talk about how they have never talked about color or race with each other because it wasn't important to them, but once everything became public on social media, they started to have conversations about race that they would never have had otherwise. They also talk about microaggressions, which are unintentional remarks that are usually hurtful. Today's episode is focused on being an ally so tune in to find out how to be one!
[00:01 - 09:16] Opening Segment
- Welcoming my close friends to the show
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- Mariel, Zofia, and Colleen
- The importance of being an ally and how it can help break down barriers and stigmas around black mental health in Canada
- Zophia, Maryelle, and Colleen share their perspectives on being an ally and how it has changed over the past few years
- How to Black Lives Matter movement has helped open people's eyes
[09:17 - 23:55] Dealing with Microaggressions
- How social media has changed the way that people interact, with no judgment or discrimination present
- Microaggressions are unintentional comments or behaviors that are racially or ethnically insensitive
- How racism is learned and how it can be difficult to be an ally because of our emotions
- The importance of having consistency in our actions
[23:56 - 33:55] Anti-Racist vs. Not being a Racist
- It is learned behavior to be racist, and it takes patience and consistency over time to unlearn it
- It is important to be anti-racist to not allow racism around you
- It can be difficult for people to speak out against racism, and it is important to have facts and education on hand to do so
- How being an ally affects mental health, with both sides feeling impacted in different ways
[33:57 - 46:47] The Role of Education in Racial Awareness
- Education is key to breaking the cycle of ignorance and racism, with allies needing to learn about race and history to be effective
- Mental health is always going to be affected by racism, and allies need to be comfortable discussing their experiences with others
- The importance for schools to teach critical race theory
[46:48 - 65:28] Not Seeing Color
- It is hurtful to judge people by their color, and this is the wrong way to do it
- People should instead focus on celebrating the differences between people, and this should be done through conversations
- White people should keep in touch with their black friends, as there is still a lot of work to be done
- Therapy should be more than just going to see a therapist
[65:29 - 66:51] Closing Segment
Quotes:
"How can we be the best ally when we're also emotionally impacted by it?"
"The most powerful thing you can do is listen to people's stories and then learn the history to see how it is all kind. It's all tied together."
" I think the people's intent behind saying 'I don't see color' is good, but it's not right."
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