Pan-African Thought Society

The Civil Rights Movement resulted in racial desegregation and eventual integration. Black folks' goal all along, was to obtain equal and unhindered access to the rights and privileges guaranteed to "all" in the Constitution. Is this what we received, or did it come with some things we hadn't even asked for? IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Show Notes http://panafrothought.libsyn.com/ Patreon www.patreon.com/panafrothought EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston

There is an ever-increasing push for gender neutrality and fluidity in western societies. This is fine for others, but is destroying an already crippled Black community. Men, in particular, must continue to be men, as our strength and masculinity are the only hope for the society's survival. IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Show Notes http://panafrothought.libsyn.com/ Patreon www.patreon.com/panafrothought EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston

The Black community has had different group priorities for each era of existence in the United States. We seem to have moved though, from priorities of progress to priorities of self-destruction. Thankfully, there is a growing effort to return to moving in the right direction. IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Show Notes http://panafrothought.libsyn.com/ Patreon www.patreon.com/panafrothought EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston

Black Americans have a long history of empowerment movements. It seems, however, that when white supremacy decides one of our movements would better serve its interests, it's quite easy to just co-opt or outright steal it. IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Show Notes http://panafrothought.libsyn.com/ Patreon www.patreon.com/panafrothought EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston

We've all been bombarded with ideas for taking care of ourselves, but how do we break free of the need for constant and instant updates in order to do so? IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Show Notes http://panafrothought.libsyn.com/ Patreon www.patreon.com/panafrothought   EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston

"In order to find joy, put Jesus first, others second, yourself last." Should people live by this statement, or has it caused more harm than good? Spoiler Alert: Taking care of yourself must take priority. Otherwise, how will you take care of anyone else anyway? IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Show Notes http://panafrothought.libsyn.com/ Patreon www.patreon.com/panafrothought   EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston

Americans are trained from a young age that one of the most important goals to works towards is getting a "good job." What is a "good job" and what does it mean for this to be a primary goal for Black folks? IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Show Notes http://panafrothought.libsyn.com/ Patreon www.patreon.com/panafrothought   EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston

Whenever Black folks stand up and speak out against the system of racism-white supremacy, we are labeled with terms meant to incite fear and to water down the protest. Terms like radical, militant, and Black Identity Extremist have historically been used to paint a picture of danger and threat. Well, we are a threat...to the status quo, and we're not going anywhere. IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Show Notes http://panafrothought.libsyn.com/ Patreon www.patreon.com/panafrothought   EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston

The national conversation about providing restorative, reparative benefits to Black folks in America began in earnest in 1989 when a bill was introduced to convene a commission to study the impact of chattel slavery on Black folks. The conversation was reignited this year when Democratic POTUS candidates were asked directly if they support the idea of reparations. Oh, how nice. Where will this country take the conversation at this point? Will there be any serious movement towards a landmark show of tangible restitution from the U.S. government to U.S.-born descendants of enslaved Blacks, or will this be just one more carrot dangled with the real purpose of gaining votes during an election season? IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston   BECOME A PATRON!

Western societies have a hard time with death and other losses. We pretend to be unaffected, and encourage others to do the same. However, the grief is a natural and normal animal reaction to loss—including for the human. IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston   BECOME A PATRON!

Tolerance - (1) the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not agree with; (2) the capacity to endure continued subjection to something without adverse reaction. Is racial tolerance the solution to the system of racism-white supremacy that serves as the modus operandi of the United States of America? IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston   BECOME A PATRON!

Despite the existence of multiple political parties, the United States’ body politic is basically a two-party system. On the left, you have the liberal Democrats, while on the right we have the conservative Republicans. Each appears to offer certain benefits to their supporters. Which one is right for Black folks? IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston   BECOME A PATRON!

Part 1 of a series on the system of racism/white supremacy. Here we give an overview of the system and introduce the principles, terms and issues that will be discussed in the series.

We have been bombarded over the past two years or so with the idea of hypermasculinity, or toxic masculinity. Like everything else the media gets a hold of, this idea has blossomed into something beyond its original intent. Masculinity itself is under attack, seemingly being supplanted by the concept of gender neutrality. What does this mean for Black men?

Coon, Sambo, Uncle Tom…all of these monikers have been used over time among Black folks, to describe a particular brand of unsavory Black person. This rant is an open letter to Coons. Coons: Listen up. This is your episode.

Everyone knows Black folks commit more crime than anyone else. Prisons and jails are filled mostly with Black men, therefore they commit crimes at the highest rate of all ethnic groups, right? Right?

The present-day #MeToo Movement has brought attention to the very real issue of sexual misbehavior by powerful men. This is good, as powerful men tend to control the narratives of their own behaviour, as this has somewhat limited their ability to do that. However, the men who have been truly taken down by the movement are all Black men. To what do we owe this dubious honour?

Photo on cover art by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

One feature of 21st Century parenting is pampering children. The spoiled child is nothing new, but modern parents take this to a whole new level! However, pampering is especially irresponsible and damaging for Black families! So stop it!

Men often wait until we are in dire straits before seeking help for ailments—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. And Black men are no exception. In fact, we lead the pack in postponing help-seeking. But when we drop the bravado and lend each other an ear and shoulder, we create a safe space for healing.

Educators aim to close the achievement gap. Economists seek to close the income gap. Should Black folks be concerned about either of these goals? What’s the problem with focusing on “the gap?”

The term "good education" gets thrown about a lot in American society. All parents want their children to receive a good education. Students want to receive a good education. State and federal education departments seek to legislate good education. And educational institutions all want to provide a good education. But what is a “good education?” How can you identify it? Does it even exist, or is it a figment of our indoctrinated imaginations?

Over 65% of parents surveyed report supporting the idea of spanking children, just not in school. On one hand there’s anecdotal evidence of its effectiveness—from interpretations of Biblical references to personal experiences. On the other hand, research shows that not only is spanking not an effective form of punishment, it can be harmful. Which route should Black parents follow? Here, we separate facts from opinion, and provide alternatives. EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston Become a patron!

The American school system was designed to create workers, employees, cogs in the machine, citizens who will obey and not challenge the status quo. How does that happen, and why should anyone care? IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com Photo in Episode Art by Sean Thoman on Unsplash   EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston   BECOME A PATRON!

In this 3-part series, we explore the world of the Black Psychotherapist. Psychology and psychiatry are sciences rooted in western/European values and world-view. The Black psychotherapist finds him/herself steeped in beliefs, theories and approaches that sometimes contradict his own cultural norms, and those of his client when the client is not white. We will discuss various aspects of how we navigate this field—our way. Code-switching is a skill that many Black folks must master, and the Black therapist is no exception. Therapy sessions involving Black therapist and Black client sometimes involve a masterful balancing of professionalism and relaxed rules about language. This balancing act becomes a bridge to rapport-building and encouraging sharing. IG @panafrothought email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston   BECOME A PATRON!

In this 3-part series, we explore the world of the Black psychotherapist. Psychology and psychiatry are sciences rooted in western/European values and world-view. The Black psychotherapist finds him/herself steeped in beliefs, theories and approaches that sometimes contradict his own cultural norms, and those of his client when the client is not white. We will discuss various aspects of how we navigate this field—our way. In this episode we explore how the black therapist must constantly interpret and re-interpret her own culture, her own people’s behaviours and belief systems, through the white lens her profession has fashioned upon her mind. In this nation people assume they can write your story from beginning to end, and wait for you to fall into place on the stage that has been set, it is why every conversation scans like a hostage negotiation, with your humanity being the item that's up for deliberation. IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com  EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston   BECOME A PATRON!

NOTE: Video version also available at plantedinkemet.com A talk session with Selma, Alabama residents who participated in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, which led to… The Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Voting Rights Act of 1965 - Aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented Black folks from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. INTERVIEWEES Joyce P. O’Neal Phyllis P. Alston Thelma Dianne Harris Charles Mauldin You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom. Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it. - Malcolm X EPISODE SUPPORTED BY Phyllis P. Alston BECOME A PATRON!  

In this 3-part series, we explore the world of the Black Psychotherapist. Psychology and psychiatry are sciences rooted in western/European values and world-view. The Black psychotherapist finds him/herself steeped in beliefs, theories and approaches that sometimes contradict his own cultural norms, and those of his client when the client is not white. We will discuss various aspects of how we navigate this field—our way. In this episode we discuss our symbolic baptism in this world—graduate school. The clinical practice student enters graduate school and begins learning in earnest how to assess and heal people emotionally—all based on Anglo-European principles and values.

In this age of accepted single mothering, blurred gender roles, and the rise of gender fluidity, some people have lost sight of the very real differences between motherhood and fatherhood. In this episode we discuss the importance of recognising the distinct role that fathers play in our lives. This is especially important for Black families, where the single-mother family has become the most prevalent household structure.

*** TRIGGER WARNING*** This episode contains frank, direct discussions about human sexuality and sexual abuse. Listeners who may be sensitive to these subjects are advised to proceed with caution. In this final episode of a 6-part series on sexual violence, we’re talking about how to tell you still have some work to do in your recovery. Sexual Extremes: Aversion vs Promiscuity Sexual Orientation Confusion Re-Experiencing Trauma

*** TRIGGER WARNING*** This episode contains frank, direct discussions about human sexuality and sexual abuse of children. Listeners who may be sensitive to these subjects are advised to proceed with caution. This is Part 5 of a 6-part series on sexual violence.

*** TRIGGER WARNING*** This episode contains frank, direct discussions about human sexuality and sexual abuse. Listeners who may be sensitive to these subjects are advised to proceed with caution. This is Part 4 of a 6-part series on sexual violence. In this episode, we’ll cover the following areas. Sex crimes How to spot a sex offender in a crowd Motivations for committing sexual violence The art of grooming (before, during, after) Sexual Offence Cycle Is there hope for a sex offender?

*** TRIGGER WARNING*** This episode contains frank, direct discussions about human sexuality and sexual abuse. Listeners who may be sensitive to these subjects are advised to proceed with caution. This is Part 3 of a 6-part series on sexual violence. In this episode, we’ll cover the following areas. U.S. statistics on trafficking Definition and types of trafficking Types of sex trafficking Signs of potential sex trafficking and how to respond

*** TRIGGER WARNING*** This episode contains frank, direct discussions about human sexuality and sexual interactions among adolescents. Listeners who may be sensitive to these subjects are advised to proceed with caution. This is Part 2 of a 6-part series on sexual violence. In this episode, we’ll cover the following areas. Gender Roles in Adolescence From Coy to Aggressive: Sexuality Among Teen Girls Consent and Hormone-Induced Aggression Date/Party Rape

***TRIGGER WARNING*** This episode contains frank, direct discussions about human sexuality and sexual abuse of children. Listeners who may be sensitive to this subject are advised to proceed with caution. This is part 1 of a 6-part series on sexual violence. In this episode we cover the following topics. Definition of child sexual abuse U.S. statistics on child sexual abuse Dynamics related to familial child sexual abuse Dynamics related to child sexual abuse by an unrelated, but known person Sexual abuse by strangers Potential impact of child sexual abuse Episode image (c) Minnie Mariah Wilson IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com 

*** SENSITIVITY WARNING*** This episode contains frank, direct discussions about human sexuality. Listeners who may be sensitive to this subject are advised to proceed with caution. In this episode we coach parents on how to talk to kids about sex. Sexual relating is a natural, normal, biologically-driven human need. However, the U.S. treats sex in both restrictive and permissive ways. Entertainment media slaps us in the face with sexual imagery day in and day out, yet Christian and Victorian taboos remain. Following the taboos is not the way to ensure sexual health in your children. Direct, matter-of-fact talk is. Tune in! IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com 

*** TRIGGER WARNING*** This episode contains frank, direct talk about human sexuality. If you’re sensitive, keep browsing. If you’re accompanied by a sensitive type, favourite this episode and come back later. In this episode we discuss HIV and its impact on the Black community, covering the following issues. Understanding some of the mechanics of HIV Statistics among Black folks Cultural Barriers to eradicating this illness How to protect yourself and others IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com 

It is common and expected that each generation will somewhat modify their parenting styles, to be different from how they were parented. However, it appears that the parents of Millennials and Gen Zers have changed parenting in a way that bears some analysis and discussion. These children are widely viewed as entitled and often suffer from impoverished skills in the areas of critical thinking and self-efficacy. While this is not solely a result of parenting strategies, that's what we examine in this episode. IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com 

Black folks tend to dismiss the idea of mental illness and mental health concerns. In this episode, I explore the most common mental illness in existence—depression—particularly as it relates to Black men. We discuss common symptoms, causes, and how to seek help.  IG @panafrothought  Email admin@panafrothought.com Blog www.panafrothought.com 

This is the debut episode for the Pan-African Thought Society podcast. In this introductory episode, I explain the purpose and focus of PanAfro Thought and the themes we will cover. The goal of PanAfro Thought is to offer educational and provocative information to the Pan-African diaspora--about our history; current trends and events; and physical, mental, and spiritual health. IG @panafrothought  Email contact@plantedinkemet.com  Blog www.plantedinkemet.com