Fare of the Free Child

Latest Episodes:

Ep 131: The Transition from Homeschooling to Unschooling Jul 31, 2019

Show notes

We deh pon di replay this week! This is a rebroadcast of episode 45, where I answer a question from someone who attended my unschooling webinar. She asked about the process of the transition from home-schooling to unschooling, and I expound on a response from a long-time unschooler, Itiel McVay, inside the webinar.
Plus, I give an overview of unschooling, so don’t miss those details. #BIPOCinSDE

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Ep 130: Let's Grow Podcast (Trust Issues) Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

Join Dr. Sundiata for episode 3 of the Let's GROW Podcast series as he explores "Trust Issues" and the patterns of distrust that are so common in our lives. Why do so many people of African, Asian, & Indigenous descent distrust people of European descent? Why do so many women distrust men? Why do so many adults distrust children? Dr. Sundiata shares his best thinking as to why and also shares a personal story of distrust.

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EP 129: Appreciation or Appropriation? #KPop Tings Jul 17, 2019

Show notes

The world loves Black culture, but not Black people, a statement that I feel is ringing true now more than ever.
Hey, y’all, it’s Marley (the editor). I often speak about K-Pop and the frustrations of witnessing and constantly having to battle cultural appropriation, so I figured at the Rooted Us Unconference in NYC this year, why not have the conversation again?

I hope that this overview paired with my thoughts and tips on how to combat such a subtle kind of racism/microaggression are helpful in getting you thinking about the topic, or taking a deeper dive, because there is no such thing as “enough work” being done around it.

“I’m working on a presentation and would like to speak with adults and children who have experienced domestic violence and are now using Self-directed education and/or conscious parenting. Interested parties can email me at fearless@iammelody.co (no “m”). They can remain anonymous.”

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Ep 128: Happy 3rd Anniversary to Fare of the Free Child Podcast Jul 10, 2019

Show notes

On July 10 of 2016, following the brutal murders of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, I decided to publish a podcast about the ways that BIPOC families were handling the dichotomous life of constant fear amid a will to thrive, particularly as we endeavor to raise children who embody their liberation. It’s been three years as of today, and I am so grateful for the loving, vocal community that has formed as a result of me risking expression. So many brave, brilliant, and beautiful people have blessed our ears with their experiences, frustrations, wins, anger, and more. We’ve cried, laughed, envisioned, created, shared, loved, lost, and grown together, and I have no plans of stopping now; you probably don’t either, right? Then let’s keep this thang poppin’ with episode 128 where you’ll meet FOFC’s co-producer, Fatima Mookadam. She is a major part of how you’ve been able to listen and engage with the podcast over the past six months. Fatima is a South Africa based unschooling mama who has been using travel and deep self-exploration to fuel her deschooling journey. Listen as she and I celebrate together, talking about the ways this work is shifting and growing us, and why we’re so grateful for each other and the community that you help us to maintain through your listenership. Happy 3 Year Anniversary!!

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EP 127: Calling In (not Calling Out): Equity in SDE Jul 03, 2019

Show notes

Maleka Diggs and Akilah S. Richards talk about the issues with inequitable SDE spaces in terms of race/culture.
They invite you to sign up for the live, virtual training on this topic:
https://radicalselfie.teachable.com/p/equityinsde
Taking this training will support your exploration and understanding of:

The characteristics of pervasive whiteness and schoolish tactics in intended self-directed environments, including SDE centers, homeschooling and/or unschooling co-ops, and at home

How those characteristics inform the content, the structure, the relationships, and often, the lack of success in SDE environments, and ways to work through the issues therein

Why BIPOC families can feel particularly isolated inside SDE spaces (and how to proactively address that)

What equity can look like in SDE spaces, and how to start creating those realities

How to proactively address issues of inequitable beliefs and practices with parents who want to be part of an SDE community, but don’t seem to have done the work to be part of the solution, not the problem

**
Delivered through two 90-minute trainings

(both will be recorded and accessible within 24 hours):

Tuesday, 3 September, 2:30pm ET

Tuesday, 10 September, 2:30pm ET

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Dig this show? Join our make-it-happen family at patreon.com/akilah to make sure we can keep this thang going strong. Thank you!

Ep. 126: Recap of Rooted Us NYC Unconference On Anti-racism, Anti-oppression, and Self-Directed Education Jun 27, 2019

Show notes

In episode 126 we’re sharing snippets from some of the conversations from Rooted Us NYC, a free unconference focusing on the practical application of anti-oppressive community building. You’ll hear from attendees who were wondering about things like parent education (deschooling), social justice as part of Self-Directed Education, how to raise free people when we (adults) don’t feel free, cooperative economics, and more. Listen in to hear sessions that were each facilitated by Akilah (Raising Free People Workshop), Dr. Sundiata (Cooperative Economics), and Maleka Diggs (Strewing: Confronting Your Fears).
#BIPOCinSDE

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Ep 125: 4 Conditions in Support of Raising Free People Jun 20, 2019

Show notes

What can a home environment look like when the adults practice raising free people? This is the question of longtime member of the FOFC community, Chemay Morales-James. She founded the organization My Reflection Matters, a movement to provide personal and educational resources for young Black and Brown people to think critically about themselves and feel empowered to combat racial injustices wherever they are. She asked Akilah to speak to the home environmental conditions that are likely to nurture and support the development of free people, so Akilah does just that, talking about healthy ways to set boundaries, hold accountability, and otherwise practice emotional security and maturity. #BIPOCinSDE

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Dig this show? Join our make-it-happen family at patreon.com/akilah to make sure we can keep this thang going strong. Thank you!

EP 124: What is Confident Autonomy Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

Confident autonomy: this is the thing Kris and Akilah Richards intend to help nurture in their daughters, Marley and Sage-Niambi. There is no one definition of it’ it’s an ability to navigate the world with a strong sense of self, an awareness of the place in the world and their capacity to influence the people and situations within it, and the tools to life well, be good to people, and make a difference in their communities. Is that a tall order? Listen to a couple of excerpts from Akilah’s essays on unschooling and deschooling, and share your own definition of confident autonomy. #BIPOCinSDE

Mad Question’ Askin:

Is it safe to raise our children to be confident and self-aware, or will that invite more chances for them to be unfairly targeted and harmed by the social or legal arms of a racist dominant structure?

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Ep 123: Examining Our Respect Lens Jun 07, 2019

Show notes

What does respect look like for Black folks when it comes to raising free people? Tebogo asked this question, and it took Kris and Akilah back to a recent experience with their daughters and disrespect. We’ll also hear from Maleka Diggs, Philly-based unschooling mama and equity organizer, on the perception of respect among communities, cultures, and intended safe spaces. This ended up being a Parenting Patois episode, because our topic is about respect, and the conversation led us to recognizing the value of shared meaning--co-created language and definitions--among children and adults. In this episode, Kris and Akilah dive into the particulars of emotions, boundaries, barriers, and expectations when it comes to identifying, understanding, and managing feelings of disrespect and authentic self-expression when it comes to parents and children, as well as among varying cultures in Self-Directed Education spaces.

Mad Question’ Askin:

How can we trust that freedom doesn’t mean disrespect?

What’s wrong with assuming that giving up fear and force means rebellion?

Is our demand for respect based on what we think we lack?

#BIPOCinSDE

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Dig this show? Join our make-it-happen family at patreon.com/akilah to make sure we can keep this thang going strong. Thank you!

Ep. 122: Let's Grow Podcast (Don't Call Me King) Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

Join Dr. Sundiata Soon-Jahta for the second episode of Let’s Grow Podcast Series as he explores the popular greeting in Black culture that uses royal titles as greetings, i.e. What's good, King?" or "Hey, Queen!" In this episode, titled Don't Call Me King, continues his pattern of inviting us to deconstruct and rethink the ways we see power and community. Be sure to reach out to Dr. Sundiata with your perspectives on his topics, because he's all about dialogue and discussion that invites us to grow together wherever we can.

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Dig this show? Join our make-it-happen family at patreon.com/akilah to make sure we can keep this thang going strong. Thank you!

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