ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.
Listen "Ep. 5 - 60's Deep South Public Education, with Jennifer Hawthorne"
Episode Synopsis
I know something you don’t know… you don’t know what you don’t know. None of us do. How could we? Especially when our not knowing is strategically combined with the intentions of people in power, like political leaders, like designers of educational systems and writers of curriculum, who’ve exhibited no qualms about filling in our not knowing with what reflects and serves their values and their purposes … to promote and perpetuate the mindset of WHITE SUPERIORITY. I am so grateful to Jennifer Hawthorne, a well-respected author, for sharing with us about her own school experiences in Louisiana in the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Jennifer mentioned Jimmy Fallon's recent awakening to the fabric of inequality into which all of our white lives have been woven. Here's a great clip from one of Jimmy's recent shows with anti-racism educator, Jane Elliott. https://theglobalherald.com/entertainment/jane-elliott-on-her-blue-eyes-brown-eyes-exercise-and-fighting-racism/ Jane was on Oprah many years ago, and delivered this same lesson to Oprah's audience members who were NOT informed about the experiment. Fascinating to see their responses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebPoSMULI5U
Although it’s a fact of life that we cannot change how others think if they’re not open to another way of thinking … there are effective ways to start and engage in conversations with people who have even a small degree of openness to other perspectives. Braver Angels, the organization I mentioned in this conversation with Jennifer, is doing highly effective work at uniting Americans in efforts to depolarize our country, by engaging those who disagree, and guiding them to discover common ground … and ways to work together. The Braver Angels’ online training is free or very low cost, yet highly effective… You can learn more with videos on their site (at BraverAngels.org) to see just how effective the organization is at educating people like you and me to better navigate challenging but important topics. Check it out, especially if you need a shot of real hope in these painful times. Alright, thank you for sharing this journey of awakening even if, like me, you’re a late bloomer. We’re here now, and there’s so much to learn, so much to notice, so much to no longer let slip by … and it’ll be so much easier together… so please share your questions, your comments and your insights. They will add to the value of this podcast for everyone…especially all us white women and white men, too.
Jennifer mentioned Jimmy Fallon's recent awakening to the fabric of inequality into which all of our white lives have been woven. Here's a great clip from one of Jimmy's recent shows with anti-racism educator, Jane Elliott. https://theglobalherald.com/entertainment/jane-elliott-on-her-blue-eyes-brown-eyes-exercise-and-fighting-racism/ Jane was on Oprah many years ago, and delivered this same lesson to Oprah's audience members who were NOT informed about the experiment. Fascinating to see their responses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebPoSMULI5U
Although it’s a fact of life that we cannot change how others think if they’re not open to another way of thinking … there are effective ways to start and engage in conversations with people who have even a small degree of openness to other perspectives. Braver Angels, the organization I mentioned in this conversation with Jennifer, is doing highly effective work at uniting Americans in efforts to depolarize our country, by engaging those who disagree, and guiding them to discover common ground … and ways to work together. The Braver Angels’ online training is free or very low cost, yet highly effective… You can learn more with videos on their site (at BraverAngels.org) to see just how effective the organization is at educating people like you and me to better navigate challenging but important topics. Check it out, especially if you need a shot of real hope in these painful times. Alright, thank you for sharing this journey of awakening even if, like me, you’re a late bloomer. We’re here now, and there’s so much to learn, so much to notice, so much to no longer let slip by … and it’ll be so much easier together… so please share your questions, your comments and your insights. They will add to the value of this podcast for everyone…especially all us white women and white men, too.
In God we trust