Description: Dr. Anwar Uhuru shares his journey of moving back to his hometown of Detroit after spending his 20s and 30s on the East Coast. He shares how this transition has allowed him to find more balance and integration in his work and personal life. He speaks about the challenges Black men face in navigating predominantly white spaces, having to constantly police their appearance and behavior to avoid being perceived as threatening. Dr. Uhuru describes the importance of radical tenderness and vulnerability in his current relationship, and how he has learned to prioritize his own needs and well-being. He shares his experiences as an empath, and how this sensitivity has shaped his worldview and desire to provide a listening ear and healing space for others.
Lifework:
1) Get your copy of the Gator Scales Journal on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Gator-Scales-Journal-Jason-Branch/dp/B0DPXLXZWC
2) Mark your calendar for Gator Talk Sessions every First Friday of the month (March 7th) at 9am PST/12pm EST. Zoom Link for Session https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4044362540
3) Practice Mindfulness: Make a habit of taking a few moments each morning and evening to simply observe the sun rising or setting. Notice how it makes you feel and what thoughts or reflections arise.
4) Reflect on your relationships. Consider the people, places and things in your life and how you choose to show up authentically in those places and spaces.
5) Examine your self-care routine. What activities or practices help you feel grounded, restored, and connected to yourself? Experiment with incorporating more of these into your daily life
6) Cultivate empathy and compassion. Challenge yourself to approach interactions with an open, non-judgmental mindset. Seek to truly listen and understand others, even those who are different from you.
Connect With Our Guest:
Anwar Uhuru is an Assistant Professor of African American Studies and Philosophy at Wayne State University. Their work is primarily concerned with social power regarding gender, class, sexuality, and ableism and how it intersects with state-based violence due to social hierarchy. Their research interests include Black Existentialism, Africana Philosophy, Critical Race Theory, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Queer of Color Critique, and Black Intellectual Thought. They have publications in the Journal of Hip Hop Studies, The Journal of Philosophy and Global Affairs, APA Studies, Journal of World Philosophy, Philosophy Compass, and Radical Philosophy Review. Their forthcoming book, The Insurrectionist Case for Reparations: Race, Value and Ethics, will be published through SUNY Press
