The Cavemum Podcast: Recent Episodes
Medina Whiteman
The Cavemum Podcast is a tribute to amazing Muslim women, and a space where we can be exactly as we are, without pretence or pressure. Expect to hear trains of thought taking unexpected bends, background noise and lashings of honesty.
Did you know that Black mothers are 5x more likely to die in pregnancy, childbirth, or the first year of motherhood than white mothers? Yeah...I didn't either. I have midwife Illiyin Morrison to thank for sharing this information, which sparked this illuminating conversation around structural racism in healthcare, particularly in perinatal care. Join us as we discuss racial disparities in maternal health, how birth trauma can be tackled and avoided, share our birth stories, and ponder what tangible support for mothers looks like. A few quotes to whet your appetites: "We need Black people to be invited to the table...we're still waiting for an invitation to YOUR table. We're still dealing with white supremacy." "If we mothered mothers we would all be happier." "If we gently leaned on one another we would essentially help every woman to bask in the power of her motherhood and of herself." Dynamite words I say👌🏾Have a listen and follow Illy on IG @mixing.up.motherhood to learn more!
It’s taken me a while (this was recorded back in Ramadan), but it’s finally here! The inaugural Cavemum Podcast, dedicated to amplifying amazing Muslim womxn’s voices, features Nora Fitzgerald, a dear friend and amazing activist, founder of Amal, a women’s empowerment initiative in Marrakesh. Join us as we talk about: the challenges for Moroccan womxn whom traditional structures do not serve • what Amal has done to empower them and others during the COVID-19 crisis • the process of developing a respectful grassroots initiative
• showing up for POC while avoiding the trap of white saviourism • the role of spirituality in social activism. A few quotes to whet your appetites: “It’s such a shame to equate empowerment with paid work...It’s such a capitalist reduction” • “I feel like you should do everything, you should give people fish, teach them to fish, AND change all the systems of inequity that have [drained] all the fish from their seas” • “What’s needed is people actually doing the work with their physical bodies…that love for your brother has to be active, it can’t just be a wishing”.
We had a few sound issues on our intercontinental phone call but stick with us - you’ll want to take notes!! Since we recorded the conversation, Amal's fundraisers have raised over 100,000 dollars!! But more support is always necessary so if you feel like showing some support please make a donation towards AMAL’s pandemic food basket campaign at Amalanonprofit.org. Thanks for listening!! Please share to help give Muslim womxn’s voices a platform!