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Latest Episodes:

09: Understanding the Minority Experience from Those Who Live It May 29, 2019

Show notes

We all have our own preconceived notions - it's part of being human, but how we choose to challenge and question those biases is what's important. Today's episode contains interviews with three individuals with unique narratives, who have experienced the backlash of others' misperceptions. Brittany, Brandon, and Golnaz all have distinct differences in their stories but also share an array of commonalities. To hear more about Brittany, Brandon, and Golnaz's experiences as minorities join us for this interview on Dear White Women.

Show Highlights:

Most common misunderstandings people have when they meet Brittany
What wearing a scarf symbolizes in Muslim culture
The impact that being confronted with slurs and insults has made in Brittany's life
Muslim customs that non-Muslims should know
Most common misconceptions people have when they meet Brandon
Factors that lead people to have bias against Brandon
Assumptions people make about athleticism
Dealing with backhanded compliments
Handling explicit racism and coping with the impact
Brandon and Sara discuss whether people are getting better or worse when it comes to judging before getting to know someone
What people's initial assumptions are when they meet Golnaz
Dealing with bias as the only minority
The struggle of having immigrant parents as a minority

Links:

https://www.dearwhitewomen.com

Email: Hello@dearwhitewomen.com

08: Micro-Aggression: What It Is and How We Can Combat Bias May 22, 2019

Show notes

We've seen a major shift to becoming more accepting as a society over the years, but implicit biases and micro-aggressions still occur more often than you'd think.

Today, Misasha and Sara discuss what makes up a micro-aggression and how to identify words or actions that may be unintentionally offensive. It's important that we all grow in our awareness and continue to reflect on our own views by acknowledging any potential biases we may have. This episode talks about the vitality of not invalidating others' experiences and how we can help others become more aware of their own implicit biases.

Show Highlights:

Identifying micro-aggressions and the different categories of micro-aggressions
Evaluating what constitutes as a micro-aggression
The other minorities that micro-aggressions have extended to outside of race
The psychological and emotional toll that micro-aggressions have on individuals
Dealing with direct bias as a woman of color
Subconscious bias and how people can become more aware of their underlying prejudices
Things people say/do that they don't recognize as micro-aggressions
Maintaining a level of awareness and sensitivity no matter what setting you're in
Understanding others' experiences and using them to reflect on your own biases
Standing up for what you believe in and against discrimination even in uncomfortable situations

Links:

https://www.dearwhitewomen.com

Email: Hello@dearwhitewomen.com

07: Unpacking the Psychology Behind Implicit Bias May 15, 2019

Show notes

Have you ever had a thought that didn't feel completely your own? Have you ever had to counter your initial reaction to a situation? It's likely that those ideas were stimulated from your subconscious and they are trying to protect you. But from what?

Today, Sara and Misasha discuss the psychology behind implicit bias and the impact of our unconscious thoughts. To hear more about the role bias plays in society and how to reprogram your own subconscious tune into this episode of Dear White Women.

Show Highlights:

Diversity training and overcoming unconscious bias
What constitutes as your conscious and unconscious thoughts
How emotional reactions correlate with your unconscious
What forms the basis of our unconscious
What influences implicit bias
Identifying instances in which implicit bias is present
Measuring your own implicit biases
The impact underestimating individuals has on people
How poverty and inequality effects children
How bias gets incorporated in "colorblind" sources
Deciding what you value
Creating an equal socio-economic society
Accepting and evaluating our biases
Resetting preconceived notions
Taking action to shift your subconscious

Links:

https://www.dearwhitewomen.com/

06: Mental Health Month: History, Current Events and Marginalized Groups May 08, 2019

Show notes

Mental illness is a topic that society is becoming more comfortable talking about, but there is still a stigma that prevents many people from getting the help they need. Individuals who don't struggle with generalized mental illnesses may have a more difficult time empathizing or grasping the idea of mental illness.

Since May is Mental Health Month, Sara and Misasha are going to help shed some light on mental illness and how marginalized groups treated differently are more prone to experience struggles getting the treatment they need. This episode is purely acknowledging the uniqueness in everyone's narrative and how resources can influence mental health.

Show Highlights:

Current suicide statistics
Connecting with our kids openly about mental health
Boosting mental wellness
Battling anxiety and how it differs from stress
Dealing with chronic stress and other issues that stem from it
Stress affects minorities in different ways
How substance abuse starts
The rat park experiment
Having a sense of connection and community
How mental illness impacts the LGBTQ+ community
Unique circumstances adults in the LGBTQ+ community face
How stereotypes impact treatment for mental illnesses
Struggling with stigmas and expressing emotions
The spectrum of mental illness and health

Links:

https://www.dearwhitewomen.com

Email: Hello@dearwhitewomen.com

05: The College Admission Scandal: White Privilege, Affirmative Action + How We Define Success with Adebisi Adebowale May 01, 2019

Show notes

Today's episode includes special guest, coach and scholar, Adebisi Adebowale. Adebisi joins Sara and Misasha in a discussion regarding the college admissions scandals. They share their thoughts on what these transgressions mean in regards to white privilege, society's definition of success, and how to approach large scale misconduct. To hear more thoughts about the impact of these scandals and how we can take affirmative action, tune into this episode of Dear White Women.

Show Highlights:

Different perspectives on the college admission scandal
The problem with approaching life with a mindset of entitlement
The unlikelihood of students being unaware of the scandals
How deceitful people and institutions can be
Doing right by the system
What role punishment plays in scandals involved with high society individuals
Why it's important for minorities to attend predominately white schools
How you see affirmative action happen today
How affirmative action functions on a university level
Addressing people who are critical about affirmative action
Being inclusive of minorities
Having humility and being teachable

Links:

https://www.dearwhitewomen.com

Email: Hello@dearwhitewomen.com

Contact Adebisi:

https://www.upliftology.co

https://www.adebisi.co

04: Intersectional Feminism: What It Is and Why It Matters Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

Practicing feminism is something most women are proud to participate in, but white women, in particular, tend to be unaware of how exclusive feminism itself can truly be. Intersectional feminism is a term that isn't widely used, but should be widely practiced.

Today, Sara and Misasha discuss what it means to be an intersectional feminist and why practicing it is so important. To better understand the history and impact of intersectional feminism and how you can implement it into your own life, tune into this episode of Dear White Women.

Show Highlights:

The history behind intersectional feminism
Recognizing white privilege without getting defensive
Finding your voice
Being aware of the words you choose to use
How white women collectively dominate feminism
The differences between radical feminism, feminism, and white feminism
Feeling invalidated by people who aren't minorities
Fighting for the race of minimum wage
Why the white women experience is not the narrative for all women
Culture appropriation and cherry-picking traditions
How awareness can prevent potentially harmful behavior
Being inclusive of everyone, not just white women
Finding your own voice but listening to others
Advocating for other people's issues but not speaking for them
How micro-aggressions can cause damage to people
Choosing to be aware of discrimination despite whether or not you experience it first hand
Modeling intersectional feminism for your children and others

Links:

https://www.dearwhitewomen.com

Email: Hello@dearwhitewomen.com

03: Why White People Should Care: The Women's Movement and Societal Systems Apr 17, 2019

Show notes

While women have come a long way in regards to rights and gaining positions of influence, the fight for women's equality is still ongoing. Although, when it comes to feminism it's easy to dismiss the fact that it's not only a matter of sexism, but a matter of racism.

Today Sara and Misasha discuss what it looks like to be completely bought into women's rights, the influence women have in society, and how we can implement that into our own lives by empowering others. If you're passionately curious about making an impact to better the lives of women, people of color, and the direction of society, tune into this episode of Dear White Women.

Show Highlights:

How women can encourage and influence people around them with conversation
Becoming more aware of the system and individual racism
The importance of continuing to acknowledge the past
Keeping people educated
How racism in the past impacted sexism
How feminism can be conflated with white supremacy
Men in power disrespecting women
Addressing major issues in politics regarding women
How daily acts can shift the influence of society
Taking our power and manifesting our role as women
What makes the women of color experience different
The impact of micro-aggressions and implicit biases
Encouraging people to talk about differences
Understanding the why behind things
Using our differences to find strength and unity

Links:

https://www.dearwhitewomen.com

Email: Hello@dearwhitewomen.com

02: Why White People Should Care: History, Science + Current Events Apr 17, 2019

Show notes

The issues with race, sexism, and overall inequality are still very prominent in our current political climate and society as a whole. While it may not be the most comfortable issue to address, Sara and Misasha discuss the importance of acknowledging and combating these injustices.

They also discuss the necessity that white people should care about these issues by highlighting history, science, and current events. Tune into this episode of Dear White People to hear more about the structural imbalance we're all experiencing societally and how you can make a difference in combating today's racial inequalities.

Show Highlights:

Getting over hate and laws that help perpetuate inequality
Privilege associated with money and scandals
Rising by lifting others
Pillars that support psychological and overall wellness
How happiness influences success
The link between justice and well-being
How can we – as a society – link fairness and health more conclusively
Affirmative action and perspective
Why we need policies in place
The history of slavery and oppression in America
What gives women equal representation
How racism and sexism still impact colored women directly
Inherent biases
Acknowledging color blindness in America
Modifying our vocabulary and measurements of race
Combating the sense of individual ignorance
Identifying an action point
Educating yourself to make more impactful choices
Finding ways to get involved
Taking responsibility to make a difference

Links:

https://www.dearwhitewomen.com

01: Starting Challenging Conversations....... Apr 17, 2019

Show notes

It's important to have conversations regarding race, gender, minorities, etc. Unless we as a society choose to acknowledge these uncomfortable but prominent issues, they will never just resolve on their own. It's easy to blow these things off or to feel powerless, but at the core, all of these issues start with people deciding to make a difference.

Today, Sara and Misasha introduce Dear White People by starting conversations that challenge our thoughts, brings purpose, and leaves you with meaningful ideas to reflect on. To gain a deeper understanding of the influence of your role in society and work towards unifying equality join Sara and Misasha in this episode of Dear White Women.

Show Highlights:

What makes white women the largest beneficiaries to date
Growing up bi-racial in America
The fear of having a mixed-raced family in America
How different countries approach racism
The fear of being a parent to children of minority
Acknowledging white supremacy and shifting societal influence
Black feminism
Taking advantage of opportunities to learn and become more aware of societal issues

Links:

https://www.dearwhitewomen.com

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