Talking Racism with A Big Black Guy

EXTENDED EPISODE - Mike Goodwin talks about racism with Peaches and me! 

 

*Spoiler Alert*

Mike is a black guy.

 

Mike's on the phone so we get some of the audio weirdness that makes this podcast so beloved. It's the glitches that remind you we're humans, and amateurs, Pkarlgh.

 

I've known Mike for quite awhile. We can't remember exactly how long so we estimate.

 

I start by trying to pay Mike a compliment that is actually sort of an insult.

 

A few weeks ago I thought it would be a good idea to do an uncontroversial show so I picked the subject of racism. I called Mike and he agreed to be on the podcast!

 

First, with much anxiety, I assume Mike is a black guy. It turns out, I'm right.

 

It seems black and African American used to be the same thing. Mike gives his perspective on people who 'don't see color'.

 

Perhaps we need a better definition of 'black' to get a conversation going. People maybe would rather be polite than accurate. And perhaps our attempt to avoid racism results in the most racist statements.

 

As the podcast continues and we discuss privilege, the military, Christianity, and comedy. (Eventually, the Peaches says stuff.)

 

Mike tells white people 'what to do'. Finally, we have some directions!  He also has some excellent advice for people no matter what color they happen to be.

 

McGruff the Crime Dog had a different impact on Mike than he did on me. Grade school visits created conversations in his house that I never had.

 

(The phone rings and scare the daylights out of EVERYONE. Then, somebody starts and engine outside my house or a vacuum or something.  We need a soundproof studio but we'll never have one.)

 

Some discussion of the Civil War happens next and we float some uncomfortable theories. I blame the Peaches for the awkwardness.

 

We may do a comedy show about racism. What should that look like?  Mike answers with sympathy for white guys...believe it or not.

 

Peaches asks me about pitfalls of the potential comedy show.  She links racism to feminism and the accusations that she is barefoot and pregnant all the time. (Barefoot not as much but she has been pregnant a lot...)

 

We decided that we probably won't eliminate racism entirely. Probably...

 

Mike has a doctor appointment so we wrap up. Mike mentions that 'Peaches' is a stripper name. He's not wrong but that's not why I call her that.

 

Go see Mike's website, Pkarl.  Be his fan too: http://www.comedianmikegoodwin.com/