Michael suggests we listen to Dax’s song with Darius Rucker – "To Be A Man." Well said. It would be one of the songs I would play to my class when I speak about identity. The conversation, in my mind, shouldn’t be only intellectual, but start from a different place where we can hear and see each other. Music does that. If I were still teaching, here is my limited playlist (in no particular order):
Thank you both for this episode, it really resonates with me. I am mixed-race Italian and black, and I spent the first half of my life trying to outrun my blackness due to deep-seated confusion around my identity (having a racist Italian grandmother didn’t super help lol), and I have spent the second half of my life trying to undo my own racial biases to embrace my black heritage. I can deeply relate to the idea that there’s no way to win when it comes to race because I have never “performed it right” for either side. The good news is, that reality finally had me stop trying to perform my race altogether. I am mixed, I traverse racial lines by being my fully expressed self. At the same time, I also feel sensitive to this modern day attack on whiteness. The idea that all white people are innately racist is absolutely insane to me. Sure, we can say all white people have biases but that’s because all people have biases, people of color are not exempt from that fact. I feel very seen by your discourse and this podcast. I’m grateful I found it.
Thank you for such wonderful words. There's no way to win when it comes to race, so best not to play the game. I confess the best part of being a writer and podcaster is sharing the feeling that we are not alone, that we are seen for who we are. Reading your comment made my day/smile. Best,
Michael suggests we listen to Dax’s song with Darius Rucker – "To Be A Man." Well said. It would be one of the songs I would play to my class when I speak about identity. The conversation, in my mind, shouldn’t be only intellectual, but start from a different place where we can hear and see each other. Music does that. If I were still teaching, here is my limited playlist (in no particular order):
1. Dax - "To Be A Man" Remix (Feat. Darius Rucker) = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuyisGsNr4g
2. Yuna ft. Usher - “Crush” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SGHPQ2FVm8
3. Rag’n’Bone Man - “Human” = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3wKzyIN1yk
Thank you both for this episode, it really resonates with me. I am mixed-race Italian and black, and I spent the first half of my life trying to outrun my blackness due to deep-seated confusion around my identity (having a racist Italian grandmother didn’t super help lol), and I have spent the second half of my life trying to undo my own racial biases to embrace my black heritage. I can deeply relate to the idea that there’s no way to win when it comes to race because I have never “performed it right” for either side. The good news is, that reality finally had me stop trying to perform my race altogether. I am mixed, I traverse racial lines by being my fully expressed self. At the same time, I also feel sensitive to this modern day attack on whiteness. The idea that all white people are innately racist is absolutely insane to me. Sure, we can say all white people have biases but that’s because all people have biases, people of color are not exempt from that fact. I feel very seen by your discourse and this podcast. I’m grateful I found it.
Thank YOU so much for this great feedback! We're always delighted when our podcasts speak to our listeners and readers.
Thank you for such wonderful words. There's no way to win when it comes to race, so best not to play the game. I confess the best part of being a writer and podcaster is sharing the feeling that we are not alone, that we are seen for who we are. Reading your comment made my day/smile. Best,