My Racist Friend

Amy and Don Griffin, Jr. talk about what comes next on the eve of the 2024 U.S. Election and the need to take care of each other by nurturing mutuality in community. Some resources mentioned in this episode: The Practice of Mutuality https://www.bloomingtoncenterforconnection.org/2024/11/the-practice-of-mutuality/  Plan B Cheat Sheet (PDF) https://livesinthebalance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PlanBCheat-10-26-22.pdf  The Explosive Child https://drrossgreene.com/the-explosive-child.htm  Depolarizing Public Discussion: Strategies for Disagreeing Better https://www.celpr.com/depolarizing-public-discussion-strategies-for-disagreeing-better/  Column: New jail presents Monroe County with chance to make vital change https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2024/10/03/former-mayor-wants-monroe-county-to-steer-away-from-mass-incarceration/75473502007/ Anderson Orchard http://www.andersonorchard.com/  Rosana Lyrics https://genius.com/Toto-rosanna-lyrics  My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Game developer Christian Telesmar, creator of 'Disparity Trap', joins Amy and Don Griffin, Jr. in a crossover episode with the "Cadre" podcast to discuss Christian's board game about the game of real life. Christian explains the origins of the game and joins Don in speculating about expansion rules. Christian Telesmar attended college at the University of Washington (UW) with the intent of pursuing medical school but fell in love with theatre and knew that's where he was meant to be. After graduating from the University of Washington's Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Acting program, he relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he resides today. His performance work includes appearances on FOX's Bones, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and The Young and the Restless. While in Los Angeles, Christian earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Purdue University Global and holds a Qualified Administrator license for the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI) from IDI, LLC. He is excited to be fusing his many passions, combining his love of art, business, and education in the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion space with his board game, Disparity Trap. Christian will provide the keynote presentation on Friday, September 6 as part of the upcoming 2024 Relational Summit on Playful Connection. Don will be on a panel playing Disparity Trap during that session. Some resources mentioned in this episode: Disparity Trap board game https://disparitytrap.net/   "Disparity Trap Board Game" (Kickstarter video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOC8PB1aMS0   Lizzie Magie and the History of Monopoly https://blogs.bl.uk/business/2023/03/lizzie-magie-and-the-history-of-monopoly-1.html  Share the Flame consulting https://www.shareflame.com/ist-of-an-ism   What is the Neighborhood Revitalization and Land Banking Act? https://communityprogress.org/blog/what-is-the-neighborhood-revitalization-and-land-banking-act/  Myths about physical racial differences were used to justify slavery — and are still believed by doctors today. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/racial-differences-doctors.html  2024 Relational Summit https://www.bloomingtoncenterforconnection.org/2024-relational-summit/   My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

In this episode, hosts Don and Amy discuss the MOVE bombing in Philadelphia, a tragic and often overlooked part of American history. They delve into the background of the MOVE organization, the events leading up to the bombing, and the aftermath, including the impact on the surrounding neighborhood. The conversation also touches on broader themes of racism, police brutality, and the challenges of fostering meaningful dialogue about these critical issues. Resources and topics mentioned in this episode: • "The Africas VS. America: Remembering one of the deadliest instances of police violence in U.S. history" (podcast) https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/the-africas-vs-america-remembering-one-of-the-deadliest-instances-of-police-violence-in-u-s-history-1.6738879  • "MOVE: Philadelphia's forgotten bombing" by Charles Abraham (PDF) https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=jmurj  • "The Outsize Role of Immigrants in US Innovation" (article) https://www.nber.org/digest/20233/outsize-role-immigrants-us-innovation  My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy and Don discuss the loss of a dear friend and colleague, Dr. Dolores Finger Wright, by reflecting on their brief experiences with her and her impact in how she lived. This podcast includes excerpts from Dr. Wright's appearance on this podcast in 2019 (season 1, episode 8) and clips from her appearance in the 2017 documentary "Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities" which highlight her experiences organizing the 1960 Greensboro Sit-In. We dearly miss you, Dr. Wright. Resources mentioned in this episode: • Clip of "Tell Them We Are Rising" (Facebook video) https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=v7YzmG&v=1079030432306365  • "Suburbanization and the Color Line along Grandview Drive" (article) https://invisibleindianapolis.wordpress.com/2017/06/29/suburbanization-and-the-color-line-along-grandview-drive  • "Feb. 1, 1960: The Greensboro Sit-in Begins" (article) https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/greensboro-sit-in/  • Nice White Parents (podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice-white-parents/id1524080195  • "One Year After Pulse" (article) https://time.com/one-year-after-pulse/  • "The Charleston Church Massacre (2015)" (article) https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/charleston-church-massacre-2015/    My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy play with the RCT Toybox cards, focusing on a discussion around three concepts: relational movement, guilt, and calm.  Resources mentioned in this episode: • "Wired to Connect" (book) https://amybanksmd.com/#av-tab-section-1-2-link  • "The Jenks Presents Wired To Connect with Amy Banks, M D" (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBzQjieV7pY    My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy and Don dive into the intricacies of popular music and the persistent racism evident in how we react to it. They react to Beyoncé's new hit "Texas Hold'em" and her venture into the country genre, looking at the resistance from certain factions of society and questioning the inherent racial prejudice within it. Resources mentioned in this episode: • "Beyoncé - TEXAS HOLD 'EM (Music Video)" posted by rauhlren https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycwtqqhV6UE  • "Beyoncé Fan's Radio Request Reignites Country Music Debate" (NY Times, February 14, 2024, by Emily Schmall) https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/14/arts/music/beyonce-oklahoma-radio-station.html  • "Dolly Parton congratulates Beyoncé for hitting No. 1 on Billboard Hot Country Chart" (CNN, February 23, 2024, by Marianne Garvey) https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/entertainment/dolly-parton-beyonce/index.html  • Black Opry playlists (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/user/w57z8r3lywbmreubufwxm6vgf?si=OI0KTI1QR8aW3xqLIeA56A&nd=1&dlsi=862ee4561f6c4aad  • "Beyoncé Makes History as First Black Woman Atop Hot Country Songs Chart" (Billboard, February 20, 2024, by Jim Asker, Gary Trust) https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beyonce-texas-hold-em-number-1-hot-country-songs-chart-1235610582/  • "The Black Origins of Country Music" (JME) https://www.wjct.org/jme/2022/06/the-black-origins-of-country-music/  • "Yup, Lionel Richie Totally Wrote the Second Verse of Kenny Rogers' ‘Lady' In the Men's Room" (Billboard, March 31, 2023, by Gil Kaufman) https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/lionel-richie-wrote-second-verse-kenny-rogers-lady-bathroom-1235296133/  • "What If Brock Purdy Were Black?" (First and Pen, October 30, 2023, by Yussuf Khan) https://firstandpen.com/what-if-brock-purdy-were-black/  • "New evidence shows how badly NFL teams discriminate against Black QBs in the draft" (SF Gate, September 11, 2023, by Marc Delucchi) https://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/nfl-draft-analysis-racial-bias-quarterbacks-18355172.php  • "NFL Network graphic insinuating Brock Purdy is smarter than Dak Prescott is a bad look" (Deadpan, January 19 2023, by Stephen Knox) https://deadspin.com/dak-prescott-brock-purdy-nfl-total-access-playoffs-1850008853  • "Serena Williams became the greatest tennis player of all-time even as she endured racist and sexist attacks in the media" (Business Insiders, August 13, 2022, by Scott Davis, Trisha Gopal) https://www.businessinsider.com/serena-williams-endured-racism-sexism-media-throughout-career-2022-8  • "The Evolution of Taylor Swift From Country Star to Pop Icon" (Country Living, October 28, 2021, by Charlotte Chilton) https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/g36298587/evolution-taylor-swift/  • "‘DUKES OF HAZZARD' ACTOR JOHN SCHNEIDER UNDER FIRE FOR ‘RACIST' REMARKS ABOUT BEYONCÉ SINGING COUNTRY MUSIC: ‘EVERY DOG MUST MARK EVERY TREE, RIGHT?'" (Black Enterprise) https://www.blackenterprise.com/dukes-hazzard-actor-beyonce-dog/  • "Blaming President Donald Trump Is Too Easy: This Is Us. | Deadline | MSNBC" (YouTube, August 5, 2019, by MSNBC) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKiB0APdxTo  • "Chris Stapleton & Justin Timberlake 's Epic Performance | Tennessee Whiskey & Drink You Away" (YouTube, August 18, 2023, by Dennis Mellon) https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/14/arts/music/beyonce-oklahoma-radio-station.html  • "Billboard removes rapper Lil Nas X from country chart" (AP, March 28, 2019, by Kristin M. Hall) https://apnews.com/article/6045fec139204644b616afb63622c2d9  • "Watch LUKE COMBS & TRACY CHAPMAN Perform "FAST CAR" at the 2024 GRAMMYs" (YouTube, February 15, 2024, by Recording Academy / GRAMMYs) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEqb6xbeuCo  • "https://www.tiktok.com/@mygayfabulousfarm/video/7335886049572310318" (TikTok, February 17, 2024, by mygayfabulousfarm) https://www.tiktok.com/@mygayfabulousfarm/video/7335886049572310318  • "Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" (YouTube, by Concord Records) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgWmP-F0RTPOl1OjguwDkKwjFFiMmQZs5  My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy contemplate Paul Simon lyrics to prompt a discussion of shared suffering and challenges of staying engaged to work toward better things. Other topics along the way include finding a purpose for persisting, news of the death of Nex Benedict, being authentic about your own pain, and love's powerful role in driving life. Resources mentioned in this episode: • "The Cool, Cool River" lyrics by Paul Simon https://www.paulsimon.com/track/the-cool-cool-river-6/ • "A Federal Investigation Has Been Launched Into Nex Benedict's School District" (Them, March 4, 2024, by James Factor) The Department of Education will investigate whether Owasso Public Schools failed to respond appropriately to bullying and harassment. https://www.them.us/story/a-federal-investigation-has-been-launched-into-nex-benedicts-school-district My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

In this episode, Don and Amy are discuss two RCT concepts: Model Me and Relational Images, those unconscious expectations that shape our interactions. Along the way, the pair talk about self-perceived flaws, binge-watching habits, societal pressures, and negativity fueling success. My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy are joined by Jay Filer, a therapist-in-training at the Bloomington Center for Connection, to take a tour of Black Joy (specifically, their Black joy) found on social media. The conversation covers struggles with and benefits of use of social media, as well as some examples of what makes Jay laugh. After this conversation, TikTok removed sound from many videos due to a copyright dispute with Universal. It is unclear when or if the soundtracks of some of Jay's video links will be restored, but if there is no sound, that is likely why.   Resources mentioned in this episode include: "Katt Williams Scorches the Earth and Every Comedian on It" (Vulture, 2024) https://www.vulture.com/article/katt-williams-club-shay-shay-interview.html  "The Original Renegade" (The New York Times, 2020) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/13/style/the-original-renegade.html  "On its 40th anniversary, a look at how 'The Wiz' forever changed Black culture" (Los Angeles Times, 2028) https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-the-wiz-40-anniversary-20181024-story.html "Millions of videos have been muted on TikTok in 2024 – here's why" (Push, 2024) https://blog.push.fm/13564/millions-videos-muted-tiktok-2024/  Peach Cobbler (OldCountryCooking5) https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V8jcoD/  Doing my hair to favorite yt people songs (being.lexiekay) https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8VRv6tT/  #2006 what year next? (vibin.wit.tay) https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V8d9mx/  Stick figures violently eating mangoes (1_._panda_._1) https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8VR7nXS/  Additional links from Jay: • Drummers: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8VRnhF7/  • Relationship Hotline: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V8jfmg/  • Makeup Looks: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V8ePrj/  • Music: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V81VCP/  • Friendships: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V8FBHd/  • More about Friendships: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8VRTUso/  My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native and real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a parent educator and licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Amy offers individual therapy and parent support for people in the Bloomington area, workshops for parents and caregivers, and training on Relational Cultural theory.   Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

In this episode, hosts Amy Makice and Don Griffin Jr. delve into a thought-provoking conversation about the media's role in shaping perspectives and in turn, dividing society. The discussion ventures into the RCT concepts of "Model Me" and "Not Me" by Dr. Maureen Walker, exploring how extreme identification and fear can obstruct empathy, leading to conflicts. Resources mentioned in this episode include: "Admit Something" (Hafiz) https://www.centerforcompassionateleadership.org/admit-something-by-hafiz "A Few Notes on Love" (The Irreverent Psychologist, 2011) https://irreverentpsychologist.blogspot.com/2011/02/few-notes-on-love.html My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native and real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a parent educator and licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Amy offers individual therapy and parent support for people in the Bloomington area, workshops for parents and caregivers, and training on Relational Cultural theory.   Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy resume their conversation together with a discussion about needing to feel smart, the ignorance of believing you know everything, and being around people who are willing to work through mistakes.   Resources mentioned in this episode include: Tyriq Memorial Fund (GoFundMe) https://www.gofundme.com/f/tyriq-memorial-fund  Neighbor of house party where 23-year-old fatally shot: ‘We were very lucky' (WISH-TV) https://www.wishtv.com/news/i-team-8/neighbors-narrowly-miss-gunfire-at-fatal-house-party-shooting/  My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native and real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a parent educator and licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Amy offers individual therapy and parent support for people in the Bloomington area, workshops for parents and caregivers, and training on Relational Cultural theory.   Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy and Don return from a long hiatus to continue their conversations about relationships and the messy parts that make connection difficult. This week, the friends discuss Essentialism, which is found in many social movements and intertwines with racism, transphobia, and the roots of feminism. Amy provides a definition of essentialism and why it is so difficult for her to move through that blocker in relationships. Additional resources: Gender essentialism and benevolent sexism in anti-trans rhetoric by S. Atwood, Thekla Morgenroth, Kristina R. Olson (2023) https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sipr.12099?af=R  Challenging Race-Based Medicine Through Historical Education About the Social Construction of Race by Allison L. Skinner-Dorkenoo, Kasheena G. Rogbeer, Apoorva Sarmal, Cynthia Ware, and Jennifer Zhu (2023) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10698761/  Psychologist Carol Gilligan revises revolutionary 'different voice' work to include 'human voice' https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2023/10/04/carol-gilligan-human-voice  My Best Writings of 2023 by Julia Serano https://juliaserano.substack.com/p/my-best-writings-of-2023?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

This week, Amy and Don welcome Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew into their conversation. Dr. Booker-Drew is the Vice President of Community Affairs & Strategic Alliances for the State Fair of Texas and shares some of her experiences and insights working with the non-profit community. Additional resources: "Froswa' Booker-Drew: A Champion for South Dallas Nonprofits" (Dallas Doing Good, by Roselle Tenorio) https://www.dallasdoinggood.com/doing-good/froswa-booker-drew-a-champion-for-south-dallas-nonprofits  Marybeth Gasman (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marybeth_Gasman  "United Way Scandal Puts New Focus on Nonprofit Pay Levels" (Los Angeles Times, by Matt Marshall, Mary 14, 1992) https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-14-mn-3008-story.html  "The Real Salary Scandal" (Stanford Social Innovation Review, by Peter Manzo, Winter 2004) https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_real_salary_scandal  "The 20 Best State Fairs in America" (BLT) https://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/TheBLT/The20BestStateFairsinAmerica.html  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this season. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Prompted by announcements of a price increase for water services and a home-buying incentive to attract new police officers, Amy and Don discuss the complexities of government funding and the mission of policing, sharing some stories of encounters where police were called. Additional resources: "Bloomington City Council Approves 18% Water Rate Increase Starting In 2022" (Indiana Public Media, by Ethan Burks, March 18, 2021) https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/city-council-approves-cbu-water-rate-increase-starting-in-2022.php  "Bloomington Outlines Incentives To Attract New Police Officers" (Indiana Public Media, by Adam Pinsker, March 12, 2021) https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/bloomington-outlines-incentivestoattract-new-police-officers.php  "Bloomington City Council approves $166 million city budget for 2021" (Indiana Daily Student, by Mel Fronczek, October 15, 2020) https://www.idsnews.com/article/2020/10/bloomington-city-council-approves-166-million-city-budget-for-2021-covid-19-recovery  "Alternatives to the Police" (McGill Daily, by Evan Dent, Molly Korab, and Farid Rener, March 2018) https://www.mcgilldaily.com/PoliceIssue/Restorative-Justice.html  Mandate In-Service Training (IN.gov, ILEA) https://www.in.gov/ilea/2525.htm  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this season. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy welcome back Dr. Amy Banks, who brings her co-author, Isaac Knapper, to discuss their upcoming book, "Fighting Time"—a story of their 36-year journey from murder to meeting. Dr. Banks' father, Ronald, was shot and killed on April 29, 1979, as he left the Hyatt Regency hotel in New Orleans. Isaac, who along with Amy was 16 at the time, was wrongfully convicted of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in the Louisiana State Penitentiary. She and her younger sister, Nancy, traveled to meet and ultimately befriend Isaac in 2015. Additional resources: "Fighting Time" (Regal House Publishing, by Amy Banks and Isaac Knapper, 2021) https://www.regalhousepublishing.com/product/fighting-time/  "How Can White Folks Join the Fight to End Systemic Racism?" (Pact Press, by Amy Banks, September 16, 2020) http://pactpress.com/2020/09/how-can-white-folks-join-the-fight-to-end-systemic-racism/  "The Social Impact of Wrongful Conviction" (YouTube, Wellesley Centers for Women, April 7, 2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10kzlovflQ8  "Wrongly Incarcerated Singer Archie Williams Delivers Unforgettable Song - America's Got Talent 2020" (YouTube, by America's Got Talent, May 22, 2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShgOH1u78XA  "What AGT didn't tell you about Archie Williams | America's Got Talent 2020" (YouTube, by Epic Top Trending, May 30, 2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-lRVS9DNK0  "The last time New Orleans Mardi Gras parades were canceled, here's what happened" (NOLA, by Matt Sledge, February 7, 2021) https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/mardi_gras/article_3ab27242-6804-11eb-b241-176657eea9a2.html  Banks v. Hyatt Corp. (April 11, 1984) https://www.ravellaw.com/opinions/e61e4dbb2ff1dfc5691f607065c49c0c  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this season. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don confirms his good news about a role change that will have him playing a large role in bridging and resolving issues within the Bloomington community. Amy shares her joy for Don as he takes on a new challenge, as well as apprehensions about increased criticism. Also included are some brief discussion of "Coming to America" and poet Amanda Gorman being followed home. Additional resources: "Deputy Mayor Mick Renneisen Plans Retirement in April" (City of Bloomington, February 17, 2021) https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2021/02/17/4767  "Mayor Hamilton Announces Don Griffin, Jr. to be Next Deputy Mayor" (City of Bloomington, March 4, 2021) https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2021/03/04/4785  People's Cooperative Market https://www.peoplesmarketbtown.org/  "Bloomington police respond to records request, release footage of Seminary Park welfare check on man found dead hours later on Christmas Eve" (B Square Beacon, by Dave Askins, March 2, 2021) https://bsquarebeacon.com/2021/03/02/bloomington-police-respond-to-records-request-release-footage-of-seminary-park-welfare-check-on-man-found-dead-hours-later-on-christmas-eve/  "Eddie Murphy And Arsenio Hall Say That 'Coming To America' Was Forced To Include A White Person" (Shadow and Act, by Niko Rose, March 4, 2021) https://shadowandact.com/eddie-murphy-and-arsenio-hall-say-that-coming-to-america-was-forced-to-include-a-white-person  "Amanda Gorman Says A Security Guard Followed Her Home Because She 'Looked Suspicious'" (Blavity, by Leslie D. Rose, March 6, 2021) https://blavity.com/amanda-gorman-says-a-security-guard-followed-her-home-because-she-looked-suspicious  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this episode. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy start this week's discussion with a job listing by the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields that sought a director to “attract a broader and diverse audience while still maintaining the Museum’s traditional, core, white art audience.” The conversation also includes antique shops selling symbols of white supremacy in Oregon, students calling out teachers and organizations for racism, and a possibly inevitable revisiting of John Hughes films. Additional resources: "Newfields job posting sparks community controversy" (The Butler Collegian, Emma Quasny, February 17, 2021) https://thebutlercollegian.com/2021/02/newfields-job-posting-sparks-community-controversy/  "Letter from our Board of Trustees and Board of Governors" (Newfields, February 27, 2021) https://discovernewfields.org/statement  "Curator calls Newfields culture toxic, discriminatory in resignation letter" (Indianapolis Star, by Domenica Bongiovanni, July 28, 2020) https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/arts/2020/07/18/newfields-curator-says-discriminatory-workplace-toxic/5459574002/?fbclid=IwAR2DlqMFjJR-_w4HhZtr8ZwODyjVXnVbmhhvj0vLNGoCeg9MkDgD1RpekwA  "The Indiana Murals" (Indiana University Bloomington) https://murals.sitehost.iu.edu/history/index.html  "Symbols Of White Supremacy Confront Oregon Shoppers At Antiques Mall" (NPR, by Emily Cureton, February 14, 2021) https://www.npr.org/2021/02/14/961532763/symbols-of-white-supremacy-confront-oregon-shoppers-at-antique-mall  Oregon black exclusion laws (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_black_exclusion_laws  "When Portland banned blacks: Oregon's shameful history of an 'all-white' state" (The Washington Post, by DeNeen L. Brown, June 7, 2017) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/06/07/when-portland-banned-blacks-oregons-shameful-history-as-an-all-white-state/  "Black Voices: IU Panhellenic Association member says group's post promoted white saviorism" (Indiana Daily Student, by Agness Lungu, February 11, 2021) https://www.idsnews.com/article/2021/02/iu-panhellenic-sororities-white-saviorism-circle-of-sisterhood-instagram  "Teacher redefines n-word to Black student in AP history class" (NBC, by Dave Elias, February 16, 2021) https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2021/02/15/teacher-redefines-n-word-to-black-student-in-ap-history-class/  "What About 'The Breakfast Club'?" (New Yorker, by Molly Ringwald, April 6, 2018) https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/what-about-the-breakfast-club-molly-ringwald-metoo-john-hughes-pretty-in-pink  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this episode. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

After talking about racism evident in a couple national news stories, Amy brings a recent example of her own racism to discuss with Don. Together, they dive deep into taking responsibility for making anti-oppression training easier, the need to let other people in relationships voice their own experience with harm, and the limited role listening and empathy plays in growth.Additional resources:"Country star Morgan Wallen sees album sales spike despite industry backlash over N-word video" (NBC News, by Wilson Wong, February 8, 2021)https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/country-star-sees-sales-spike-despite-industry-backlash-over-n-n1257065 "Mind and Body: Outcomes of a lifesaving procedure reveal systemic racism" (Inverse, by Sarah Sloat, February 3, 2021)https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/heart-transplant-systemic-racism-study Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this episode.Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy discuss the Strategies of Disconnection, a key concept in Relational-Cultural Theory about the practice of hiding parts of yourself in order to maintain relationships. Amy also talks with Don about some recent news items that land on the Racism Radar—including a Southern Baptist pastor and Bloomington's new Racial Equity Task Force—and makes a pitch to listen to the New York Times serial podcast about schools, Nice White Parents, hosted by Chana Joffe-Walt.Additional resources:"Bedford Man Arrested After Hiding Missing Juvenile" (WBIW, February 2, 2021)http://www.wbiw.com/2021/02/02/bedford-man-arrested-after-hiding-missing-juvenile/ "City of Bloomington seeks applications for resident-led Racial Equity Task Force" (Indiana Daily Student, by Christina Avery, January 27, 2021)https://www.idsnews.com/article/2021/01/bloomington-racial-equity-task-force "Racial Equity Task Force Application to Serve" (City of Bloomington)https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddYYYYVu8DAhIY2g9oXcb7O1hJq9NGt7ww47Tl53mrEybJHQ/viewform Nice White Parents podcast (Serial Productions)https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice-white-parents/id1524080195 "IU environmental project to begin at former shooting ranges" (IU News Room, June 12, 2003)https://newsinfo.iu.edu/news-archive/1005.html "How I-65/70 shattered Black neighborhoods" (Indianapolis Recorder, December 27, 2018)https://indianapolisrecorder.com/c57d7e9c-09e4-11e9-b276-83369364ae4e/ Catalog of Terms (International Center for Growth and Connection)https://www.growthinconnection.org/catalog-of-terms-index "Justin Bieber & benny blanco - Lonely (Official Music Video)" (YouTube, by Justin Bieber, October 16, 2020)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQOO2xGQ1Pc "Arlington pastor Dwight McKissic receives racist letter after leaving Southern Baptists of Texas Convention" (The Dallas Morning News, by Brandi Addison, February 3, 2021)https://www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/2021/02/03/arlington-pastor-dwight-mckissic-receives-racist-letter-after-leaving-southern-baptists-of-texas-convention/Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this episode.Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

After overcoming some technical problems, Don joins Amy for a wide-ranging conversation about national politics and the possibility of the GameStop short squeeze becoming common ground for both ends of the political spectrum. The friends touch on a few items in the news, including the local challenges of providing shelter for unhoused people who have been trying to survive in tents pitched in public parks.Special thanks to Six Umbrellas, whose song "Asset House" provides the beats for Don's debut (presumably) in electronic music.Additional resources:"Trump opens 'Office of the Former President' in Florida" (CBS News, by Melissa Quinn, January 27, 2021)https://www.cbsnews.com/news/office-of-the-former-president-trump-florida/ "Tens of thousands of voters drop Republican affiliation after Capitol riot" (The Hill, by Reid Wilson, January 27, 2021)https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/536113-tens-of-thousands-of-voters-drop-republican-affiliation-after-capitol?rl=1 "Republican Party faces rage from both pro- and anti-Trump voters" (Reuters, by Peter Eisler, Chris Kahn, Tim Reid, Simon Lewis, and Jarrett Renshaw, January 13, 2021)https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-supporters-insight/republican-party-faces-rage-from-both-pro-and-anti-trump-voters-idUSKBN29J08S "Trump political team disavows "Patriot Party" groups" (Axios, by Lachlan Markay, January 25, 2021)https://www.axios.com/trump-political-team-disavows-patriot-party-groups-f97c1a07-2541-4ba9-baee-6e31ced88bfa.html Patriot Party (1960s-1980s) (Wikipedia)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Party_(1960s%E2%80%931980s) "GameStop And The Short Squeeze" (NPR, by Paddy Hirsch and Stacey Vanek Smith, January 27, 2021)https://www.npr.org/2021/01/27/961291455/gamestop-and-the-short-squeeze "Saagar Enjeti: Wall Street Elites DESTROYED, Beaten By Redditors At Their Own RIGGED Game" (YouTube, The Hill, January 27, 2021)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ToOGrUQ7ME "Should Betting Against Companies Be Illegal?" (Dave Manuel)https://www.davemanuel.com/2019/05/28/should-short-selling-be-illegal/ "THIS. IS. THE. TYPE. OF. ENERGY. I. NEED. IN. MY. LIFE. DO. NOT. SELL." (Twitter, @GenelJumalon, January 28, 2021)https://twitter.com/geneljumalon/status/1354806165968834568?s=21 "Defund the Mounties? Native peoples call for changes to Canada’s policing" (Christian Science Monitor, By Moira Donovan and Sara Miller Llana, January 25, 2021)https://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2021/20210125 "Froswa' Booker-Drew: A Champion for South Dallas Nonprofits" (Dallas Doing Good, by Roselle Tenorio)https://www.dallasdoinggood.com/doing-good/froswa-booker-drew-a-champion-for-south-dallas-nonprofits "Where To Find Free Wi-Fi Hotspots In Monroe County" (Indiana Public Media, by Payton Knobeloch, March 25, 2020)https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/where-to-find-free-wi-fi-hotspots-in-monroe-county.php "'Everybody has a right to live': Protesters criticize mayor, BPD after Seminary Square Park eviction" (Indiana Daily Student, by Cate Charron, December 12, 2020)https://www.idsnews.com/article/2020/12/everybody-has-a-right-to-live-protesters-criticize-mayor-bpd-after-seminary-square-park-eviction "Bloomington City Council members drafting ordinance to better protect homeless camps" (Indiana Daily Student, by Madison Smalstig, January 31, 2021)https://www.idsnews.com/article/2021/01/bloomington-homeless-camps-ordinance Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Fresh off of another successful peaceful transition of power in the U.S.—and despite attempts to the contrary two weeks earlier—Don and Amy enjoy the moments of joy that broke through the clouds in the form of President Joe Biden's inauguration, even as they acknowledge the problems that persist. The highlight of that event for many came from poet Amanda Gorman, whose words spoke of the messy and unfinished nature of this country. Their conversation also touches on the cult of QAnon, a new podcast where a man listens to women, growing up in the Bicentennial, and the two degrees of separation that connect them to the T.V. show "Glee."Additional resources:"The shock and awe of Donald Trump's final days" (Salon, by Heather Digby Parton, January 22, 2021)https://www.salon.com/2021/01/22/the-shock-and-awe-of-donald-trumps-final-days/?fbclid=IwAR1C3XVD28cUaL0Pkru37XNxPwtKzM3ZW1HjbMZ9WPVKIVqe-TLIFyBmGXw "QAnon believers are in disarray after Biden is inaugurated" (CNN Business, by Brian Fung and Karen Yurieff, January 21, 2021)https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/20/tech/qanon-believers-inauguration-reaction/index.html "How Stuart Watson became 'A Man Listening' to women" (WBUR, January 19, 2021)https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/01/19/stuart-watson-man-listening "Poet Amanda Gorman reads 'The Hill We Climb'" (YouTube, ABC News, January 20, 2021)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz4YuEvJ3y4 "READ: Transcript of Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem" (The Hill, January 20, 2021)https://thehill.com/homenews/news/535052-read-transcript-of-amanda-gormans-inaugural-poem "The Story of the 1975-1976 AMERICAN FREEDOM TRAIN" (by Larry Wines)https://www.freedomtrain.org/american-freedom-train-home.htm "Choir director earns Lifetime Achievement Award" (The Republic, by Brian Blair, June 3, 2016)http://www.therepublic.com/2016/06/04/a_salute_to_the_choirmaster/ "From 'Nip/Tuck' to High School 'Glee'" (NPR Fresh Air, by Terry Gross, May 15, 2009)https://www.npr.org/transcripts/104199257 "Chicago native uses real life for 'Glee' inspiration" (Chicago Tribune, September 9, 2009)https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2009-09-09-0909090178-story.html "Biden inheriting nonexistent coronavirus vaccine distribution plan and must start 'from scratch,' sources say" (CNN, by MJ Lee, January 21, 2021)https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/21/politics/biden-covid-vaccination-trump/index.html Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy and Don discuss a statement from the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus seeking transparency in the search for a new superintendent to head the local school corporation. This conversation covers the importance of representation and the problems inherent in sustaining a Good-Ol'-Boy network. The friends also note the similarities between the people who stormed the Capitol last week and those who arrived in 2019 to support the presence of white supremacists in the city farmers' market.Additional resources:"As a community that strives and struggles ..." (Press Release, by Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus, January 13, 2021)https://www.facebook.com/MCBlackDems/posts/2146847068784500The Mill: Fast 15 (Dimension Mill, December 22, 2020)https://dimensionmill.org/fast15-awards/?fbclid=IwAR09DZAfJTyCYK_6FWA0QlbM_XmTFajQLE4jHyS4T89Hwp1gM-IkwzpTdh0#markay"Indiana students wore a Confederate flag to school. Now the flag is banned." (Indianapolis Star News, by Vic Ryckaert and Holly V. Hays, October 27, 2016)https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2016/10/27/indiana-students-wore-confederate-flag-school-now-flag-banned/92823636/ "Towing company employee fired for video about death of George Floyd" (WTHR, by Emily Longnecker, June 12, 2020)https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/george-floyd-tik-tok-video-towing-company-employee-fired/531-59a2a9a8-1910-4d5c-a63f-bcbb5391e7fd "Timeline: How Trump mob stormed the US Capitol, forcing Washington into lockdown" (USA Today, by George Petras, Janet Loehrke, Ramon Padilla, Javier Zarracina and Jennifer Borresen, January 13, 2021)https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/2021/01/06/dc-protests-capitol-riot-trump-supporters-electoral-college-stolen-election/6568305002/ "Decoding the extremist symbols and groups at the Capitol Hill insurrection" (CNN, by Mallory Simon and Sara Sidner, January 11, 2021)https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/09/us/capitol-hill-insurrection-extremist-flags-soh/index.html "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" (Wikipedia)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Hill_Autonomous_Zone "The Things You Are Getting Wrong About White Supremacists Is What Allows Them To Grow" (Medium, by Gwen Frisbie-Fulton, January 12, 2021)https://gwenfrisbiefulton.medium.com/the-things-you-are-getting-wrong-about-white-supremacists-is-what-allows-them-to-grow-553fa1cf54c8 Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Back after a holiday hiatus, Don and Amy try to catch up on the events of the day: an attack on the U.S. Capitol building that delayed the certification of electoral votes for President and Vice-President. Discussion includes reactions by various groups, the comfort of being believed, and the differences in approach to mob actions by police.Additional resources:"If you had the Indiana Football Coaches Association ..." (Twitter, by @AustinHoughTGN, January 6, 2021)https://twitter.com/AustinHoughTGN/status/1346963999800356865?s=20"147 Republican lawmakers still objected to the election results after the Capitol attack" (Vox, by Li Zhou, January 7, 2021)https://www.vox.com/2021/1/6/22218058/republicans-objections-election-results"Longtime Arizona QAonon supporter in horned helmet joins storming of U.S. Capitol" (Arizona Republic, by Richard Ruelas, January 6, 2021)https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2021/01/06/arizona-qanon-supporter-jake-angeli-joins-storming-u-s-capitol/6568513002/"Man In Capitol Mob Fired After Wearing His Company ID Badge To Riot" (Forbes, by Joe Walsh, January 7, 2021)https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/01/07/man-in-capitol-mob-fired-after-wearing-his-company-id-badge-to-riot/?sh=2d8632b3514a"Buffalo protester Martin Gugino has a fractured skull and cannot walk" (CNN, by Jacqueline Rose and Eric Levenson, June 16, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/16/us/martin-gugino-protester-skull/index.html"Capitol Police Didn't Open Gates for Rioters, Says Man Behind Viral Video" (Newsweek, by Matt Cannon, January 7, 2021)https://www.newsweek.com/capitol-police-didnt-open-gates-rioters-viral-video-1559728"Anti-Racism and Dr. Susan Moore's Legacy" (University of Michigan Health Lab, by Matthew Wixson, January 7, 2021)https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/anti-racism-and-dr-susan-moores-legacy"Brad Stevens Speaks Out Against Capitol Riot, President Trump; Celtics Walk Off Floor In Miami" (CBS Boston, by CBSBoston.com Staff, January 6, 2021)https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/01/06/celtics-brad-stevens-speaks-out-against-capitol-riots-president-trump-nba/"The insurrection is happening at state capitols, too" (Vox, by Fabiola Cineas, January 6, 2021)https://www.vox.com/2021/1/6/22217736/state-capitol-stop-the-steal-protests-rallies"Olive Garden Yanked Into Trump Culture War With CNN Comment" (Bloomberg, by Anne Riley Moffat, January 8, 2021)https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-08/olive-garden-yanked-into-trump-s-culture-war-with-cnn-comment"Thread ... I got arrested for sitting on the floor in a Senate office ..." (Twitter, by @jenniferflynn, January 6, 2021)https://twitter.com/jenniferflynn/status/1346987188408508416?s=21"Institutional racism contributes to Covid-19's 'double whammy' impact on the Black community, Fauci says" (CNN Health, by Jacqueline Howard, December 18, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/23/health/coronavirus-pandemic-racism-fauci-bn/index.html"Demonstrations & Political Violence in America: New data for Summer 2020" (ACLED, by Roudabeh Kishi and Sam Jones, September 3, 2020)https://acleddata.com/2020/09/03/demonstrations-political-violence-in-america-new-data-for-summer-2020/"An Incomplete History of White Election Violence" (The Root, by Michael Harriot, November 2, 2020)https://www.theroot.com/an-incomplete-history-of-white-election-violence-1845533143 Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy are joined by Dr. Maureen Walker in discussing disruptive empathy and the challenge of engaging across difference, especially when part of that difference rejects the humanity of the other. They also explore the persistence of white supremacy across our history and within groups that are not white.This episode contains several mentions of the N-word.Additional resources:"Exclusive: Lee Atwater's Infamous 1981 Interview on the Southern Strategy" (The Nation, by Rick Perlstein, November 13, 2012)https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/exclusive-lee-atwaters-infamous-1981-interview-southern-strategy/ "Notes on the State of Virginia" (by Thomas Jefferson, February 27, 1787)https://docsouth.unc.edu/southlit/jefferson/jefferson.html "The Wife of His Youth" (The Atlantic, by Charles W. Chesnutt, July 1898)https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1898/07/the-wife-of-his-youth/306658/ Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy and Don share their "After-election Word Barf" to reflect on a projected victory for Joe Biden and end to the Donald Trump administration. While recognizing lots of work and difficult times remain, the friends discuss the challenges of talking to people mired in fear and end with a list of three good things that lift their spirits.Additional resources:"U.S. Presidential Election Results 2020: Biden Wins" (NBC News)https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-elections/president-results "Laugh? We nearly all died - Why my US failed state Twitter thread went viral" (The Guardian, by Patrick Gathara, November 15, 2020)https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/15/patrick-gathara-donald-trump-us-election-joe-biden-twitter-thread "Police groups break with Biden" (Politico, by Marc Caputo and Natasha Korecki, June 4, 2020)https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/04/police-groups-joe-biden-300222 "Transforming Community Through Disruptive Empathy" (Whole Person, by Maureen Walker, June 9, 2016)https://wholeperson.com/blog/transforming-community-through-disruptive-empathy  "Give Us Life" (Spotify playlist, compiled by Kevin Makice for pandemic 2020)https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oTK358qK5GPsWVpmRvXAW?si=KtFLxKuvRSmpLMjL3up1eQ Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

As Election Day approaches, Amy and Don talk about efforts to put social workers in the local police department, and the problems inherent in that approach. Don shares the second half of a story he started in a previous episode about being harassed by local law enforcement. Plus, a little more Lovecraft Country and a plug to watch Schitt's Creek.If you missed the first half of Don's story, listen to Episode 2.23 ("Love Louder").By the time the next episode comes out, the country will have finished casting their votes to shape the course of the nation for the next four years. #Vote, if you haven't already. Be respectful, and be safe.Additional resources:"How Zello Became A Recruitment & Organizing Tool For The Far Right" (WNYC Studios, On the Media, October 16, 2020)https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/how-zello-became-recruitment-organizing-app-far-right "A friend in NE Iowa works as a child care provider ..." (Twitter, by Sarah Ziegenhorn, October 13, 2020)https://twitter.com/sarah_ziggy/status/1316045446553321472 "Activists want to defund police departments. What could that look like in Bloomington?" (Indiana Daily Student, by Vivek Rao and Kaitlyn Radde, October 8, 2020)https://www.idsnews.com/article/2020/10/activists-want-to-defund-police-departments-what-could-that-look-like-in-bloomington-black-lives-matter "Letter to Council Members" (Defund12)https://defund12.org/bloomington "Bloomington To Create Two New Racial Equality Task Forces" (Indiana Public Media, by Ethan Burks, October 21, 2020)https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/bloomington-creates-two-new-racial-equality-task-forces.php "City Proposes A New Commission On Public Safety" (Indiana Public Media, by Ethan Burks, October 29, 2020)https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/city-proposes-a-new-commission-on-public-safety.php "Episode 2.23: Love Louder" (My Racist Friend, September 13, 2020)https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-eg3hd-eb5edb "Why the hope and optimism of Schitt's Creek matters" (Medium, aristhought, December 30, 2019)https://medium.com/@aristhought/why-the-hope-and-optimism-of-schitts-creek-matters-18fbbe3acae4 "5-hour Empathy" (SNL, October 17, 2020)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP0H0j4pCOg Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy participated in a virtual session at the Flyover Podcast Festival, hosted online by Dimension Mill on October 8-9, 2020. In their session—"Sharing the Messy Parts of Relationships"—they talked about how they started this podcast, the impact it has had, and what they hope to accomplish by continuing to share their conversations.Thanks to Rachel Kucera, Gretchen Knapp, and everyone at Dimension Mill (including Sweetwater, for sponsoring the event).Additional resources:"Letter alleges white supremacists sell at farmers' market" (Indiana Daily Student, by Ellen Hine, June 11, 2019)https://www.idsnews.com/article/2019/06/letter-alleges-white-supremacists-sell-at-farmers-market  "Bloomington Community Farmers' Market releases apology after controversial statement" (Indiana Daily Student, by Lauren McLaughlin, June 12, 2020)https://www.idsnews.com/article/2020/06/bloomington-community-farmers-market-releases-apology-after-controversial-statement "Digging Into Solutions for Bloomington Farmers Market" (WBIW, August 13, 2019)http://www.wbiw.com/2019/08/13/digging-into-solutions-for-the-market/  Proud Boys (Southern Poverty Law Center)https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys  Dimension Millhttps://dimensionmill.org/ Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Fresh news that Donald Trump was hospitalized after contracting coronavirus is fodder for a discussion about loving kindness toward harmful people and the generational traumas of both enabling and suffering oppression. Amy and Don talk about the importance of making the negative impact of power visible, because you can't change what you won't acknowledge.In this episode Amy incorrectly attributes an article on power. The article, written by Jean Baker Miller in 2010, is included in the resource links belowAdditional resources:"How Trump Could Have Exposed Biden and Others to COVID at the Debate" (Scientific American, by Tanya Lewis, October 5, 2020)https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-trump-could-have-exposed-biden-and-others-to-covid-at-the-debate/ "Here's a timeline of Trump's Covid-19 illness so far" (CNN, by , October 5, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-covid-19-updates-monday/h_af259942e082eb5da10230e33f2da6feStreet Lovingkindness Video Series (Sharon Salzberg)https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/street-lovingkindness-video-series/ "A 'Karen' by Any Other Name ..." (Maureen Walker, October 1, 2020)https://maureenwalker.com/a-karen-by-any-other-name/ "Telling the Truth About Power" (Women & Therapy Journal, by Jean Baker Miller, November 29, 2010)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02703140802146282 "Bias in your body" (My Racist Friend podcast, May 13, 2020)https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-tdjw6-dc5097 "Clear Language on Slavery" (Twitter, @AbsurdistWords, June 24, 2020)https://twitter.com/absurdistwords/status/1275896853326897153 On October 8, 2020, Don and Amy will participate in a virtual session at the Flyover Podcast Festival, hosted online by Dimension Mill. In their 2p session—"Sharing the Messy Parts of Relationships"—they will talk about how they started this podcast, the impact it has had, and what they hope to accomplish by continuing to share their conversations.Get tickets to the October 8-9 festival at half price by using the discount code "FRIENDZ".Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Our friends discuss threatening comments posted in response to Don sharing an article on Facebook about vehicles being used as weapons against protestors, and the limits of engaging violent speech. Amy and Don share their frustration and confusion about exchanges irreconcilable with their desire to connect across differences. Plus, more examples of things that give them strength.Additional resources:"What Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court Nomination Means For The 2020 Election" (NPR, by Deirdre Walsh, September 27, 2020)https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/917303199/what-amy-coney-barretts-supreme-court-nomination-means-for-the-2020-election"Long-concealed Records Show Trump's Chronic Losses and Years of Tax Avoidance" (New York Times, by Russ Buettner, Susanne Craig and Mike McIntire, September 27, 2020)https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/09/27/us/donald-trump-taxes.html "Explained: How Trump's strategy to deter 3.5m Black Americans from voting worked in 2016" (YouTube, Channel 4 News, September 28, 2020)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reae0qgZ8bM Ween on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/3u1ulLq00Y3bfmq9FfjsPu?autoplay=true "Vehicles are being used as weapons against BLM protesters" (CNN Tonight, by Evan McMorris-Santoro, September 2020)https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2020/09/26/vehicles-weapons-against-protesters-mcmorris-santoro-dnt-ctn-vpx.cnn Iamtabithabrown (TikTok)https://www.tiktok.com/@iamtabithabrown "#166 Country of Liars" (ReplyAll, by PJ Vogt, September 18, 2020)https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all/llhe5nm "I Won't Let You Down" by OK Go (iTunes)https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-wont-let-you-down/1329026488?i=1329026709 On October 8, 2020, Don and Amy will participate in a virtual session at the Flyover Podcast Festival, hosted online by Dimension Mill. In their 2p session—"Sharing the Messy Parts of Relationships"—they will talk about how they started this podcast, the impact it has had, and what they hope to accomplish by continuing to share their conversations.Get tickets to the October 8-9 festival at half price by using the discount code "FRIENDZ".Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Lovecraft Country again serves as a catalyst for conversation, with a recent episode of the TV series touching on the dangers to Black residents when integrating white neighborhoods. Don and Amy talk about school districting and home purchases, sparking an eclectic conversation that includes cultivating community and the recurring trauma Black people experience during this cultural awakening to white supremacy.Additional resources:"Ossian Sweet (1895-1960)" (Black Past, by Susan Bragg, July 18, 2007)https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/sweet-ossian-1895-1960/ "The 'Lovecraft Country' House Attack Sequence Evoked the 1951 Cicero Race Riots" (Men's Health, by Josh St. Clair, August 31, 2020)https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a33809239/lovecraft-country-cicero-housing-riots-true-story/ "Bright Size Life" by Pat Metheny (Apple iTunes)https://music.apple.com/us/album/bright-size-life/1523943125?i=1523943437 Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy discuss the impact of the new HBO series 'Lovecraft Country' (while trying to avoid any spoilers) and how it relates to the local and national stress surrounding race in America. Don shares an experience near his home confronting a group protesting the Bloomington mayor in support of law enforcement, and how his courage to challenge racist narratives online is impacting his business.NOTE: This is the second episode of the pandemic where these two friends were in the same physical space, this time out amongst tree trimmers, construction, and the prelude to 2021's return of the cicadas. As a result, there is a lot of background noise throughout their discussions. Additional resources:"RallyMayor2" (Facebook, by the Bloomingtonian, August 23, 2020)https://www.facebook.com/290914014937212/videos/306912050755160"Gallery: Red, White and BLUE rally at the Courthouse Square"(Bloomingtonian, by Jeremy Hogan, August 23, 2020)https://bloomingtonian.com/2020/08/23/gallery-defend-the-police-rally-at-the-courthouse-square/"Black Lives Matter demonstrators attack “elderly man wearing oxygen.”" (Politifact, by Tom Kertscher, June 29, 2020)https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/jul/07/facebook-posts/older-man-was-struck-demonstration-not-oxygen/"New Jersey BLM leader charged with shoving elderly man during rally" (New York Post, by Lee Brown, August 19, 2020)https://nypost.com/2020/08/19/blm-leader-charged-with-punching-elderly-man-during-rally/"Few African-American golfers on the PGA tour" (Richmond Free Press, by Fred Jeter, June 25, 2020)http://richmondfreepress.com/news/2020/jun/25/few-african-american-golfers-pga-tour/"American Tennis in Black and White" (New Yorker, by Gerald Marzorati, August 3, 2016)https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/american-tennis-in-black-and-white"Wisconsin police shoot a Black man as his children watch from a vehicle, attorney says" (CNN, by Eliott C. McLaughlin and Amir Vera, August 24, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/24/us/kenosha-police-shooting-jacob-blake/index.htmlBuy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy and Don talk about a neighborhood petition to rename "Dixie Street" in Bloomington, reflecting on both small meaningful actions and empty gestures. Their conversation covers the presence and suggestion of racism in the songs we sing and the media we watch. NOTE: This is the first episode of the pandemic where these two friends were in the same physical space. As a result, there is a lot of background noise throughout their discussions. Additional resources:"Bloomington, Indiana: Rename Dixie Street" (Change.org, by S. Sherry, August 14, 2020)https://www.change.org/p/city-of-bloomington-plan-commission-bloomington-indiana-rename-dixie-street"What 'Dixie' Really Means" (Atlantic, by Ben Zimmer, June 26, 2020)https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/06/what-dixie-really-means/613585/"12 Good Ol' Facts About the 'Dukes of Hazzard'" (Mental Floss, by Jake Rossen, January 26, 2019)https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/65519/12-good-ol-facts-about-dukes-hazzard"What Did the 'Dukes of Hazzard' Really Say About the South" (Time, by James Poniewozik, July 2, 2015)https://time.com/3944668/dukes-of-hazzard-tv-land-confederate-flag/"The changing profile of the U.S. military: Smaller in size, more diverse, more women in leadership" (Pew Research Center, by Amanda Barroso, September 10, 2019)https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/09/10/the-changing-profile-of-the-u-s-military/"Even in her uniform, this happened ..." (Facebook post, by Ashley Bryant, August 1, 2020)https://www.facebook.com/immelaninaire/posts/3278691135547490Onion Lawshttps://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/onions/onionlaws.htmlBuy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Prompted by a recent essay calling for an end to using the pejorative 'Karen', Amy wrestles with how sexism interferes and overlaps with anti-racism work. She and Don discuss how they participate in the systems they want to change—even while they are being hurt—and the importance of being authentic in a world that values power. Additional resources:"How That 'Karen' Meme Benefits the Right" (The National Memo, by Nina Burleigh, July 18, 2020)https://www.nationalmemo.com/karen-meme"What's In a 'Karen'?" (NPR Code Switch, by Karen Grigsby Bates, July 15, 2020)https://www.npr.org/2020/07/14/891177904/whats-in-a-karen"'Karen' Isn't a Slur - It's a Critique of Entitled White Womanhood" (Bitch Media, by Rachel Charlene Lewis, by April 10, 2020)https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/very-online/the-karen-meme-isnt-a-slur-its-a-social-critique"How 'Karen' Became a Coronavirus Villain" (Atlantic, by Kaitlyn Tiffany, May 6, 2020)https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/05/coronavirus-karen-memes-reddit-twitter-carolyn-goodman/611104/"Just Because You Never Called a Woman a Bitch Doesn't Mean You Haven't Called a Woman a Bitch" (Esquire, by Kelly Stout, July 24, 2020)https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a33409041/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-house-speech-ted-yoho/"A small story ..." (Twitter, by Quinn Cummings, July 25, 2020)https://twitter.com/quinncy/status/1287099839726018560Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

After a holiday weekend filled with racist acts and protest drew the world's attention to Bloomington, Don and Amy talk through their reactions to these events and how they are processing the visible violence in their community. Don revisits a childhood incident in a new light, and they discuss the fear that results from acts of terrorism.Additional resources:"Arrest at Monroe Lake spurs IU football players to voice concern over racial profiling" (Indiana Daily Student, by Grace Ybarra, June 28, 2020)https://www.idsnews.com/article/2020/06/arrest-at-lake-monroe-spurs-iu-football-players-to-voice-concern-over-racial-profilingDarwin Davis, Jr. (Twitter, @DeeDavisX, July 3, 2020)https://twitter.com/DeeDavisX/status/1279107572092620801"I don't want to recount this ..." (Facebook, Vauhxx Booker, July 5, 2020)https://www.facebook.com/vauhxx/posts/10222147157086001"Friends. This is all for one man. ..."(Facebook, Stephanie Fertucci, June 26, 2020)https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.s.janson/posts/10100731334387383"Over 60 people have driven their cars into BLM protesters since May" (Mic, by Ray Levy-Uyeda, July 9, 2020)https://www.mic.com/p/over-60-people-have-driven-their-cars-into-blm-protesters-since-may-29075259"Mooresville protest in support of 'Black Lives Matter' brings out two groups with opposing points of view" (WTHR, by Emily Longnecker, July 3, 2020)https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/mooresville-protest-in-support-of-black-lives-matter-brings-out-two-groups-with-opposing-points-of-view/531-340e0d4e-6d62-4e1b-9090-4f8ba8a63cd7"Some raise concerns over Bloomington protesters with weapons" (WISH-TV, by Demie Johnson, July 9, 2020)https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/some-raise-concerns-over-bloomington-protesters-with-weapons/"Did an Armed Black Militia March Through a Georgia National Park?" (Snopes, by Our Ibrahim, July 9, 2020)https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/armed-black-militia-georgia-park/ "An Open Letter to the Organizers of the Woolery Market" (The People’s Market Planning Committee)https://www.peoplesmarketbtown.org/an-open-letter-to-bwfm-in-summer Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy reflects on the childhood memory shared by Don in the previous episode and the difficulty in reconciling racism in someone she loves. Together, they revisit a painful moment for Don at an awards program in which they both participated, and Amy tries to reconcile the racism she carries.Additional resources:"The Violence of white (and non-Black PoC) Apologies" (Medium, by Ciarra Jones, June 9, 2020)https://medium.com/@ciarrajones/the-violence-of-white-and-non-black-poc-apologies-d1321c0ccb8e"Fact Check: 'Irish Slaves' meme repeats discredited article" (Reuters, June 19, 2020)https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-slaves/fact-check-irish-slaves-meme-repeats-discredited-article-idUSKBN23Q1LQ"Loving John Hughes Movies While Black" (Medium, by mauludSADIQ, January 23, 2017)https://medium.com/the-brothers/loving-john-hughes-movies-while-black-1c4acba2e628"America to Me" (Wikipedia)https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/America_to_Me"About Positive Discipline" https://www.positivediscipline.com/about-positive-disciplineBlack Lives Matter Bloomington - Donationshttps://blm.btown-in.org/Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

In this week's conversation, Don wrestles with what to do with the anger aggregating with each news alert, racist Facebook post, and recalled memory. In processing how that anger has changed over time, Amy talks about our inclination to diminish or dismiss harm done by people we like.Warning: The cursing was not edited out for this episode, and (spoiler) they don't really talk about the Farmer's Market.Additional resources:"The 'Arab Spring': Five Years On" (Amnesty International)https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2016/01/arab-spring-five-years-on/"Philando Castile's Daughter Said To Girlfriend After He Died: I Don't Want You To Get Shooted | TIME" (YouTube, by TIME, June 22, 2017)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlTv3jEhpXM"While celebrities partner with NAACP to 'take responsibility' for racism" (The Detroit News, by Christi Carras, June 12, 2020)https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2020/06/12/white-celebrities-partner-naacp-take-responsibility-racism/3174582001/"How accurate is 'Mrs. America's' portrayal of Shirley Chisholm? We looked into it." (Los Angeles Times, by Meredith Blake, April 24, 2020)https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-04-24/mrs-america-shirley-chisholm-abortion-convention"A black activist who trained police officers on implicit bias was injured with rubber bullet during protest" (CNN, by Madeline Holcombe and Sarah Moon, June 9, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/09/us/san-jose-police-training-activist-rubber-bullets-trnd/index.html“Sir, Can We Talk About Your Knee on My Neck?” (By Maureen Walker, June 15, 2020)https://maureenwalker.com/sir-can-we-talk-about-your-knee-on-my-neck/Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy discuss the ongoing protests against police brutality, including both the large gathering in Bloomington on June 5 and (briefly) an inflammatory statement by the Broadening Inclusion Group of the local farmer's market that same day. They try to process some of the recent instances of violence against protestors and discuss the role RCT plays in seeking understanding.Additional resources:"Racism Is Surging in Germany. Tens of Thousands Are Taking to the Streets to Call for Justice" (Time, by Billy Perrigo and Melissa Godin, June 11, 2020)https://time.com/5851165/germany-anti-racism-protests/"The NFL's backtracking apology forgot one thing: Colin Kaepernick" (Mashable, by Adam Rosenberg, June 7, 2020)https://mashable.com/article/colin-kaepernick-nfl-roger-goodell-black-lives-matter/"Why Romney Marched" (The Atlantic, McKay Coppins, June 8, 2020)https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/06/mitt-romney-black-lives-matter/612808/"Austin police fired at a crowd transporting a protester injured by an officer" (CNN, by Christina Maxouris and Raja Razek, June 7, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/07/us/austin-texas-police-bean-bag-20-year-old-injured/index.html"Black Against the Wall" (Bloomington Black Lives Matter, June 6, 2020)https://www.facebook.com/blacklivesmatterbtown/posts/3865770443464840"Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market releases apology after controversial statement" (Indiana Daily Student, by Lauren McLaughlin, June 11, 2020)https://www.idsnews.com/article/2020/06/bloomington-community-farmers-market-releases-apology-after-controversial-statement"Radio Raheem's death in Spike Lee's 'Do The Right Thing' still haunts America" (liveMint, by Uday Bhatia, June 3, 2020)https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/radio-raheem-s-death-in-spike-lee-s-do-the-right-thing-still-haunts-america-11591184771351.html"15 Years Later, Tawana Brawley Has Paid 1 Percent Of Penalty" (NPR, by Mark Memmott, August 5, 2013)https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/08/05/209194252/15-years-later-tawana-brawley-has-paid-1-percent-of-penalty"Trump 'How to Black People/How to Bible" (YouTube, uploaded by Jeff Hill, June 3, 2020)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6pmzTr3eUQ&feature=youtu.be Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

The last week of May was draining. The murder of George Floyd under the knee of the Minneapolis police was set up by Amy Cooper's 911 call and stalled justice for Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others. Don and Amy reflect on the barrage of events since their previous conversation, including the resulting protests of police brutality around the world and the outcome of policing tactics on display. They also revisit the continued presence of white supremacists in the local farmers market, a year after protests began, and explore a possible solution for institutionalize racism: reparations.Additional resources:"David Clarke says Michelle Obama said she was proud of U.S. only after Barack Obama became president" (Politifact, by Tom Kertscher, February 23, 2017)https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2017/feb/23/david-clarke-jr/david-clarke-says-michelle-obama-said-she-was-prou/  "Trump risks potential backlash from evangelicals with 'tone-deaf' Bible photo-op" (CNN, by Michael Warren, June 3, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/trump-evangelicals-church-protests/index.html  "Louisville police shoot reporter with pepper bullets during protest on live TV" (CBS News, by Li Cohen, May 30, 2020)https://www.cbsnews.com/news/louisville-police-shoot-reporter-with-pepper-bullets-during-protest-on-live-tv/  "This one image explains what’s happening at the anti-racism protests" (Fast Company, by David Lidsky, June 2, 2020)https://www.fastcompany.com/90512109/this-one-image-explains-whats-happening-at-the-anti-racism-protests  "Youth pastor claims he was kidnapped by black men to avoid admitting why he was in a hotel room" (LGBTQ Nation, by Bil Browning, May 25, 2020)https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/05/youth-pastor-claims-kidnapped-black-men-avoid-admitting-hotel-room/  "Florida mother who claimed her son was kidnapped by 2 Black men is seen on surveillance video trying to drown him before later killing him." (Black Enterprise, by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton, May 27, 2020)https://www.blackenterprise.com/florida-mother-who-claimed-her-son-was-kidnapped-by-2-black-men-is-seen-on-surveillance-video-trying-to-drown-him-before-later-killing-him/  "Amy Cooper’s 911 call is part of an all-too-familiar pattern" (Vox, by Anna North May 26, 2020)https://www.vox.com/2020/5/26/21270699/amy-cooper-franklin-templeton-christian-central-park  "All four former officers involved in George Floyd's killing now face charges" (CNN, by Josh Campbell, Sara Sidner and Eric Levenson, June 4, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/george-floyd-officers-charges/index.html  "Minnesota governor personally apologizes to CNN reporter arrested while covering protests" (CNN, by Veronica Stracqualursi, June 3, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/tim-walz-apology-omar-jimenez-george-floyd/index.html  "6 Atlanta Officers Charged After Body Cam Footage Shows Them Using Tasers on Black College Students" (People, by Gabrielle Chung, June 2, 2020)https://people.com/crime/atlanta-officers-charged-after-body-cam-footage-shows-them-using-taser-on-black-students/  "Louisville fires its police chief over handling of fatal shooting during protest" (CNN, by Evan McMorris-Santoro, Kevin Brunelli and Theresa Waldrop, June 2, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/01/us/louisville-protests-man-shot-dead/index.html  "A white bar owner in Omaha shot and killed a black protester. He won't face charges." (CBS News, by Sophie Lewis, June 3, 2020)https://www.cbsnews.com/news/james-scurlock-black-protester-shot-jacob-gardner-white-bar-owner-protest/  "George Floyd protests in Pa. being hijacked by white supremacists, state official says" (York Daily Record, by Candy Woodall, June 2, 2020)https://www.ellwoodcityledger.com/news/20200602/george-floyd-protests-in-pa-being-hijacked-by-white-supremacists-state-official-says/3  "France not racist state, Macron spokesperson says after Paris protest" (The Guardian, by Kim Willsher, June 3, 2020)https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/03/clashes-at-paris-protest-against-racism-and-police-violence  "Cause of death: COVID-19, police violence or racism?" (Los Angeles Times, by Melissa Healy, June 2, 2020)https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-06-02/cause-of-death-covid-19-police-violence-or-racism Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

After over two weeks of fever, Amy reunites with Don online for a catch-up discussion that covers opening the state before we're ready, the value of local response to helping each other, and the role of connection when someone is being bullied. The two friends also talk about raising the bar on expectations for political leaders and our shared desire to make things appear less messy.This conversation was recorded one day before the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and a week of visible horrors instigated by a range of authoritarians. Unpacking everything will certainly be the topic of the next recorded episode.Additional resources:"Joe Biden Apologizes for 'You Ain't Black' Comments | NowThis" (YouTube, by NowThisNews, May 26, 2020)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Z9TvMBDQk"North Dakota Gov. Burgum Makes Emotional Plea On Wearing Face Masks | MSNBC" (YouTube, by MSNBC, May 23, 2020)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nVC0ldpVBQ&feature=youtu.be"Coronavirus: Here’s how germs are spread and where you’re most likely to catch them" (World Economic Forum, by Erin S. Bromage, May 6, 2020)https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/05/coronavirus-covid19-exposure-risk-catching-virus-germs?fbclid=IwAR1vyQiPgWDB7iCmbqIDb33jhu4r6TJcuZEohbrVneiOdhLfxJzffY0EM9EBuy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

With the inclusion of psychiatrist Dr. Amy Banks on the weekly Zoom call, Don talks with two Amys this week about racism at work when discussing police shootings and gun control. Dr. Banks explains the neuroscience that bakes our prejudices into our minds and body, and they talk about the value of recalling positive relational moments to help your body feel calm.Additional resources:"Indianapolis Police Officer Shoots Man in Livestreamed Killing. Here's What to Know" (Time, by Josiah Bates, May 7, 2020)https://time.com/5833625/indianapolis-police-shooting-sean-reed/"Coronavirus: Armed protesters enter Michigan statehouse" (BBC, May 1, 2020)https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52496514"Armed black citizens escort Michigan lawmaker to capitol after volatile rightwing protest" (The Guardian, by Lois Beckett, May 7, 2020)https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/07/michigan-lawmaker-armed-escort-rightwing-protestRising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist (by Eli Saslow)https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39706735-rising-ou "Trump contradicts nurse he's honoring over PPE availability" (CNN, by Nikki Carvajal, May 6, 2020)https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/06/politics/donald-trump-nurse-ppe-coronavirus/index.html Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

On the cusp of Indiana announcing plans to re-open parts of the state's economy, Amy and Don invite Dr. LaShawn Williams to join their conversation from her Utah home. They discuss the response to 'Karen' and the power dynamics embedded in the that slang term. They also discuss the risks of opening up states too soon and who carries the brunt of that risk.Additional resources:"About Caucasity and the Difference Between a Becky, a Karen and a Susan" (Awesomely Luvvie, by Luvvie Ajayi, April 27, 2020)https://www.awesomelyluvvie.com/2020/04/caucasity-karen-becky-susan.htmlInternational Center for Growth and Connection - Works in Progresshttps://www.growthinconnection.org/collections"Each of Indiana's reopening stages, explained" (Indianapolis Star, by Ethan May, May 1, 2020)https://www.indystar.com/story/news/health/2020/05/01/when-indiana-reopen-here-phases-set-reopening/3067992001/Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

As state governors take the forefront in determining how long and to what extent stay-at-home orders exist, Don and Amy check in with each other about new challenges that come with hitting Pause on familiar routines. They talk about the impact illness and sickness have had on their mood and about the changes that will need to happen for our country as it shifts away from life at home. Don also talks about his family's discussions around wearing a mask in public.Additional resources:Building a Thriving Compassionate Community (BTCC)http://www.btccbloomington.org/"Handcuffed: Black Miami Doctor Who Works with Homeless Says He Was Racially Profiled by Police" (DemocracyNow, April 20, 2020)https://www.democracynow.org/2020/4/20/dr_armen_henderson_florida_fisher_island"Two black men say they were kicked out of Walmart for wearing protective masks. Others worry it will happen to them." (Washington Post, by Tracy Jan, April 9, 2020)https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/09/masks-racial-profiling-walmart-coronavirus/"Muslim man says he was tasered for wearing a mask to a grocery store" (WUSA9, by Bruce Leshan, April 16, 2020)https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/muslim-man-says-he-was-tasered-by-grocery-store-security-guard-while-wearing-face-mask/65-900c5bfe-6e14-467e-9daf-e34218aff3d1Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

From their respective homes, Amy and Don connect through Zoom to update each other on the continued challenges of remaining at home. They explore the tensions between feeling gratitude for what privilege provides and feeling empathy toward those for whom a pandemic is risk to health and financial stability. The two friends speculate on what current behaviors they want to take with them after sheltering stops.Additional resources:Life Tribute page for Erin Marie McGarvey (Allen Funeral Home)https://www.allencares.com/obituaries/Erin-Mcgarvey/"George Goes Out on a High Note" (YouTube, by Josh Thomas, September 11, 2012)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YaaZZN9VYsBuy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

With birds and dogs in the background, Don and Amy catch up on another week of stay-at-home life and trying to keep COVID-19 at bay. The friends talk about taking action, as well as the need to be and privilege of being vulnerable. They also share what things are giving them hope in these stressful times.Additional resources:"Secret of Life - James Taylor" (YouTube)https://youtu.be/yHWHPPHpAj8 "Cooper Loves Ice Cream" (YouTube, by CoopersDogpatch, February 23, 2014)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHvExOg4NI0"Early Data Shows African Americans Have Contracted and Died of Coronavirus at an Alarming Rate" (ProPublica, by Akilah Johnson and Talia Buford, April 3, 2020)https://www.propublica.org/article/early-data-shows-african-americans-have-contracted-and-died-of-coronavirus-at-an-alarming-rate "The Coronavirus Doesn't Discriminate, But U.S. Health Care Showing Familiar Biases" (NPR, by Black Farmer, April 2, 2020)https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/04/02/825730141/the-coronavirus-doesnt-discriminate-but-u-s-health-care-showing-familiar-biases The planned 2020 Relational Summit scheduled for May 14-17 has been postponed. Follow the Bloomington Center for Connection on Facebook to be alerted when a new date is scheduled. Stay safe!Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

A week into spring break, Don and Amy talk about how they are coping with the stay-at-home order from Indiana Governor Holcomb. In their discussion, they talk about how the COVID crisis is forcing us to wrestle with our humanity and our responsibility toward both the planet and each other.Additional resources:Indiana News Releases from Governor Eric Holcombhttps://www.in.gov/gov/newsroom.htmNSFH Mutual Aid for COVID-19https://nospace4hate.btown-in.org/nsfh-mutual-aid/People's Market of Bloomington, Indianahttps://www.facebook.com/peoplescooperativemarket/The planned 2020 Relational Summit scheduled for May 14-17 has been postponed. Follow the Bloomington Center for Connection on Facebook to be alerted when a new date is scheduled. Stay safe!Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

On the cusp of a stay-at-home order from the state of Indiana, Don and Amy try to stay connected through technology. During their Zoom conference, the friends talk about the uneven impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the assumptions of our previous lives, and the challenges of evolving old routines in face of the current crisis.Additional resources:"Commodores - Zoom" (YouTube)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZiODSzUiYU"Zoom Episode one - intro" (YouTube)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gzHLKT5g4The planned 2020 Relational Summit scheduled for May 14-17 has been postponed. Follow the Bloomington Center for Connection on Facebook to be alerted when a new date is scheduled. Stay safe!Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Back in simpler times—aka a week ago—the social realities of living in a pandemic were just sinking in. Amy and Don follow an initial conversation about presidential politics with discussion of how the COVID-19 outbreak was disrupting their lives, including a desire to hug.The situation has changed rapidly since this conversation took place, and some of what is in this conversation may not reflect our current reality. Our hosts plan to continue talking through the mess over the next several weeks of extreme social distancing and quarantine, taking advantage of modern technology to continue connecting. Additional resources:"Rainbow Coalition Comes Full Circle as Jesse Jackson Endorses Bernie Sanders" (The Intercept, by Ryan Grim, 3/8/2020)https://theintercept.com/2020/03/08/rainbow-coalition-comes-full-circle-as-jesse-jackson-endorses-bernie-sanders/Kid 'N Play Kick Dance (House Party, 1990)

Prompted by an episode from another podcast, Amy shares her thoughts on disentangling her identity from Hoosier basketball. She and Don talk about the recent return of former Indiana University head basketball coach Bob Knight to Bloomington and what it was like to grow up in his shadow, unpacking some of the problematic underpinnings of his behavior.Additional resources:Hidden Brain: "Passion Isn't Enough: The Rise Of 'Political Hobbyism' in the United States" (NPR podcast, 2/10/2020)

This episode, Don and Amy invite two guests into their conversation. Aleisha Kropf asks Dr. LaShawn Williams to help her explore what it means to discover your hometown was a Sundown Town, even when you don't visit anymore. Along the way, the group discusses the culture of silence, parenting children of color, and passing as a means of survival.Additional resources:"Was your town a sundown town?" (James Loewen, UU World, 2/18/2008)"'Sundown towns': Midwest confronts its complicated racial legacy" (Jack Shuler, CSM, 3/27/2017)Follow the Bloomington Center for Connection on Facebook to find out more about the 2020 Relational Summit, to be held in Bloomington, Indiana on May 14-17.Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy and Don explore the value and challenges of getting in the MUD—Mystery, Uncertainty, and Doubt—where vulnerability creates space for change. They look at bias in a local newspaper article on Sarah Dye, a white supremacist who remains entrenched in the Bloomington Farmers Market, and discuss the varied reaction to the recent Super Bowl halftime show.Additional resources:Native Americans and Mount RushmoreThe Sordid History of Mount RushmoreGatehouse Media Buys Bloomington's Herald-TimesGatehouse Media (Influence Watch)Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy reflect on their growth since the first episode of Season One, revisiting the role of a non-violent approach and the importance of staying connected to hold space for change.The January 19th sermon by Dr. Maureen Walker and Jada Bee's talk on dismantling white supremacy can be found in the Universalist Unitarian live stream archives.Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes