Headscarves and Good Yarns: Recent Episodes
Amal Abdullahi
Headscarves and Good Yarns is all about celebrating the differences we have in our community. Even though we all look, think and speak differently to each other we all call Aotearoa our home so tune in and find hear the stories of many different kiwis. We also navigate those uncomfortable conversations around race that we just need to have sometimes. Hope you guys tune in!
Third spaces are important for communities to thrive. Amal unpacks why third spaces are important for belonging, identity, wellbeing, and social cohesion. Amal also unpacks why all the above is important ingredient for better friends and allies. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
New Ways of Thinking about Whiteness and Anti-racism - The way we think about race, whiteness, blackness and anti-racism has changed a lot since 2020. In this episode, Amal unpacks some things to be aware of when it comes to anti-racism and whiteness to keep up with the changing landscape of this kaupapa. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Intersectionality has become a big mainstream word and not an unusual term to be bought up when discussing all things inclusivity, diversity and equity. However the way the term has been understood and used shows there is misinformation out there about the idea. Amal unpacks the history of intersectionality, highlights some of the ways its been misunderstood, and gives some nuggets as to how it should be understood and why it's important that it's understood correctly. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
The UK riots and what happened to Imane Khelif both had roots in misinformation. Misinformation that led to real life implications and caused a lot of damage. Misinformation is not just the musings of the extreme few and something that needs to be responded to and challenged. Amal unpacks the harms and dangers of misinformation and how we need to challenge with critical thinking and curiosity. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Corporations have hopped onto social movements and infused their business with values aaaand it's all wrapped up into a pretty marketable story that sells. Amal unpacks the hallmarks of woke washing, outlines the harms it causes and how to be critical of it. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
A recent TikTok video went viral where a creator outlined the bare minimum of what hijab should be. Amal unpacks the video and talks about hijab, feminism, the pressures of being a muslim women and what tough love actually is. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
In response to Māmari Stephens' essay 'The only Māori in the room' Amal shares her personal reflections on being the only one in the room in response. The issues with being the only one are discussed such as carrying expectations, being the supposed expert and the double edged sword of culture. Amal then shares some things we should consider to move away from being the only one. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Furiosa is the bad ass character in the Mad Max universe but the movie does leave you with the question of are female hero characters limited in their scope? In answering this, female rage and fourth wave feminism is unpacked. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Double standards exist everywhere yet we do not often ask why they exist? Who pays for the cost for double standards to keep existing? Amal goes through different examples of how double standards shows up and unpacks how double standards enable our systems to thrive without question. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
SZA recently came to Aotearoa and celebrated Te Ao Māori. Why is it easier for our visitors to embrace Te Ao Māori more than we do here, right here in our backyard? Amal unpacks the resistance to Te Ao Māori and highlights the questions we should be asking ourselves when talking about this. Amal also unpacks the relationship between freedom of speech and systemic silencing after students at Colombia University were arrested and USC's valedictorians' speech was cancelled. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This episode is in response to the backlash at the study sign at the University of Auckland and proposed retraction of race based policies at the moment. Amal unpacks why it's important to have active and honest recall of our history, why it might be hard to do that and the harmful legacy of colonisation. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This episode is a good ‘ole Q& Amal shares her reflections 5 years since the Christchurch terrorist attack and unpacks privilege and critical race theory. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
One day, love and representation - Amal unpacks the reaction towards Ambika Mod's portrayal of Emma in One Day. There are different expections when a young brown woman plays a romantic lead. Amal unpacks what that says about stereotypes, characterization and why it's so important good representation matters. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
We've always been encouraged to think critically in an academic setting, but translating that key skill to our real lives, and thinking about the real world is nuanced, layered and hard to navigate. Amal unpacks what critically thinking IRL looks like, why it's important and tips to critically think IRL. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
The double standards between Gaza and Ukraine highlight how certain communities have been dehumanised. This episode unpacks dehumanisation - what it means, examples and how it upholds our current systems. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
with everything happening in gaza, people are watching to see what celebrities are speaking up and staying silent. in general, we watch what celebrities do and there is constant conversation around what we should, or shouldn't expect from celebrities and is it fair? Amal unpacks this question and offers nuanced answers by pointing to the systems that surround celebrity-ism.This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Keeping the new year energy rolling, Amal unpacks more nuanced tips/reminders as we figure out what activism & allyship means and looks like for us all in 2024. Mindset, deeper systemic thinking, hyper-awareness, self love, and communities are discussed. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
New years mean new resolutions, new beginnings. This episode welcomes this energy and highlights some starting points for starting or renewing your activism/allyship journey. Tips that are 2024 relevant and nuanced. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal shows vulnerability by sharing her allyship 101 mistakes as of late and sharing thoughts about what she’s learnt. The difference between intention vs responsibility is discussed, how to navigate online activism, and how we can all uphold the systems we are born into. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
The influence of race cannot be denied when it comes to fantasy. Amal unpacks the influence of race in D&D, Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. Amal also unpacks why it's important we acknowledge the uncomfortable truth in fantasy. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Jorja Smith's body has received a lot of unwarranted thoughts that expose the toxic male gaze that we're all living under. Amal unpacks desirability, what's dangerous about it, and what the body positivity movement should really focus on. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
There is a lot happening in the world right now. Lots of atrocity, lack of humanity, loss and destruction. It's important to look at the wider context when approaching how to think or feel about a situation. Amal outlines the things that we need to acknowledge when talking about Palestine/Israel. Things like what is complicated, what should be made clear, dehumanising lives, the power of media, the role social media plays, and selective empathy. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
We're all doing girl maths, eating our girl dinners and going on our hot girl walks afterwards so we can be that girl. Girls, girls, girls everywhere! Are these trends just that and girls just want to have fun? Amal unpacks the origins and meaning of online girl-ification as well as the implications and criticisms around it. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Not every friend is automatically an ally and not every ally is automatically a friend. This episode Amal unpacks the difference between friendship and allyship and drops some golden nuggets on how friends can be better allies. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Following last episode, Amal continues the kōrero around how to work towards zero tolerance. How do you approach this conversation with family and friends compared to work colleagues? What role does fragility, curiosity and empathy have to do with it? Tune in to find out. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
David Seymour made a 'joke' about blowing up the Ministry for Pacific Peoples in a similar fashion to Guy Fawkes. Amal unpacks why it really a funny joke at all and how it relates to upholding white supremacy, casual racism and tolerance of behaviour that maintain that status quo. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Recently Matty Healy, lead singer of the band 1975, spoke out at the Good Vibes festival about the anti-LGBTQ laws in Malaysia. It has sparked a wave of conversation around the world about social change and speaking up. Amal unpacks what safe allyship looks like and how to avoid savourism. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This episode Amal unpacks rage and the tensions between black rage and white rage. The role rage plays in maintaining the status quo and how we should respond to it. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Us vs them - the damaging affects of dividing people. Amal unpacks how it relates to 'ism and why we need to talk about it more. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
It's been 3 years since George Floyd's death and Amal unpacks what has happened since then, and what has and hasn't changed in the race & diversity space since then. Spoiler alert There is still so much work to be done! One of the ways that we need to work is calling out dog whistle politics which Amal unpacks. The episode finishes on going through an prejudice busting intervention, backed up by science too! This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Taylor Swift has triggered a lot of conversation around her brand of feminism recently. This episode, Amal unpacks her pattern of behaviour and explains why this type of feminism is harmful. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal unpacks her therapy journey and talks about how counselling has made her a better ally! She makes the links between personal growth and allyship with her golden nuggets from her journey. She talks about change, growth, asking questions and getting through 'ugly' emotions. She also unpacks what it means to look at the world through the lens of objectivity and race and how that changes how we should talk about representation. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
A TikTok video went viral where someone called out their taxi driver for being 'racist'. Amal unpacks this moment and talks about how this moment wasn't the best example of calling someone out and true allyship. Racism, calling someone out, disagreements, apologies and cancel culture are all bought to the table and unpacked. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This week I sit down Abhi and we get 1000% real and vulnerable about colourism. Sharing our experiences we get into: what colourism is, how it's harmful, what we're unlearning and affirming instead, what barriers there are to talk about it honestly and how it's shown up in the different places/spaces of our lives.
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Figuring out who we are as humans is important for how we show up for social change. Want to be learn more on how to show solidarity and be an ally? Find out who you are first. Sounds simple but actually a life long journey that asks for courage and vulnerability. Amal outlines the things that we're getting wrong when talking about identity and culture so you can go forth and figure out who are you on a deeper and safer level. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
The incredible Thomas Owen collects stories of privilege loss across the world and has come up with mind blowing insights about how we should think about it and how we should learn to let go of it if we want to live in an equitable world. Tune in to re-define privilege, to learn about the relationship between privilege and inequity and to learn how to be ok with privilege loss.
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Should we review representation? - Mindy Kaling's show 'Never Have I Ever' is a coming of age story from the Indian American perspective. One of the cast members for season 3 pronounced their name in way that was meme-ified by the brown community online. The response was varied, intense and valid across the spectrum but begs for a deeper conversation around representation, what it means, what should we expect from it and is imperfect representation better than nothing?
Amal sits down with the forever funny and insightful Pax Assadi to talk about Raised by Refugees, using humour as a tool for social justice, migrant parents and how to bring about change. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This week I sit down with the wonderful Kiran. We discuss him stepping into his own authenticity and tackling the labels of fake gay and fake Indian that have followed him all his life. We discuss how 'coming out' can be harmful in some circumstances, the value of listening, finding refuge in culture and the power of vulnerability.
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This week I record with my Aabo (dad in the Somali mother tongue) and it was deeply personal coversation. We talked about Aabo's childhood in Somalia, the significance of genealogy, colonisation, the struggles of migrating here and discuss whether we think Aotearoa is a racist country or not. Spoiler alert - we have completely different opinions and it was really eye opening!
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
There is a lot happening in this world right now and it might be a little hard to think about how to even respond. What are the things we should be talking about? What does it look like to be an ally/activist? Tune in to find out how. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal sits down with a fellow Somali sister and unpacks Mihad's experiences as a black, muslim wāhine living in Aotearoa. All the stories explored shows the many faces of racism - the casual racism, micro aggressions, discrimination, systemic etc - all of which happened in Aotearoa. We also frankly discuss what it means to use your voice, the existence of being part of a marginalised community is a political existence, her experience as a black model and moving to Aotearoa.
Yarns with Alice Canton - storytelling, racism and breaking glass walls - Amal yarns with Alice Canton - theatre artist and all around amazing bad ass. We talk about the importance of storytelling and how that connects to a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, candidly about racism, her mahi being a talking point for deeper societal issues and her experience as a wāhine POC in the theatre world. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal unpacks all the things that’s come up for her in the past two weeks and talks about:
-how islam/islamophobia is discussed in a binary -why brown girls are better than brown bois aka the patriarchy but from an ethnic POV. -how black girls are erased and seen as invisible -the expectations we place on people to change
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
tumeric lattes, yoga, chia anything, shea butter - all wellness trends that are hot right now. Amal unpacks what it means when we participate in these trends and why it’s problematic. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
After reading about Serena Williams' birth experience, Amal uses this to launch into the conversation of anti-blackness. What is the difference between racism and anti-blackness? Why is is it so damaging? What does this look like in the context of Aotearoa? How can we as tauiwi honour te tiriti? This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This episode Amal tackles some questions y'all have sent in! We navigate what is the threshold for racism, social constructs, fat phobia, dating preferences and what you can do to be a better ally. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This weeks' episode is centered around the hijab and muslim women. A conversation catalysed by what happened to Hoda and her friends at Otago Girls' High School. Amal, and some other sisters, share what the hijab means to them, what's misunderstood about muslim women and how we can better support our muslim community. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal sits down with Jean and Angela to talk gender, transitioning and expectations. Jean (she/her) and Angela (she/her) both transitioned at a later age and share their journeys. They also share their empowering views on living life on your own terms and timeline. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal gets cosy and real with Jenny, Elaine and Sam. Jenny and Elaine share their transition story and Sam their journey to identifying as gender fluid. We also discuss what it means to live as your authentic self, how to be a better ally to queer community and what freedom means. TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual assault and suicide are mentioned in the episode. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
The migrant experience isn't often talked about or understood well. Amal, guided by her own experience, unpacks the emotional landscape of the migrant experience and talks about things such as filial obligation, expectations, dreams and storytelling. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
New year, new intentions. Being a better ally one of 'em? Tune into this episode to get some tips and tricks to help you along the way.
Recently Amal went through an experience where she felt marginalised by a service. She unpacks her emotions and has a yarn about anger, breaking the social contract and what it feels like to be undermined by the system. She then begins to unpack the history of whiteness. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin http://oar.org.nz
We all know how to describe 'em. Can I talk to your manager with the iconic hairstyle and dragging people left, right and centre BUT where did the term come from and should we be critical of it? Unpack the meme with Amal. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
When we talk about racism, we inevitably talk about race but why and is it needed? Explore the theory of racelessness with Amal to find out more. We also dive deeper into entitlement and what it has to do with racism and why it's important we talk about it more. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal unpacks her experience of being called forward and dives deep into the 'ugly' emotions that come with it. Emotions like shame, guilt, vulnerability that all come up for us but what value do they have?
Amal also unpacks the tension she feels between individualism and collectivism as a third culture kid. What does this tension look like? What's the value of both?
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This week Amal dives deep into blackfishing? What is it? What makes it different to blackface? Amal also looks into cancel culture vs consequence. How do we hold people accountable but also allow the opportunity for growth? This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal sits and down and has a raw and honest conversation with her other half, Arthur. Together they navigate culture, race and empathy in an inter racial relationship. They touch on Arthur's experience coming to NZ, being Asian in Aotearoa and the feeling of being too foreign for here and home. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
With the theme of take the time to kōrero, Mental Health Awareness Week is all about having those conversations. Amal navigates what that means for her as a Somali/Kiwi, tips to have good yarns and why it's important.
We also unpack women's rights, free will and fate from an islamic POV. We also talk about grievability of women in the media. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This week is Te Wiki o Te Reo and we unpack how complicated language is and how and why there might be all sorts of feelings.
We also touch upon all the isms on love island, racism/sexism/colourism.
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This week Amal chats to Lily and this episode goes to all wonderful, challenging places! From talking about racism to sexism, unpacking the role media + journalism have in our society, to how to rear how hypothetical children in a sexualised world and finally reviewing Lily's thoughts on NZ as a pacific nation.
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Recent events in politics, newsrooms, and social media reveal the underbelly of racism that is still rife in Aotearoa. Amal unpacks recent events and paints the racist rhetoric that's happening right now. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode Amal speaks about her health journey and that includes talking about weight loss and weight gain.
Amal dives deep into apologies and speaks to the significance of them. Apologies are a great way to build a better future, but how do we do that exactly? Also Amal speaks to the narrow narratives around beauty by unpacking her body image story. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
History, Connections and Emotions - Amal unpacks how and why everything is connected. Why knowing history is important to allyship and how emotions can change our world.
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal sits down with Emalani and talks about Hawai'i, the Pacific, RIMPAC, the importance of land, activism and allyship. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This week Amal unpacks the proposed They Are Us film, the significance of apologies and why the words we use matter. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
A woman in Tauranga greeted a crowd in te reo and was met a shower of boos and taunts. Amal unpacks where this energy might come from. Amal also discusses the importance of learning our histories - no matter how ugly and shameful it is.
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal has yarns with Wajd who helps explain what is happening in Palestine. We also get her 2 cents on activitism and what it means to her. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
This episode we unpack a whooole lotta stuff. Tokenism, intersectionality, racism, affirmative pathways and tangata whenua. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
When something traumatic happens, we are very quick to post on social how horrible it is but do we take the moment to listen to how damaging it may be? amal discusses what trauma porn is and how damaging it is.
amal also talks privilege and the various forms of racism.
finally, stories? which ones have a bigger platform and which ones are ignored because of it.
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Being Asian in 2021 - This week I sit down with Kaz and we talk all things about the model myth minority, te tiriti as migrants and her response to the increase in asian hate crimes and discrimination, specifically how that has impacted her life.
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Cousins, Meng Foon and the treaty AEFmtConversio
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Meghan and Harry's interview shook the world and triggered conversations around race and mental health. Also being a woman in 2021 is hard!
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Social Valorisation - How do we see value in others? This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
Amal offers more background behind the migrant experience, inspired by the book 'The Leavers' by Lisa Ko.
Another Waitangi day has come and gone and the conversations surrounding it are the same. How do we change that, how do we level up the ways we care and honour the treaty?
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz