First Name Basis Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jasmine Bradshaw
As parents, we all want to teach our kids to be inclusive, but how? Join Jasmine Bradshaw each week as she gives you the tools and practical strategies that you need to talk to your children about race, religion, and culture. If you are a parent who values inclusion and wants to teach your children how to truly love those who are different from them, this podcast is for you!
We’ve got some changes coming at First Name Basis!
I started the First Name Basis Podcast back in 2019 when I looked at my tiny daughter and wanted to make the world a better place for her — a place that would be more inclusive, kind and anti-racist.
In the past almost 5 years, we’ve created this beautiful community where we’ve had so many hard but productive conversations both on social media and through the podcast. As I prepare to welcome our third little one into our family, it feels like time to change how a few things are done here at First Name Basis, including:
- Putting the podcast on hold so I can focus on my consulting clients.
- Transitioning all of our paid resources to only be available for purchase by schools and community organizations for now.
- Changing the way we deliver our paid resources to those who have already invested in them.
- Running a sale with the biggest discounts we’ve ever offered!
Listen in to hear all of the details!
Thank you for being here with me in this work. These last 5 years have been a dream come true, and I’m excited to continue the work in this new way. And don’t worry — I don’t think I’ll be able to stay away from my podcast microphone forever.
As always, I am SO GLAD that you are here. You are what has made First Name Basis what it is.
Don’t miss our big sale!
If you have been waiting to purchase any of our paid resources, now is your final chance to do so before they’re put to bed for the next few years. We’re offering BIG discounts, and the sooner you buy, the bigger the discount you get!
From now until July 1, you can use the code FNB50 for 50% off any of our products. This is the biggest discount we will offer during the sale, so don’t wait to snag what you’ve had your eye on!
From July 2 until July 8, use the code FNB40 for 40% off!
And from July 9 until July 15, use the code FNB30 for 30% off!
So don’t wait to snag those products you’ve been keeping your eye on! Head over to firstnamebasis.org/resources to learn more.
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. From providing professional development for teachers to curriculum consulting to implementing her unique anti-racist resources to parent education events, Jasmine is your go-to anti-bias and anti-racist education resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information.
Song credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
In case you haven’t noticed yet, I’m passionate about Black History Month.
I did not enjoy learning about Black history growing up. It felt more like grieving than celebrating for me, and because of that it’s my dream to make Black History Month a positive experience for ALL children and students.
So today, as part of that, I’m talking about 3 mistakes parents and teachers should avoid when talking to kids and students about Black History:
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Don’t say “because they were Black.” It’s time to put the onus on racism.
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Don’t refer to Black people as “non-white.” This makes it seem as if being white is the “norm.” Just use the correct identifiers and describe people for what they ARE instead of what they aren’t.
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Don’t only focus on struggle. When we do this, it doesn’t just harm Black students. It harms ALL students. And this is why I created Bite-Sized Black History, to be able to celebrate all the joyful things about being Black.
And y’all know me, I would never give you 3 things NOT to do without also giving you lots of things to DO, so press play on the episode to learn more about these three don’ts and to get ideas for some actionable steps for making Black History Month a meaningful celebration.
Bite-Sized Black History
Bite-Sized Black History is a collection of mini-podcast episodes that empower you to teach kiddos about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. You know about Dr. King and Rosa Parks — now it’s time to explore other Black leaders and learn from their stories!
I just released 12 new episodes as part of Bite-Sized Black History Season 4 — bringing the total number of episodes in the library up to 40! The catalog includes activists, inventors, scientists, entertainers, artists and more, and each episode comes with an accompanying coloring page and reflection questions to help you have meaningful conversations with the kiddos in your life.
From now until the end of February, you can use the code BSBH29 for 29% off any Bite-Sized Black History package — 29% in honor of leap year giving us an extra day to celebrate Black History Month.
Head over to firstnamebasis.org/blackhistory to learn more and to have a meaningful Black History Month by getting your copy of Bite-Sized Black History today.
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. From providing professional development for teachers to curriculum consulting to implementing her unique anti-racist resources, Jasmine is your go-to anti-bias and anti-racist education resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
“Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves,” by Julie Olsen Edwards and Louise Derman-Sparks
Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
Can you believe February is right around the corner?! And with it comes BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
Celebrating Black History Month is so important for ALL kids, not just Black children, and I created Bite-Sized Black History to help kiddos everywhere be able to learn about Black history in a way that is both meaningful and joyful.
In this episode, I’m telling you all about Bite-Sized Black History and including a sample episode for you to check out that is all about singer, actor and activist Harry Belafonte!
Bite-Sized Black History is a collection of mini-podcast episodes that empower you to teach kiddos about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. You know about Dr. King and Rosa Parks — now it’s time to explore other Black leaders and learn from their stories. Each Bite-Sized Black History lesson will give you everything you need to foster meaningful conversations that go beyond the bounds of civil rights and enslavement to celebrate the creativity, ingenuity, joy, and brilliance of the Black community.
Season 4 is now available and features 12 new episodes bringing the total number of episodes in our library up to 40! The catalog includes activists, inventors, scientists, entertainers, artists and more, and each episode comes with an accompanying coloring page and reflection questions to help you have meaningful conversations with the kiddos in your life.
Press play to learn more and to hear the sample episode!
Be sure to check out our sale!
And, as a special treat, from now until the end of February, you can use the coupon code BSBH29 for 29% off any Bite-Sized Black History package — 29% in honor of leap year giving us an extra day to celebrate Black History Month.
Head over to firstnamebasis.org/blackhistory to learn more and to have a meaningful Black History Month by getting your copy of Bite-Sized Black History today.
Song credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
We’re wrapping up Season 8 with this episode, and it’s got me thinking all about our evolution over the years. From beginning as a tiny Instagram account to starting the podcast, from working with families to working with schools, First Name Basis has grown in ways that is a dream come true!
I consult with schools across the country to implement anti-racist education. But as some of you have said, you’re not sure what that would look like, so in this episode, I’m giving all the details of what it looks like for me to work with your school!
It’s one thing to know that anti-racism is important but it’s another thing altogether to get it started. So many schools have diversity statements for prioritizing anti-bias and anti-racist learning, and getting those good intentions to be practical action is what I’m here for!
In this episode, I talk all about:
• Why it’s important to have anti-racism in schools
• What a partnership with me looks like
• How to get a partnership started
• What you can do to get the ball rolling at your school
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. From providing professional development for teachers to curriculum consulting to implementing her unique anti-racist resources, Jasmine is your go-to anti-bias and anti-racist education resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Head to firstnamebasis.org/schoolconsultinginfo to get our school consulting guide where I explain
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6 Episode 9: “Creating Change in the Classroom” with Patrick Harris
Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
Like so many of you, I have been all consumed the last few weeks by the events going on in Gaza and the genocide that is being carried out against the Palestinian people. We've put everything on pause at First Name Basis to be able to try to share updates and share actions that we can be taking as a collective to try to support the activists and so many amazing humanitarian workers that are on the ground in Gaza.
After having some conversations as a team, we realized that continuing to do anti-racism work is one of the things we can do as a group to facilitate productive conversations around big hard topics genocide and anti-Semitism.
Listen in to hear more about what I mean. And be sure to follow along as we continue to amplify the voices of the affected populations on Instagram, and check out the show notes for resources to help you redistribute your resources to help in the humanitarian efforts and to help you advocate for a ceasefire.
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
5 Calls App is pre-loaded with information about many current issues and includes links for you to learn more and scripts for what you can say to advocate for a ceasefire.
Use Action Network to contact your representatives and advocate for a ceasefire
Organizations to consider redistributing resources to: UNRWA, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Middle East Children's Alliance, Islamic Relief USA.
This episode can be summarized with one sentence: Please stop using Black and Brown emojis if you are not Black or Brown.
Skin color is something that should be celebrated, not laughed at, but I have seen people using emojis that don’t match their skin tone time and time again.
I think a lot of the time people aren’t intentionally trying to do something racist, but when you peel back the layers you realize that the only reason why doing this could be funny is because of racism, and racism is not funny. And, like we talk about all the time, the IMPACT of an action always outweighs the INTENT.
In this episode, we’ll look at:
• A brief look at what digital blackface is.
• An explanation on why using Black and Brown emojis as a joke is harmful.
• How you can respond when you see people misusing Black and Brown emojis.
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. From providing professional development for teachers to curriculum consulting to implementing her unique anti-racist resources, Jasmine is your go-to anti-bias and anti-racist education resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
“Blackface has resurged in the internet age. And you might be part of the problem,” by Tor Haugan, Berkeley Library
“What Is Digital Blackface? Experts Explain Why The Social Media Practice Is Problematic,” by Madeline Howard, Women’s Health
“Digital Blackface: How 21st Century Internet Language Reinforces Racism” by Erinn Wong
Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
Trigger warning: Before you continue reading these show notes or listening to this episode, please be aware that it discusses lynching and white supremacist violence.
Lynching is a reality both now and in the past. Yet despite the fact that lynching continues to happen, it took more than 120 years to get an anti-lynching bill passed.
In that time, more than 200 iterations of bills that would make lynching a federal crime were introduced and failed to pass over and over again — including one that was voted down only three days before Ahmaud Arbery was lynched in February 2020.
It wasn’t until May of 2020 that Ahmaud Arbery’s story became national news. Before then, it was an invisible lynching — one that wasn’t widely known. But that doesn’t mean it should just be ignored, and the fact that these “invisible lynchings” still happen says a lot about what still needs to be done in the fight for justice.
In this episode, I talk more about:
- The work I’m doing with a company called Litby that sparked the research for this episode.
- The struggle to pass an anti-lynching bill
- The importance of continuing to fight against lynching and other acts of racism — both the ones that make big headlines and those that don’t.
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. From providing professional development for teachers to curriculum consulting to implementing her unique anti-racist resources, Jasmine is your go-to anti-bias and anti-racist education resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2 Episode 17: “Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd: Unpacking Racism”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2 Episode 4: “3 Steps To A More Inclusive Bookshelf”
Litby offers a supplemental novel study program that supports students in reading, comprehending, and engaging with rigorous novels.
Invite Jasmine to work with your school at firstnamebasis.org/workwithme
“Lynching is now a federal hate crime after a century of blocked efforts” by Eric McDaniel and Elena Moore, NPR
“U.S. House To Vote On Anti-Lynching Act — Finally,” All Things Considered, NPR
Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
Growing up as a multiracial child, I often felt my racial identity shifting and developing — heck, even as an adult I do! Navigating what it means to be multiracial continues to be a journey for me, which is why I was so excited to be able to interview Dr. Jennifer Noble.
Dr. Jenn, as she’s known online, is a licensed psychologist, parent coach and associate professor of psychology, who shares her expertise both in her private practice in Los Angeles and online. She focuses on identity and mixed race experience as she works with mixed race teens, BIPOC women and other marginalized groups.
In our conversation, we discuss:
• The experience many multiracial children have of shifting identity development.
• How parents can help their multiracial children prepare to answer questions about their identity.
• Affirming identity in the face of other people’s assumptions.
• How terminology can change based on where the mixed race person is in their identity journey.
• Building resilience in kids and their parents through open communication.
I hope any of you listeners out there who are multiracial or raising multiracial kiddos leave listening to this conversation feeling like you can be more fully connected to your family and your identity. And for anyone who is monoracial, I hope this gives you a better understanding of how you can support the multiracial people in your life.
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!
Get your Little Allies Activity Book
If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you!
Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism.
The Little Allies Activity Book includes:
- Color by number
- Protest I Spy
- Dot to dot
- Anti-racist word search
- Black history unscramble
- And more!
Get your hands on it today by heading to firstnamebasis.org/store!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Dr. Jenn’s website, which includes information about Mixed Life Academy
Dr. Jenn’s Instagram account @drjennpsych
Dr. Noble’s therapy practice website
Multiracial Bill of Rights by Dr. Maria Root
“One Drop of Love” by Fanshen Cox
“50 Experiences of Racially Mixed People” by Dr. Maria Root
Video of a mom in England giving her son a shirt to tell him he’s leaving the school where he’s been bullied
Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
This episode is a bit of a role reversal with someone I admire SO MUCH.
I have been a longtime fan of Rachel Nielson’s podcast 3 in 30: Takeaways for Moms. Each episode is 30 minutes long and provides 3 ACTIONABLE takeaways for listeners to go and do. She has over 250 episodes covering a huge variety of topics — from potty training to mental health to tips for not looking at your phone as much — and I’ve been honored to be a guest on her podcast in the past to talk about anti-racism. And on top of that, I’m lucky to get to call Rachel a dear friend and podcasting mentor of mine.
But today, Rachel is bringing her takeaways to First Name Basis as I interviewed her about three takeaways from her anti-racism journey. Rachel is white, which makes this episode relatable and a great opportunity to learn for anyone who is also white or benefits from white privilege. But if you are BIPOC, this episode is a helpful one for you to hear too because it can be one you can share with people you want to be able to have real conversations with about anti-racism.
Rachel is so open and vulnerable in this episode as she shares her takeaways, which are so profound in how foundational they are. Her takeaways are:
1) Be willing to acknowledge the possibility that you might be racist.
2) Start looking for examples of racism in yourself.
3) Diversify your community — both online and in person.
I hope you take time to listen and reflect on what your own anti-racism takeaways would be.
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or click the button below for more information!
Get your Little Allies Activity Book
If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you!
Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism.
The Little Allies Activity Book includes:
- Color by number
- Protest I Spy
- Dot to dot
- Anti-racist word search
- Black history unscramble
- And more!
Get your hands on it today by heading to firstnamebasis.org/store!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Rachel’s Instagram @3in30podcast
Rachel’s website
Rachel is hosting a FREE masterclass on how to be a less angry mom. Register and learn more at 3in30podcast.com/freeclass
Three of my favorite 3 in 30 episodes are:
• “How to Stop Looking at Your Phone So Much–and Why It Matters with Dr. Katie Penry”
• “How to Be the Mom You Are–Instead of the Mom You Think You Should Be with Julie Bastedo”
• “More Peace, Less Frustration: The Power of Family Systems with Susie Salinas”
My episode on Rachel’s 3 in 30 Podcast: “Teaching Your Kids about Racism & Bias”
Language is always evolving and we need to evolve with it.
Reflecting on the words we’re using and recognizing opportunities to grow and change is a natural (and necessary) part of our anti-racist journeys. It means breaking down and unlearning things that we thought in the past, but the result is language that better aligns with our intent.
So this week we’re taking a look at the term “under-resourced” and discussing why we need to switch it out for something new. If you’ve been around for a while, you’ve already heard me talk about how I changed from using “low-income” to “under-resourced,” but I’ve learned recently that “under-resourced” may not be the most accurate term after all.
In this episode, I share:
• Why I’m now choosing to say “historically exploited communities” or “systemically exploited communities” instead of “under-resourced.”
• More about what it is that causes words and meanings to change.
• The journey I take, the feelings I feel, and the questions I ask myself when I’m considering how my language should change to reflect my anti-racist journey.
Get your Little Allies Activity Book
If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you!
Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s basically a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism.
The Little Allies Activity Book includes:
- Color by number
- Protest I Spy
- Dot to dot
- Anti-racist word search
- Black history unscramble
- And more!
Get your hands on it today by heading to firstnamebasis.org/store!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 8, Episode 2: “What is Coded Language?”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 7: “Service, Not Saviorism”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 22: “The Danger of Gaslighting”
“The House of Eve” by Sadeqa Johnson
Bite-Sized Black History (Season 1 features Dr. Charles Drew)
A Guide to Coded Language in Education by Class Trouble
July 26, 2023, is the 33rd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
If you’re doing the math in your head, let me give you a shortcut: That means the ADA wasn’t passed until 1990. 1990?! It took quite a while for Americans with disabilities to officially be named a protected class as neither the 1964 Civil Rights Act nor the 1965 Voting Rights Act included people with disabilities — and the United States still has a long way to go in making our public spaces, businesses and communities truly accessible.
In honor of the 33rd anniversary, I wanted to invite a very special guest — Amy Webb — on the podcast to teach us about how to talk to children about disabilities.
Amy is a DREAM guest of mine. She exudes passion for all of the things that she does, and that’s just one of the many reasons why I admire her so much.
Amy is an artist, writer, mother and creator of the blog This Little Miggy Stayed Home. As the mother of a disabled daughter, she advocates for the disability community through her writing and Instagram platform. She is the author of two children’s books. Her first, “When Charley Met Emma,” teaches children about disability, friendship and inclusion and her second book, “Awesomely Emma,” is a sequel that teaches the power of self-advocacy. Amy lives with her husband and three beautiful daughters in Ohio.
This interview is full of Amy’s thoughts and wisdom, and she teaches us about:
- Identity first vs. person first language.
- How to respond when our children point out disabilities.
- Why it’s important to never ever touch someone’s wheelchair without asking.
- The importance of having a plan for supporting disabled children during emergency situations.
- How a place is not accessible if a bathroom is not accessible.
- What action steps non-disabled people can take when we come to a place that is not accessible.
- The intricacies of the “just ask” philosophy
Get our resource email to learn more about the ADA
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize people with disabilities, their inherent worth and their invaluable contributions, as well as to bring awareness to the ongoing fight for disability rights. July 26 is also the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act being signed into law.
We put together a resource email to help you learn more about the ADA, how you can get involved in disabilities rights advocacy and for ideas on how you can teach children about disabilities.
Head over to firstnamebasis.org/ADA to get the email sent straight to your inbox!
Get your Little Allies Activity Book
If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you!
Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s basically a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism.
The Little Allies Activity Book includes:
- Color by number
- Protest I Spy
- Dot to dot
- Anti-racist word search
- Black history unscramble
- And more!
Get your hands on it today by heading to firstnamebasis.org/store!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Amy Webb’s blog, This Little Miggy Stayed Home
Amy Webb’s Instagram @thislittlemiggy
“When Charley Met Emma,” by Amy Webb
“Awesomely Emma,” by Amy Webb
Y’all, I’m gettin’ REAL in this episode.
We always talk about how anti-racism is a journey not a destination, and it’s so important to take time to reflect on that journey.
So in today’s episode, I’m sharing part of my journey with you!
You may have heard of the Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture developed by Tema Okun. She is a white woman who has been doing DEI work for more than 30 years, and she developed this list of 15 characteristics of white supremacy culture in the early 1990s, but the list has sort of been revived since 2020.
In this episode, I share the 15 characteristics and more about where they came from but I really zero in on two of them — perfectionism and a sense of urgency — to talk about how I’ve seen them playing out in my own life and use them as a reflection tool.
None of us is immune to white supremacy culture, and I’m no exception. I hope hearing me talk about my own journey gives you the chance to reflect on where you are in your anti-racism journey, including how far you’ve come and where you still want to go.
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!
Get your Little Allies Activity Book
If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you!
Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s basically a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism.
The Little Allies Activity Book includes:
- Color by number
- Protest I Spy
- Dot to dot
- Anti-racist word search
- Black history unscramble
- And more!
Get your hands on it today by heading to firstnamebasis.org/store!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
White Supremacy Culture by Tema Okun
One Right Way Along with Perfectionism, Paternalism, and Objectivity by Tema Okun
Sense of Urgency by Tema Okun
“Tema Okun on Her Mythical Paper on White Supremacy,” Deconstructed Podcast
Bevelyn Afor Ukah
Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
Parents of Black children are all too familiar with “The Talk.”
“The Talk” where they teach their kids not to have their hands in their pockets at a store. “The Talk” where they teach their kids how to act around police in an attempt to keep themselves safe. “The Talk” where they teach their kids about the racism they’re already experiencing and will continue to experience.
But the truth is, “The Talk” isn’t something that only families with Black children should be having — it’s something white children and other Children of Color should be hearing about as well so they can be part of the solution.
And this week on the podcast, I have a powerful interview with author Alicia D. Williams to talk about “The Talk,” which is the subject and title of her new children’s book.
Alicia is an award-winning author of books that offer understanding, empathy, hope and inspiration, including “The Talk,” which received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor. She is a graduate of the MFA program at Hamline University and an oral storyteller in the African American tradition, and she lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In the interview, we talk about:
- The story behind her book “The Talk”
- Why white children and other Children of Color need to have the talk as well
- Tips for how to have the talk
- How to teach children about the police
- How to talk to kids about the dangers of racism while also helping them feel safe
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!
Get your Little Allies Activity Book
If you’re looking for activities for your kids or students to do that are both fun and meaningful, we’ve got something for you!
Our Little Allies Activity Book is now available! It’s basically a coloring book that is focused on allyship, and all the activities are based around anti-racism.
The Little Allies Activity Book includes:
- Color by number
- Protest I Spy
- Dot to dot
- Anti-racist word search
- Black history unscramble
- And more!
Get your hands on it today by heading to firstnamebasis.org/store!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Alicia’s website
Alicia’s Instagram account @authoraliciadwilliams
“The Talk” by Alicia D. Williams
All of Alicia’s books on the First Name Basis Bookshop
“Watering flowers while Black: A pastor shares his story of wrongful arrest,” by Jonathan Franklin, NPR
Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
You probably learned in school all about the story of Francis Scott Key watching the “rockets red glare” and “bombs bursting in air” as a prisoner on a British warship and turning the experience into “The Star Spangled Banner.” But, in reality, there is a lot more to this story than you learned about in history class — and a lot of what you did learn in school was false.
In this replay of one of our Untold Stories episodes, we unpack the man behind “The Star Spangled Banner,” how it became our National Anthem, and whether it truly represents American values. It’s the perfect episode to revisit for the Fourth of July holiday.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Juneteenth was on June 19th, but there is still time to celebrate — in fact, the Fourth of July is a great time to talk about Juneteenth! We have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.
It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.
Even if you didn’t celebrate on the actual day of Juneteenth, it’s not too late to take the time to celebrate and reflect. So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Annotated National Anthem
“The Short History of the War of 1812 in Maryland”
“Star Spangled Bigotry: The Hidden Racist History of the National Anthem” by Jason Johnson
“What So Proudly We Hail,” Documentary from Morgan State University
“Francis Scott Key Opposed ‘Land of the Free’” by Jefferson Morley, Zinn Education Project
“Where’s the Debate of Francis Scott Key’s Slaveholding Legacy” by Christopher Wilson, Smithsonian Magazine
“Star Spangled Banner Born From a Drinking Song 200 Years Ago,” NPR
“The Fight for the Anthem” by Felicity Knox, Towson University
Oscar Stanton De Priest
“Mississippi Lawmakers Pass Resolution Paving Way to Remove Confederate Symbol from State Flag” by Brittany Shammas, The Washington Post
Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
Happy Pride my friends, especially to the LGBTQ+ members in our community!
To celebrate Pride, I wanted to share an episode from my Bite-Sized Black History program that features a Black American who was LGBTQ+.
So today, we’re learning about Glenn Burke, who was the first openly gay Major League Baseball player!
Glenn Burke was an amazing athlete and always the life of the party. He wasn’t afraid to be his authentic self, even when people were discriminating against him. He is even credited with creating the high-five!
Glenn’s life was cut short by AIDS, and I’ve included in this episode some insights and lessons I learned from an LGBTQ+ activist for talking to kids about AIDS, which I hope are helpful to you as a parent, teacher or caregiver.
And I hope by listening to Glenn’s story and reflecting on his life that we can be part of creating change so that others don’t have to go through the same things he did.
Get your FREE coloring page to go along with the episode
Glenn Burke’s story is part of my Bite-Sized Black History program, where I feature 28 different Black Americans who you may have heard of but who have largely been overlooked in the history books.
Each person is featured with a mini podcast episode, coloring page and reflection questions to help the kiddos in your life really learn about these amazing people in a meaningful way.
And to go along with this episode, I’m giving away the coloring page and questions that go along with Glenn Burke’s episode!
Head over to firstnamebasis.org/mlb to get your copy sent straight to your inbox, and be sure to head over to firstnamebasis.org/blackhistory to learn more about Bite-Sized Black History.
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or visit firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 4: “Say This, Not That When Someone Comes Out to You” with Elena Joy Thurston
Listen to this letter that Billy Bean, the second openly gay player in the MLB, wrote to Glenn.
Watch Glenn Burke up to bat in the 1977 World Series.
Resources for teaching children about HIV/AIDS:
This video explains what HIV is.
Here is a StoryCorps episode about losing family during the AIDS epidemic
This video is about how to protect yourself and others from HIV.
This video is about what it’s like to live with HIV.
This video is a segment from the Today Show called “Looking Back on 40 Years of the AIDS Epidemic.”
The Reagan administration’s response to the AIDS epidemic was rooted in homophobia. You’ll see that through this video.
I really love amaze.org for all of the different topics they cover about sexual health.
Song Credit: “Clapping Music” by BrightestAvenue and “Sunshine” by lemonmusicstudio
This episode is a special one to me, one dedicated to all of the Black and Brown moms out there.
A lot of my Black and Brown friends who are stay-at-home moms in the thick of it with tiny kiddos have told me that they feel like they’re not doing enough to contribute to the anti-racism movement.
For my friends and anyone else in this community who reads that and thinks “that’s me!” I have a message for you that I hope you hear loud and clear: Being a Black or Brown stay-at-home mother is an act of resistance, an act that is SO IMPORTANT to the movement.
Please note that I am not putting down working moms down at all! I AM a working mom, and my mom was a working mom. I just don’t think Black and Brown moms in particular don’t hear enough that they are part of the movement and that what they are doing in their homes is such an important act toward justice and anti-racism.
Press play on the episode to hear more about what I mean. It’s one you’re not going to want to miss!
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org for more information!
Check out our summer sale
Ally Elementary Jr., Ally Elementary and Juneteenth Jubilee are all available RIGHT NOW! And to make that news even better, we’re running a HUGE sale now through June 23!
With Juneteenth right around the corner, you can get $25 off Juneteenth Jubilee to help you plan the perfect Juneteenth Dinner.
Or you can get $75 off Ally Elementary Jr. or Ally Elementary, and when you purchase either of those programs, you’ll get Juneteenth Jubilee FOR FREE!
No coupon code needed — the deal will automatically load itself into your cart.
If you’re interested in bringing anti-racist education into your home or classroom, now is the time to get them! Summer is a great time to start using these programs in your home or to prepare to use them in your classroom.
Head over to firstnamebasis.org/allyelementary to learn more or to get the programs!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 26: “My Working Mom: Chasing Her Dreams”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 14: “What Is Privilege And What Do I Do With It?”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 8: “Can We Talk About White Privilege?”
“White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Peggy McIntosh
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Did you read the title of this episode? It’s a doozy!
As convoluted as “The Untold Story of the Story That I Told” is, I couldn’t resist calling this newest episode that because of the WILD ride I went on making it.
Years ago I made an eBook called “Rise and Resist” where I highlighted five different Black people who were alive around the time of Juneteenth. I told their stories and really wanted people to use this eBook to be able to share stories of Black resistance with children and students.
I was planning on using one of those stories in today’s episode as a way to illustrate how talking to kids about slavery can be complicated, but when I opened the book, I was astounded. I could not believe some of the stuff I wrote!
There were things in there that I would never say today — things I would cringe about if someone else said them, but I double cringed knowing that I wrote them!
So this episode is a little bit of what I had planned, but also a little bit of me correcting what I got totally wrong.
I hope this episode reminds you how anti-racism is a journey. It’s about growth. And the best thing we can do is keep moving forward and keep trying to grow. Sometimes we’ll be in a position where our growth is evident, even if it’s a little embarrassing, but it’s worth it. If we’re not trying to make change, speaking up and telling stories, then we might miss the opportunity to try to make things right — which is something I’m trying to do today!
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org for more information!
Check out our Summer Sale!
We have a surprise for you — Ally Elementary Jr., Ally Elementary and Juneteenth Jubilee are all available RIGHT NOW! And to make that news even better, we’re running a HUGE sale now through June 23!
With Juneteenth right around the corner, you can get $25 off Juneteenth Jubilee to help you plan the perfect Juneteenth Dinner.
Or you can get $75 off Ally Elementary Jr. or Ally Elementary, and when you purchase either of those programs, you’ll get Juneteenth Jubilee FOR FREE!
No coupon code needed — the deal will automatically load itself into your cart.
If you’re interested in bringing anti-racist education into your home or classroom, now is the time to get them! Summer is a great time to start using these programs in your home or to prepare to use them in your classroom.
Head over to firstnamebasis.org/allyelementary to learn more or to get the programs!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Bookshop
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 3: “Talking to Your Children About Slavery”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 26: “What is Juneteenth and How Can I Celebrate?”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 7: “Service, Not Saviorism”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 7: “The Untold Story of Rosa Parks”
“How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America,” by Clint Smith
“They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South,” by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers
“The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story,” by Nicole Hannah-Jones
“Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America,” by Ibram X. Kendi
Juneteenth Strawberry Lemonade Cards by First Name Basis
Richmond was the second largest city in the South when Virginia seceded
Virginia was the largest Confederate state
NAACP Culpeper Branch style guide for writing and teaching about slavery
“Against Wind and Tide: The African American Struggle against the Colonization Movement,” by Ousmane Power-Greene
“How a Movement to Send Formerly Enslaved People to Africa Created Liberia,” by Becky Little, History.com
Elizabeth Van Lew, American Battlefield Trust
Elizabeth L. Van Lew, Library of Virginia
“American Police,” Throughline Podcast, NPR
Article about Mary Jane Richards dated Oct. 7, 1865 in The Anglo-African
Info about the history of The Anglo-African
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
I’ve been thinking a lot about coded language lately.
If you’re unfamiliar with that term, coded language is when someone is talking negatively about a marginalized group without explicitly saying who they’re talking about — but the “code” is that other people in the dominant culture know exactly who they’re talking about.
While coded language is seemingly neutral, it is actually very harmful. In this episode, I share the story from my own life that is the reason why coded language has been on my mind, and you’ll also hear:
- What coded language is generally
- What racist coded language is specifically
- What to do when you hear racist coded language
- Break down a few examples of codes language
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or head to firstnamebasis.org/workwithme for more information!
Check out our Summer Sale!
We have a surprise for you — Ally Elementary Jr., Ally Elementary and Juneteenth Jubilee are all available RIGHT NOW! And to make that news even better, we’re running a HUGE sale now through June 23!
With Juneteenth right around the corner, you can get $25 off Juneteenth Jubilee to help you plan the perfect Juneteenth Dinner.
Or you can get $75 off Ally Elementary Jr. or Ally Elementary, and when you purchase either of those programs, you’ll get Juneteenth Jubilee FOR FREE!
No coupon code needed — the deal will automatically load itself into your cart.
If you’re interested in bringing anti-racist education into your home or classroom, now is the time to get them! Summer is a great time to start using these programs in your home or to prepare to use them in your classroom.
Head over to firstnamebasis.org/allyelementary to learn more or to get the programs!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 8: “White Children and Uncomfortable History: What Do We Do?”
Definition of coded language from Language, Please
“7 Harmful Racial Discourse Practices to Avoid,” National Education Association
“Ten Stages of Genocide,” The Genocide Education Project
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a podcast just for kids that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We featured 28 different people, one for each day of Black History Month! Invest today and use the coupon code BLACKHISTORY15 for 15% off until February 22nd.
Buy Bite-Sized Black History!
We take purchase orders! If your a teacher or librarian interested in submitting a purchase order please email us at hello@firstnamebasis.org
Check out all 28 episodes of Bite-Sized Black History below!
Season 1 Episodes
Episode 1: Wilma Rudolph
Episode 2: Richard & Mildred Loving
Episode 3: Garrett Morgan
Episode 4: The Hines Brothers
Episode 5: Claudette Colvin
Episode 6: Sidney Poitier
Episode 7: Charles Drew
Episode 8: Marie Van Brittan Brown
Episode 9: Bayard Rustin
Episode 10: Norma Merrick Sklarek
Episode 11: Bessie Blount
Episode 12: Ella Baker
Season 2 Episodes:
Episode 1: Dr. Debi Thomas
Episode 2: Mary J. Wilson
Episode 3: Ronald McNair
Episode 4: Eartha Kitt
Episode 5: Azellia White
Episode 6: Dr. Kenneth & Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark
Episode 7: Lyda Newman
Episode 8: Gwen Ifill
Episode 9: CJ Jones
Episode 10: Marva Collins
Episode 11: Ernestine Eckstein
Episode 12: Charles L. Sifford
Grand Finale Episodes:
Episode 1: Gerald "Jerry" Lawson
Episode 2: Lois Curtis
Episode 3: Glenn Burke
Episode 4: Eloise Greenfield
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
It’s been a few months since we moved across the country from Arizona to Maryland, and I’ve gotten questions from so many of you wondering how we like our new home. So this week for our Season 7 finale, my husband Carter and I are giving you all the details!
We’re telling you all about our opinions on the East Coast, things we miss about Arizona, how we’ve made friends and what we like most about our new surroundings.
Plus, I’m giving some exciting updates about some changes to the podcast next season and what you can expect from First Name Basis in the coming months. Press play to hear it!
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Head to firstnamebasis.org/workwithme or email hello@firstnamebasis.org for more information!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 7: “We Are Moving Across the Country”
About Progress Podcast: “The Science of Making (and Keeping) Friends as an Adult” with Dr. Marisa G. Franco
Shameless Mom Podcast: “Kat Vellos: Secrets to Cultivating Better Friendships”
Our realtor in Maryland, Mac McCord
My photographer friend Molly Hunter
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
When we really take a moment to step back and think, it’s easy to agree that Jesus had brown skin because he was from the Middle East. If that’s the case, why is Christ so often depicted as white with light skin, hair, and eyes?
In this episode we uncover the roots of white Jesus, explain the impact this depiction has made on us and our communities, and discuss why it’s important to use more accurate depictions of Christ in your home.
First Name Basis Patreon Community
Support First Name Basis and our mission to create anti-racist communities by joining our Patreon community! Members of our Patreon community come together once a month for a Q-and-A session or a Policy Party to learn more. For Q-and-A sessions, Patreon members ask me and my husband Carter their pressing questions about anti-racism, inclusion and what’s going on in the world. For Policy Parties, we invite community experts to help all of us take our values into our communities and make change to policies relevant to their area of expertise. Trust me, both of these added opportunities to learn are opportunities you don’t want to miss! To learn more about becoming a Patreon member, visit patreon.com/firstnamebasis.
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 24: “Cancel Culture Part 3: Removing Statues”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 15: “Diversity & Inclusion In LDS Art”
“Where Did ‘White Jesus’ Come From?” On the Media podcast
“‘Color of Christ’: A Story of Race and Religion in America,” Terry Gross interview with Edward Blum, NPR
“How Jesus Became White And Why It’s Time To Cancel That” by Emily McFarlan Miller, Religion News Service
“What’s The Difference Between Puritans and Pilgrims?” by Dave Roos, History.com
“The Harlem Renaissance,” History.com
“Colonel Henry Stanley Todd, The Priory, and the Nazarene” by Claudia S. Fortunato
Psychologist Simon Howard from Marquette University
“Dylann Roof Appeals Death Penalty in South Carolina Church Massacre” The Associated Press
“Archaeologists In Turkey Believe They Are Digging Up The Original Santa Claus,” by Ephrat Livni. Quartz
Megyn Kelly: Jesus & Santa Are White
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
We all know that 2020 was a wake-up call for a lot of people. It was a time of reflection, a time of change (hopefully), and a time where schools all over seemed to prioritize inclusion by drafting diversity statements.
But here we are in 2022, and I find myself asking: Have the diversity statements made a difference?
It’s not enough for a school to just have a diversity statement up on its website — administrators, teachers, parents and students must be doing the work to make sure the values in that statement are actually reflected in how the school is run.
Dr. Renata Williams knows first hand what it’s like to help a school turn a diversity statement into a reality, and she came onto the podcast this week to help us learn how we can help our schools do the same.
Dr. Williams is an education administrator with over a decade of experience who is currently the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania — the first person to hold this position at the school. She’s worked with administrators at the school to design a comprehensive strategic diversity, equity and inclusion plan for everyone from faculty to students.
In this episode, Dr. Williams helps us understand:
- How we can help teachers feel supported as they integrate anti-racism curriculum into their teaching.
- How to embrace and foster students’ budding activism.
- How parents, teachers and administrators can work together to make diversity statements have real impact at a school.
- The value outside experts can bring into helping a school prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion.
Invite Jasmine to speak at your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Head to firstnamebasis.org/speaking or email hello@firstnamebasis.org for more information!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 7, Episode 6: “Age Appropriate Anti-Racism”
Get in touch with Dr. Williams at williamsr@mercersburg.edu
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
I made my “Untold Story of Thanksgiving” episode to help me — and hopefully you — understand the true, accurate history. As I think about the episode, I think it does a good job at correcting the history, but it still centers on the colonizers.
Because of that, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can better make Indigenous Peoples the center of our conversations and learning around Thanksgiving, and I knew just the right person to turn to to help me.
On this week’s episode, my dear friend Jalynne Geddes joins me to help unpack what we can do to center Indigenous Peoples. Jalynne is Nehiyaw from the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation and is the creator behind the Nehiyanahk Creations on Instagram, where she shares her work as an activist both through words and through her beautiful beadwork.
In this episode, you’ll learn more about how our Indigenous brothers and sisters feel about Thanksgiving, how to center them during this time and how we can teach our kids about this as well.
I hope by the end of this you have a clear understanding of what you can do in your family to decenter colonizers and instead give your focus to Indigenous Peoples this Thanksgiving.
Check out our Thanksgiving resources
Thanksgiving is this week, and we have a gaggle of free resources for you!
Want some ideas for how to talk to your kids’ teachers about teaching Thanksgiving in an inclusive, Indigenous-centered way? Head to firstnamebasis.org/teachingthanksgiving for some sample letters and a free download that you can send to teachers to get the conversation going!
Looking for ways to center Indigenous Peoples’ in your family’s Thanksgiving celebration? Head to firstnamebasis.org/thanksgiving to get some ideas sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 3: “The Untold Story of Thanksgiving”
Jalynne Geddes’ Instagram @nehiyanahk_creations
Mark Ruffalo’s land acknowledgement at the Emmy’s
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Have y’all ever driven down the East Coast? I don’t mean to spoil the magic for you but I gotta say, it’s basically a straight shot through a wall of trees. So I was pretty excited when I noticed a few colorful billboards dotting my path. That excitement quickly turned to disgust when I realized that those billboards were super-duper racist.
These billboards not only appropriated Mexican culture but also used broken English and made fun of Mexican accents. Yikes.
In this episode we break down linguistic racism and dig deep into what it looks like and what we can do about it.
Press play to learn:
- What linguistic racism looks like.
- The detrimental effects of linguistic racism.
- Why it’s so important to talk to our children about unfamiliar accents.
- Concrete ways to introduce unfamiliar accents to our children and fight linguistic racism.
Join us for a Policy Party
You know what anti-racism looks like in your home, now let’s take it into our communities! Join us for a Policy Party on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. ET, where Lindsay Dusard will talk to us about refugee allyship!
At each Policy Party, we hang out over Zoom with experts from community-based organizations who will help us understand the issues and policies relevant to their area of expertise. Each party focuses on a different subject — anything from immigration to environmental justice and more! You’ll leave each party with specific actionable steps you can take to make your community more compassionate, inclusive and anti-racist.
My friend Lindsay will join us to discuss how we can be better allies to members of the refugee community. She has worked in refugee resettlement for over eight years and is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, where her work focuses on understanding factors related to refugee and immigrant students’ sense of belonging, wel-lbeing and success in the U.S. school system.
First Name Basis Patreon members will receive free admission, or you can purchase a one-time Policy Party ticket at firstnamebasis.org/policyparty. If you can’t attend the Policy Party, replays are also available with admission.
Check out our Thanksgiving resources
Thanksgiving is next week, and we have a gaggle of free resources for you — including multiple episodes, sample letters to send your kiddos’ teachers and resources you can use in your home!
Want some ideas for how to talk to your kids’ teachers about teaching Thanksgiving in an inclusive, Indigenous-centered way? Head to firstnamebasis.org/teachingthanksgiving for some sample letters and a free download that you can send to teachers to get the conversation going!
Looking for ways to center Indigenous Peoples’ in your family’s Thanksgiving celebration? Head to firstnamebasis.org/thanksgiving to get some ideas sent straight to your inbox!
Looking to learn more about how to celebrate Thanksgiving in a way that reflects the true history? Check out all of Thanksgiving episodes:
- Season 1, Episode 13: “The Untold Story of Thanksgiving”
- Season 1, Episode 14: “How to Teach Your Children About Thanksgiving”
- Season 4, Episode 13: “How to Center Indigenous Peoples During Thanksgiving”
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Please note I am not linking Pedro’s South of the Border because I do not want to drive traffic to their site.
“This S.C. Roadside Attraction is Garish, Tacky and Un-PC — But I Stopped Anyway” by Maura Judkis, Washington Post
“The Pervasive Problem of ‘Linguistic Racism’”, BBC
“The Reason You Discriminate Against Foreign Accents Starts With What They Do to Your Brain” by Michael Erard, Quartz
“Everyone Has an Accent” by Walt Wolfram, Learning for Justice
“Voices of North Carolina Dialect Awareness Curriculum”, North Carolina State University
“What is Critical Language Awareness?” Annamend
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Have y’all ever driven down the East Coast? I don’t mean to spoil the magic for you but I gotta say, it’s basically a straight shot through a wall of trees. So I was pretty excited when I noticed a few colorful billboards dotting my path. That excitement quickly turned to disgust when I realized that those billboards were super-duper racist.
These billboards not only appropriated Mexican culture but also used broken English and made fun of Mexican accents. Yikes.
In this episode we break down linguistic racism and dig deep into what it looks like and what we can do about it.
Press play to learn:
- What linguistic racism looks like.
- The detrimental effects of linguistic racism.
- Why it’s so important to talk to our children about unfamiliar accents.
- Concrete ways to introduce unfamiliar accents to our children and fight linguistic racism.
Join us for a Policy Party
You know what anti-racism looks like in your home, now let’s take it into our communities! Join us for a Policy Party on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. ET, where Lindsay Dusard will talk to us about refugee allyship!
At each Policy Party, we hang out over Zoom with experts from community-based organizations who will help us understand the issues and policies relevant to their area of expertise. Each party focuses on a different subject — anything from immigration to environmental justice and more! You’ll leave each party with specific actionable steps you can take to make your community more compassionate, inclusive and anti-racist.
My friend Lindsay will join us to discuss how we can be better allies to members of the refugee community. She has worked in refugee resettlement for over eight years and is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, where her work focuses on understanding factors related to refugee and immigrant students’ sense of belonging, wel-lbeing and success in the U.S. school system.
First Name Basis Patreon members will receive free admission, or you can purchase a one-time Policy Party ticket at firstnamebasis.org/policyparty. If you can’t attend the Policy Party, replays are also available with admission.
Check out our Thanksgiving resources
Thanksgiving is next week, and we have a gaggle of free resources for you — including multiple episodes, sample letters to send your kiddos’ teachers and resources you can use in your home!
Want some ideas for how to talk to your kids’ teachers about teaching Thanksgiving in an inclusive, Indigenous-centered way? Head to firstnamebasis.org/teachingthanksgiving for some sample letters and a free download that you can send to teachers to get the conversation going!
Looking for ways to center Indigenous Peoples’ in your family’s Thanksgiving celebration? Head to firstnamebasis.org/thanksgiving to get some ideas sent straight to your inbox!
Looking to learn more about how to celebrate Thanksgiving in a way that reflects the true history? Check out all of Thanksgiving episodes:
- Season 1, Episode 13: “The Untold Story of Thanksgiving”
- Season 1, Episode 14: “How to Teach Your Children About Thanksgiving”
- Season 4, Episode 13: “How to Center Indigenous Peoples During Thanksgiving”
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Please note I am not linking Pedro’s South of the Border because I do not want to drive traffic to their site.
“This S.C. Roadside Attraction is Garish, Tacky and Un-PC — But I Stopped Anyway” by Maura Judkis, Washington Post
“The Pervasive Problem of ‘Linguistic Racism’”, BBC
“The Reason You Discriminate Against Foreign Accents Starts With What They Do to Your Brain” by Michael Erard, Quartz
“Everyone Has an Accent” by Walt Wolfram, Learning for Justice
“Voices of North Carolina Dialect Awareness Curriculum”, North Carolina State University
“What is Critical Language Awareness?” Annamend
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
To say I’m obsessed with New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho’s novel “The Silence That Binds Us” is an understatement.
Yes, it’s a book technically written for young adults, but it’s also one adults need to read — because not only is it a beautiful story of grief, but it is also an impactful story about anti-racism.
I had the privilege of interviewing Joanna recently and talking to her about “The Silence That Binds Us” and specifically the lessons it teaches about Black and Asian solidarity. And just as much as “The Silence That Binds Us” is a book you don’t want to miss, this interview is one you’ll want to tune into as well!
In this episode, Joanna and I discuss:
- Her process in writing “The Silence That Binds Us.”
- What Black and Asian solidarity looks like.
- The power of stories in anti-racism work.
- What we can do about book banning in our communities.
Joanna Ho is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author “Eyes that Kiss in the Corners” and “Eyes that Speak to the Stars.” She has extensive experience as an educator (she’s previously worked as an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, a creator of educator professional development, and a high school vice principal) and is passionate about anti-bias and anti-racism work. Joanna lives in the Bay Area where she enjoys chocolate chip cookies, being outside and having dance parties with her two kiddos.
Join us for a Policy Party
You know what anti-racism looks like in your home, now let’s take it into our communities! Join us for a Policy Party on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. ET, where Lindsay Dusard will talk to us about refugee allyship!
At each Policy Party, we hang out over Zoom with experts from community-based organizations who will help us understand the issues and policies relevant to their area of expertise. Each party focuses on a different subject — anything from immigration to environmental justice and more! You’ll leave each party with specific actionable steps you can take to make your community more compassionate, inclusive and anti-racist.
My friend Lindsay will join us to discuss how we can be better allies to members of the refugee community. She has worked in refugee resettlement for over eight years and is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, where her work focuses on understanding factors related to refugee and immigrant students’ sense of belonging, wel-lbeing and success in the U.S. school system.
First Name Basis Patreon members will receive free admission, or you can purchase a one-time Policy Party ticket at firstnamebasis.org/policyparty. If you can’t attend the Policy Party, replays are also available with admission.
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
Joanna Ho’s website
Joanna Ho’s Instagram account @joannahowrites
Learn more about “The Silence That Binds Us”
Pre-order Joanna’s upcoming children’s book “One Day”
Pen America, which has reports about book bans in America and ideas about what you can do to help stop the bans
We Need Diverse Books, which advocates for diversity and representation in children’s literature.
Joanna Ho’s books
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
To say I’m obsessed with New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho’s novel “The Silence That Binds Us” is an understatement.
Yes, it’s a book technically written for young adults, but it’s also one adults need to read — because not only is it a beautiful story of grief, but it is also an impactful story about anti-racism.
I had the privilege of interviewing Joanna recently and talking to her about “The Silence That Binds Us” and specifically the lessons it teaches about Black and Asian solidarity. And just as much as “The Silence That Binds Us” is a book you don’t want to miss, this interview is one you’ll want to tune into as well!
In this episode, Joanna and I discuss:
- Her process in writing “The Silence That Binds Us.”
- What Black and Asian solidarity looks like.
- The power of stories in anti-racism work.
- What we can do about book banning in our communities.
Joanna Ho is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author “Eyes that Kiss in the Corners” and “Eyes that Speak to the Stars.” She has extensive experience as an educator (she’s previously worked as an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, a creator of educator professional development, and a high school vice principal) and is passionate about anti-bias and anti-racism work. Joanna lives in the Bay Area where she enjoys chocolate chip cookies, being outside and having dance parties with her two kiddos.
Join us for a Policy Party
You know what anti-racism looks like in your home, now let’s take it into our communities! Join us for a Policy Party on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. ET, where Lindsay Dusard will talk to us about refugee allyship!
At each Policy Party, we hang out over Zoom with experts from community-based organizations who will help us understand the issues and policies relevant to their area of expertise. Each party focuses on a different subject — anything from immigration to environmental justice and more! You’ll leave each party with specific actionable steps you can take to make your community more compassionate, inclusive and anti-racist.
My friend Lindsay will join us to discuss how we can be better allies to members of the refugee community. She has worked in refugee resettlement for over eight years and is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, where her work focuses on understanding factors related to refugee and immigrant students’ sense of belonging, wel-lbeing and success in the U.S. school system.
First Name Basis Patreon members will receive free admission, or you can purchase a one-time Policy Party ticket at firstnamebasis.org/policyparty. If you can’t attend the Policy Party, replays are also available with admission.
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
Joanna Ho’s website
Joanna Ho’s Instagram account @joannahowrites
Learn more about “The Silence That Binds Us”
Pre-order Joanna’s upcoming children’s book “One Day”
Pen America, which has reports about book bans in America and ideas about what you can do to help stop the bans
We Need Diverse Books, which advocates for diversity and representation in children’s literature.
Joanna Ho’s books
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
If you’ve been around a while, you’ve heard me say it hundreds of times: Race is a social construct.
Race was created and has always been manipulated to make sure that the people in the dominant culture — in the U.S., that means people who are white, middle class, Christian, male and cisgender — can maintain power.
History is full of examples of this, but we don’t need to only look to the past to see it happening — it happens all the time, right now, in our own communities, and one current example is the fight to restrict Black voting power.
I’m sharing my thoughts about this in today’s episode, “Real Quick: Black Voting Power,” which is the second episode in our new Real Quick series!
You know when you’re talking to someone and the conversation is about to wrap up but there’s one more thing you want to say before you part ways so you say, “Real quick, ____”? There are lots of things I want to say or wish I could add that don’t quite fit in an episode or qualify as a full episode on their own, so this Real Quick series is my way of sharing those thoughts with you.
Whenever we have a Real Quick episode, you can plan on getting two mini-episodes that week. If you missed our first Real Quick episode that was released on Tuesday, don’t forget to also check it out!
Get your Voting Action Plan
Whether it’s for a primary election or a general election, if you‘re voting for your local school board or president of the United States, being an informed voter is crucial — and takes more effort than just skimming headlines or reading one-off articles on social media.
We’re here to help! Head over to firstnamebasis.org/vote to have the First Name Basis Voting Action Plan sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 28: “How to Become an Informed Voter”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 7, Episode 11: “Real Quick: Politicians Need Experience”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 1:”Racism is Built on a Big Fat Lie Pt. 1: Blood Quantum and the One Drop Rule”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 14: “What is Privilege And What Do I Do About It?”
“Who counts as Black in voting maps? Some GOP state officials want that narrowed,” by Hansi Lo Wang, NPR
Song Credit: “Tomorrow is Far Away” by The Undertowns
If you’ve been around a while, you’ve heard me say it hundreds of times: Race is a social construct.
Race was created and has always been manipulated to make sure that the people in the dominant culture — in the U.S., that means people who are white, middle class, Christian, male and cisgender — can maintain power.
History is full of examples of this, but we don’t need to only look to the past to see it happening — it happens all the time, right now, in our own communities, and one current example is the fight to restrict Black voting power.
I’m sharing my thoughts about this in today’s episode, “Real Quick: Black Voting Power,” which is the second episode in our new Real Quick series!
You know when you’re talking to someone and the conversation is about to wrap up but there’s one more thing you want to say before you part ways so you say, “Real quick, ____”? There are lots of things I want to say or wish I could add that don’t quite fit in an episode or qualify as a full episode on their own, so this Real Quick series is my way of sharing those thoughts with you.
Whenever we have a Real Quick episode, you can plan on getting two mini-episodes that week. If you missed our first Real Quick episode that was released on Tuesday, don’t forget to also check it out!
Get your Voting Action Plan
Whether it’s for a primary election or a general election, if you‘re voting for your local school board or president of the United States, being an informed voter is crucial — and takes more effort than just skimming headlines or reading one-off articles on social media.
We’re here to help! Head over to firstnamebasis.org/vote to have the First Name Basis Voting Action Plan sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 28: “How to Become an Informed Voter”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 7, Episode 11: “Real Quick: Politicians Need Experience”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 1:”Racism is Built on a Big Fat Lie Pt. 1: Blood Quantum and the One Drop Rule”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 14: “What is Privilege And What Do I Do About It?”
“Who counts as Black in voting maps? Some GOP state officials want that narrowed,” by Hansi Lo Wang, NPR
Song Credit: “Tomorrow is Far Away” by The Undertowns
Politicians need experience to do their job.
This may fall under the “unpopular opinion” category to some people, but it’s something I feel strongly about and have been thinking about for a while.
You wouldn’t want someone who played a surgeon on TV — but didn’t actually go to medical school — to perform surgery on you. So why would you want someone with no experience or training in politics to be your elected official, especially when we’re talking about a position with as much power as the President of the United States?
I’m sharing my thoughts about this in today’s episode, “Real Quick: Politicians Need Experience,” which is the first in our new Real Quick series!
You know when you’re talking to someone and the conversation is about to wrap up but there’s one more thing you want to say before you part ways so you say, “Real quick, ____”? There are lots of things I want to say or wish I could add that don’t quite fit in an episode or qualify as a full episode on their own, so this Real Quick series is my way of sharing those thoughts with you.
Whenever we have a Real Quick episode, you can plan on getting two mini-episodes that week, one on Tuesday and one on Thursday, so be on the lookout later this week for another small dose of the First Name Basis Podcast!
Get your Voting Action Plan
Whether it’s for a primary election or a general election, if you‘re voting for your local school board or president of the United States, being an informed voter is crucial — and takes more effort than just skimming headlines or reading one-off articles on social media.
We’re here to help! Head over to firstnamebasis.org/vote to have the First Name Basis Voting Action Plan sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 28: “How to Become an Informed Voter”
“How Much Political Experience Does It Take to Be Elected President?” by Maggie Astor and Alicia Parlapiano, The New York Times
Song Credit: “Tomorrow is Far Away” by The Undertowns
When the team here at First Name Basis was doing the research for our recent episode “Alcatraz: An Untold Story of Indigenous Resistance,” we came across the story of the Tammany Society — and we knew right away that story was too wild not to share!
The Tammany Society — also known as the Tammany Hall or the Columbian Order — was organized in the late 1780s right alongside the founding of the United States. It was a group of white men who were influencing the politics in New York at the time and then spread out geographically from there.
Their story is one rampant with cultural appropriation that directly relates to injustices and racism we still see in this country today. And to make the story even more bonkers, one of the most notable members of the society is someone who has become a household name in recent years.
“Pardon me. Are you Aaron Burr, sir?”
The twists, turns and wild connections in this story are something you’re not going to want to miss. In this episode, we’ll tell you more about:
- The origins of the Tammany Society.
- How it’s creation was in response to the creation of the Society of the Cincinnati (Spoiler alert: Alexander Hamilton enters in the story here too)
- The Tammany Society’s many instances of appropriation of Indigenous culture.
- A look at a specific example of the Tammany Society’s appropriation that we still see today (Spoiler alert #2: It’s the Atlanta Braves)
Get your Voting Action Plan
Whether it’s for a primary election or a general election, if you‘re voting for your local school board or president of the United States, being an informed voter is crucial — and takes more effort than just skimming headlines or reading one-off articles on social media.
We’re here to help! Head over to firstnamebasis.org/vote your to have the First Name Basis Voting Action Plan sent straight to your inbox!
Get your FREE Halloween costume download
Let us help you avoid cultural appropriation this Halloween with this FREE DOWNLOAD! We’ve created a printable decision tree to help you determine whether a costume falls into the “cultural appropriation” category. It’s a great resource for helping you decide and for sparking conversations with your kiddos about what makes a costume appropriation or not. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/costumes to get your copy sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 28: “How to Become an Informed Voter”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 7, Episode 8: “Culture Is Not a Costume: Cultural Appropriation and Halloween”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 16: “How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 1: “Your Top 5 Cultural Appropriation Questions Answered”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 2: “Real Talk: Cultural Appropriation and White Supremacy”
“Tammany Hall,” Britannica
“Tammany Hall Braves Honor Nation’s Birth: Dedicate New Wigwam as Part of Tradition to Celebrate Fourth,” July 5, 1929, news article
“Sachems & Sinners An Informal History of Tammany Hall,” Time
“The History of Tammany Hall,” by Gustavus Myers
“Native Americas: Tribal Leaders: Head Chief Tamanend the Affable of the Lenape,” The History Files
“The Cincinnati: A Society That's In the Blood,” by Tim Page, Washington Post
“Society of the Cincinnati,” Wikipedia
Society of the Cincinnati website
Applying for Membership, The Society of the Cincinnati website
“Alexander Hamilton’s American Revolution,” The American Revolution Institute
“Surrogate Americans: Masculinity, Masquerade, and the Formation of a National Identity,” Carroll Smith-Rosenberg
“Society of St. Tammany,” Encyclopedia.org
“Sachem,” Online Etymology Dictionary
“Tammany Hall,” Wikipedia
“Fraternal Purpose In The Establishment Of Tammany’s ‘American Museum,’” Timothy Winkle
“The Timeline History of Celebrating (and Not Celebrating) Columbus Day,” by Rebeca Coleman, Smithsonian Magazine
“Tammany: The Indian as Rhetorical Surrogate,” Alan Leander MacGregor
“Becoming the Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves,” by Bill Felber, Call to the Pen
“Ward Wants His Team to be Called the ‘Boston Braves,’” Boston Globe article from Dec. 21, 1911
First Name Basis Untold Stories Episodes
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 13: “The Untold Story of Thanksgiving”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 1: “The Untold Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 6: “The Untold Story of Dr. Seuss”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 7: “The Untold Story of Rosa Parks”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 14: “The Untold Story of Fried Chicken”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 7: “The Untold Story of Christopher Columbus”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 8: “The Untold Story of the Star Spangled Banner”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 7, Episode 7: “Alcatraz: An Untold Story of Indigenous Resistance”
Song Credit: “Tomorrow is Far Away” by The Undertowns
One of the biggest messages we’re trying to get across with First Name Basis is that learning a person’s story and getting to know them as an individual is the best way to create understanding and foster anti-racist, inclusive communities. Heck, it’s such an important concept that it’s our name!
Getting on a first name basis with people has so much power, and it’s one of the things that made me want to watch the new documentary “Defining Us: Children at the Crossroads of Change.”
Did you know that race is the #1 predictor of whether a student will be successful in the educational system? And according to “Defining Us,” almost 50 million children attend public schools in the U.S. and more than half are students of color.
“Defining Us” goes beyond the statistics to tell the stories of BIPOC students in Los Angeles and New York — the country’s two biggest school districts — and interviews experts on the topic of race and education.
This week on the First Name Basis Podcast, I interviewed Paul Forbes and Stacey DeWitt about their work on “Defining Us.”
Paul Forbes is one of the film’s executive producers, director of partnerships and one of the experts featured in “Defining Us.” He is an anti-bias and educational equity consultant who worked in the New York City Department of education for more than 20 years and has worked for years on equity initiatives and training educators and administrators on bias, culturally responsive education and discussions about systemic racism.
Stacey DeWitt is the director and an executive producer of “Defining Us.” She is an Emmy Award-winning producer, journalist and attorney who has produced over 65 documentaries, many of them focused on children and families. She is deeply committed to the power of storytelling through video and how those stories can create change.
In our interview, we discuss:
- How the documentary came to be.
- How teachers and students can engage in conversations about race.
- The impact of systemic racism on education.
- The power of video in storytelling.
Join First Name Basis on Patreon
Support First Name Basis and our mission to create anti-racist communities by joining our Patreon community! Members of our Patreon community come together once a month for a Q-and-A session or a Policy Party to learn more. For Q-and-A sessions, Patreon members ask me and my husband Carter their pressing questions about anti-racism, inclusion and what’s going on in the world. For Policy Parties, we invite community experts to help all of us take our values into our communities and make change to policies relevant to their area of expertise. Trust me, both of these added opportunities to learn are opportunities you don’t want to miss! To learn more about becoming a Patreon member, visit patreon.com/firstnamebasis. And don’t wait! Our next Q-and-A is Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET!
Get your FREE Halloween costume download
Let us help you avoid cultural appropriation this Halloween with this FREE DOWNLOAD! We’ve created a printable decision tree to help you determine whether a costume falls into the “cultural appropriation” category. It’s a great resource for helping you decide and for sparking conversations with your kiddos about what makes a costume appropriation or not. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/costumes to get your copy sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
Watch the “Defining Us” trailer
“Defining Us” website
“Defining Us” on Instagram
“Defining Us” on Facebook
Where to watch “Defining Us”
Paul Forbes’ company, Leading With Hearts and Minds
Stacey DeWitt’s company, CWK Network
Song Credit: “Tomorrow is Far Away” by The Undertowns
One of the biggest messages we’re trying to get across with First Name Basis is that learning a person’s story and getting to know them as an individual is the best way to create understanding and foster anti-racist, inclusive communities. Heck, it’s such an important concept that it’s our name!
Getting on a first name basis with people has so much power, and it’s one of the things that made me want to watch the new documentary “Defining Us: Children at the Crossroads of Change.”
Did you know that race is the #1 predictor of whether a student will be successful in the educational system? And according to “Defining Us,” almost 50 million children attend public schools in the U.S. and more than half are students of color.
“Defining Us” goes beyond the statistics to tell the stories of BIPOC students in Los Angeles and New York — the country’s two biggest school districts — and interviews experts on the topic of race and education.
This week on the First Name Basis Podcast, I interviewed Paul Forbes and Stacey DeWitt about their work on “Defining Us.”
Paul Forbes is one of the film’s executive producers, director of partnerships and one of the experts featured in “Defining Us.” He is an anti-bias and educational equity consultant who worked in the New York City Department of education for more than 20 years and has worked for years on equity initiatives and training educators and administrators on bias, culturally responsive education and discussions about systemic racism.
Stacey DeWitt is the director and an executive producer of “Defining Us.” She is an Emmy Award-winning producer, journalist and attorney who has produced over 65 documentaries, many of them focused on children and families. She is deeply committed to the power of storytelling through video and how those stories can create change.
In our interview, we discuss:
- How the documentary came to be.
- How teachers and students can engage in conversations about race.
- The impact of systemic racism on education.
- The power of video in storytelling.
Join First Name Basis on Patreon
Support First Name Basis and our mission to create anti-racist communities by joining our Patreon community! Members of our Patreon community come together once a month for a Q-and-A session or a Policy Party to learn more. For Q-and-A sessions, Patreon members ask me and my husband Carter their pressing questions about anti-racism, inclusion and what’s going on in the world. For Policy Parties, we invite community experts to help all of us take our values into our communities and make change to policies relevant to their area of expertise. Trust me, both of these added opportunities to learn are opportunities you don’t want to miss! To learn more about becoming a Patreon member, visit patreon.com/firstnamebasis. And don’t wait! Our next Q-and-A is Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET!
Get your FREE Halloween costume download
Let us help you avoid cultural appropriation this Halloween with this FREE DOWNLOAD! We’ve created a printable decision tree to help you determine whether a costume falls into the “cultural appropriation” category. It’s a great resource for helping you decide and for sparking conversations with your kiddos about what makes a costume appropriation or not. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/costumes to get your copy sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
Watch the “Defining Us” trailer
“Defining Us” website
“Defining Us” on Instagram
“Defining Us” on Facebook
Where to watch “Defining Us”
Paul Forbes’ company, Leading With Hearts and Minds
Stacey DeWitt’s company, CWK Network
Song Credit: “Tomorrow is Far Away” by The Undertowns
Can you believe that Halloween is just around the corner?
I know some of you super-prepared parents out there are already getting costumes put together for your kiddos, and you may be wondering about cultural appropriation as you're looking through the shelves and online at all the costume options.
I get asked all the time about how to avoid cultural appropriation with Halloween costumes, so this week, I’m bringing you TWO resources to help you as you navigate finding costumes for you and your kiddos.
First is my podcast episode titled “Culture is Not a Costume: Cultural Appropriation and Halloween,” which is a one-stop shop for you to get all of your costume questions answered.
In the episode, you will learn about:
- Indigenous appropriation on Halloween and how these costumes put Indigenous women in danger.
- How you can avoid appropriation in Halloween costumes.
- When it is appropriate to wear cultural artifacts.
Second is a free printable decision tree to help you determine whether a costume falls into the “cultural appropriation” category. It’s a great resource for helping you decide and for sparking conversations with your kiddos about what makes a costume appropriation or not. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/costumes to get your copy sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 3, Episode 1: “Your Top 5 Cultural Appropriation Questions Answered”
“These costumes objectify Native American women. Retailers won’t stop selling them” by Nadra Nittle, Vox
“Our Society Can Never Really Eradicate Patriarchy or Sexual Violence When We Permit Violence Against Indigenous Women,” by Dani M., Wear Your Voice
“Yandy Responds to New Times Article, Says Costumes ‘Pay Homage’ to Native Americans” by Molly Longman, Phoenix New Times
“Yandy Finally Got Rid Of An Offensive Costume. So Why Are Some Protesters Still Angry?” by Molly Longman, Refinery29
“How to dress your Pākehā child up as Maui or Moana without appropriating Pasifika culture” by Emmaline Matagi, The Spinoff
“Please don’t tell your kids they can’t dress as Moana this Halloween” by Preeti Varathan, Quartz
“PSA: Don’t Let Your Kid Dress Up In These Costumes” by Rachel Garlinghouse, Scary Mommy
“Why Your White Kid Probably Shouldn’t Dress Up As Moana For Halloween” by Eden Hagos, Today’s Parent
Little Koto’s Closet Blog
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Can you believe that Halloween is just around the corner?
I know some of you super-prepared parents out there are already getting costumes put together for your kiddos, and you may be wondering about cultural appropriation as you're looking through the shelves and online at all the costume options.
I get asked all the time about how to avoid cultural appropriation with Halloween costumes, so this week, I’m bringing you TWO resources to help you as you navigate finding costumes for you and your kiddos.
First is my podcast episode titled “Culture is Not a Costume: Cultural Appropriation and Halloween,” which is a one-stop shop for you to get all of your costume questions answered.
In the episode, you will learn about:
- Indigenous appropriation on Halloween and how these costumes put Indigenous women in danger.
- How you can avoid appropriation in Halloween costumes.
- When it is appropriate to wear cultural artifacts.
Second is a free printable decision tree to help you determine whether a costume falls into the “cultural appropriation” category. It’s a great resource for helping you decide and for sparking conversations with your kiddos about what makes a costume appropriation or not. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/costumes to get your copy sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 3, Episode 1: “Your Top 5 Cultural Appropriation Questions Answered”
“These costumes objectify Native American women. Retailers won’t stop selling them” by Nadra Nittle, Vox
“Our Society Can Never Really Eradicate Patriarchy or Sexual Violence When We Permit Violence Against Indigenous Women,” by Dani M., Wear Your Voice
“Yandy Responds to New Times Article, Says Costumes ‘Pay Homage’ to Native Americans” by Molly Longman, Phoenix New Times
“Yandy Finally Got Rid Of An Offensive Costume. So Why Are Some Protesters Still Angry?” by Molly Longman, Refinery29
“How to dress your Pākehā child up as Maui or Moana without appropriating Pasifika culture” by Emmaline Matagi, The Spinoff
“Please don’t tell your kids they can’t dress as Moana this Halloween” by Preeti Varathan, Quartz
“PSA: Don’t Let Your Kid Dress Up In These Costumes” by Rachel Garlinghouse, Scary Mommy
“Why Your White Kid Probably Shouldn’t Dress Up As Moana For Halloween” by Eden Hagos, Today’s Parent
Little Koto’s Closet Blog
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Alcatraz. What comes to your mind when you hear the name of that little island off the coast of San Francisco?
For me, I heard "Alcatraz" and I pictured that guy who says, "Say hello to my little friend." I know, I know, wrong coast. I couldn't have been more off base. But all I really knew is that it used to be a high-security prison and I imagined Scarface going there.
Well, did you know that Alcatraz was the site of an Indigenous protest so powerful that it was a catalyst for the Red Power Movement? In this episode we do a deep dive into this powerful untold story of Indigenous resistance.
Press play to learn about:
- How a tiny clause in a treaty from 1868 sparked a years-long protest
- The Alcatraz Proclamation in which the Indigenous Peoples claimed the island “by right of discovery”
- Multiple examples of Indigenous Peoples choosing their values over money
- The connection of the Alcatraz occupation to Indigenous Peoples' Day
Get resources to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day sent to your inbox!
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is coming up on October 10, and one of the best things we can do to celebrate is learn more about the history of our Indigenous brothers and sisters. We want to help by sending you some resources to help you learn more. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/indigenouspeoples to get the resources sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 13: “The Untold Story of Thanksgiving”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 1: “The Untold Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 6: “The Untold Story of Dr. Seuss”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 7: “The Untold Story of Rosa Parks”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 14: “The Untold Story of Fried Chicken”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 7: “The Untold Story of Christopher Columbus”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 8: “The Untold Story of the Star Spangled Banner”
“Goodbye, Columbus? Here's what Indigenous Peoples' Day means to Native Americans” by Emma Bowman, NPR
The Occupation of Alcatraz, University of Massachusetts Lowell Library
Definition of Red Power
“The Grim Plight of the…” by Jerry Kamstra
“In 1868, Two Nations Made a Treaty, the U.S. Broke It and Plains Indian Tribes are Still Seeking Justice” by Kimbra Cutlip, Smithsonian Magazine
Treaty of Fort Laramie, National Archives
“Why Native Americans Have Protested Mount Rushmore” by Jodi Rave, History.com
“The Proclamation: To The Great White Father and All His People”
“Rethinking How We Celebrate American History—Indigenous Peoples’ Day” by Dennis W. Zotigh and Renee Gokey, Smithsonian Magazine
“What is the history behind Indigenous Peoples’ Day?” University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
“In South Dakota, It’s Native American Day, Not Columbus Day,” ACLU South Dakota
Indigenous Peoples Day, Unitarian Universalist Association
“A Proclamation on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, 2021,” The White House
“Biden is first president to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day” by Zeke Miller and Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press
States that have celebrations similar to Indigenous Peoples’ Day but under different names
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Alcatraz. What comes to your mind when you hear the name of that little island off the coast of San Francisco?
For me, I heard "Alcatraz" and I pictured that guy who says, "Say hello to my little friend." I know, I know, wrong coast. I couldn't have been more off base. But all I really knew is that it used to be a high-security prison and I imagined Scarface going there.
Well, did you know that Alcatraz was the site of an Indigenous protest so powerful that it was a catalyst for the Red Power Movement? In this episode we do a deep dive into this powerful untold story of Indigenous resistance.
Press play to learn about:
- How a tiny clause in a treaty from 1868 sparked a years-long protest
- The Alcatraz Proclamation in which the Indigenous Peoples claimed the island “by right of discovery”
- Multiple examples of Indigenous Peoples choosing their values over money
- The connection of the Alcatraz occupation to Indigenous Peoples' Day
Get resources to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day sent to your inbox!
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is coming up on October 10, and one of the best things we can do to celebrate is learn more about the history of our Indigenous brothers and sisters. We want to help by sending you some resources to help you learn more. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/indigenouspeoples to get the resources sent straight to your inbox!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 13: “The Untold Story of Thanksgiving”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 1: “The Untold Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 6: “The Untold Story of Dr. Seuss”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 7: “The Untold Story of Rosa Parks”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 14: “The Untold Story of Fried Chicken”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 7: “The Untold Story of Christopher Columbus”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 6, Episode 8: “The Untold Story of the Star Spangled Banner”
“Goodbye, Columbus? Here's what Indigenous Peoples' Day means to Native Americans” by Emma Bowman, NPR
The Occupation of Alcatraz, University of Massachusetts Lowell Library
Definition of Red Power
“The Grim Plight of the…” by Jerry Kamstra
“In 1868, Two Nations Made a Treaty, the U.S. Broke It and Plains Indian Tribes are Still Seeking Justice” by Kimbra Cutlip, Smithsonian Magazine
Treaty of Fort Laramie, National Archives
“Why Native Americans Have Protested Mount Rushmore” by Jodi Rave, History.com
“The Proclamation: To The Great White Father and All His People”
“Rethinking How We Celebrate American History—Indigenous Peoples’ Day” by Dennis W. Zotigh and Renee Gokey, Smithsonian Magazine
“What is the history behind Indigenous Peoples’ Day?” University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
“In South Dakota, It’s Native American Day, Not Columbus Day,” ACLU South Dakota
Indigenous Peoples Day, Unitarian Universalist Association
“A Proclamation on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, 2021,” The White House
“Biden is first president to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day” by Zeke Miller and Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press
States that have celebrations similar to Indigenous Peoples’ Day but under different names
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
My dear friends, we have been on this anti-racism journey together for 3 years, and it’s AMAZING to think about the growth we’ve gone through together.
Over the course of more than 100 episodes, we’ve gone from talking about the basic building blocks to more in-depth conversations. And just like we as adults have worked to build up our own understanding of anti-racism, we need to do that for our kiddos too — and we need to do it in a way that is developmentally appropriate.
These conversations need to be happening while our kiddos are young, but that doesn’t mean we need to have them drinking out of the fire hose — we need to see where they are and present the concepts in a way that is appropriate for their current understanding, using their language.
So how do you do that? We’re here to help! In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why we need to be having these conversations and providing the building blocks to our young kiddos.
- The 4 goals of anti-bias education and how they apply differently to different age groups.
- More about our two at-home anti-racist education programs — Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. — and how each can help you creat an anti-racist family culture.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Registration is now open for both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Registration closes September 30, so don’t miss your chance. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/sneakpeek for a look inside the programs and to receive a coupon code straight to your inbox!
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 9: “Don't Wait Until Something Bad Happens To Talk To Your Kids About Race with Dr. Lucretia Berry”
“Conversations With Kids About Race” by Margaret A.
“Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves” by Louise Derman-Sparks & Julie Olsen Edwards
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
My dear friends, we have been on this anti-racism journey together for 3 years, and it’s AMAZING to think about the growth we’ve gone through together.
Over the course of more than 100 episodes, we’ve gone from talking about the basic building blocks to more in-depth conversations. And just like we as adults have worked to build up our own understanding of anti-racism, we need to do that for our kiddos too — and we need to do it in a way that is developmentally appropriate.
These conversations need to be happening while our kiddos are young, but that doesn’t mean we need to have them drinking out of the fire hose — we need to see where they are and present the concepts in a way that is appropriate for their current understanding, using their language.
So how do you do that? We’re here to help! In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why we need to be having these conversations and providing the building blocks to our young kiddos.
- The 4 goals of anti-bias education and how they apply differently to different age groups.
- More about our two at-home anti-racist education programs — Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. — and how each can help you creat an anti-racist family culture.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Registration is now open for both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Registration closes September 30, so don’t miss your chance. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/sneakpeek for a look inside the programs and to receive a coupon code straight to your inbox!
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 9: “Don't Wait Until Something Bad Happens To Talk To Your Kids About Race with Dr. Lucretia Berry”
“Conversations With Kids About Race” by Margaret A.
“Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves” by Louise Derman-Sparks & Julie Olsen Edwards
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
I’ve heard from so many parents who have been listening to the First Name Basis Podcast and other anti-racist educators, have tried to implement the suggestions they learn as they try to teach their children … only to feel like it’s all completely backfired.
Perhaps you’ve been there, where you’ve talked to your kiddos about racism only to hear them express even MORE biases to you that they’ve picked up from their environment.
While I get that it can be discouraging as a parent and it may feel like you’re failing, the reality is quite the opposite!
Did you know that it’s actually super common for kids to make more — rather than fewer — biased comments when they’re first learning about topics such as bias, differences, social justice and racism?
While we, of course, never want kids to hold onto biased ideas, the fact that they’re saying them out loud to YOU means you have built trust and opened that line of communication with them.
In this episode, I’ll talk more about:
- Strategies for supporting Children of Color, including exposing them to representation, helping them find safe people who can be allies and keeping an eye out for appropriated racial oppression.
- How parents of white children or children who benefit from white privilege can respond and reframe when it feels like their anti-racism efforts aren’t working.
- How to use the times your kiddos express bias as a time to have more conversations about anti-racism and your family values.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Registration is now open for both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Registration closes September 30, so don’t miss your chance. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/sneakpeek for a look inside the programs and to receive a coupon code straight to your inbox!
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 4: “Oh No! My Child Said Something Racist”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 1: “Talking to Young Kids About Race”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 2: ”Talking to Older Children About Race”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 9: “Racism 101”
“Children Notice Race Several Years Before Adults Want to Talk About It,” American Psychological Association
“Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide” by Britt Hawthorne
“Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves” by Louise Derman-Sparks & Julie Olsen Edwards
Song credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
I’ve heard from so many parents who have been listening to the First Name Basis Podcast and other anti-racist educators, have tried to implement the suggestions they learn as they try to teach their children … only to feel like it’s all completely backfired.
Perhaps you’ve been there, where you’ve talked to your kiddos about racism only to hear them express even MORE biases to you that they’ve picked up from their environment.
While I get that it can be discouraging as a parent and it may feel like you’re failing, the reality is quite the opposite!
Did you know that it’s actually super common for kids to make more — rather than fewer — biased comments when they’re first learning about topics such as bias, differences, social justice and racism?
While we, of course, never want kids to hold onto biased ideas, the fact that they’re saying them out loud to YOU means you have built trust and opened that line of communication with them.
In this episode, I’ll talk more about:
- Strategies for supporting Children of Color, including exposing them to representation, helping them find safe people who can be allies and keeping an eye out for appropriated racial oppression.
- How parents of white children or children who benefit from white privilege can respond and reframe when it feels like their anti-racism efforts aren’t working.
- How to use the times your kiddos express bias as a time to have more conversations about anti-racism and your family values.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Registration is now open for both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Registration closes September 30, so don’t miss your chance. Head over to firstnamebasis.org/sneakpeek for a look inside the programs and to receive a coupon code straight to your inbox!
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 4: “Oh No! My Child Said Something Racist”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 1: “Talking to Young Kids About Race”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 2: ”Talking to Older Children About Race”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 9: “Racism 101”
“Children Notice Race Several Years Before Adults Want to Talk About It,” American Psychological Association
“Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide” by Britt Hawthorne
“Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves” by Louise Derman-Sparks & Julie Olsen Edwards
Song credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
The fact that there is a need for student loan forgiveness really paints a picture of just how complicated education funding has become.
So how did we get to this point, and why is the already huge cost of attending college continuing to increase?
To answer this, I interviewed my dad, Ken Clarke, who spent more than 35 years working as a financial aid professional. When he retired, he was the dean of financial aid for all Maricopa County community colleges in Arizona, and he had helped thousands of students navigate the financial aid process throughout his career.
In this episode, my dad talks more about the ins and outs of student loans, including:
- The history of student loans.
- Where student loans came from.
- What happened in history that made student loans so expensive and have such high interest rates.
This is actually the second half of the conversation I had with my dad about student loans. If you missed the first part, head over to listen to Season 7, Episode 3: “Real Talk: You Should Support Student Loan Forgiveness,” where we tackle four of the most common arguments against student loan forgiveness.
6 Characteristics of a Positive Community
Anti-racism is a vital part of EVERY community. It’s not something we should silo away from the other communities we are a part of, whether that’s your neighborhood, church, PTA, craft circle, fitness group, etc. We should just focus on building healthy communities — where we strive for fairness, communicate when there’s friction, embrace freedom of expression and celebrate traditions together.
And First Name Basis is here to help you do it! Visit firstnamebasis.org/positivecommunity to get your FREE printable of the 6 characteristics of a positive community, adapted for the podcast from Dr. Nicole Celestine’s work.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
We are opening the doors to both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. on Sept. 20!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 7, Episode 3: “Real Talk: You Should Support Student Loan Forgiveness” with Ken Clarke
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 2, Episode 5: “A Conversation With My Dad About Black History Month” with Ken Clarke
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 3, Episode 14: “The Untold Story of Fried Chicken” with Ken Clarke
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 4, Episode 10: “The Memory That I Can’t Shake: The Why Behind Ally Elementary”
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 5, Episode 16: “Age Appropriate Anti-Racism”
“Fact Sheet: President Biden Announces Student Loan Relief for Borrowers Who Need It Most,” The White House
Who is My Student Loan Servicer?
Song credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
The fact that there is a need for student loan forgiveness really paints a picture of just how complicated education funding has become.
So how did we get to this point, and why is the already huge cost of attending college continuing to increase?
To answer this, I interviewed my dad, Ken Clarke, who spent more than 35 years working as a financial aid professional. When he retired, he was the dean of financial aid for all Maricopa County community colleges in Arizona, and he had helped thousands of students navigate the financial aid process throughout his career.
In this episode, my dad talks more about the ins and outs of student loans, including:
- The history of student loans.
- Where student loans came from.
- What happened in history that made student loans so expensive and have such high interest rates.
This is actually the second half of the conversation I had with my dad about student loans. If you missed the first part, head over to listen to Season 7, Episode 3: “Real Talk: You Should Support Student Loan Forgiveness,” where we tackle four of the most common arguments against student loan forgiveness.
6 Characteristics of a Positive Community
Anti-racism is a vital part of EVERY community. It’s not something we should silo away from the other communities we are a part of, whether that’s your neighborhood, church, PTA, craft circle, fitness group, etc. We should just focus on building healthy communities — where we strive for fairness, communicate when there’s friction, embrace freedom of expression and celebrate traditions together.
And First Name Basis is here to help you do it! Visit firstnamebasis.org/positivecommunity to get your FREE printable of the 6 characteristics of a positive community, adapted for the podcast from Dr. Nicole Celestine’s work.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
We are opening the doors to both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. on Sept. 20!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 7, Episode 3: “Real Talk: You Should Support Student Loan Forgiveness” with Ken Clarke
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 2, Episode 5: “A Conversation With My Dad About Black History Month” with Ken Clarke
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 3, Episode 14: “The Untold Story of Fried Chicken” with Ken Clarke
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 4, Episode 10: “The Memory That I Can’t Shake: The Why Behind Ally Elementary”
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 5, Episode 16: “Age Appropriate Anti-Racism”
“Fact Sheet: President Biden Announces Student Loan Relief for Borrowers Who Need It Most,” The White House
Who is My Student Loan Servicer?
Song credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
It’s been a few weeks since the White House announced a plan for student loan forgiveness, and in that time, you’ve likely seen all sorts of articles and social media posts pushing back against it.
Watching these arguments unfold has been frustrating, and it can be hard to know what to say.
To help all of us know how to respond, I interviewed my dad, Ken Clarke, who spent more than 35 years working as a financial aid professional.
I mean it when I say my dad is the perfect person to walk us through this conversation. When he retired, he was the dean of financial aid for all Maricopa County community colleges in Arizona, and he had helped thousands of students navigate the financial aid process throughout his career.
The conversation I had with him was so good and full of information that I ended up splitting it into two episodes.
In this first episode, we address four of the most common arguments against student loan forgiveness:
- The argument that the plan only helps the “elite.”
- The complaints about having to “foot the bill” for other people’s education.
- The objections that the plan is “unfair” to people who have already paid off student loans.
- The criticism that the plan is too expensive.
And be on the lookout for the bonus episode with the second half of this conversation where my dad and I talk more about the history of student loans and how college became so expensive.
6 Characteristics of a Positive Community
Anti-racism is a vital part of EVERY community. It’s not something we should silo away from the other communities we are a part of, whether that’s your neighborhood, church, PTA, craft circle, fitness group, etc. We should just focus on building healthy communities — where we strive for fairness, communicate when there’s friction, embrace freedom of expression and celebrate traditions together.
And First Name Basis is here to help you do it! Visit firstnamebasis.org/positivecommunity to get your FREE printable of the 6 characteristics of a positive community, adapted for the podcast from Dr. Nicole Celestine’s work.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
We are opening the doors to both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. on Sept. 20!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 2, Episode 5: “A Conversation With My Dad About Black History Month” with Ken Clarke
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 3, Episode 14: “The Untold Story of Fried Chicken” with Ken Clarke
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 4, Episode 10: “The Memory That I Can’t Shake: The Why Behind Ally Elementary”
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 5, Episode 16: “Age Appropriate Anti-Racism”
“Student Loan Debt by Race,” by Melanie Hanson, Education Data Initiative
Leslie Streeter on Twitter
Jon Schwarz on Twitter
“Jim Crow Debt: How Black Borrowers Experience Student Loans,” by Jalil B. Mustaffa and Jonathan C.W. Davis, The Education Trust
“What will student loan forgiveness mean for Black students and families?" by Andre M. Perry and Adrianna Pita, The Current Podcast from Brookings
“Fact Sheet: President Biden Announces Student Loan Relief for Borrowers Who Need It Most,” The White House
Who is My Student Loan Servicer?
Song credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
It’s been a few weeks since the White House announced a plan for student loan forgiveness, and in that time, you’ve likely seen all sorts of articles and social media posts pushing back against it.
Watching these arguments unfold has been frustrating, and it can be hard to know what to say.
To help all of us know how to respond, I interviewed my dad, Ken Clarke, who spent more than 35 years working as a financial aid professional.
I mean it when I say my dad is the perfect person to walk us through this conversation. When he retired, he was the dean of financial aid for all Maricopa County community colleges in Arizona, and he had helped thousands of students navigate the financial aid process throughout his career.
The conversation I had with him was so good and full of information that I ended up splitting it into two episodes.
In this first episode, we address four of the most common arguments against student loan forgiveness:
- The argument that the plan only helps the “elite.”
- The complaints about having to “foot the bill” for other people’s education.
- The objections that the plan is “unfair” to people who have already paid off student loans.
- The criticism that the plan is too expensive.
And be on the lookout for the bonus episode with the second half of this conversation where my dad and I talk more about the history of student loans and how college became so expensive.
6 Characteristics of a Positive Community
Anti-racism is a vital part of EVERY community. It’s not something we should silo away from the other communities we are a part of, whether that’s your neighborhood, church, PTA, craft circle, fitness group, etc. We should just focus on building healthy communities — where we strive for fairness, communicate when there’s friction, embrace freedom of expression and celebrate traditions together.
And First Name Basis is here to help you do it! Visit firstnamebasis.org/positivecommunity to get your FREE printable of the 6 characteristics of a positive community, adapted for the podcast from Dr. Nicole Celestine’s work.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
We are opening the doors to both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. on Sept. 20!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 2, Episode 5: “A Conversation With My Dad About Black History Month” with Ken Clarke
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 3, Episode 14: “The Untold Story of Fried Chicken” with Ken Clarke
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 4, Episode 10: “The Memory That I Can’t Shake: The Why Behind Ally Elementary”
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 5, Episode 16: “Age Appropriate Anti-Racism”
“Student Loan Debt by Race,” by Melanie Hanson, Education Data Initiative
Leslie Streeter on Twitter
Jon Schwarz on Twitter
“Jim Crow Debt: How Black Borrowers Experience Student Loans,” by Jalil B. Mustaffa and Jonathan C.W. Davis, The Education Trust
“What will student loan forgiveness mean for Black students and families?" by Andre M. Perry and Adrianna Pita, The Current Podcast from Brookings
“Fact Sheet: President Biden Announces Student Loan Relief for Borrowers Who Need It Most,” The White House
Who is My Student Loan Servicer?
Song credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Immigration is about so much more than debates, laws and policies — it’s about people.
Every person who has interacted with the immigration system has their own story that goes far beyond their status, and if we really want to make productive and lasting changes to policy, we need to start by focusing on the individual people and their unique experiences.
Ana Wacker knows this from experience.
Ana and I became friends when we were both living in New York City interning at Teach For America, and I’ve been wanting to have her on the podcast for a long time because I knew she had so much she could teach us through her lived experience.
Ana identifies as a first generation immigrant, data analyst, and a mom. She and her family immigrated to the United States from Mexico when she was 4 years old and she knows first-hand both the practical and emotional aspects of navigating the immigration and citizenship process.
In this week’s episode, Ana graciously shares her immigration story with us and provides actionable suggestions for what we can do to help make changes to immigration policy and to help immigrants in our own communities. You’ll learn about:
- Why immigration is a community effort.
- Why it’s important for immigrants to develop identity separate from. immigration status — and how nonimmigrants can support this process.
- What the citizenship process looks like.
- What policies we should be advocating for.
- The importance of mental health services for immigrants and how our communities can better provide that.
- How to talk to kids about immigration.
6 Characteristics of a Positive Community
Anti-racism is a vital part of EVERY community. It’s not something we should silo away from the other communities we are a part of, whether that’s your neighborhood, church, PTA, craft circle, fitness group, etc. We should just focus on building healthy communities — where we strive for fairness, communicate when there’s friction, embrace freedom of expression and celebrate traditions together.
And First Name Basis is here to help you do it! Visit firstnamebasis.org/positivecommunity to get your FREE printable of the 6 characteristics of a positive community, adapted for the podcast from Dr. Nicole Celestine’s work.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
We are opening the doors to both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. on Sept. 20!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Aliento AZ
Jose Antonio Vargas
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Immigration is about so much more than debates, laws and policies — it’s about people.
Every person who has interacted with the immigration system has their own story that goes far beyond their status, and if we really want to make productive and lasting changes to policy, we need to start by focusing on the individual people and their unique experiences.
Ana Wacker knows this from experience.
Ana and I became friends when we were both living in New York City interning at Teach For America, and I’ve been wanting to have her on the podcast for a long time because I knew she had so much she could teach us through her lived experience.
Ana identifies as a first generation immigrant, data analyst, and a mom. She and her family immigrated to the United States from Mexico when she was 4 years old and she knows first-hand both the practical and emotional aspects of navigating the immigration and citizenship process.
In this week’s episode, Ana graciously shares her immigration story with us and provides actionable suggestions for what we can do to help make changes to immigration policy and to help immigrants in our own communities. You’ll learn about:
- Why immigration is a community effort.
- Why it’s important for immigrants to develop identity separate from. immigration status — and how nonimmigrants can support this process.
- What the citizenship process looks like.
- What policies we should be advocating for.
- The importance of mental health services for immigrants and how our communities can better provide that.
- How to talk to kids about immigration.
6 Characteristics of a Positive Community
Anti-racism is a vital part of EVERY community. It’s not something we should silo away from the other communities we are a part of, whether that’s your neighborhood, church, PTA, craft circle, fitness group, etc. We should just focus on building healthy communities — where we strive for fairness, communicate when there’s friction, embrace freedom of expression and celebrate traditions together.
And First Name Basis is here to help you do it! Visit firstnamebasis.org/positivecommunity to get your FREE printable of the 6 characteristics of a positive community, adapted for the podcast from Dr. Nicole Celestine’s work.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
We are opening the doors to both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. on Sept. 20!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Aliento AZ
Jose Antonio Vargas
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Anti-racism is meant to be done in community.
It makes sense, right? This work is SO important and we need to be sharing it with others in order for change to actually happen. But we also need support in it — especially during the times when it feel like that change is coming at a snail’s pace.
In this episode, we’re talking more about why community is important and how we can go about creating a community in our anti-racist work. You’ll learn more about:
- Why anti-racist community should really just be community and why there shouldn’t be a need to separate it out.
- How community affects both your mental and physical health.
- The two main reasons why communities form.
- 6 of the characteristics of positive community.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
We are opening the doors to both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. on Sept. 20!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 4: “Black Lives Matter: How Will You Respond?” with Veronica Chambers
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 16: “Age Appropriate Anti-Racism”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 10: “The Memory That I Can’t Shake: The Why Behind Ally Elementary”
“10 Traits That Make a Positive Community,” by Dr. Nicole Celestine
Act Belong Commit
“The Roseto Effect: The Amazing Power of Relationships for Heart Health” by Joel Kahn
“Strong communities, wellbeing and resilience,” The King’s Fund
Live Free Free Creative Grown Up Summer Camp
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Anti-racism is meant to be done in community.
It makes sense, right? This work is SO important and we need to be sharing it with others in order for change to actually happen. But we also need support in it — especially during the times when it feel like that change is coming at a snail’s pace.
In this episode, we’re talking more about why community is important and how we can go about creating a community in our anti-racist work. You’ll learn more about:
- Why anti-racist community should really just be community and why there shouldn’t be a need to separate it out.
- How community affects both your mental and physical health.
- The two main reasons why communities form.
- 6 of the characteristics of positive community.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
We are opening the doors to both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. on Sept. 20!
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.
Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.
During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)
Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 4: “Black Lives Matter: How Will You Respond?” with Veronica Chambers
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 16: “Age Appropriate Anti-Racism”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 10: “The Memory That I Can’t Shake: The Why Behind Ally Elementary”
“10 Traits That Make a Positive Community,” by Dr. Nicole Celestine
Act Belong Commit
“The Roseto Effect: The Amazing Power of Relationships for Heart Health” by Joel Kahn
“Strong communities, wellbeing and resilience,” The King’s Fund
Live Free Free Creative Grown Up Summer Camp
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
You know what would really help us all out? If we realized that historical figures are more than the heroes/villains that we often reduce them to.
Although past presidents and leaders had important titles with huge amounts of power, it’s critical that all of us, including our children, understand that they were people. People who were complicated. People who did good things and bad things (sometimes very, very bad things that have been erased for a long time and need to be talked about). When we look beyond the hero/villian binary, we get closer to the truth and closer to learning the important lessons that history has to offer us.
In this episode — which is the last installment in our Summer School series — we are talking about how we can reconcile and grapple with hard history as adults and how we can help the kids in our lives do the same.
Summer School is a series where I’m sharing quick tips and tidbits for you to be thinking about this summer when it comes to anti-racism. Some of the tips will be for grown-ups and some will be for kids, but all of them will leave you with more information in your anti-racism toolbelt.
In this episode, you’ll learn more about:
- How to reevaluate history beyond the heroes/villains, good/bad narrative.
- Why there’s no such thing as old morals and new morals.
- How to help white children learn hard history while providing them a chance to identify with the allies and to see how they can be the change today.
This episode contains excerpts from our Patreon Q-and-A sessions. Members of our Patreon community come together once a month to learn together and ask me and my husband Carter their pressing questions about anti-racism, inclusion and what’s going on in the world. To learn more about becoming a Patreon member, visit patreon.com/firstnamebasis.
Bite-Sized Black History
Bite-Sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We have two different seasons featuring 12 different people in each season, and each season comes with a workbook with illustrations to color and reflection questions to discuss.
Fam Favorites
Each week we round up our favorite resources to give you a deeper understanding of the featured episode topic. And Fam Favorites is the only place you can access our mini segment “Ask Jasmine” where I answer one of your pressing questions. Sign up to get Fam Favorites in your inbox!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Patreon community
Song Credit: “Tomorrow is Far Away” by The Undertowns
Social media feels like a double-edged sword: It can be a great way to keep in touch with family and friends and learn new things, but it can also be a place where debates run heated, long and seem unproductive.
So how do you navigate knowing when and how to speak up when you see people post things that are racist, discriminatory and untruthful?
We’re answering that in this week’s episode, which is the second in our Summer School series!
Summer School is a brand-new series where I’m sharing quick tips and tidbits for you to be thinking about this summer when it comes to anti-racism. Some of the tips will be for grown-ups and some will be for kids, but all of them will leave you with more information in your anti-racism toolbelt.
In this episode, you’ll learn more about:
- Why we should default to speaking up.
- How you can determine whether saying something will be productive.
- How to overcome your fear of speaking up imperfectly.
This episode is an excerpt from one of our Patreon Q-and-A sessions. Members of our Patreon community come together once a month to learn together and ask me and my husband Carter their pressing questions about anti-racism, inclusion and what’s going on in the world. To learn more about becoming a Patreon member, visit patreon.com/firstnamebasis.
Bite-Sized Black History
Bite-Sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We have two different seasons featuring 12 different people in each season, and each season comes with a workbook with illustrations to color and reflection questions to discuss.
Fam Favorites
Each week we round up our favorite resources to give you a deeper understanding of the featured episode topic. And Fam Favorites is the only place you can access our mini segment “Ask Jasmine” where I answer one of your pressing questions. Sign up to get Fam Favorites in your inbox!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Patreon community
Song Credit: “Tomorrow is Far Away” by The Undertowns
“Carbon credit” is a trendy term you might have heard being used by businesses, government officials and the news media, but what exactly is it?
We’re answering that in this week’s episode, which is the first in our Summer School series!
Summer School is a brand-new series where I’m sharing quick tips and tidbits for you to be thinking about this summer when it comes to anti-racism. Some of the tips will be for grown-ups and some will be for kids, but all of them will leave you with more information in your anti-racism toolbelt.
This episode will help you know more about environmental justice and how you can make a difference. It’s a clip from our Policy Party we had a few months ago with Joye Braun of the Indigenous Environmental Network. Joye is the real deal as a community organizer and activist who is on the frontlines of the fight for environmental justice, and her insight is so valuable.
To learn more about what a Policy Party is and to access a full replay of our conversation with Joye Braun, visit firstnamebasis.org/policyparty, and keep tuning in over the next month for more helpful Summer School tidbits.
Bite-Sized Black History
Bite-Sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We have two different seasons featuring 12 different people in each season, and each season comes with a workbook with illustrations to color and reflection questions to discuss.
Fam Favorites
Each week we round up our favorite resources to give you a deeper understanding of the featured episode topic. And Fam Favorites is the only place you can access our mini segment “Ask Jasmine” where I answer one of your pressing questions. Sign up to get Fam Favorites in your inbox!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Policy Party with Joye Braun, full replay available for purchase at firstnamebasis.org/policyparty
We want our children to embrace anti-racist education both at school and at home, but what does that actually look like?
We’re talking about anti-racism in the classroom for the second week in a row because it’s such an important topic to be thinking about right NOW. It might be a little early to be in full-on “back-to-school mode,” but it’s not too early to be contacting school administrators and teachers to let them know you’re committed to helping create an anti-racist culture for your kiddos.
In this episode I interview Alexandria Scott — founder and editor-in-chief of Ditto Kids Magazine, an anti-racist magazine for kiddos — about everyday anti-racism in the home and in the classroom. Alex is a dear friend of mine, and she’s a mom and professional who knows her stuff when it comes to anti-racism.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How to incorporate anti-racism into our everyday interactions with our kiddos.
- How parents and teachers can partner in teaching anti-racism.
- Concrete steps for talking to your children’s teacher about creating an anti-racist and inclusive environment.
Listen in on your favorite podcasting app, but also RUN over to Ditto Kids to get your hands on this important resource. Alex announced recently that she is taking a break from making magazines and is in the process of selling out her inventory. So hurry on over to get Ditto Kids into your home and classrooms.
Bite-Sized Black History
Bite-Sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We have two different seasons featuring 12 different people in each season, and each season comes with a workbook with illustrations to color and reflection questions to discuss.
Fam Favorites
Each week we round up our favorite resources to give you a deeper understanding of the featured episode topic. And Fam Favorites is the only place you can access our mini segment “Ask Jasmine” where I answer one of your pressing questions. Sign up to get Fam Favorites in your inbox!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Ditto Kids’ website
Ditto Kids on Instagram
Classrooms should be places of growth, discovery and change, and as parents and caregivers we need to support teachers in fostering a positive environment for students.
And Patrick Harris II is a teacher who knows first-hand how important that is.
Patrick is one of my teaching idols, and he recently released a book about being a teacher titled “The First Five: A Love Letter to Teachers,” where he talks about what it looks like to try to make change from within and the importance of creating school communities where our kids feel safe, empowered, loved and encouraged to figure out who they are. Whether you’re a teacher, parent or caregiver, this book is one you’ll want to read.
Patrick is a Black queer writer, storyteller, and middle school humanities teacher. He has won multiple national teaching awards for his leadership and innovation in the classroom. Teaching and creating is only part of who Patrick is. He is a big brother, a cat dad, lover of all things horror, a WWE fanatic and is obsessed with scenic hikes.
In this episode, Patrick and I discuss:
- Why teaching is political.
- How we can reframe our focus away from what students want to do as a career and instead help them see who they want to be now.
- Tips for finding a school that fits your family’s values.
- What parents and caregivers can do to support teachers who are trying to make change at school.
Press play and I promise your appreciation for teachers and perspective on what a classroom should look like are going to change forever.
Bite-Sized Black History
Bite-Sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We have two different seasons featuring 12 different people in each season, and each season comes with a workbook with illustrations to color and reflection questions to discuss.
Fam Favorites
Each week we round up our favorite resources to give you a deeper understanding of the featured episode topic. And Fam Favorites is the only place you can access our mini segment “Ask Jasmine” where I answer one of your pressing questions. Sign up to get Fam Favorites in your inbox!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Patrick’s book, “The First Five: A Love Letter to Teachers”
Patrick’s Instagram @presidentpat
Patrick’s Twitter @presidentpat
Patrick’s Facebook
Patrick’s website
Patrick’s podcast, The Common Sense Podcast
@blackgirlthatreads on Instagram
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
You probably learned in school all about the story of Francis Scott Key watching the “rockets red glare” and “bombs bursting in air” as a prisoner on a British warship and turning the experience into “The Star Spangled Banner.” But, in reality, there is a lot more to this story than you learned about in history class — and a lot of what you did learn in school was false.
In this replay of one of our Untold Stories episodes, we unpack the man behind “The Star Spangled Banner,” how it became our National Anthem, and whether it truly represents American values. It’s the perfect episode to revisit ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Juneteenth was on June 19th, but there is still time to celebrate — in fact, the Fourth of July is a great time to talk about Juneteenth! We have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.
It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.
Even if you didn’t celebrate on the actual day of Juneteenth, it’s not too late to take the time to celebrate and reflect. So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!
Don’t forget to use the code CELEBRATE15 for 15% off your purchase
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Annotated National Anthem
“The Short History of the War of 1812 in Maryland”
“Star Spangled Bigotry: The Hidden Racist History of the National Anthem” by Jason Johnson
“What So Proudly We Hail,” Documentary from Morgan State University
“Francis Scott Key Opposed ‘Land of the Free’” by Jefferson Morley, Zinn Education Project
“Where’s the Debate of Francis Scott Key’s Slaveholding Legacy” by Christopher Wilson, Smithsonian Magazine
“Star Spangled Banner Born From a Drinking Song 200 Years Ago,” NPR
“The Fight for the Anthem” by Felicity Knox, Towson University
Oscar Stanton De Priest
“Mississippi Lawmakers Pass Resolution Paving Way to Remove Confederate Symbol from State Flag” by Brittany Shammas, The Washington Post
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
We’re packing our boxes and leaving the dry Arizona heat for the suburbs of Washington, D.C.!
This move has been in the works for two years now, and I can’t believe it’s finally happening! Carter and I have put a lot of thought into this move and where we want to raise our kiddos, and in this episode we’re answering all of your questions about why we’re moving. Press play to hear our story!
Juneteenth Jubilee
Juneteenth was on June 19th, but there is still time to celebrate, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.
It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.
Even if you didn’t celebrate on the actual day of Juneteenth, it’s not too late to take the time to celebrate and reflect. So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!
Don’t forget to use the code CELEBRATE15 for 15% off your purchase.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
“How Climate Migration Will Reshape America,” The New York Times Magazine
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
As a Black bi-racial person, learning about slavery growing up was so hard for me for so many reasons — it was traumatizing and heartbreaking to think about the conditions my ancestors lived through, it felt like a burden to be the only Black person in my class and having everyone look to me, and there were so many things that just didn’t make sense to me about it, but asking those questions was the last thing I wanted to do.
With Juneteenth coming up this weekend, I’ve been thinking about slavery and things I wish I would have known when I was a kid, and I realized that there are 3 specific things that I wish an adult would have told me — that none of them did because they probably didn’t know it themselves.
So in this episode, I want to help YOU learn those things so you can teach them to the kiddos in your life. Listen in to learn the 3 important truths your kids need to understand about slavery.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.
It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.
The program is available now! So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!
Don’t forget to use the code CELEBRATE15 for 15% off your purchase
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis “What is Juneteenth?”
First Name Basis “Talking To Your Children About Slavery”
First Name Basis “The Untold Story of Christopher Columbus”
“Lies My Teacher Told Me” by James Loewen
Ally Elementary
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Teaching Hard History Podcast created by Learning for Justice
“How The Word Is Passed” by Clint Smith
“30 Fun Things to Do in Nashville With Kids: The Best Family Friendly Attractions” *please note: I am linking this article because I want you to see how terribly they talk about plantation visits, I DO NOT recommend this article
Belle Meade: Historic Site & Winery
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
I’ve always thought Mildred and Richard Loving’s last name was kismet.
Mildred was a Black woman and Richard was a white man who loved each other, and just wanted to keep on loving each other.
On June 12, 1967, Richard and Mildred Loving won their landmark civil rights case against the state of Virginia. Because of the Lovings, states were no longer permitted to create racist laws that would prevent heterosexual couples from marrying one another because of the color of their skin. Their story is beautiful, powerful and inspiring.
Every year on June 12, we celebrate the Lovings, their love, and the love of interracial couples everywhere. As the product of an interracial marriage who is in an interracial marriage myself, I will be forever grateful for the Lovings.
In this episode you will hear interracial couples from all across the country share the importance of Loving Day and what it means to them and their families. If you’re anything like me you’ll need a few tissues for this one. And a special thank you to those who sent their stories and shared their love with us. Happy Loving Day!
Juneteenth Jubilee
Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.
It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.
The program is available now! So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!
Don’t forget to use the code LOVING15 for $15 off your purchase until 6/13/22!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 24, “The Loving Story”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 25, “Your Loving Day Stories”
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams,” “Dive Down” by VYEN, and “Blue Dream” by Cheel
When a family member or friend chooses to come out to you, it is an extremely vulnerable moment for them, and how you respond is so important.
You may find yourself wondering what should you say that’s affirming and loving — and what should you avoid saying that can be harmful.
This week on the podcast, we have Elena Joy Thurston to help talk us through how we can be better allies to our LGBTQ friends, family and neighbors.
Elena Joy is a member of the LGBTQ community and the executive director and founder of the Pride and Joy Foundation, an organization dedicated to reducing the rate of suicide and homelessness in the LGBTQ community by empowering parents and community members with the information and tools they need to be advocates. She also spends a lot of her time giving presentations and workshops about LGBTQ inclusion through her organization Elena Joy Experience.
In this episode, Elena Joy teaches us:
- Tips about things to say and do when someone comes out to you.
- Things to avoid when someone comes out to you.
- What straight people can do to help create safe communities for LGBTQ people.
- Why Pride Month is important and how families can celebrate.
Having Elena Joy on the podcast to share her insight, wisdom and heart was truly a joy, and I hope you take the time to listen and learn from her as well.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.
It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.
The program is available now! So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!
Don’t forget to use the code LOVING15 for $15 off your purchase until 6/13/22!
Send in your Loving Day submissions!
Loving Day is coming up on June 12th, and I want to celebrate with you!
Loving Day is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that made interracial marriage for heterosexual couples legal in all 50 states, and I want to make an episode about the significance of Loving Day to those of us in interracial relationships. This means everyone — LGBTQ, straight, dating, married — anyone who loves someone who is a different race than their own.
What I need you to do is record a voice memo that includes three things:
- Your name
- Where you are from
- And the answer to one question: What does Loving Day mean to you?
Send the voice memo to hello@firstnamebasis.org with “Loving Day” in the subject line. If you’d like to include a picture, I would love to share your pictures on Instagram on Loving Day.
The deadline for submissions is June 8, 2022.
I can’t wait to hear from you!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Elena Joy Thurston’s Instagram account @elenajoyspeaks
Elena Joy Thurston’s Ted Talk “Conversion Therapy Almost Took My Life, Mindfulness Saved It”
Pride and Joy Foundation’s Instagram account @pridejoyfoundation
Pride and Joy Foundation website
Elena Joy Experience website
Pride and Less Prejudice, an organization dedicated to providing access to LGBTQ inclusive books
The Trevor Project
Find your state’s nonprofit LGBTQ advocate group. Many of them are named “Equality (insert the name of your state),” such as Equality Utah, Equality California, etc.
Check out our LGBTQ Pride bookshelf on the First Name Basis Bookshop. We linked all the books Elena Joy mentioned in the episode there and many more.
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
If you’ve been here for a while, you’ve probably heard me say about a million times that race is a completely made up social construct — with no basis in biology — that is used to justify racism.
There are SO MANY examples in our society that prove just how made up race is, and this week in Part 2 of our two-part series, we’re tackling a few of those myths and exposing them for what they are: big fat lies.
In this episode, we are breaking down two phrases that were born out of racism — Uncle Tom and Indian giver — as well as discussing common myths about Islam.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- The origin of each of these phrases and how their “definitions” are exactly the opposite of reality.
- Why “Indian” is not a word you should be using if you are not Indigenous.
- Common myths about Islam and how the word “Islam” itself shows how false the myths are.
And don’t forget, if you missed Part 1 about the one drop rule and blood quantum, be sure to listen to it on our website or through your favorite podcasting app.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.
It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.
The program is available now! So click here to invest in this resource to create a meaningful celebration for your family!
Don’t forget to use the code LOVING15 for $15 off your purchase until 6/13/22!
Send in your Loving Day submissions!
Loving Day is coming up on June 12th, and I want to celebrate with you!
Loving Day is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that made interracial marriage for heterosexual couples legal in all 50 states, and I want to make an episode about the significance of Loving Day to those of us in interracial relationships. This means everyone — LGBTQ, straight, dating, married — anyone who loves someone who is a different race than their own.
What I need you to do is record a voice memo that includes three things:
- Your name
- Where you are from
- And the answer to one question: What does Loving Day mean to you?
Send the voice memo to hello@firstnamebasis.org with “Loving Day” in the subject line. If you’d like to include a picture, I would love to share your pictures on Instagram on Loving Day.
The deadline for submissions is June 4, 2022.
I can’t wait to hear from you!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 6, Episode 1: “Racism is Built on a Big Fat Lie Pt. 1: The One Drop Rule and Blood Quantum”
“Why African-Americans Lothe Uncle Tom” by Dr. Patricia Turner, NPR
“The Tom Caricature” by Farris University and the Jim Crow Museum
“Uncle Tom From Martyr to Traitor” by Dr. Adena Spingarn
“The Story of ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ Spread From Novel to Theater and Screen” by Jane Ford, UVA Today
“The History Behind The Phrase 'Don't Be An Indian Giver'” by Lakshmi Gandhi
“Kris Jenner Uses the Term ‘Indian Giver’” by Dr. Adrienne Keene, Native Appropriations Blog
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 5, Episode 17 “Teaching Children About Ramadan & Islamophobia”
We've got a few things coming up and I want to tell you all about them.
Don't worry, we'll have a new episode on Tuesday!
Juneteenth Jubilee
Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.
It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.
Click the button below to sign up to be on the waitlist!
Send in your Loving Day submissions!
Loving Day is coming up on June 12th, and I want to celebrate with you!
Loving Day is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that made interracial marriage for heterosexual couples legal in all 50 states, and I want to make an episode about the significance of Loving Day to those of us in interracial relationships. This means everyone — LGBTQ, straight, dating, married — anyone who loves someone who is a different race than their own.
What I need you to do is record a voice memo that includes three things:
- Your name
- Where you are from
- And the answer to one question: What does Loving Day mean to you?
Send the voice memo to hello@firstnamebasis.org with “Loving Day” in the subject line. If you’d like to include a picture, I would love to share your pictures on Instagram on Loving Day.
The deadline for submissions is June 4, 2022.
I can’t wait to hear from you!
Policy Party
Joye Braun of the Indigenous Environmental Network has agreed to talk with us during our Policy Party on Tuesday, May 31, at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Let me tell you a bit more about Joye. She is the Frontline Community Organizer at IEN and a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She was was one of the first campers at Sacred Stone Camp, moved to Oceti Sakowin Camp, and was at Blackhoop or Seven Generations Camp during eviction of the camps. Joye’s history of community activism includes the long fought campaign against the Keystone XL, the project resurrected at the same time DAPL was renewed and continues to threaten her homelands.
Joye travels extensively and speaks throughout the northern plains and participates in Indigenous gatherings in the U.S. and Canada speaking about the negative impacts the extractive economy has on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and more. She is also a wife, mother and grandmother.
I spoke to Joye recently on the phone and, let me tell you, she has some amazing stories, experiences and advice to give us.
Purchase your one time ticket here.
Purchase your ticket for this Policy Party and all upcoming parties by joining our Patreon community here.
As a former teacher and a mom, I have a recurring nightmare that I’m sure many of you share: a constant, ever-present fear of my children — and any other children — being exposed to or a victim in a school shooting.
It’s an ever-present fear because it’s an ever-present reality.
And this ever-present reality isn’t only happening with school shootings but with gun violence at churches, in grocery stores — in places someone should never have to fear for their life.
We need more than moments of silence and trite words of condolence — we must speak up for real change. We need to feel more than outrage — we must take action. We need to do more than mourn the loss of life — we must fight to preserve life.
In this episode, we will talk about:
- How gun safety saves lives.
- Where you can go to stay up-to-date on current gun safety legislation.
- What real change we can make in our communities and that we can encourage our lawmakers to adopt.
I hope you’ll join me in doing more than just holding your little ones close when these tragedies happen — hold them close then go out and fight to make the world safer for them.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Akilah Hughes Twitter
Clint Smith Twitter
“Guns Became the Leading Cause of Death for American Children & Teens in 2020,” Time
“Gun Safety Policies Save Lives,” Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
“Background Checks on All Gun Sales,” Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
“Extreme Risk Laws,” Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
“Secure Gun Storage,” Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
“Repeal Stand Your Ground Laws,” Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
“Stop Permitless Carry,” Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
“Gun Violence Prevention,” National Education Association
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Think back to when you were a kid. Remember when you’d be playing a game and you were about to make an epic power move or even win the game, and the person you were playing with would suddenly shout, “I HAVE A FORCE FIELD!” They knew they were about to lose, so they changed the rules or made up a new one to make sure they could win. Remember how frustrating that was?
That, my friends, is what racism is: Made up rules to keep the same people (the ones in the dominant culture) always winning.
In today’s episode, we’re starting the first part of a two-part series where we’re breaking down some of the big, obvious examples that show just how big of a lie racism is built on, starting this week with blood quantum and the one drop rule. In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How race is the product of racism, not the root of it.
- What it means to be part of the “dominant culture.”
- The history of determining social status.
- What the “one drop rule” and “blood quantum” are and how they are used as a tool in white supremacy.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.
It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations.
Click the button below to sign up to be on the waitlist!
Send in your Loving Day submissions!
Loving Day is coming up on June 12th, and I want to celebrate with you!
Loving Day is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that made interracial marriage for heterosexual couples legal in all 50 states, and I want to make an episode about the significance of Loving Day to those of us in interracial relationships. This means everyone — LGBTQ, straight, dating, married — anyone who loves someone who is a different race than their own.
What I need you to do is record a voice memo that includes three things:
- Your name
- Where you are from
- And the answer to one question: What does Loving Day mean to you?
Send the voice memo to hello@firstnamebasis.org with “Loving Day” in the subject line. If you’d like to include a picture, I would love to share your pictures on Instagram on Loving Day.
The deadline for submissions is June 4, 2022.
I can’t wait to hear from you!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast Season 3, Episode 26: “What is Juneteenth and How Can I Celebrate?”
First Name Basis Podcast Season 3, Episode 29: “Critical Race Theory In School”
First Name Basis Podcast Season 2, Episode 14: “What is Privilege and What Do I Do With It?”
First Name Basis Podcast Season 5, Episode 5: “Raising Mult-Racial Children” with Dr. Jenn Noble
Learn more about Ally Elementary and join the waitlist at firstnamebasis.org/allyelementary.
“People Are Angry President Trump Used This Word to Describe Undocumented Immigrants,” by Abigail Simon, Time
“Trump: ‘Animals’ comment referred to MS-13 gang members,” by Rebecca Morin, Politico
“Immigrants Contribute Greatly to U.S. Economy, Despite Administration’s ‘Public Charge’ Rule Rationale,” the Center on Budget and Policy
Article about John Punch on Thirteen.org
“How the ‘One Drop Rule’ Became a Tool of White Supremacy” by Yaba Blay
“Hypodescent: The ‘One Drop Rule’”
“‘One Drop Rule’ Persists” by Steve Bradt
The Code Switch Podcast, “So What Exactly is “Blood Quantum?”
All My Relations Podcast, “Love in the Time of Blood Quantum”
“The ‘One Drop Rule’ in America, a story”
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
I recently received a question from a parent in our First Name Basis fam that boiled down to: what do I do when my child’s school says to leave anti-racism at home? I have a hunch that many of you are in a similar situation, or know of a school in your area who would say the same thing. Tune in to learn a few action steps that you can take to partner with your child’s school and create an environment where children are embraced, respected, and protected.
This episode is part of our “Ask Jasmine” series. “Ask Jasmine” is a mini podcast segment that we send out to our Fam Favorites email list. Periodically, I choose one of your questions to answer and share the response with everyone on the list! Click here to sign up for our Fam Favorites email list so that you can get “Ask Jasmine” sent straight to your inbox.
Join Fam Favorites
Each week we round up our favorite resources to give you a deeper understanding of the featured episode topic. Fam favorites is the only place you can access our mini segment “Ask Jasmine” where I answer one of your pressing questions. Click here to join for free!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5 Episode 16: “Age Appropriate Anti-Racism”
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Happy Ramadan to all of our Muslim brothers and sisters!
If you are not Muslim, perhaps you’ve seen Ramadan listed as holiday on your calendar but don’t really know what it’s all about. Well, here at First Name Basis, we believe the best way to learn about traditions, beliefs and people that are unfamiliar to you is to get on a first name basis with members of that community, so my friend Felicity LeFevre is on the podcast this week to help us learn more!
Ramadan is the Muslim holy month of fasting, which started this year on April 2 and continues until May 1. And while my conversation will leave you with additional insight into why this is such an important holiday to our Muslim friends, this interview goes beyond that to tackle Islamaphobia, which continues to be a disturbing problem throughout the world.
In this episode, you will learn:
- What Ramadan is
- What you can do to show support during Ramadan
- How to talk to your children about Islamophobia
- Action steps you can take with your family to help stop Islamaphobia
Felicity is Muslim, an artist, a teacher, an illustrator and mother of six children. She was a classroom teacher for 18 years and has taught prekindergarten, kindergarten and high school art. She is passionate about creating education resources and loves to share those resources with teachers around the world. Felicity also recently had her first illustrated book published, “I Can Achieve Anything” by MoNique Waters, and hopes to continue to create books that can positively impact children.
I hope you’ll take time to listen and come up with an action plan for what you will do to be in solidarity with the Muslim members of your community.
Ally Elementary & Ally Elementary Jr.
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary — and registration is now open! And we’re also excited to announce that we will be launching our new program, Ally Elementary Jr., for kids in preschool through second grade at the same time.
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to access the coupon code, just be sure to use it before 11:59pm on April 5th
Click here to register for Ally Elementary (3rd-8th graders).
Click here to register for Ally Elementary Jr. (preschool-2nd graders).
Don’t wait to register! Registration closes on Friday, April 8th!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Felicity LeFevre’s Instagram account
Felicity LeFevre’s Instagram account @palettebyfelicity
Felicity LeFevre’s Teachers Pay Teachers site
“I Can Achieve Anything” by MoNique Waters and illustrated by Felicity LeFevre
First Name Basis Bookshop: Featuring Muslim Characters Bookshelf
Monique Waters’ Instagram @itsmoniquesworld
Redistribute your resources by giving money to help provide iftar dinner for those in the Muslim community who need help at: Islamic Relief USA, Muslim Aid USA, Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center
Women's History Biography Poster & Coloring Book from Felicity’s Teachers Pay Teachers
Asmahan Mashrah’s free Ramadan activity book on Teachers Pay Teachers. Or here is a more detailed version you can purchase
Example letters that parents and teachers can use to communicate about Ramadan by the Muslim Educators Collective
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
My dear friends, we have been on this anti-racism journey together for 2.4 years, and it’s AMAZING to think about the growth we’ve gone through together.
Over the course of almost 100 episodes, we’ve gone from talking about the basic building blocks to more in-depth conversations. And just like we as adults have worked to build up our own understanding of anti-racism, we need to do that for our kiddos too — and we need to do it in a way that is developmentally appropriate.
These conversations need to be happening while our kiddos are young, but that doesn’t mean we need to have them drinking out of the fire hose — we need to see where they are and present the concepts in a way that are appropriate for their current understanding, using their language.
So how do you do that? We’re here to help! In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why we need to be having these conversations and providing the building blocks to our young kiddos.
- The 4 goals of anti-bias education and how they apply differently to different age groups.
- More about our two at-home anti-racist education programs — Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. — and how each can help you creat an anti-racist family culture.
Ally Elementary & Ally Elementary Jr.
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary — and registration is now open! And we’re also excited to announce that we will be launching our new program, Ally Elementary Jr., for kids in preschool through second grade at the same time.
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to register for Ally Elementary (3rd-8th graders).
Click here to register for Ally Elementary Jr. (preschool-2nd graders).
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Season 5, Episode 9: “Don't Wait Until Something Bad Happens To Talk To Your Kids About Race with Dr. Lucretia Berry”
“Conversations With Kids About Race” by Margaret A. Hagerman
“Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves” by Louise Derman-Sparks & Julie Olsen Edwards
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Sometimes when white women are at the start of their feminist journey they can get tunnel vision and make choices that ultimately harm Women of Color. Today on First Name Basis I’m joined by Channing Parker & Elise Poll who break down the pitfalls of white feminism and give practical tips for people who are looking to move into a space of anti-racist intersectionality!
Tune in to learn:
- Channing & Elise’s go-to definition of feminism
- Common myths about feminism and why they’re wrong
- The difference between white feminism and intersectional feminism
- The role that men play in the feminist movement
- Examples of what feminism can look like in yoru everyday life
Our guests today are brilliant! Together, Channing and Elise make The Faithful Feminists, an online community and weekly podcast dedicated to providing feminist interpretations of sacred texts, specifically aspects of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ “Come Follow Me” Sunday school manual.
Channing lives in Utah and is an essayist and poet who focuses on spirituality, nature and self-love. She enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her husband, two children and poodle. Elise lives in Arizona, where she teaches communication courses at Arizona State University. She loves asking questions, discussing eminent and liberation theology, reading and music. “We are the girls who save a seat for you on the soft chairs and back up your comments in class, because that is what faith and feminism both do: love one another and make room for everyone.”
Ally Elementary
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So on March 29th Ally Elementary registration opens up again! And we’re also excited to announce that we will be launching our new program, Ally Elementary Jr., for kids in preschool through second grade at the same time.
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
To join our waitlist and be notified when registration is open, visit firstnamebasis.org/allyelementary
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Channing & Elyse’s Reading List
Listen to The Faithful Feminists Podcast
Listen to Jasmine on the Faithful Feminists Podcast
The First Name Basis Podcast “What is Privilege & What Do I Do With It?”
The First Name Basis Podcast “Cancel Culture Pt 1. Calling In, Calling Out, & Tone Policing”
The First Name Basis Podcast “The Danger of Spiritual Bypassing”
The First Name Basis Podcast “Service, Not Saviorism”
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Y'all, I am sooooo excited that I can finally share this with you! It's something that we've had in the works for a while now and something that I've been thinking about for even longer. Since the First Name Basis podcast launched in 2019, I have been amazed at the work you've done in your homes and classrooms. Now it's time to take the next step — to broaden the work we're doing at First Name Basis and take our values into our communities. If you aren't sure how to start, well, that's what Policy Parties are all about!
At each party you'll get to hang out with experts from community-based organizations who will help us understand the issues and give us specific, actionable steps we can take to make our communities more compassionate, inclusive, and anti-racist. Included in this post are some answers to the questions I know you’ll be asking about our Policy Parties.
There are two ways to join us for the Policy Parties:
Join our Patreon community at patreon.com/firstnamebasis to have access to this Policy Party and all of our future parties!
Click here to join the First Name Basis Patreon Community
Or invest in a one-time Policy Party ticket to have access to the upcoming party!
Click here to purchase your ticket
I honestly cannot wait to move into this next phase of allyship with you!
Our first Policy Party will be this Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30 pm MT.
We'll be joined by the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project. The Florence Project helps immigrants and asylum-seekers understand their rights, obtain access to legal counsel, and receive fair and humane treatment. A representative from the organization will outline the policies affecting immigration today and help us move from laying blame to taking action.
I can’t wait to see you there!
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Song Credit: “Snake on the Beach” by Nico Staf
“White passing” and “white presenting” are terms you’ve probably heard before when people are talking about being multi-racial, but what do they even mean? And where did they come from? I talked to Dr. Gabriel Cruz, a lecturer in the communications studies department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, about this topic.
Dr. Gabriel A. Cruz received his Ph.D. From Bowling Green State University and focuses his research on intersectional critical race analysis of popular culture as well as white nationalist rhetoric. His work appears in multiple books and journals, as well as his pop-culture podcast “Office Hours With Dr. C.”
I came across Dr. Cruz through the work he shares on TikTok (@dr._c) and Instagram (@gacruz_phd). If you don’t follow him already, you should. His videos tackle topics in a way that makes them easy to understand and easy to share with others in your life. I’ve learned so much from him, both on social media and through this interview.
In this episode, Dr. Cruz explains:
- Where the term “white passing” comes from.
- The difference between “white passing” and “white presenting.”
- How to talk to children about their privilege as “white passing” individuals while also affirming their identity/struggle as someone who is multi-racial.
- Where white presenting people fit into the conversation about cultural appropriation.
Ally Elementary
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So on March 29th Ally Elementary registration opens up again! And we’re also excited to announce that we will be launching our new program, Ally Elementary Jr., for kids in preschool through second grade at the same time.
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
To join our waitlist and be notified when registration is open, visit firstnamebasis.org/allyelementary
Diverse Book Challenge
It’s National Reading Month, and we want to help you celebrate!
For years, National Reading Month and Read Across America Day has been celebrated on or near March 2, which is Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The day has served not only as a time to encourage children to read, but as a day to honor and revere Dr. Seuss — which, because of his racist work and attitudes, is inappropriate.
The sentiment behind this celebration — fostering a love of reading in children and emphasizing resources available to help facilitate that — has always been and will always be important, but it is time to pivot in how we celebrate this holiday.
First Name Basis is here to help. We’ve compiled resources to help you and your kiddos celebrate reading with an emphasis on authors and books that encourage inclusivity and highlight diversity.
Trust me, this is a resource you’re going to want!
Click here to get the resources sent straight to your inbox.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Dr. Gabriel Cruz’s Instagram account (@gacruz_phd)
Dr. Cruz’s TikTok account (@dr._c)
Dr. Cruz’s podcast “Office Hours With Dr. C” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
The TikTok video by Dr. C that inspired this episode
Study “Passing for White: A Study of Racial Assimilation in a South African School” (1970)
Study by The National Bureau of Economic Research “The Fluidity of Race: “Passing” in the United States, 1880-1940” (2015)
Stuart Hall, “The father of modern cultural studies”
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
This episode answers one of the most common questions I receive: Where do I start? Press play if you’re taking your first step on your anti-racist journey or if you’ve been at it for a while and want to bring the people you love along with you. In this episode I share 3 episodes from the First Name Basis archives that will help jumpstart your anti-racist journey.
Copycat Kiddos
I’m making an episode about how our children pick up on our biases without us even noticing. If you have a story about a time when your kiddo copied something that you did/said please complete this submission form so that I can read your story on the episode! Click here to submit your story! Submissions are due on March 18, 2022
firstnamebasis.org/copycat
Ally Elementary
Ally Elementary registration opens up again on March 29, and we’re also excited to announce that we will be launching our new program, Ally Elementary Jr., for kids in preschool through second grade at the same time.
To join our waitlist and be notified when registration is open, visit firstnamebasis.org/waitlist.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast “Racism 101”
First Name Basis Podcast “What is Privilege and What Do I Do With It?”
First Name Basis Podcast “Oh No! My Child Said Something Racist”
First Name Basis Podcast “Critical Race Theory in Schools”
Race Talk Roadmap
Our Race Talk Roadmap is the tool you need to begin conversations about race and racism with your children! We have a list of three tips for parents of older children and a list of three tips for parents of younger children. Visit firstnamebasis.org/racetalk to get the Race Talk Roadmap sent straight to your inbox.
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
When something tragic happens, we often look to those around us — whether it’s people we know in real life, people we listen to on the news or people we follow on social media — to help us process and understand what’s going on.
And there’s a phrase I’ve seen pop up over and over again among influencers (specifically white people on social media who consider themselves parenting experts) that makes me want to lose my mind.
“What you need to be doing right now is loving your children.”
Don’t get me wrong: Loving your family is and always will be important. But when they say that, are they encouraging you to do anything differently than what you are already doing? To change anything? To take action to make the world a better place?
If your favorite parenting expert is telling you to do nothing and you believe them, you’re selling yourself short.
What I want to help you see through this episode is loving your family and activism go hand in hand. You have so much power to model what it means to be an activist, to teach your children to make a difference and to invite them to take action right along with you — all of which is one of the best things you can do for these little humans that you love so dearly.
Diverse Book Challenge
It’s National Reading Month, and we want to help you celebrate!
For years, National Reading Month and Read Across America Day has been celebrated on or near March 2, which is Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The day has served not only as a time to encourage children to read, but as a day to honor and revere Dr. Seuss — which, because of his racist work and attitudes, is inappropriate.
The sentiment behind this celebration — fostering a love of reading in children and emphasizing resources available to help facilitate that — has always been and will always be important, but it is time to pivot in how we celebrate this holiday.
First Name Basis is here to help. We’ve compiled resources to help you and your kiddos celebrate reading with an emphasis on authors and books that encourage inclusivity and highlight diversity.
Trust me, this is a resource you’re going to want!
Click here to get the resources sent straight to your inbox.
Ally Elementary
Ally Elementary registration opens up again on March 29, and we’re also excited to announce that we will be launching our new program, Ally Elementary Jr., for kids in preschool through second grade at the same time.
To join our waitlist and be notified when registration is open, visit firstnamebasis.org/waitlist.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 20: “5 Tips for Talking to Children About News”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 6: “The Untold Story of Dr. Seuss”
First Name Basis Podcast Season 2, Episode 5: “A Conversation With My Dad About Black History Month” with my dad Ken Clark
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 26: “My Working Mom: Chasing Her Dreams” with my mom Dr. Leslie Telfer
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 17: “Ask Dr. Leslie Telfer (aka my mom)”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 15: “A Survival Guide for Women in Male-dominated Fields” with my sister, Nina Clarke-Telfer
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 21: “How to Teach Media Literacy to Our Children”
“How to Raise a Reader” by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo of The New York Times
“Role Model the Behavior You Want to See From Your Kids” by Amy Morin
Support Ukrainian People With Disabilities in Crisis
Comprehensive List of Various Resources for Supporting Ukraine and for Ukrainians Fleeing During the Crisis
Lost and Found Club
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Racism is traumatizing no matter what, but when it manifests itself in your personal relationships, it is crushing.
Dr. Lucretia Berry, an anti-racist educator, author, scholar and mother to three little girls, joined me on the podcast earlier this week to discuss the need to talk to our kids about race before something bad happens, but we also found ourselves talking about how to redefine relationships after racism. It didn’t quite fit with the focus of my first episode with Dr. Berry, but the wisdom she imparted was too good not to share with you.
It’s a conversation I needed to hear, and I know it will help you as you navigate your relationships, boundaries and safety as well.
Diverse Book Challenge
National Reading Month is coming up in March, with National Read Across America Day traditionally celebrated on March 2.
For years, Read Across America Day has been celebrated on or near March 2, which is Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The day has served not only as a time to encourage children to read, but as a day to honor and revere Dr. Seuss — which, because of his racist work and attitudes, is inappropriate.
The sentiment behind this celebration — fostering a love of reading in children and emphasizing resources available to help facilitate that — has always been and will always be important, but it is time to pivot in how we celebrate this holiday.
First Name Basis is here to help. We’ve compiled resources to help you and your kiddos celebrate reading with an emphasis on authors and books that encourage inclusivity and highlight diversity.
Trust me, this is a resource you’re going to want!
Click here to get the resources sent straight to your inbox.
Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We featured 12 different people in Season 1 of the program and are featuring 12 all new Black Americans in Season 2. Season 2 is live, invest today!
Use code BLACKHISTORY5 to get $5 off until Feb 28, 2022 at 11:59pm!
Buy Bite-Sized Black History!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Dr. Lucretia Berry on Instagram (@lucretiaberry)
Brownicity’s website
Brownicity on Instagram (@brownicity)
“Hues of You: An Activity Book for Learning About the Skin You Are In,” by Dr. Lucretia Berry
Dr. Berry’s TedX talk (“Children will light up the world if we don’t keep them in the dark”)
It’s obvious that there is a need to talk about race with our kiddos when big events are in the news. But if that’s the only time we’re talking to them about this, that means these conversations are always coming from a place of trauma instead of a place of preparation.
It’s time to be proactive instead of just reactive, and Dr. Lucretia Berry is here to help us with that.
Dr. Berry is a scholar, mother to three little girls and anti-racist educator. She recently joined me for a conversation to discuss how we as parents and teachers can be talking to kids about race and anti-racism long before something bad hits the news.
It is seriously an honor to have Dr. Berry on the podcast sharing her wisdom with us. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Iowa State University and her BA from South Carolina State University and is the founder of Brownicity (pronounced like “ethnicity”), an organization that works to foster racial healing and anti-racist education through courses for children and adults. You can see her work at brownicity.com, in her TedX Talk (“Children will light up the world if we don’t keep them in the dark”), on Instagram (@lucretiaberry) and in her new book, on sale starting TODAY, Feb. 22, 2022, titled “Hues of You: An Activity Book for Learning About the Skin You Are In.”
Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We featured 12 different people in Season 1 of the program and are featuring 12 all new Black Americans in Season 2. Season 2 is live, invest today!
Use code BLACKHISTORY5 to get $5 off until Feb 28, 2022 at 11:59pm!
Buy Bite-Sized Black History!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Dr. Lucretia Berry on Instagram (@lucretiaberry)
Brownicity’s website
Brownicity on Instagram (@brownicity)
“Hues of You: An Activity Book for Learning About the Skin You Are In,” by Dr. Lucretia Berry
Dr. Berry’s TedX talk (“Children will light up the world if we don’t keep them in the dark”)
First Name Basis Podcast Season 2, Episode 10: “Let’s Talk Language: Black or African-American?”
Since the push for anti-racism has become more mainstream some white children (and adults) are learning about the true history of the United States for the very first time. This has proven to be pretty dang uncomfortable for them. So uncomfortable that state legislatures have created bills that would allow white parents to sue the school if the history lessons their children learn make them feel uncomfortable. Most of us can see that this is not the right move, but what should we do when it comes to teaching white children the truth? Press play to learn what white children need to understand in order to respond to the uncomfortable truths they are facing. Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We featured 12 different people in Season 1 of the program and are featuring 12 all new Black Americans in Season 2. Season 2 is live, invest today!
Buy Bite-Sized Black History!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: “A Conversation With My Dad About Black History Month”
“Florida seeks to block uncomfortable themes in schools. Its history is full of them,” Washington Post
First Name Basis Podcast: “Critical Race Theory in School”
“Florida bill bans businesses and schools from making anyone feel guilt about race” by Greg Allen, NPR
“White Supremacy Culture” by Tema Okun
“The Milgram Shock Experiment” by Saul McLeod, Simply Psychology
First Name Basis Podcast: “What Is Privilege & What Do I Do With It?”
First Name Basis Podcast: “Can We Talk About White Privilege?”
First Name Basis Podcast: “Using Your Culture to Build Your Child’s Sense of Self”
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
What did you learn about Rosa Parks growing up? You may have learned, like I did, that she was a tired seamstress on her way home from work and when a bus driver asked her to give up her seat to a white person it was the last straw so she decided not to stand. Well she was a seamstress, but the true story is so much more exciting than that. Rosa Parks was a high ranking member of the NAACP and her actions were not only planned but part of a larger, multi-organizational strategy. In this episode we talk about all of the events leading up to Ms. Parks’ fateful decision, and one of the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement: Claudette Colvin. Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We featured 12 different people in Season 1 of the program and are featuring 12 all new Black Americans in Season 2. Season 2 is live, invest today!
Buy Bite-Sized Black History!
Montgomery Bus Boycott-Stanford
Claudette Colvin: The 15 Year Old Who Came Before Rosa Parks
Before Rosa Parks There Was Claudette Colvin (NPR)
An Interview with Attorney Fred Gray
Bus Boycott Took Planning, Smarts
Browder v Gayle
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We featured 12 different people in Season 1 of the program and are featuring 12 all new Black Americans in Season 2. Season 2 is live, purchase today!
Buy Bite-Sized Black History!
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Growing up as a mult-racial child, I often felt my racial identity shifting and developing — heck, even as an adult I do!
Navigating what it means to be mult-racial continues to be a journey for me, which is why I was so excited to be able to interview Dr. Jennifer Noble.
Dr. Jenn, as she’s known online, is a licensed psychologist, parent coach and associate professor of psychology, who shares her expertise both in her private practice in Los Angeles and online. She focuses on identity and mixed race experience as she works with mixed race teens, BIPOC women and other marginalized groups.
In our conversation, we discuss:
- The experience many multi-racial children have of shifting identity development.
- How parents can help their multi-racial children prepare to answer questions about their identity.
- Affirming identity in the face of other people’s assumptions.
- How terminology can change based on where the mixed race person is in their identity journey,
- Building resilience in kids and their parents through open communication.
I hope any of you listeners out there who are multi-racial or raising multi-racial kiddos leave listening to this conversation feeling like you can be more fully connected to your family and your identity. And for anyone who is mono-racial, I hope this gives you a better understanding of how you can support the multi-racial people in your life.
Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We featured 12 different people in Season 1 of the program and will feature 12 all new Black Americans in Season 2. And, if you missed Season 1, both seasons will be available for purchase.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Dr. Jenn’s website, which includes information about Mixed Life Academy
Dr. Jenn’s Instagram account @drjennpsych
Dr. Noble’s therapy practice website
Multi-racial Bill of Rights by Dr. Maria Root
“One Drop of Love” by Fanshen Cox
“50 Experiences of Racially Mixed People” by Dr. Maria Root
Video of a mom in England giving her son a shirt to tell him he’s leaving the school where he’s been bullied
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
In the summer of 2020, author Veronica Chambers had what she calls an “aha moment.”
Born in Panama and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Veronica’s Afro-Latina heritage has always been very important to her, and she worked hard to make sure her then-12-year-old daughter felt the power of her “Black girl magic.”
But when protests were happening across the country and in their own city, Veronica realized she needed to be able to teach her daughter more about race, systemic racism and the role of protests.
Veronica’s recently published book, “Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter,” was born out of this desire to teach her own daughter.
“Call and Response” is just one of many projects Veronica has produced during her prolific writing career. She is the editor of Narrative Projects for The New York Times, a public speaker, and author and editor of more than a dozen books — which span a spectrum in subject from several about food to books for kids to helping influential people with their memoirs and more.
Veronica was gracious enough to join me for an interview for this week’s podcast — Season 5 Episode 4: “Blake Lives Matter: How Will You Respond?” In this interview, Veronica shares:
- Thoughts on how to talk to kids — all kids, not just Black children — about police
- What protesting looks like for different people and finding what it looks like for you and your family.
- Insights on how to avoid burnout.
- Using your skills and what you love to do to make a difference.
It was truly an honor to read “Call and Response:The Story of Black Lives Matter” and to have Veronica share her time and thoughts with me. I sure learned a lot and know you will too!
Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We featured 12 different people in Season 1 of the program and will feature 12 all new Black Americans in Season 2. And, if you missed Season 1, both seasons will be available for purchase.
Click here to be the first to receive the coupon code on Feb 1st when the program launches!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Books edited or written by Veronica Chambers
New York Times Learning Network “Lesson of the Day: ‘Black Surfers Reclaim Their Place on the Waves’”
For info about Bakers Against Racism, read this newsletter by Veronica Chambers
“13th” documentary available on Netflix
Veronica Chambers’ Instagram @vvchambers
Visit Veronica’s website for additional information, including booking her for speaking events.
“The End of Policing” by Alex S. Vitale
“Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is less than a week away, and I couldn’t let this important day pass without another episode.
It’s actually my THIRD episode about Martin Luther King Jr., and I feel like this episode shows our journey as a community and my journey as an anti-racist (both personally and as an educator).
With each episode, the content has gotten more and more radical — just like the journey that Dr. Cornel West takes us on in the incredible book “The Radical King.”
The first episode — Season 3, Episode 10: “The Untold Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” — was about nonviolence and loving accountability.
The second episode — Season 3, Episode 11: “The One Thing I Wish You Knew About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” — was about the fact that racism and Dr. King’s assassination have more to do with money and power than skin color.
And in this third episode — “Stop Using MLK to Justify Racism” — we are going to dispel 3 myths that people have perpetuated about Dr. King to justify their racism.
Those 3 myths are:
- Dr. King would have been against riots
- Dr. King would have been anti-Critical Race Theory
- Dr. King’s dream has already been achieved
I hope by the end of this episode you feel like you have a better understanding of what this incredible man really felt about each of these issues, and I hope you feel inspired to learn more about his teachings yourself.
Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about brilliant Black Americans who have been largely overlooked by our history books. We featured 12 different people in Season 1 of the program and will feature 12 all new Black Americans in Season 2. And, if you missed Season 1, both seasons will be available for purchase. Click here to be the first to get the coupon code when Bite-sized Black History is released on Feb 1st!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast Season 3, Episode 10: “The Untold Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
First Name Basis Podcast Season 3, Episode 11: “The One Thing I Wish You Knew About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
First Name Basis Podcast Season 3, Episode 29: “Critical Race Theory in Schools”
“The Radical King,” by Martin Luther King Jr., edited and introduced by Cornel West
“93% of Black Lives Matter Protests Have Been Peaceful, New Report Finds,” by Sanya Mansoor, TIME
“Nonviolence and Social Change,” by Martin Luther King Jr.
“Ron DeSantis Introduced the ‘Stop W.O.K.E. Act’—and Name-Dropped MLK,” by Paul Blest, Vice
Bernice King’s response to Ron DeSantis on Twitter
Sylvia Duckworth’s CRT definition, which she worked with Dr. Angel Jones and Dr. Kate Slater to create
“After Desegregation — What” by Martin Luther King Jr.
“Where Do We Go From Here?” by Martin Luther King Jr.
Francheska’s Instagram account @cheskatanglao
Bernice King’s response on Twitter to people claiming her father “didn’t offend people”
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
This past week we’ve had some deep and meaningful conversations about responding to the myth of “Black on Black crime.” As our conversations unfolded I realized that I left out one key detail, rich people commit crimes too! I made this clarification on our “Ask Jasmine” segment this week and wanted to make sure it had a permanent place in the podcast library.
“Ask Jasmine” is a mini podcast segment that we send out to our Fam Favorites email list. Each week I choose one of your questions to answer, the question for this week is: How do you respond when someone says "Those communities are the ones who need the police the most"?
Tune in to hear the answer to this important question and click here to sign up for our Fam Favorites email list so that you can get “Ask Jasmine” sent straight to your inbox every week.
Join Fam Favorites
Each week we round up our favorite resources to give you a deeper understanding of the featured episode topic. Fam favorites is the only place you can access our mini segment “Ask Jasmine” where I answer one of your pressing questions. Click here to join for free!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
“How Black People Really Feel About the Police, Explained” by Aaron Ross Coleman
Throughline Podcast: “American Policing”
First Name Basis Podcast: “What About Black on Black Crime?”
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
When a white person murders a Black person and we try to call it like it is — RACISM — there’s a response that, without fail, will crop up.
The heartbreaking circumstances of the killing can differ — whether it’s police violence like in the cases of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd or racist white vigilantes like in the case of Ahmaud Arbery — but the frustrating response we often hear is the same: “Well what about Black on Black crime?”
Let’s take a moment now to get our collective eye roll out of the way before we tackle how to respond.
While this response is SO FRUSTRATING, I’m here to help you have the tools to address it, focus on your values and hopefully have a productive conversation with the person who brings it up.
In this episode, we will talk about:
- How your response will differ if you are BIPOC. Spoiler alert: Your primary responsibility is to protect yourself.
- Where to start when you’re trying to engage someone in a conversation about this.
- What research actually says about race and crime.
- What under-resourced and over-exploited communities have to do with this conversation.
- How to help the person you’re talking to dissect why they asked that question in the first place.
Y’all, don’t forget to see this question for what it really is: a deflection tactic. And by the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what to do to face it head-on.
Race Talk Roadmap
Our Race Talk Roadmap is the tool you need to begin conversations about race and racism with your children! We have a list of three tips for parents of older children and a list of three tips for parents of younger children. Visit firstnamebasis.org/racetalk to get the Race Talk Roadmap sent straight to your inbox.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
Code Switch Podcast: “ Imagining a World Without Prisons or Police”
“So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo
Report from the US Justice Department: Household Poverty and Nonfatal Violent Victimization 2008-2012
“Why We Don’t Talk About Black on Black Crime: An Answer to White America’s Most Pressing Question” by Michael Harriot
“‘Black-on-Black Crime” Is a Dangerous Myth” by Jameelah Nasheed
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 3, Episode 29: “Critical Race Theory in Schools”
2018 report from the Center for American Progress, “Systemic Inequality: How America’s Structural Racism Helped Create the Black-White Wealth Gap”
Code Switch Podcast: “Tulsa, 100 Years Later”
Zinn Education Project: “Jan 1, 1923: Rosewood Massacre”
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
When I first started learning about anti-racism, before I ever started First Name Basis, I remember thinking, “I wish I could just turn it off sometimes and enjoy things.”
That line of thinking reveals just how early I was in the process and shows that I still had a lot of maturing to do when it came to anti-racism.
What I’ve come to learn since then is it can’t be done one way or the other — anti-racism or enjoyment. It has to be a both/and situation.
We must commit ourselves to anti-racism and to finding the enjoyment we deserve in life. We must remember and give ourselves space to enjoy things and try to change them at the same time.
In this episode we will talk about:
- Why it’s pretty much impossible to avoid seeing things that are racist. (Spoiler alert: It’s because it’s systemic.)
- Thoughts on setting boundaries for you and your family.
- Encouragement to either start or continue on your anti-racism journey.
- How working for change looks different based on what privileges you hold.
As a reminder, this is the final episode in Season 4. Can you believe that?! I hope you enjoy the end of the year with your family. Season 5 launches January 4, and I can’t wait to continue this journey with you.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season3, Episode9: “Racism 101”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season2, Episode 14: “What is Privilege and What Do I Do With It?”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 8: “Can We Talk About White Privilege?”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season3, Episode 7: “Service Not Saviorism”
Toni Morrison’s interview with British journalist Jana Wendt
The Haunting of Lin-Manuel Miranda by Ishmael Reed
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
The holiday season can be a beautiful time of celebration, but if we’re being honest, it can also be extremely stressful — especially when it comes to spending time with family members you disagree with.
I get asked all the time questions like “What should I do about family members who say things that uphold white supremacy?” or “What should I do when family members say racist things?”
My dear friend Jalynne Geddes gave me some advice about how to approach these situations that entirely changed my perspective, and I want to share that advice with you, too: If you can’t change their heart, your presence might change their behavior.
In this episode, I unpack that advice as well as discuss:
- What you can do in these situations if you are BIPOC.
- What you should do if you hold white privilege or have close proximity to white privilege.
- Suggestions for keeping yourself safe and maintaining boundaries.
I hope this holiday season can be a joyful time for you and your family, as well as one where you can feel safe. Thanks for being part of the First Name Basis fam. We’re sending you our love.
Want to help your kids center Indigenous Peoples this Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is coming up, and it's our chance to teach our kids the true history of Thanksgiving. Visit firstnamebasis.org/thanksgivingresources and drop your email to get some ideas of how to center Indigenous Peoples sent straight to your inbox.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 2, Episode 14: “What Is Privilege And What Do I Do With It?”
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 4, Episode 8: “Can We Talk About White Privilege?”
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 3, Episode 9: “Racism 101”
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 2, Episode 22: “Cancel Culture Pt. 1: Calling Out, Calling In, & Tone Policing”
I made my “Untold Story of Thanksgiving” episode to help me — and hopefully you — understand the true, accurate history. As I think about the episode, I think it does a good job at correcting the history, but it still centers on the colonizers.
Because of that, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can better make Indigenous Peoples the center of our conversations and learning around Thanksgiving, and I knew just the right person to turn to to help me.
On this week’s episode, my dear friend Jalynne Geddes joins me to help unpack what we can do to center Indigenous Peoples. Jalynne is Nehiyaw from the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation and is the creator behind the Nehiyanahk Creations on Instagram, where she shares her work as an activist both through words and through her beautiful beadwork.
In this episode, you’ll learn more about how our Indigenous brothers and sisters feel about Thanksgiving, how to center them during this time and how we can teach our kids about this as well.
I hope by the end of this you have a clear understanding of what you can do in your family to decanter colonizers and instead give your focus to Indigenous Peoples this Thanksgiving.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 3 Episode 3: “The Untold Story of Thanksgiving”
Jalynne Geddes’ Instagram @nehiyanahk_creations
Mark Ruffalo’s land acknowledgement at the Emmy’s
Want to teach help your kids center Indigenous Peoples this Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is coming up, and it's our chance to teach our kids the true history of Thanksgiving. Drop your email here to get some ideas of how to center Indigenous Peoples sent straight to your inbox.
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Every mother experiences motherhood differently — no two journeys are the same. And there are some things that Black mothers experience that mothers who hold white privilege don’t fully understand.
We need to take the time to listen to the Black moms in our community to learn how we can use our power to change the systems that are oppressing them and their children.
I invited my friend Sheryl Ellsworth onto the podcast this week to share her experience as a Black mom raising two ADORABLE Black children. In this conversation, Sheryl shares three things she wishes white mothers knew about what it’s like to be a Black mom to Black children:
- Black mothers are raising children with rules from an unwritten rule book.
- There’s a constant battle for Black mothers between preparing their kids for the racist experiences they will encounter while also preserving their joy.
- White moms need to invest in and focus on anti-racist education.
Beyond Sheryl’s first-hand knowledge as a Black mother, she also has crucial insight gained as a former educator who now works as a project manager for a pipeline that is trying to increase BIPOC representation in her state (Utah) and is seeking to make it an inclusive place for BIPOC families to live, work and raise their kiddos.
I hope this episode gives you a chance to reflect on the privileges you hold and how you can use your privilege to dismantle racist systems.
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
In many ways, Emi Kim is what you might consider a typical 9-year-old. When she grows up, she wants to be a scientist or president of the United States, but for now, she loves to swim and sketch — and fight racism.
And fight racism she has.
When Emi noticed that her school library was lacking diverse books, she decided to do something about it. She led her whole family in hosting a lemonade stand to raise money to buy books with diverse characters for her school library, and her first lemonade stand raised more than $750!
“I’m changing the world one lemonade stand at a time,” Emi said.
Emi’s commitment to anti-racism is nothing short of inspiring. To hear of someone so young making such a big difference gives me the chills, but even more than that, it gives me hope.
Our kiddos are going to change the world, and if we do our part now to raise them to be anti-racist and inclusive, they are going to change the world into a much better place.
Listen to the episode to hear all of Emi’s story. I can guarantee you’ll leave fired up and ready to follow Emi’s example to make a positive change.
Ally Elementary
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So this October we are launching “Ally Elementary: Anti-Racist Education For Families."
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action. Click here to invest in Ally Elementary for your family!
Free Class! Ally ABCs: 3 Simple Ways to Embed Anti-Racism Into Your Family Culture
If you’re ready to reignite your fire for anti-racism or deepen your commitment to the movement this class is for you, and Tuesday, Nov. 2, is your last chance to catch it! During this free online class we will work together to create a plan that you can use to bring your kiddos along on this anti-racist journey. Click here to choose a time that fits best with your schedule and sign up today!
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
ALLY ELEMENTARY IS HEEEEERE! Pop all of the confetti cannons in the world because I am so dang excited to share this transformational program with you and your family! In this episode you’ll hear the real reason I created Ally Elementary for all of us and a SNEAK PEAK of one of the lessons! Press play and celebrate with me!
Ally Elementary
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So this October we are launching “Ally Elementary: Anti-Racist Education For Families."
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action. Click here to invest in Ally Elementary for your family!
Free Class! Ally ABCs: 3 Simple Ways to Embed Anti-Racism Into Your Family Culture
If you’re ready to reignite your fire for anti-racism or deepen your commitment to the movement this class is for you! During this free online class we will work together to create a plan that you can use to bring your kiddos along on this anti-racist journey. Click here to choose a time that fits best with your schedule and sign up today!
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Have you ever heard a white person claim that they’ve experienced “reverse racism”? I sure have! Let’s break this down together because I’ve heard from many of you that you’re not sure how to respond when someone pulls the reverse racism card.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- The difference between bias, prejudice, and discrimination
- How to analyze a situation to determine whether or not it is racism
- How to respond when someone says that racism goes both ways
Free Class! Ally ABCs: 3 Simple Ways to Embed Anti-Racism Into Your Family Culture
If you’re ready to reignite your fire for anti-racism or deepen your commitment to the movement this class is for you! During this free online class we will work together to create a plan that you can use to bring your kiddos along on this anti-racist journey. Click here to choose a time that fits best with your schedule and sign up today!
Ally Elementary
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So this October we are launching “Ally Elementary: Anti-Racist Education For Families."
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to the waitlist!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3 Episode 9: “Racism 101”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2 Episode 7: “The Untold Story of Rosa Parks”
Stanford, Montgomery Bus Boycott
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
But really, can we? I know y’all are seeing it too. You’ve shared with me that once you know what to look for you’ve started to see it all over the place. Okay so now you know it’s there but what do you do about it?
In this episode we break down three super cringey examples of white privilege that I’ve seen in the last week. Tune in to hear how those of you who hold white privilege can respond in these racist situations.
Race Talk Roadmap
Our Race Talk Roadmap is the tool you need to begin conversations about race and racism with your children! We have a list of three tips for parents of older children and a list of three tips for parents of younger children. Visit firstnamebasis.org/racetalk to get the Race Talk Roadmap sent straight to your inbox.
Ally Elementary
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So this October we are launching “Ally Elementary: Anti-Racist Education For Families."
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to the waitlist!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis, Season 2 Episode 14: What Is Privilege And What Do I Do With It?
This episode will help give you the background information you need to understand privilege. I suggest listening to this episode before you dive into our conversation about white privilege.
First Name Basis, Season 3 Episode 21: How To Teach Media Literacy To Our Children with Tori Nelson of Kid Nuz
Ad Fontes Media: Interactive Media Bias Chart
James Johnson is an award winning Tlingit artist and wood carver, check out his work here!
“Don’t Touch My Hair” children’s book by Sharee Miller
First Name Basis Bookshop
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
We need to stop celebrating Columbus Day — immediately.
The story that we learned about Christopher Columbus could not be further from the truth. He was a colonizer, enslaver, and sex trafficker who committed genocide against Indigenous Peoples. Don’t believe me? Listen in and decide for yourself.
By celebrating Columbus Day, our country has erased the history of Native Americans, and now is the time to give it back by celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- Common myths about Christopher Columbus
- The 3 reasons why Columbus’ crusade was different from others who had traveled to the Americas
- What happened once Columbus arrived
- The origins of Columbus Day in the United States
- Ideas about what we should do in response to this violent history
Race Talk Roadmap
Our Race Talk Roadmap is the tool you need to begin conversations about race and racism with your children! We have a list of three tips for parents of older children and a list of three tips for parents of younger children. Visit firstnamebasis.org/racetalk to get the Race Talk Roadmap sent straight to your inbox.
Ally Elementary
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So this October we are launching “Ally Elementary: Anti-Racist Education For Families."
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to the waitlist!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen (affiliate link)
Rethinking Columbus
How Columbus Sailed into U.S. History, Thanks to Italians
Who Were the Olmec?
Whose History Matters? Students Can Name Columbus, But Most Have Never Heard of the Taino People
Taino: Indigenous Carribeans
Christopher Columbus and the Doctrine of Discovery
Resource Guide: Abolish Columbus Day: Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
UN Definition of Genocide
The History of Columbus Day
Books are such a powerful teaching tool because they give us glimpses into experiences beyond our own — which is something children’s book author Andrea Wang is an expert at.
Andrea’s books are beautiful for many reasons — they’ll make you laugh, they’ll make you cry, and they’ll help you better understand Chinese and other Asian cultures. I can’t recommend her picture books and middle grade novels enough for you and your kiddos.
Andrea previously joined me on the podcast to discuss how we can bring Chinese culture into our homes, and she graciously agreed to speak with me again, this time to unpack two specific Asian stereotypes and how we can teach our children to be in solidarity with the Asian community and push back against these stereotypes.
In this conversation, Andrea and I discuss:
- Asian stereotypes surrounding food and how we respond to them.
- Stereotypes about Asian names and how we can be more sensitive.
- Her recent books — “Watercress” and “The Many Meanings of Meilan.”
- How children’s books can serve as a springboard for teachable moments.
- How Andrea’s books include relatable experiences.
- Andrea’s hope for her books to show common humanity among races.
Race Talk Roadmap
Our Race Talk Roadmap is the tool you need to begin conversations about race and racism with your children! We have a list of three tips for parents of older children and a list of three tips for parents of younger children. Visit firstnamebasis.org/racetalk to get the Race Talk Roadmap sent straight to your inbox.
Ally Elementary
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So this October we are launching “Ally Elementary: Anti-Racist Education For Families."
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to the waitlist!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 3: “Bringing Chinese Culture Into Our Homes”
Andrea Wang’s website
Andrea Wang’s Instagram
Andrea Wang’s Twitter
Andrea’s books:
- “The Many Meanings of Meilan”
- “Learning About Asia”
- “Magic Ramen”
- “Watercress”
- “The Nian Monster”
- “Lilu and the Language of Tea” (coming soon!)
Uzoamaka Aduba talks about the importance of her name
“A Different Pond” by Bao Phi and illustrated by Thi Bui
“AsianAm TikTok creator Kim Saira on James Corden late show, calls 'Spill Your Guts’ racist”
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Can you believe that Halloween is just around the corner?
I know some of you super-prepared parents out there are already getting costumes put together for your kiddos, and you may be wondering about cultural appropriation as you're looking through the shelves and online at all the costume options.
I get asked all the time about how to avoid cultural appropriation with Halloween costumes, and it’s actually a topic I’ve covered in the past. In Season 3, Episode 2 of the First Name Basis Podcast — “Your Top 5 Cultural Appropriation Questions Answered” — I answered two questions about how to avoid cultural appropriation at Halloween.
Because this topic is sort of hidden in that episode, I decided to take pieces of that episode, add a bit more info, and make one episode — a one-stop shop for you to get all of your costume questions answered.
In this episode, you will learn about:
- Indigenous appropriation on Halloween and how these costumes put Indigenous women in danger.
- How you can avoid appropriation in Halloween costumes.
- When it is appropriate to wear cultural artifacts.
Race Talk Roadmap
Our Race Talk Roadmap is the tool you need to begin conversations about race and racism with your children! We have a list of three tips for parents of older children and a list of three tips for parents of younger children. Visit firstnamebasis.org/racetalk to get the Race Talk Roadmap sent straight to your inbox.
Ally Elementary
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So this October we are launching “Ally Elementary: Anti-Racist Education For Families."
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to the waitlist!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 3, Episode 2: “Your Top 5 Cultural Appropriation Questions Answered”
“These costumes objectify Native American women. Retailers won’t stop selling them” by Nadra Nittle, Vox
“Our Society Can Never Really Eradicate Patriarchy or Sexual Violence When We Permit Violence Against Indigenous Women,” by Dani M., Wear Your Voice
“Yandy Responds to New Times Article, Says Costumes ‘Pay Homage’ to Native Americans” by Molly Longman, Phoenix New Times
“Yandy Finally Got Rid Of An Offensive Costume. So Why Are Some Protesters Still Angry?” by Molly Longman, Refinery29
Corinne Grey Cloud’s Instagram account
“How to dress your Pākehā child up as Maui or Moana without appropriating Pasifika culture” by Emmaline Matagi, The Spinoff
“Please don’t tell your kids they can’t dress as Moana this Halloween” by Preeti Varathan, Quartz
“PSA: Don’t Let Your Kid Dress Up In These Costumes” by Rachel Garlinghouse, Scary Mommy
“Why Your White Kid Probably Shouldn’t Dress Up As Moana For Halloween” by Eden Hagos, Today’s Parent
Little Koto’s Closet Blog
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Your kiddo just said something racist.
Trust me, as a parent myself, I can feel your pain, hear your groans of embarrassment and sense your anxiety.
But what do you do now?
If you are here listening to this podcast and participating in this community, I know you are working toward creating an anti-racist and inclusive world for your kids. But guess what? Despite our very best efforts, sometimes kids — and, let’s be honest, even we as adults — make prejudiced comments.
Yes, these comments need to be addressed. We can’t just sweep them under the rug and pretend they didn’t happen, or else growth and change in our communities will never happen. Although making mistakes ourselves or hearing our little ones make mistakes may feel like the end of the world, it doesn’t have to be if we use these moments as teaching opportunities.
The First Name Basis Podcast is here to help. In this episode, you will learn:
- Why it is important to teach our children about who they are and where they come from and that differences are normal.
- The 5 B’s of how to respond to kids when they say something racist (Be proactive, be calm, be curious, be clear, be reflective).
- How to apply the 5 B’s using a specific example.
- How to keep the conversations going so you can continue to learn together as a family.
Race Talk Roadmap
Our Race Talk Roadmap is the tool you need to begin conversations about race and racism with your children! We have a list of three tips for parents of older children and a list of three tips for parents of younger children. Visit firstnamebasis.org/racetalk to get the Race Talk Roadmap sent straight to your inbox.
Ally Elementary
Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast. So this October we are launching “Ally Elementary: Anti-Racist Education For Families."
During this five-week program parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home, and I will be there to guide them every step of the way. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.
Click here to the waitlist!
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast: Season 1, Episode 4: “Using Your Culture to Build Your Child’s Sense of Self”
“Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves,” by Louise Derman-Sparks and Julie Olsen Edwards
Britt Hawthorne’s website
Tiffany Jewell’s website
“Start Here, Start Now” by Liz Kleinrock
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Debunking the myth that Black Lives Matter is trying to destroy families is such an important topic, we’re spending our second week in a row talking about it.
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to last week’s episode — “Black Lives Matter And the Family Part 1: Enslavement” — I would encourage you to check out that one first.
In Part 1, we talk about what Black Lives Matter has actually said about the family, how it's been misinterpreted and how enslavement has affected the history of Black families in our country. In essence, it’s an explanation of the historical context of what we’re seeing in the Black family, whereas Part 2 focuses on a system that is happening in the present day — a system that is negatively affecting the Black family as we speak.
That system is the over-policing of Black and brown communities and mass incarceration.
In this episode — “Black Lives Matter and the Family Part 2: Over-Policing and Mass Incarceration” — we look at:
- Why we see an overrepresentation of Black and brown people in jail and in prison.
- How sentencing disparities further harm Black families
- How the law has criminalized the actions of Black people in a way that it has not done for people who hold white privilege.
- How myths about Black fathers are just that — myths.
My hope is that by the end of these two episodes you can see what I see: that Black Lives Matter loves families so much, that they want lots of different people from lots of different types of families to have the same access to opportunity.
Race Talk Roadmap
Our Race Talk Roadmap is the tool you need to begin conversations about race and racism with your children! We have a list of three tips for parents of older children and a list of three tips for parents of younger children. Visit firstnamebasis.org/racetalk to get the Race Talk Roadmap sent straight to your inbox.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis: Season 2, Episode 5: “A Conversation With My Dad About Black History Month”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 29: “Critical Race Theory In Schools”
“Demilitarize Our Neighborhoods,” Black Lives Matter
“Federal Militarization of Law Enforcement Must End,” Charlotte Lawrence and Cyrus J. O’Brien, ACLU
“Maybe America Is Racist,” Michael Harriot, The Root
“Militarization and police violence: The case of the 1033 program,” Research & Politics
“The Black Family In The Age of Mass Incarceration” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Atlantic
“Debunking the most pervasive myth about black fatherhood” by German Lopez, Vox
“What Is the 'Success Sequence' and Why Do So Many Conservatives Like It?” by Brian Alexander, The Atlantic
“James Baldwin and Paul Weiss Debate Discrimination In America,” The Dick Cavett Show
“The Nuclear Family Was A Mistake” by David Brooks, The Atlantic
“Ask Politifact: Does Black Lives Matter Aim To Destroy The Nuclear Family?” by Tom Kertscher and Amy Sherman
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
The summer of 2020 was difficult and emotionally taxing for So. Many. Reasons. But one of the hardest things for me was hearing white parents say that they could not support Black Lives Matter because they believed that Black Lives Matter wanted to destroy families, which simply is not true.
Where does this myth come from? Why would anyone think Black Lives Matter doesn’t support families?
It pretty much all stems from one quote on the organization’s website that was misinterpreted and misunderstood.
I’ve heard from a lot of you saying that you need help understanding this topic. There is so much to dissect that I decided to break it down into two episodes: “Black Lives Matter and the Family Pt. 1: Enslavement” and “Black Lives Matter and the Family Pt. 2: Over-Policing and Mass Incarceration.”
In Part 1, you will learn:
- What Black Lives Matter actually said and how it’s been misinterpreted.
- More about the history of Black families in our country.
- How enslavement affected Black families.
Season 4 Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 9: “Racism 101”
“How Slavery Affected African American Families” by Heather Andrea Williams from UNC Chapel Hill
“The Enslaved Family,” National Humanities Center
“The Nuclear Family Was A Mistake” by David Brooks in The Atlantic
Patreon Learning Community
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
Connect With Us
Join us on Instagram
Microaggression may have “micro” in its name, but that doesn’t mean these assaults are small. Two women I admire so much for their anti-racism work explain it like this:
“There’s nothing micro about micro aggressions” — Britt Hawthorne, anti-racist educator
“Microaggression, macro effect.” — Alex Scott, creator of Ditto Kids Magazine
According to a paper by researchers at the Teachers College at Columbia University and published in American Psychologist, “Racial microaggressions are brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward people of color. Perpetrators of microaggressions are often unaware that they engage in such communications when they interact with racial/ethnic minorities.”
See? “There’s nothing micro about microaggressions” because “microaggression, macro effect.”
In this episode of the First Name Basis podcast you will learn:
- The three different types of microaggressions — microassault, microinsult, microinvalidation.
- Specific examples of what these racial assaults look like.
- What affect microaggressions have.
- What you can do — whether you are a white person or a BIPOC — to respond to microaggressions.
Season 4 Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Patreon Learning Community
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
Connect With Us
First Name Basis Website
Join us on Instagram
FNB Bite-sized Black History Program
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been largely overlooked by our history books.
These 12 bite-sized podcast episodes, coloring pages, and reflection questions are your key to a meaningful Black History celebration in your home or classroom!
Purchase Bite-sized Black History
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 22: “The Danger of Gaslighting”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 16: “How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 29: “Critical Race Theory In Schools”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 22: “Cancel Culture Part 1: Calling Out, Calling In, and Tone Policing”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 9: “Racism 101”
“Racial Microaggressions In Everyday Life,” by researchers at the Teachers College at Columbia University, published in American Psychologist
“Conflicted: How Black Women Negotiate Their Responses to Racial Microaggressions At A Historically White Institution,” by Dr. Angel Jones
“Daily Positive Affirmations For When Black Lives Forget That They Matter”
“How Slavery Made Its Way West," by Tiya Miles, 1619 Project Magazine
Embracing Equity
It’s basically impossible to open your news app without seeing a headline about Critical Race Theory, but what is it? Could you explain it to a friend if they asked you for guidance? Could you give examples of how the laws in our country affect different groups of people based on the color of their skin? This episode will give you the tools and confidence you need to have these crucial conversations with the people you love.
In this episode you will learn:
- the basics of Critical Race Theory
- how “neutral” laws have a racial impact
- how to respond when someone is against CRT
- common myths about CRT
- how you can support teachers & get involved in your local school district
I’ve heard from hundreds of you that the people in your life are skeptical about what it might look like to teach children to use their critical thinking skills to examine race. Let’s work together to move closer to our values of inclusion, equity, and justice.
Season 3 Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Patreon Learning Community
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
Connect With Us
First Name Basis Website
Join us on Instagram
FNB Bite-sized Black History Program
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been largely overlooked by our history books.
These 12 bite-sized podcast episodes, coloring pages, and reflection questions are your key to a meaningful Black History celebration in your home or classroom!
Purchase Bite-sized Black History
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode
Season 3, Episode 9: Racism 101
Critical Race Theory: An Introduction by Richard Delgado
Sylvia Duckworth worked with Dr. Angel Jones & Dr. Kate Slater to put together resources that explain CRT
Undistracted Brittany Packnett Cunningham’s Podcast, Kimberlé Crenshaw On The Truth About Critical Race Theory
Season 2 Episode 12: How To Talk To Your Children About Racism
Federal Probe of American Indian Boarding Schools Reflects Dark Chapter in US History
Season 3 Episode 19: How You Can Help Stop Voter Suppression
Maybe America Is Racist by Michael Harriot
The Stanford Open Policing Project
Rates of Drug Use & Sales By Race
This Book is Anti-racist by Tiffany Jewell
Langston Hughes “Let America Be America Again”
We Need To Teach The Truth About Systemic Racism, Say Educators
Turning Equity Lens On Schools Exposes White Unhappiness by Maureen Downey
Right-wing Legislators Are Trying to Stop Us From Teaching For Racial Justice. We Refuse. By Rethinking Schools
Zinn Education Project #teachtruth Campaign
Zinn Education Project: Teachers Defy GOP Bills To Ban History Lessons
In this episode I walk you through the anti-bias approach that I took when my daughter came up against something in one of her library books that didn’t align with our family values. Listen in for a concrete example of what it looks like to talk to your children about bias.
Patreon Learning Community
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
Connect With Us
First Name Basis Website
Join us on Instagram
FNB Bite-sized Black History Program
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been largely overlooked by our history books.
These 12 bite-sized podcast episodes, coloring pages, and reflection questions are your key to a meaningful Black History celebration in your home or classroom!
Purchase Bite-sized Black History
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
We want our children to embrace anti-racist education both at school and at home, but what does that actually look like? In this episode I interview Alexandria Scott, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Ditto Kids Magazine, an anti-racist magazine for kiddos. Alex and I chat about everyday anti-racism and how us parents can incorporate anti-racism into our interactions with our children. We also spend some time unpacking the partnership between parents and teachers. We give concrete action steps for approaching your child’s teacher about creating a school environment that strives to be anti-racist and inclusive. We are both anti-racist educators and mamas who want you to have the tools you need to make change in your community.
Shop Ditto Kids Anti-racist Magazine
Ditto Kids Mini-units for the classroom
Explore Ditto Kids on Instagram
Season 3 Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
FNB Bite-sized Black History Program
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been largely overlooked by our history books.
These 12 bite-sized podcast episodes, coloring pages, and reflection questions are your key to a meaningful Black History celebration in your home or classroom!
Purchase Bite-sized Black History
Patreon Learning Community
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
Connect With Us
First Name Basis Website
Join us on Instagram
Juneteenth is the oldest celebration of the abolition of slavery here in the United States. Every year on June 19th families come together to celebrate the resilience of our ancestors who survived and persevered during one of the darkest times of our nation’s history. We take time to reflect on where we are as a family, a community, and a nation and how we can work together to better live out our country’s values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Listen in to hear the history of Juneteenth and how your family can take part in this powerful celebration.
Make sure to take a photo and use the hashtag #fnbjuneteenth so that we can see how your family is celebrating this powerful holiday!
Bite-sized Black History Summer Sale
Juneteenth Printable Cards & Lemonade Recipe
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
Join us on Instagram
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Episode 3: Talking To Your Children About Slavery
Juneteenth History
Book: Free At Last! Stories and Songs of Emancipation by Doreen Rappaport*
Cookbook: Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin*
Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery (the website where you can transcribe the newspaper ads of formerly enslaved people looking for their family members)
NYT Article: Hot Links & Red Drinks: The Rich Food Tradition of Juneteenth
1619 Podcast
President Lincoln Quotes
Black Codes
White Savior Complex
*Amazon Affiliate Link
54 years ago today Richard and Mildred Loving won their landmark Civil Rights case against the state of Virginia. Because of the Lovings states were no longer permitted to create racist laws that would prevent couples from marrying one another because of the color of their skin. Unfortunately, this right was not extended to ALL couples until 2015 when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of LGBTQ+ couples and their right to marry. Every year on June 12th interracial couples across the US honor the sacrifice of Richard and Mildred and celebrate Loving Day. This year we asked YOU to answer one important question: What does Loving Day mean to you? In this episode you will hear interracial couples from all across the country share the importance of Loving Day and what it means to them and their families. If you’re anything like me you’ll need a few tissues for this one. Happy Loving Day!
Free Loving Coloring Page
Bite-sized Black History Summer Sale
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Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams,” “Dive Down” by VYEN, and “Blue Dream” by Cheel
Richard and Mildred Loving never expected to be Civil Rights icons, they simply wanted to love one another and grow their beautiful family. Listen in to hear how the Lovings took their interracial love story to the Supreme Court and abolished racist marriage laws across the country. Be sure to download the free Loving coloring page that goes along with the episode at firstnamebasis.org/loving
Free Loving Coloring Page
Bite-sized Black History Summer Sale
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
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Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Today, Tuesday, May 25th marks one year since George Floyd was brutally murdered by the police in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Here are 3 things you can do to show solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement and remember George Floyd and others who have been murdered by the police.
- Listen to Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd: Unpacking Racism (Season 2, Episode 17)
- Take some time today to have a moment of silence for George Floyd, his family, and the many others who have been murdered and brutalized by the police.
- How has your life changed since George Floyd was murdered?
- What have you learned about antiracism in the last year and how have you turned that learning into action? Or if you haven’t taken action yet, what are some ways that you plan to take anti-racist action?
- What conversations have you had with others about racism? How do you feel about those conversations, is there anything you would do differently next time?
- How are you redistributing your time and your resources to help fight for Black liberation?
- Reflect on your anti-racist journey by answering the following questions
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What Is Privilege and What Do I Do With It (Season 2, Episode 14)
Loving Day Episode
We need your help with our Loving Day episode! June 12th is Loving Day, the celebration of when the Supreme Court made it legal for straight, interracial couples to get married in all 50 states. Unfortunately, interracial LGBTQ+ couples were excluded and could not marry one another until 2015. We want to celebrate Loving Day with all of you! If you’d like to be included in our Loving Day episode email a voice memo to hello@firstnamebasis.org
In your voice memo include the following:
- Your name & the name of your partner
- Where y’all are from
- Answer this question: What does Loving Day mean to you?
I can’t wait to celebrate your magical love! Please send your voice memo by Saturday June 5th 2021.
“Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
I think we can all agree that gaslighting is the wooooorst. When you share a vulnerable or tough experience with someone and they respond in a way that makes you feel like you’re being dramatic and overreacting it really hurts. In this episode I cover the many ways that people gaslight one another, where the term comes from, why people engage in gaslighting, how to respond when someone is gaslighting you, and of course what to do if you realize that you’ve gaslighted someone else. I also share a few examples of times that I have been racially gaslighted, oof. If you need a little validation you’ll find it here. Don’t worry you’re not losing your mind, you’re being gaslighted.
Apply for the First Name Basis Communications Director position
Solidarity for Palestine Action Items:
- Email your reps and tell them to end U.S. complicity in Israel’s abuses of Palestinians.
- Donate to provide emergency aid to Palestinians
- Tell someone you love what you’ve learned about Palestine and the extreme power imbalance, created directly by U.S. aid, that has displaced and killed hundreds of Palestinians this week. The Israeli government is spreading misinformation about their aggressions, we have to act now.
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
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The Hidden Victims of Gaslighting (BBC Article)
This Book is Anti-racist by Tiffany Jewell
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Racial Gaslighting with Dr. Rose Ernst and Angelique M. Davis
Season 2 Ep 22: Cancel Culture Pt. 1: Calling In, Calling Out, & Tone Policing
Season 2 Ep 19: The Danger of Spiritual Bypassing
“Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
One of the most common questions you asked during the last election was, “how do I teach my children media literacy,” and I found the perfect person to be our guiding light. After 27 years as an Emmy award winning journalist, Tori Nelson founded KidNuz. KidNuz “delivers current events in a kid-friendly package, sparks curiosity, and gets them asking critical questions.” Tori shares her expertise about everything from choosing solid sources to talking to our children about media bias. This conversation will leave you feeling confident and hopeful that our children will be prepared to seek out the facts and reject misinformation.
Listen to KidNuz!
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Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Current events are always tough, and it seems like they’ve been especially brutal and heart-breaking lately. Here are 5 tips for talking to children about the hard things going on around them and what they hear on the news.
- If you can, prepare for the conversation with another adult
- Start by asking open-ended questions
- Tell the truth, age appropriately
- Center the conversation around your values
- Help them feel safe
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Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
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Kids Health: How to talk to your child about the news
10 Ways To Talk to Kids About Events In The News
KidNuz: Daily news podcast for kids
CNN 10: Daily current event update for older children
Talking To Kids About The Violence At The US Capitol
How To Talk To Kids About Current Events And What They See On The News
Lifekit For Parents Podcast: What to Say When The News Is Scary
“Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Are you fed up with voter suppression? Me too. This episode not only breaks down what’s going on with voter suppression but also gives action steps for what we need to DO about it.
Listen to hear:
- What’s going on with voter suppression in Georgia (and other states)
- A mini untold story of the history of voter suppression in the United States
- How we are going to work together to help stop voter suppression.
Join us at the For the People Action Hour Event
Monday, April 12th, 2021 from 9-10am PT
Register Here
Apply for the First Name Basis Communications Director position
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
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Resources, Articles, Books, & Podcasts:
Ballotpedia, Party Control of Georgia State Government
Georgia Governor Signed a Voter Suppression Law Under a Painting of a Slave Plantation by Will Bunch
Waiting to Vote-The Brennan Center
Georgia Lawmaker Charged With 2 Felonies After Knocking on Governor’s Door
A National Campaign to Restrict Voting-The Daily
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Sign up for Dr. Heather Cox Richardson’s Newsletter
Dr. Heather Cox Richardson 3/25 Newsletter
Dr. Heather Cox Richardson 3/28 Newsletter
The One Thing I Wish You Knew About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.- First Name Basis
Military Reconstruction After the Civil War
Watch the Mormon Women for Ethical Government Conference: Be The Change: Becoming the Principled Citizens and Peacemakers Our Nation Needs Now
Congress Must Pass the ‘For The People Act’
The For The People Act is America’s Next Great Civil Rights Bill
Georgia’s Proposed Voting Restrictions Will Harm Black Voters Most
Annotated Guide to the For The People Act of 2021
67% of Americans Support the For The People Act
Ballotpedia, Automatic Voter Registration
Locked Out 2020: Estimates of People Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction
Stop Jim Crow 2.0
Vote Save America
Season 3 Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Things have felt heavy lately and I thought we all might need a little hope. This is the audio from an IG live that I shared last week. Take some time to reflect on what it means to be an abolitionist and what that looks like in your life. Love y'all so much!
"Don't get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble." John Lewis
Justice in America with Clint Smith & Josie Duffy Rice
Mariame Kaba and Prison Abolition
Season 3 Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
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You asked, she answered! Last time I had my mom, Dr. Leslie Telfer, on the podcast you had SO MANY great questions for her! After she shared about her 30 year career as a psychologist who specialized in PTSD you wanted to know more. I asked her all of your burning questions about the parenting style her and my dad used, the way that she was able to balance her profession and her family, and strategies for finding your passion and purpose when you’re a busy mom. I’m super biased, but my mom is pretty dang cool. Tune in, I think you’ll find some nuggets of advice that you really love.
Season 2 Episode 26: My Working Mom, Chasing Her Dreams with Leslie Telfer PhD, Clinical Psychologist
Women’s History Month Series:
Season 3 Episode 15: A Survival Guide for Women in Male-Dominated Spaces with Nina Clarke-Telfer, Electrical Engineer
Season 3 Episode 16 PSA: Women’s History Isn’t Just For Women
Invest in Bravery Mag a magazine that highlights women from history and empowers our children to be their own kind of brave! Grab one for yourself or gift a subscription to someone you love!
Follow Bravery on Instagram!
About Progress with Monica Packer, Do Something!
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Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
In this episode I interview Ashley Aikele and Elyse Beard, the founders of Bravery Magazine. Bravery Magazine is my favorite tool for teaching women’s history, each issue introduces real role models and aims to empower kids to “be their own kind of brave.” We dig into the origin story of Bravery Magazine, the importance of intersectionality, and the myth that feminism hurts men and boys. One of the most powerful moments of the interview is when Ashley and Elyse open up about what they’d tell their younger selves about womanhood. This episode will give you everything you need to confidently respond when someone says that women’s history is just for women.
Invest in Bravery Mag for yourself or gift a subscription to someone you love!
Follow Bravery on Instagram!
Season 3 Episode 15: A Survival Guide for Women in Male-Dominated Spaces with Nina Clarke-Telfer, Electrical Engineer
Season 2 Episode 26: My Working Mom, Chasing Her Dreams with Leslie Telfer PhD, Clinical Psychologist
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
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Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Women are tasked with navigating male-dominated spaces each and every day. As an electrical engineer my sister, Nina Clarke-Telfer, knows how frustrating it can be to fight for the respect she deserves and be taken seriously. Not only is she a woman in an industry where women comprise only 13% of the workforce, she is a mixed Woman of Color. She has had to learn what it takes to carve out a place for herself and make her voice heard and she is sharing her best tips with us. This episode highlights four things we can do to help ourselves and our daughters navigate spaces that were not created with us in mind.
- Make your voice heard
- Build confidence and resilience
- Encourage our daughters to explore potential career paths
- Create opportunities for exploration for our daughters
Down with the patriarchy, am I right ladies!?
Women In Engineering By The Numbers
Women of Color in the Engineering Workplace
Check out Bravery Magazine, a magazine that highlights women from history and empowers our children to be their own kind of brave
Enjoy 20% off of back issues and recurring subscriptions the week of 3/8/21 with code IWD2021
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
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We’re all familiar with the stereotype that Black people love fried chicken. It has been used to degrade, dehumanize, and uphold racism. But where does this stereotype come from? And why was fried chicken singled out? In this episode we explore the answers to both of these questions and show the role that fried chicken has played in perpetuating white supremacy.
Purchase Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been largely overlooked by our history books.
These 12 bite-sized podcast episodes, coloring pages, and reflection questions are your key to a meaningful Black History Month celebration in your home or classroom!
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
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Articles, Books, & Podcast Episodes:
Code Switch: Where did that fried chicken stereotype come from?
“Writing History With Lightning:’ The Birth of a Nation at 100
‘The Birth of a Nation’; The 1915 Film screened at the White House Depicting Blacks as Savages
Prejudgements of Those Who Eat ‘Healthy’ vs ‘Unhealthy’ Food for Breakfast
Jubilee Cookbook by Toni Tipton-Martin
‘The Fried Chicken Capital:’ Where Racial Progress Began Along the Rails
Season 3: Episode 11 The One Thing I Wish You Knew About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Season 3: Episode 24 Cancel Culture Pt. 3: Removing Statues
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Since the start of the pandemic the Asian-American community has faced heightened discrimination, racism, and violence. In this episode I give concrete examples of what it looks like to stand up against this racism and how we can model these anti-racist actions for our children. We then transition into my conversation with children’s author Andrea Wang to learn how we can bring Chinese culture into our homes and get involved with the Chinese community in our area. Andrea shares ideas for learning about and celebrating Lunar New Year. Not only is Andrea a talented, hilarious writer, she also has two boys and an advanced degree in environmental science. It was such a joy to connect with someone I admire so much!
During our conversation we cover:
- Her path to becoming an author and her inspiration behind writing The Nian Monster
- Lunar New Year, her favorite Lunar New Year traditions, and how families who don’t usually celebrate Lunar New Year can get involved
- Her experiences growing up in a predominantly white community
- The importance of teaching our children about implicit bias and how to help your children dispel stereotypes they may have about the Chinese community
- The #ownvoices movement in which authors of color and other marginalized groups are advocating for themselves and fighting for the space to tell their own story
- The importance of having an inclusive bookshelf
- Using the OurStory App to find inclusive books
- The issues with the book Tikki Tikki Tembo and Grace Lin’s essay about the book
- The projects that Andrea has coming up in the next few years
Check out Andrea’s Books!
How to get in contact with and keep up with Andrea
The Event Kit & Teacher Guide for The Nian Monster
PBS Documentary: The Chinese Exclusion Act
Speaking Up Against Racism Around the New Coronavirus by Learning For Justice
How To Respond To Coronavirus Racism
Purchase Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been largely overlooked by our history books.
These 12 bite-sized podcast episodes, coloring pages, and reflection questions are your key to a meaningful Black History Month celebration in your home or classroom!
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
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“Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Are you feeling a little overwhelmed when it comes to celebrating Black History Month? In this episode I share the key to a meaningful Black History Month celebration. If you’re not sure where to start, listen in for some concrete steps you can take to foster a love for Black History and culture in your home and classroom. This episode also includes a sneak peek of the Bite-sized Black History program!
Purchase Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been largely overlooked by our history books.
These 12 bite-sized podcast episodes, coloring pages, and reflection questions are your key to a meaningful Black History Month celebration in your home or classroom!
First Name Basis Website
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
Join us on Instagram
“Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Unfortunately, Dr. King's dream has not yet come true. In this episode I explain the second phase of his dream that we are still working on today.
Sign up for updates about Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been overlooked by our history books.
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
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“Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
We have the opportunity to celebrate one of America’s greatest heroes this month, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During the month of January host Jasmine Bradshaw will help you learn about and understand the untold story of Dr. King and give you the tools you need to confidently teach your children about his life and his legacy.
In this episode she covers:
-His background and upbringing
-His time in college/graduate school
-How he came to be the spokesperson for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and then go on to be a prominent leader in the Civil Rights movement
-His influence on the election of President John F. Kennedy
-How he was viewed as a threat to the nation and investigated by the FBI
-His philosophy of nonviolent resistance that carried him through and inspires us all
Sign up for updates about Bite-sized Black History
Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been overlooked by our history books.
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
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The Radical King, edited and introduced by Cornel West*
Podcast: Code Switch, Episode: The Original Blexit
John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Phone Call that Changed History
John F. Kennedy and the Civil Rights Movement
Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail
MLK’s Speech Attracted Intense FBI Attention
The Threatening Letter Written and Sent to Dr. King from the FBI
Season 3 Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
*Amazon Affiliate Link
If someone asked you “what is racism” how would you respond? Would you be able to help them understand the different ways that racism rears its ugly head in our society? In this episode we are getting back to basics and breaking down the three components of racism: implicit bias, overt interpersonal racism, and systemic racism. I will teach you how to spot each of these components in your everyday life and illustrate how they work together to form the system of oppression that we are fighting so hard to dismantle.
Sign up here to be the first to know when Bite-sized Black History is released!
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This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell
Understanding Implicit Bias-Kirwan Institute
Talking About Race-National Museum of African-American History & Culture
Woman Accuses Teen of Stealing Her Phone
Man who is shopping at Old Navy is accused of stealing a jacket
Black man renting an Air bnb, white couple walks in and questions him
How COVID 19 Unmasks Inequality In Our Society-First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2 Episode 8
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
When we really take a moment to step back and think it’s easy to agree that Jesus had brown skin because he was from the Middle East. If that’s the case, why is Christ so often depicted as white with light skin, hair, and eyes? In this episode we uncover the roots of white Jesus and explain the impact this depiction has made on us and our communities.
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Where Did ‘White Jesus’ Come From?
‘Color of Christ’: A Story of Race and Religion in America Terry Gross interview with Edward Blum
How Jesus Became White And Why It’s Time To Cancel That by Emily McFarlan Miller
Cancel Culture Part 3: Removing Statues (First Name Basis Podcast)
What’s The Difference Between Puritans and Pilgrims?
The Harlem Renaissance
Colonel Henry Stanley Todd, The Priory, and the Nazarene
Psychologist Simon Howard from Marquette University
Dylann Roof Appeals Death Penalty in South Carolina Church Massacre
Archaeologists In Turkey Believe They Are Digging Up The Original Santa Claus
Megyn Kelly: Jesus & Santa Are White
Diversity & Inclusion In LDS Art (First Name Basis Podcast Season 2 Ep 15)
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Are you serving or trying to save? In this episode I unpack white saviorism and the detrimental effect that it has on communities in our backyard and across the globe. If you want to transform your good intentions into confident action consider these 5 reflection questions:
- Is the organization I’m partnering with led by BIPOC?
- Where am I on my anti-racism journey? What preconceived notions do I have about the community I am serving?
- When and how am I going to learn about the history of the community I am serving?
- What is my attitude towards the people I am working with?
- What am I going to do if my service begins to look more like saviorism?
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
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Sources:
What Is A White Savior Complex
Me & White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
Britt Hawthorne Patreon Community
The White Savior Industrial Complex by Teju Cole
No White Saviors
“Kill the Indian, Save the Man” Captain Richard H. Pratt
How the US Stole Thousands of Native American Children
LDS Indian Placement Program
Things No One Tells You About Going On Short-term Mission Trips
When Helping Hurts
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
You asked and we answered! Carter and I are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and in the most recent General Conference Church leaders began to speak more directly about racism, unity, and inclusion. Many of you asked us to share our reactions to two talks in particular, so in this episode we break down our thoughts and feelings about President Oaks & Elder Cook's General Conference talks. We also answer three of your questions:
- How do we "point out the mess" without invalidating the good?
- How do we give mercy to leaders trying their best?
- Is the Church making progress? How should it move forward?
President Oaks: Love Your Enemies
Elder Cook: Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
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Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
You know that feeling you get when you’re surrounded by pine trees, breathing the crisp mountain air, and feeling the stresses of everyday life slowly melt away? Well, unfortunately that feeling is not afforded to everyone. Studies have shown that BIPOC families do not spend as much time enjoying national parks and public lands as white families do. This fact can be traced back to racism, a lack of representation, and our nation’s history of segregation. In this episode Preethi Harbuck of @localpassportfamily and I unpack the study “People of Color and Their Constraints to National Parks Visitation” and discuss ways that families can make the outdoors more inclusive.
Connect with Preethi at Local Passport Family
People of Color and Their Constraints to National Parks Visitation
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vandalized With ‘Black Lives Don’t Matter’ Sign
9 Rules for the Black Birdwatcher
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!
First Name Basis Website
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Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
The story that we learned about Christopher Columbus could not be further from the truth. He was a colonizer, enslaver, and sex trafficker who committed genocide against Indigenous Peoples. Don’t believe me? Listen in and decide for yourself.
In this episode we discuss:
- Common myths about Christopher Columbus
- The 3 reasons why Columbus’ crusade was different from others who had traveled to the Americas
- What happened once Columbus arrived
- The origins of Columbus Day in the United States
- Ideas about what we should do in response to this violent history
Trigger Warning Violence against BIPOC
Free Thanksgiving Teaching Resource & Harvest Festival E-book
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Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen (affiliate link)
Rethinking Columbus
How Columbus Sailed into U.S. History, Thanks to Italians
Who Were the Olmec?
Whose History Matters? Students Can Name Columbus, But Most Have Never Heard of the Taino People
Taino: Indigenous Carribeans
Christopher Columbus and the Doctrine of Discovery
Resource Guide: Abolish Columbus Day: Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
UN Definition of Genocide
The History of Columbus Day
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means that us parents are faced with the question of what to tell our children about this (somewhat controversial) holiday. You probably remember having a part in the annual school play reenacting the “First Thanksgiving” and you know that’s no longer (and never was) appropriate because it paints a pretty inaccurate picture of what happened all those years ago. But if that’s not what happened, what did? In this episode I share what I’ve learned about the untold story of what actually happened during that harvest festival in the autumn of 1621.
I cover:
-The events leading up to the harvest festival, including the initial meeting between the Europeans and the Wampanoag people
-The role of Tisquantum (Squanto)
-The festival itself and the events that followed
-Sarah Josepha Hale-The Mother of Thanksgiving
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow-an American poet who carefully crafted the romanticized version of the Thanksgiving story
Download the FREE Harvest: Festivals Around the World E-book
Harvest: Festivals Around the World is an interactive ebook that teachers about 4 different harvest festivals. Each page teaches about a different festival and has links to videos, songs, and art that you can enjoy with your kiddos!
Download the FREE resource guide to share with your child’s teacher so that they can accurately teach about Thanksgiving
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community
Sources used and articles referenced:
Why I’m Not thankful for Thanksgiving by Michael Dorris
Rethinking Columbus
-This book contains the article: Plagues, Pilgrims, and the Truth About Thanksgiving by James w. Loewen
Beyond Heroes and Holidays
Plimoth Plantation
Podcast: Stuff You Missed in History Class
Episode: Sarah Josepha Hale & Godey's Lady's Book
Sidedoor: A Podcast from the Smithsonian
Episode: That Brunch in the Forest
The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
On the surface cultural appropriation might not seem very harmful, but when you peel back the layers it is clear that cultural appropriation is a function of racism and perpetuates white supremacy. In this episode I have a real and unfiltered conversation about the intersection between cultural appropriation and white supremacy with Michelle Franzoni-Thorley from @florafamiliar.
The Spanish Caste System:
The Racial Caste System in Colonial Spanish Mexico
Pride & Anxiety in New Spain
When Worlds Collide: The Caste System
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
Cultural appropriation can be so confusing. We all want to learn about and celebrate other cultures while making sure we don’t cross any lines or embrace stereotypes and caricatures. In this episode I answer the 5 most common questions that I get from you about cultural appropriation. We cover everything from authentic cultural artifacts to costumes. This episode will bring you the clarity you need to make sure you are appreciating and not appropriating.
- When I ask cultural insiders about appropriation I always get different answers, how do I navigate that?
- How do I avoid appropriating when it comes to children's costumes?
- When is it acceptable to wear authentic cultural artifacts?
- How can I support the Black economy without appropriating?
- What do I do if I realize that I've been purchasing appropriated items?
First Name Basis Patreon Community
First Name Basis Instagram
Season 2 Episode 16, How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation
Think Before You Appropriate
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo*
Season 2 Episode 11, Cinco De Mayo Is NOT Mexican Independence Day
Arizona’s ban on Mexican American studies was racist, U.S. court rules Arizona judge declares ban on ethnic studies unconstitutional Nothing Like I Imagined (Except for Sometimes) by Mindy Kailing
How to dress your Pākehā child up as Maui or Moana without appropriating Pasifika culture Please don’t tell your kids they can’t dress as Moana this Halloween Opposition to my opinion on costumes:
PSA: Don’t Let Your Kids Dress Up In These Costumes
Why your white kid probably shouldn’t dress up as Moana for Halloween
Traditional Cultural Clothing:
Little Koto’s Closet by Emi Ito
Appropriation of Indigenous Culture
Podcast with Robin Wall Kimmer
The Complicated History of the Moccasin
4 Ways to Honor Native Americans Without Appropriating Our Culture
Alternatives to Freshly Picked Moccasins:
LL Designs
Wiwinu
*affiliate link
Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams and “Dive Down” by VYEN
I have heard from so many of you that this election season has left you feeling confused and overwhelmed. That is completely understandable, 2020 has been a year full of uncertainty and turmoil, to say the least. Even though there is so much going on around us it is critical for all of us to cast our vote and use our voices during this election season. Voting is a precious right and it is our responsibility as citizens to go to the polls with as much information as possible. In this episode I will walk you through my 4 step action plan to become an informed voter! My hope is that after listening to this episode you will feel empowered to confidently complete your ballot and fulfill your civic duty.
Step 1: Put time on your calendar
Step 2: Decide on your non-negotiables
Step 3: Use your voting tools
Step 4: Write down who you voted for
Download the FREE Voting Action Plan
Podcast U Free Podcasting Classes
Podcast U Blog Post
Media Bias Chart: Static
Media Bias Chart: Interactive
3 in 30 Podcast: How to Have Grace-filled Political Conversations
Dr. Martin Luther King Letter From a Birmingham Jail
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Our little Holly Jane was born on August 14th and in this episode we share her birth story! It was absolutely magical (even though we are in the middle of a pandemic) and we are so excited to be a family of four.
CDC-Racial and Ethnic Disparities Continue in Pregnancy Related Deaths
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Now more than ever women and girls are being encouraged to share their gifts, talents, and intelligence with the world in spectacular ways! So what does it look like to have a wildly successful career all while raising a family? This week on the podcast I sit down with my mom, Dr. Leslie Telfer, a clinical psychologist who spent 30 years working at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dr. Telfer specialized in serving veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and she shares in the episode that this is no coincidence. Listen to hear how she found her way to psychology and how she balanced working in trauma with being a mother, wife, daughter, and friend.
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Representation is critical for all children in all spaces. Children can’t be what they can’t see, so they all need to see and experience people of many different backgrounds leading happy and successful lives. This week on the podcast I have the opportunity to interview Mijha Godfrey, the founder of Jambo Books. Mijha is a former affordable housing developer, lawyer and founder of Jambo Books. Jambo, which means both “hello” and “welcome” in Swahili, is a book subscription service for children aged 0 – 13 where all the books feature lead characters who are children of color. The stories in Jambo Books focus on the beauty of childhood, the joys of friendship and family, the thrill of new adventures, the wonderful tapestry that is the life of a Child of Color.
Mijha is passionate about helping parents raise children who won’t need to be taught how to tolerate people who are different from themselves because they will expect and enjoy healthy inclusion. Jambo Book Club members will recognize the same humanity in those who may not share their experiences that they see in those who do.
During the interview we discuss:
- The origin story behind the Jambo Book Club
- The power of representation for all children
- The importance of reading books about Children of Color that do not focus on race/social justice and just depict children leading everyday lives
- The balance between teaching children about the realities of racism while also giving them opportunities to experience joy and just be kids
Click here to check out the Jambo Book Club!
Jambo Books on Instagram
Jambo Books on Twitter
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Our country is in the midst of a social revolution. People everywhere are standing up and fighting for racial equity and part of the protesting has included taking down statues of people who have had a hand in the oppression of marginalized communities. In this episode we discuss the founding of our country, the violence that accompanied that founding, and why we have to take that violence seriously. Listen to hear a perspective you may not have considered about what these statues represent and how we can change them to better reflect our community as a whole.
How Slavery Affected African-American Families
Genetic Consequences of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the Americas
Slave Nation: How Slavery United the Colonies and Sparked the Ameican Revolution
How the Constitution was Indeed Pro-Slavery
GOP Senator Under Fire For Comment that Slavery was ‘Necessary Evil’
1619 Project
Whose Heritage? 153 Years of Confederate Iconography
Princeton & Slavery: James Madison
The Founding Fathers and Slavery
Why Thomas Jefferson’s Anti-Slavery Passage was Removed from the Declaration of Independence
George Washington, Slavery, ‘The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret’
Advertisement for the Capture of Ona Judge
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Cancel culture is difficult to define and widely viewed in a negative light. It could be defined as a modern form of protest or boycott and therefore it has an important role to play in fighting for justice. In this episode we will define cancel culture, discuss when cancellation is called for, and provide suggestions on what to do if you get canceled.
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Defining Cancel Culture:
- Cancelling could mean: getting called out, getting called out publicly, losing social media followers, getting fired, getting boycotted, physical threats, having your statue torn down, etc.
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When is cancellation called for? Where to draw the line
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- Many Americans have a negative view of cancel culture, but some say it is a way to hold people accountable.
- Social media has provided a platform to many people who have been denied a platform in the past. New voices are being heard, especially from people who have been marginalized.
- “Everyone thinks there are lines. The question is where are those lines and who gets to draw them.” - Osita Nwanevu
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What if I get canceled?
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- Examine your words/behaviors that are being called out and ask yourself two simple questions: First, were you right or were you wrong? And second, if you were right, is this worth sacrificing for?
Sources
“What It Means to Get ‘Canceled’.”
Lizza, Ryan. “Americans tune in to ‘cancel culture’ -- and don’t like what they see.” Politico, July 22, 2020.
Rowling, J.K., Margaret Atwood, Noam Chomsky, David Brooks, Malcolm Gladwell, Salman Rushdie, Gloria Steinem, Fareed Zakaria, et al. “A Letter on Justice and Open Debate.” Harper’s Magazine. July 7, 2020.
Butler, Danielle. “The Misplaced Hysteria About a ‘Cancel Culture’ that Doesn’t Actually Exist. The Root. Oct. 23, 2018.
Owens, Ernest. “Obama’s Very Boomer View of ‘Cancel Culture’”. The New York Times. Nov. 1, 2019.
Further Reading
Binkowski, Brooke, et al. “A More Specific Letter on Justice and Open Debate.” The Objective, July 7, 2020.
Chiu, Allyson. “Wall Street Journal staffers asked the editorial board for more accuracy. The board bemoaned ‘cancel culture.’” Washington Post. July 24, 2020.
Hagi, Sarah. “Cancel Culture Is Not Real -- At Least Not in the Way People Think.” Time. Nov. 21, 2019.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Instagram
“I think the conversations around cancel culture are missing the point. Powerful people have been ‘cancelling’ for centuries, they just used terms like ‘colonising’ or ‘civilising.’ The ‘cancel culture’ of today is nowhere near as dangerous as ‘cancellation’ has been for millions around the world. What we are seeing now is individuals being forced to be accountable for their actions, called out by folks who traditionally haven’t had much structural power. The reality is that those ‘called out’ individuals may experience discomfort, but materially their lives will remain intact- they will still be able to work and earn money, sell the product,etc."
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
In this first episode of our 3 part cancel culture series we lay a foundation for the conversation by getting clear about the difference between calling someone out and calling someone in. We get down to the brass tacks of when it is your responsibility to call someone in/out and how to do it. The episode concludes with helpful guidelines about what to do if you get called out for a mistake you’ve made.
This Book is Anti-Racist By Tiffany Jewell
Season 2 Episode 21: How You Can Support Anti-racist Educators
Firstnamebasis.org
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Make sure to tune in next week for the second episode of the series where we break down cancel culture and the effect that it is having on our community and the movement.
Interested in a collaboration? Please email hello@firstnamebasis.org
Anti-racism work is critical to creating the community that we all want, and those of us who have been called to lead this movement are carrying a heavy load. In this episode I share a few ways that you can come alongside anti-racist educators and share that load.
First Name Basis Patreon Community
Invisible Labor: Valuing the Unseen Contributions of Women
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
You think you know the story of Francis Scott Key watching the “rockets red glare” and “bombs bursting in air” as a prisoner on a British warship, but there is a lot to this story that you probably did not learn in history class. In this episode we unpack the man behind the Star Spangled Banner, how it became our National Anthem, and whether it truly represents American values.
Annotated National Anthem
The Short History of the War of 1812 in Maryland
Article: Star Spangled Bigotry: The Hidden Racist History of the National Anthem by Jason Johnson
What So Proudly We Hail, Documentary from Morgan State University
Francis Scott Key Opposed “Land of the Free”
Where’s the Debate of Francis Scott Key’s Slaveholding Legacy by Christopher Wilson
Star Spangled Banner Born From a Drinking Song 200 Years Ago
The Fight for the Anthem
Oscar Stanton De Priest
Mississippi Lawmakers Pass Resolution Paving Way to Remove Confederate Symbol from State Flag by Brittany Shammas
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
There have been many different types of reactions to the calls for racial justice that are going on in our country right now. If your social media looks anything like mine you’ve probably noticed a lot of spiritual bypassing. Spiritual bypassing is a term coined by psychologist John Welwood in 1984, he describes it as, “a widespread tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks.”
It is calls for “prayer,” “unity,” and “love” without a commitment to action. It is the message that “we are all different and God loves everyone” and statements like “I’m not listening to the voices of the world anymore, I’m only listening to God.”
Spiritual bypassing may look harmless on the surface, but it is actually a form of violence because it shuts down conversation and allows people to distance themselves from the responsibility they have to be part of the solution, which in turn perpetuates racism. In this episode we discuss how to spot spiritual bypassing, what makes it so dangerous, and what you should do when you see it.
Human Nature, Buddha Nature: On Spiritual Bypassing, Relationship, and the Dharma by John Wellwood
Spiritual Bypassing, White Privilege, and Black Lives Matter
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Juneteenth is the oldest celebration of the abolition of slavery here in the United States. Every year on June 19th families come together to celebrate the resilience of our ancestors who survived and persevered during one of the darkest times of our nation’s history. We take time to reflect on where we are as a family, a community, and a nation and how we can work together to better live out our country’s values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Listen in to hear the history of Juneteenth and how your family can take part in this powerful celebration.
Make sure to take a photo and use the hashtag #fnbjuneteenth so that we can see how your family is celebrating this powerful holiday!
Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community
Episode 3: Talking To Your Children About Slavery
Juneteenth Printable Cards & Lemonade Recipe
Juneteenth History
Book: Free At Last! Stories and Songs of Emancipation by Doreen Rappaport*
Cookbook: Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin*
Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery (the website where you can transcribe the newspaper ads of formerly enslaved people looking for their family members)
NYT Article: Hot Links & Red Drinks: The Rich Food Tradition of Juneteenth
1619 Podcast
President Lincoln Quotes
Black Codes
White Savior Complex
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
*Amazon Affiliate Link
Right now our country is reeling from the murders of our Black brothers and sisters. You may be confused by all of the uprising and rebellion, but you need to understand that they, in the words of Dr. King, “...are not the creators of tension” they are “merely bringing to the surface the tension that is already alive.” Black people have been unfairly killed and systemically disenfranchised since we were kidnapped and brought to this country against our will.
If you are looking for answers and want to be part of the change you need to build your foundational knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of what racism looks like as a whole. Many people are very confused and believe that racism is simply intentional acts of meanness done to another person based on race, but in reality racism is much more complicated. Racism is made up of three components: implicit bias, overt interpersonal racism, and institutional/systemic racism. These three components work together to create “a system of advantage based on race” (Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria, p. 87).
In this episode we unpack each of the three components of racism and analyze how all three of them worked together to contribute to the two tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and many other members of the Black community here in the United States.
What can you do about all of this?
Vote for candidates who have committed to creating anti-racist policies.
Donate to organizations who have boots on the ground and are working for change.
Our family chose to donate to Color of Change, a racial justice organization that works to “create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.”
Make a call:
We learned last night that the responsibility for prosecuting the murderers of George Floyd has been transferred from DA Mike Freeman to Minnesota AG Keith Ellison. Three of the four murderers have not yet been arrested and he needs to know that we as citizens expect more.
You can let him know by calling (651) 296-3353 or (800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay) or if you're old fashioned send him a letter:
Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1400
St. Paul, MN 55101
Be respectful but firm. You will probably get a busy signal the first 5 or 6 times you call. Keep calling. Even just keeping his line busy sends him a message. Leave a voicemail if you must. Then call again. Call several times a day until he does the right thing. When the system fails to produce justice let's hold the system accountable.
If you are listening to this episode at a later date it is important to note that these issues always need our voices and attention. There are so many things you can do to be part of the solution. One of them is to join Color of Change and support their movement to hold local prosecutors accountable.
Links:
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum
Understanding Implicit Bias
Chipping Away at Implicit Bias
Talking About Race, Being Anti-racist
How the Coronavirus Pandemic Unmasks Inequality in Our Society
University Of Minnesota Cuts Ties With Minneapolis Police After George Floyd Death Minneapolis school board, teacher union call on district to cut ties with police Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Celebrating the people around us and their unique cultures can be exciting and incredibly enriching! But where is that fine line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation? When we take elements of someone else's culture without permission or compensation we can unintentionally cause a great deal of harm. In this episode we discuss four steps you can take to ensure that you are appreciating culture instead of appropriating it.
- Consider the power dynamics at play
- Remember that your impact is greater than your intent
- Be sure that any money you spend is going directly into the pockets of people who are from the culture you are celebrating
- Ask yourself: Do I understand the significance of this cultural artifact/food/art?
Henry Ford English School
Article about Native American Boarding Schools: Death By Civilization
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
Pencil Test: Black Hair-Bridging a ‘Code of Conduct’
Texas Teen Banned by High School From Attending Graduation After Refusing to Cut Dreadlocks
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Recently the church that I belong to, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, published an announcement that they are going to regulate the artwork that is displayed in our meeting houses. This was an exciting announcement because all of the paintings that they chose depict our Savior, but it was also really disappointing because the artwork is not inclusive of the people in our church. In every painting Jesus is portrayed as a white man and there are very few People of Color.
Here is the article with the announcement, it includes the approved artwork.
In this episode Michelle Franzoni Thorley from @florafamiliar and I discuss the importance of making the art in our meeting houses more diverse and inclusive. Michelle shares amazing insight about the power of displaying art that represents the congregation that we hope to have, rather than just showing reflections of those in the congregation who align with the dominant culture.
We also give ideas about action that can be taken by church members who would like to see more inclusion in LDS art.
Michelle’s Instagram Platform: @florafamiliar
Michelle’s Article: Diversity in LDS Art
Conversations and Questions About Art at Church by Esther Candari
Latter Day Saint Women of Color Art Scholarship
Vision of the Arts Mother Artist Grant
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
White privilege is one of the strongest pillars that upholds racism. In her article “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” Peggy McIntosh describes white privilege as: “An invisible package of unearned assets that I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was “meant” to remain oblivious. White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks.”
If you are white there are privileges that you enjoy each and every day because of the color or your skin. These privileges do not mean that your life hasn’t been challenging or that you are not a hard worker, what it means is that the challenges you’ve faced have not been caused by the color of your skin.
Confronting privilege is an uncomfortable process, but when you choose to face that discomfort head on you will find liberation, not only for you but for the People of Color who have been disenfranchised by the system that has granted you privilege.
In this episode I get down to the brass tacks of white privilege and answer all of your burning questions:
- What is white privilege?
- What are some examples of what white privilege looks like in everyday life?
- How can you use it to make change?
- What do you do if someone you know or love denies that they have privilege?
I encourage you to take a deep breath, listen with an open mind, and lean into the discomfort.
Psychology Today: You are Not a Bad Person: Facing Privilege Can Be Liberating by Dr. Miki Kashtan
Peggy McIntosh: White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
Tiffany Jewell Author of “This Book is Antiracist” Instagram Account
This Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell
Britt Hawthorne Anti-bias/Anti-racist Educator Instagram Account
Bettina Love “Hand on the Pole” Video
Harvard Business Review: Use Your Everyday Privilege to Help Others by Dolly Chugh
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Immigration is one of those things that we really struggle to agree on as a country. No matter your feelings or political leanings everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and that is what we need to teach our children.
During this episode we talk to Abraham and Madison Carrasco, a multiethnic family who has gone through the immigration process. Abraham shares the intimate details of migrating from Mexico to the United States on foot. Both him and his wife Madison open up about the hardships that they faced over many years while Abraham tried to get documentation and become an American citizen.
In addition, they share three strategies for talking to our children about immigration: read books about immigration, talk openly about culture, and humanize the issue.
Madison runs an instagram account called parenting.sinfronteras that promotes bilingualism, multicultural education, and anti-racism.
No Mas Muertes (No More Deaths): An organization that is working to “stop the deaths of migrants in the desert”
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
In this episode you will learn the first three things you can do to talk to your children about racism.
- Teach them that race is a social construct that was created to justify slavery
- Teach them about implicit bias (Implicit Association Test)
- Teach them how to respond with humility when someone tells them that they have done/said something racist
This episode was originally aired on 3 in 30 Podcast for Moms, I’m so grateful to Rachel Nielson for letting me share it with our First Name Basis family.
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
It seems like we need to shout it from the rooftops because most Americans are pretty convinced that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, and that is just not true. In this episode we dive into the true history of Cinco de Mayo, what it looks like to celebrate respectfully, and things you should avoid during the celebration.
Cinco de Mayo is the commemoration of Mexico’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla. It was an amazing feat for the 2,000 Mexican soldiers to stave off the large army of 6,000 French soldiers.
NPR: The Real History of Cinco de Mayo
History: Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is actually celebrated more in the United States than it is in Mexico! If you want to celebrate that’s alright, just be sure to do so respectfully! Growing up Bilingual has some amazing ideas about what a respectful celebration would look like including: authentic food, crafts, and music.
Growing Up Bilingual: Teaching Kids the Real Meaning of Cinco de Mayo in a Fun Way
Growing Up Bilingual: The Best Cinco de Mayo crafts to teach kids about Mexican Culture and Traditions
If you’re planning a celebration please avoid appropriating Mexican culture and perpetuating stereotypes by doing things like wearing a sombrero or fake mustache, using a fake accent, or making up fake Spanish words like ‘cinco de drinko’ or ‘el bruncho.’ It is not at all funny and it’s extremely derogatory.
There is a special treat at the end of the episode! My friend Catrina Gandara from the Create Joy podcast stopped by to tell us what the real Mexican Independence Day Celebration looks like on September 16th!
firstnamebasis.org
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
This episode answers the number one question I’ve been asked since starting First Name Basis: How do I know whether to say ‘Black’ or ‘African-American’? I went straight to the source and asked a number of my friends and family how they prefer to identify and why. Listen to hear from:
Mielle Harmon, Harmony Pls Podcast
Ken Clarke
Ramiah Jackson, Hillsong Church
Antony Deshay
Nina Clarke-Telfer
Laura Schnell
A Complete History of the Census Race Boxes
The Changing Categories the U.S. Census has used to Measure Race
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
We had an amazing conversation on Instagram and I really didn’t want you to miss it! I shared a post about resisting the temptation to be seen as a savior and becoming a liberator instead. Then, one of the members of our First Name Basis fam asked what it looks like to be a liberator and we launched into an awesome conversation about 5 things that we can all do to be liberators.
1. Learn
- About the issues facing marginalized communities
- About the privileges you hold
- One of the best places to start is books: firstnamebasis.org/books
2. Listen (no matter what it sounds like)
- Diversify your social networks and your social media
3. Walk with us and amplify our voices
- People with power, privilege and resources are used to their voices being the loudest in the room, to be a liberator you have to be willing to take a back seat and amplify the voices of those in marginalized communities
- Speak up when someone makes derogatory comments or jokes, help them understand why what they have done/said is inappropriate (especially on social media)
4. Redistribute your resources
- Support businesses owned by People of Color
- Support nonprofit organizations that are run by People of Color and are doing the work to support under-resourced communities
5. Be civically engaged
- Keep up with current events
- Vote for leaders who listen to and support marginalized communities
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
I’m sure you’ve seen the headlines, the Black community has been hit the hardest by the coronavirus.
- Infection rates in Black counties are 3 times that of infection rates in majority White counties.
- The CDC reports 33% of deaths coming from the Black community, even where they only make up 14% of the population.
This has so many of us asking: Why? Government leaders and physicians have all taken a stab at explaining the reason, but none of them are painting a complete picture. In this episode I break down 5 of the main reasons (health care, housing, food security, jobs, and wealth) our Black brothers and sisters are suffering at rates higher than anyone else in the country so that you can understand what’s really going on here.
Below are all of the articles, lectures, and podcasts I referenced in the episode:
Stop Blaming Black People for Dying of Coronavirus by Ibram X. Kendi
Bill Cassidy on His States Racial Disparities in Coronavirus Deaths
Dr. Tom Shapiro Professor at Brandeis University-Our History Lives in Our Homes
An Infographic Explaining Food Deserts in America
Black and Hispanic Workers Less Able to Work From Home
Dr. William Darity Jr. Professor at Duke-Wealth and Structural Racism
Codeswitch Podcast: Why the Coronavirus is Hitting Black Communities the Hardest
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
What did you learn about Rosa Parks growing up? You may have learned, like I did, that she was a tired seamstress on her way home from work and when a bus driver asked her to give up her seat to a white person it was the last straw so she decided not to stand. Well she was a seamstress, but the true story is so much more exciting than that. Rosa Parks was a high ranking member of the NAACP and her actions were not only planned but part of a larger, multi-organizational strategy. In this episode we talk about all of the events leading up to Ms. Parks’ fateful decision, and one of the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement: Claudette Colvin.
Montgomery Bus Boycott-Stanford
Claudette Colvin: The 15 Year Old Who Came Before Rosa Parks
Before Rosa Parks There Was Claudette Colvin (NPR)
An Interview with Attorney Fred Gray
Bus Boycott Took Planning, Smarts
Browder v Gayle
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Dr. Seuss books are some of the most popular books across the globe, but should it stay that way? In this episode we explore the fact that Dr. Seuss wrote more than just children’s books, he was the author of countless racist comics, ads, and political cartoons. So, as parents who value inclusion, what do we do? The Untold Story of Dr. Seuss details his writings outside of children’s books, the representation of People of Color in children’s books, and what we can do in our homes and classrooms to ensure that we are living up to our values.
Study: The Cat is Out of the Bag: Orientalism, Anti-Blackness, and White Supremacy in Dr. Seuss’s Children’s Books
The Racist Side of Dr. Seuss You Didn’t Know About
Cat in the Hat Blackface Comparison Photo
Look at The Conscious Kid Story Highlight “Dr. Seuss” for examples of his cartoons, ads, and propaganda
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
In this episode my dad and I dig deep about the importance of Black History Month. This is one of my favorite conversations I’ve ever had on the podcast because it is just that, a conversation. When I was growing up late night conversations with my dad were some of my most cherished moments. He has a way of building you up and inspiring you, while at the same time keeping it completely real, holding you accountable, and pushing you to do better.We talk about how our country was built on the backs of People of Color, how strong and resilient our communities of Color are even though we continue to face what seem like insurmountable odds, and how you can expose your children to that history, strength, reliance, and love. I am so excited for the First Name Basis fam to have the opportunity to get to know my dad, he is such a huge part of the reason I sit behind the microphone each and every week.
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
The books that we have in our bookshelves speak volumes about who and what we value. In this episode I share the 3 steps to making your child’s bookshelf more inclusive and diverse.
Step 1: Take inventory of your bookshelf
Do you have books that are both mirrors and windows? Check out what Rudine Sims Bishop, the mother of multicultural literature, has to say about windows and mirrors. Listen to this ted talk by Grace Lin about the lack of mirror books in her life growing up.
2018 Diversity in Children’s Books Stats
2019 Diversity in Publishing Stats
Do you have any books that perpetuate stereotypes? Toss them! Be sure that you are reading books by authors who are culture bearers.
Step 2: Try, try, try new books
You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a book that is just right for your family. You can find all of my recommendations for inclusive books at firstnamebasis.org/books
I also love to follow accounts on social media who share inclusive titles, here are 3 of my favorites:
Hereweeread
Parenting.Sinfronteras
Inclusivestorytime
Step 3: Purchase the books you love for yourself and share them with others
Buy them for your own bookshelf and consider sending them to school with your child to help create inclusive bookshelves within the classroom as well.
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Lunar New Year is right around the corner, what are you doing to teach your children about the traditions and history of this holiday? Listen in to my conversation with children’s author Andrea Wang to learn how we can bring Chinese culture into our homes and get involved with the Chinese community in our area. Not only is Andrea a talented, hilarious writer, she also has two boys and an advanced degree in environmental science. It was such a joy to connect with someone I admire so much!
In this episode we cover:
- Her path to becoming an author and her inspiration behind writing The Nian Monster
- Lunar New Year, her favorite Lunar New Year traditions, and how families who don’t usually celebrate Lunar New Year can get involved
- Her experiences growing up in a predominantly White community
- The importance of teaching our children about implicit bias and how to help your children dispel stereotypes they may have about the Chinese community
- The #ownvoices movement in which authors of color and other marginalized groups are advocating for themselves and fighting for the space to tell their own story
- The importance of having an inclusive bookshelf
- Using the OurStory App to find inclusive books
- The issues with the book Tikki Tikki Tembo and Grace Lin’s essay about the book
- The projects that Andrea has coming up in the next few years
Check out Andrea’s Books!
How to get in contact with and keep up with Andrea
The Event Kit & Teacher Guide for The Nian Monster
Attend a Lunar New Year Event
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
If creating a society that is just and inclusive is our goal, we need to do more than post a quote and a photo on social media on Martin Luther King Day. In this episode we give you three concrete things you can do on Martin Luther King Day with your family that will truly honor his legacy.
1-Give your children context about who we are celebrating and why
Videos:
The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Kid President
Books:
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris*
My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Martin Luther King III*
As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson*
March: Graphic Novel Series by John Lewis*
First Name Basis Episodes to Help Guide Your Conversations:
Talking to Young Kids About Race
Talking to Older Children About Race
Talking to Your Children About Slavery
2-Attend An Event
AZ-East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Festival
AZ-Phoenix Martin Luther King March & Festival
UT-Service Opportunity Through the University of Utah (Register Here)
UT-Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum MLK Event
ID-Martin Luther King Living Legacy Celebration
3-Support Black-Owned Businesses
Buy From BIPOC
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
*Amazon Affiliate Link
We have the opportunity to celebrate one of America’s greatest heroes this month, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During the month of January host Jasmine Bradshaw will help you learn about and understand the untold story of Dr. King and give you the tools you need to confidently teach your children about his life and his legacy.
In this episode she covers:
- His background and upbringing
- His time in college/graduate school
- How he came to be the spokesperson for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and then go on to be a prominent leader in the Civil Rights movement
- His influence on the election of President John F. Kennedy
- How he was viewed as a threat to the nation and investigated by the FBI
- His philosophy of nonviolent resistance that carried him through and inspires us all
The Radical King, edited and introduced by Cornel West*
Podcast: Code Switch, Episode: The Original Blexit
John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Phone Call that Changed History
John F. Kennedy and the Civil Rights Movement
Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail
MLK’s Speech Attracted Intense FBI Attention
The Threatening Letter Written and Sent to Dr. King from the FBI
Events:
AZ-East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Festival
AZ-Phoenix Martin Luther King March & Festival
UT-Service Opportunity Through the University of Utah (Register Here)
UT-Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum MLK Event
ID-Martin Luther King Living Legacy Celebration
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
*Amazon Affiliate Link
In this episode we interview Ryan Kamper. Ryan is from the Diné (Navajo) Nation. He is of the Folded arms people born for the Anglo-Saxon people, his maternal grandfather is of the Blackstreaked woods people and his paternal grandfather is Anglo-Saxon. Ryan grew up on the reservation and moved to the city when he was 12 years old. He received an Associates of arts from Paradise Valley community college and working towards a bachelor in Technology management. Ryan is currently a Senior Business Systems Analyst working in Higher Education at Maricopa Community Colleges. His current career goals are to finish his bachelor's degree and work toward becoming a software developer his personal goals are to continue preserving family history, culture and traditions of his tribe. In this episode we discuss:
- Teaching your children about Thanksgiving
- Ryan’s personal experience with stereotypes and oppression
- Cultural appropriation during Halloween and Thanksgiving
- How to get involved with the Native American community
- https://www.powwows.com/
- Native American cultural values of family, respect for the environment, and the legacy we want to leave on this earth
firstnamebasis.org
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Michael Bennet is a husband, father of two, and an attorney for the Navajo Nation.
In this episode he shares:
- The importance of looking outside yourself to learn about the culture of others
- His family’s Thanksgiving traditions and how we can focus on gratitude during the holidays
- The significance of Navajo language and culture in his own life
firstnamebasis.org
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
So now that you know the untold story of Thanksgiving how in the world do you teach your children about it!? Don’t worry one bit friend, I have 4 concrete things you can do to make sure you are being honest and inclusive this fall!
1-Tell the real story of Thanksgiving
I shared everything I know in last week’s episode “The Untold Story of Thanksgiving,” listen here.
2-Share resources with your child’s teacher
Download a free resource guide to send to the sweet soul who teaches your little one each day here.
3-Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month and there are so many great ways to celebrate:
- Emphasize gratitude
- Learn about the people who are Indigenous to where you live
- Read books written by Native Authors
- Make sure to check out the blog American Indian’s in Children’s Literature to ensure the books you choose are appropriate and inclusive
Some books I recommend:
Tradition & Culture
Jingle Dancer by Cynthis Leitich Smith
Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child
A story of gratitude
Thanks to the Animals by Allen J Sockabasin
Hardship faced by the Native community
When I was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
When we were Alone by David Robertson
4- Research harvest festivals around the world
Download our free e-book to learn about different harvest festivals from across the globe with your children
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means that us parents are faced with the question of what to tell our children about this (somewhat controversial) holiday. You probably remember having a part in the annual school play reenacting the “First Thanksgiving” and you know that’s no longer (and never was) appropriate because it paints a pretty inaccurate picture of what happened all those years ago. But if that’s not what happened, what did? In this episode Jasmine shares what she’s learned about the untold story of what actually happened during that harvest festival in the autumn of 1621. She covers:
- The events leading up to the harvest festival, including the initial meeting between the Europeans and the Wampanoag people
- The role of Tisquantum (Squanto)
- The festival itself and the events that followed
- Sarah Josepha Hale-The Mother of Thanksgiving
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow-an American poet who carefully crafted the romanticized version of the Thanksgiving story
Be sure to tune in to the next episode for tips about how to use the untold story of Thanksgiving to paint a more accurate picture for your children.
Sources used and articles referenced:
Why I’m Not thankful for Thanksgiving by Michael Dorris
Rethinking Columbus
-This book contains the article: Plagues, Pilgrims, and the Truth About Thanksgiving by James w. Loewen
Beyond Heroes and Holidays
Plimoth Plantation
Podcast: Stuff You Missed in History Class
Episode: Sarah Josepha Hale & Godey's Lady's Book
Sidedoor: A Podcast from the Smithsonian
Episode: That Brunch in the Forest
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
In this episode we interview Ivan Aragon, a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient. Ivan is from Chihuahua, Mexico and came to the United States with his family when he was 9 years old. He shares his experience growing up as an undocumented immigrant in Phoenix, AZ. Listen to hear:
- Ivan’s powerful story of hope and hard work
- The difference between Hispanic & Latinx
- The DACA program, it’s requirements, and its impact on his life
- His experience in one of the top MBA programs in the country
- How parents can talk to their children about our neighbors who are undocumented
- How families can get involved in the Hispanic/Latinx community
- How we can be everyday activists and support people in our community who are undocumented
firstnamebasis.org
Song credit "Away" by Geographer and "Beach Disco" by Dougie Wood
In this episode we interview Catrina Gandara, a fellow podcaster who was born and raised in Mexico. Catrina grew up celebrating Dia De Los Muertos and has carried on those traditions with her family, as well as created new, meaningful traditions!
Catrina teaches us:
- the history of Dia De Los Muertos
- the difference between Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween
- using Dia De Los Muertos to teach your children about death
- creating opportunities for family history work during Dia De Los Muertos
- how to appreciate but not appropriate during Dia De Los Muertos
Catrina has developed an AMAZING guide for families who are just getting started with learning about and celebrating Dia De Los Muertos. Find it here. The guide includes recipes, books, movies, and more!
We also chatted about Sol Book Box, an awesome resource that parents can use to teach their children more about Hispanic heritage/ Latinx culture.
And don't forget to check out Catrina's outstanding podcast, Create Joy Podcast.
In this episode we interview Chad Kennedy, a Deaf ASL Professor at BYU and UVU. Chad teaches us the following:
- His experience at a hearing school vs. a Deaf school
- His preference for identity-first language
- How to communicate respectfully with Deaf people if you are hearing
- Stereotypes about Deaf people
- Deaf Pride
- How hearing families can get involved and learn about the Deaf community
Chad recommended the book "For Hearing People Only: Answers to Some of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Deaf Community, Its Culture, and the 'Deaf Reality'"
firstnamebasis.org
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
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This episode is the first of our “Small Wins” series, in which we share stories of how we’ve used the lessons we learn through First Name Basis in real life. (Have you had a small win lately? Did you check out an inclusive book from the library, talk about race with your young child, or speak up against an inappropriate joke? Record a voice memo, tell us your story, and send it to hello@firstnamebasis.org for an opportunity to be featured in our next Small Wins episode!)
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Jasmine tells the story of how she was taught the history of Ruby Bridges when she was in 3rd grade. It’s difficult history and it wasn’t easy to process especially at such a young age.
- Now that Jasmine is a teacher herself, she recently had an opportunity to teach her third graders about Ruby Bridges. It was a redemptive experience to teach her story in a way that acknowledged the painful truth, but also made space for healing and hope.
- More info on Ruby Bridges:
-
- Background on Ruby Bridges
- Revisionist History Podcast: Malcolm Gladwell
- Season 2 Episode 3
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
In this episode we get a brief overview of Deaf history and culture, including the history of American Sign Language. Carter begins the episode discussing his background and how he came to know ASL, and he shares an embarrassing story about the time he asked a Deaf person if they could lipread.
Then we talk about the troublesome legacy of Alexander Graham Bell and his impact on Deaf education in America.
Alexander Graham Bell's Legacy Through Deaf Eyes.
Next, we discuss the history of American Sign Language and Gallaudet University. From there, we tell the story of the "Deaf President Now" or "DPN" movement.
Brief Summary of the DPN Protests.
Interviews with Dr. I. King Jordan, First Deaf President of Gallaudet University.
We close with some comments on the cochlear implant debate, respectful language, and ideas for how to get involved in the Deaf Community.
Interested in learning American Sign Language or becoming an interpreter? Click Here or Here or Here (see #42).
Interested in attending Deaf Clubs or events in the Phoenix area? Click Here.
This episode is a treat! We talk with Carter’s little brother, Parker, who has Down syndrome. Parker shares some details of his life and what he wants us to know about him. We also talk with Carter and Parker’s mom, Kay, about what it’s like to raise a child with Down syndrome. Parker is a cool guy and he and Kay share some great insights.
Sharing Down Syndrome
Parker’s Pretzels
Welcome to Holland
We’ll Paint the Octopus Red
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
This episode is the first in a series called "Let's talk language." Here, we'll discuss how language can be used thoughtfully to communicate respect. We'll explain the importance of "people first" language vs. "identity first" language. This can be challenging, as not all individuals with disabilities or communities prefer the same thing. It's important to listen to the people you're speaking with and respect their preferences about how they should be referred to.
People First Language by Meriah Nichols
Autism Self Advocacy Network “Identity First Language”
Ask an Autistic with Amythest Shaber
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
In this episode you will hear about "Family History Dinner," an activity we developed to appreciate and learn about our own ancestors. This was a special opportunity to connect with our roots and strengthen our understanding of our own culture. We'll walk you through the steps to host your own family history dinner, whether your family is big or small, and whether you are an expert family history researcher or not. We'll end with instructions on how to download printable templates that will make your family history dinner easy as pie!
Did you know that teaching your children about their heritage can actually build their sense of self? Find out why and learn the vocabulary you need to teach your children about the culture of their ancestors in this episode!
Building a sense of self through culture
Definitions of nationality, ethnicity, and race
A deep dive into ethnicity
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Some parents have the mistaken idea that their young children are “color-blind” but research shows that this is not the case. The Life Kit for Parents podcast states, “Kids are not color-blind so we cannot be color silent.” When we choose not to teach our young children about race the world teaches them for us, and surely that is not what we want. If we leave it to society our children will harbor prejudices that can be detrimental to our community. In this episode we will unpack three strategies that you can use to talk to your young children about race.
Sources & Links
Lift Kit: Parenting Podcast
Children Are Not Colorblind: How Young Children Learn Race
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
You know that it’s time to talk to your older child about race but you haven’t had a minute to sit down and take dive deep, and let’s be honest, you’re a little overwhelmed when it comes to knowing what to say. In this episode you will gain the tools you need to help your child uncover and dispel their implicit biases and understand the importance of practicing humility when having conversations about race.
Sources & Links
Race is a social construct:
Blumenbach, Friedrich. On the natural variety of mankind.
Article discussing Blumenbach vs. modern understanding, Craig Venter/HGP
Article discussing minimal variation between races, or any group of homo sapiens
Implicit Bias
Definition of Implicit Bias from Ohio State University
Life Kit: Parenting Podcast
Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum explains that racism is like a smog
Implicit Association Test
Scroll to the bottom and click ‘I wish to proceed’
Click the 2nd blue button that says ‘Race IAT’
Strategies to Correct Implicit Bias from the Kirwan Institute
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood
Although slavery is a dark part of our nation’s history, it is important that we don’t turn our backs on the truth. This episode identifies some common missteps that parents take when talking to their kids about slavery. It also gives recommendations for teaching your children about this topic in a way that honors the people who endured the atrocities of slavery.
Sources & Links
Using the most current terminology: enslaved/enslaver
The 1619 Project by the New York Times
Teaching Hard History: American Slavery Podcast
I reference an article about the acts of resistance by enslaved people. The article is: African-American Resistance by Bill Fletcher Jr.
I found the article in this book.
What is Juneteenth?
How our family celebrated Juneteenth
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written By Himself
It’s Not so Black and White By Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
Tongue-Tied: Slavery is a tough subject. These tips will help you teach it well.
Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood