Episode 120, Siri Carr and Kirsti Carr, Discussion On White Privilege
Release Date: 06/15/2020
Episode 386 Humbled
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
In addition to the wide range of emotions, this past week, I’ve also felt humbled. Humbled by my friend, Wayne who is living with the brutal disease ALS. Paul and I spent 4 days and 4 overnights with Wayne, while his wife was out of town. I am humbled by the human spirit that can still nurture a positive attitude, despite being so physically limited. Humbled by resilience, the choice to remain grateful and generous. Humbled by the aides who make personal sacrifices to show up with kindness, patience, and professionalism. Humbled by what this brings out in my husband, in me, as we...
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Episode 385 Fullness of December
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I acknowledge how full the month of December can be. Are you also finding this month to be full with holiday preparations, full with things to do, full with parties and events to attend, and full of emotions? It can be exciting and stressful. Our bodies will partner with us in the overwhelm and help carry the full load for us. May we be present to the fullness of life, the hurt, pain, tenderness and generosity. May we allow ourselves to feel deeply. May we nurture ourselves in our vulnerability. May we embody love, truth, and justice and allow those words to...
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Episode 384 If You Give a Mouse A Cookie
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share how my week reflected the snowball effect captured in the humorous children’s book and brilliantly illustrated by Felicia Bond. One thing leads to another and another and another, and before you know it, a simple gesture set off tasks, projects and investment well beyond what we initially intended. It began with the clearing out of kitchen shelving, then the kitchen pantry, then a new hinge for a cabinet door, which reminded us that the kitchen window needed replacing. Listen to see what unfolds from there! I’m guessing you might be able to relate!...
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Episode 383 Embracing Change
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I reflect on all the change that happens around us and the wisdom of learning to embrace change. There are the changes in season, temperatures, clothes and food, changes in friendships and activities. I also noticed when organizing my Holiday Card list, how many people changed homes so I needed address updating. I was struck by the number of loved ones who have died this past year. Their absence has an impact on me along with a web of other people, all experiencing changes without these individuals in our lives. I am comforted by the Buddhist teaching on...
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Episode 382 The Gratitude Theory
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
As we enter the week of Thanksgiving, I thought I’d highlight the gratitude theory and the 4 A's of gratitude: Awareness, Acknowledgement, Appreciation and Action. This week is an ideal time to be reminded of the power of an attitude of gratitude. A grateful mindset can lighten us, enrich what is in front of us and help us navigate our challenges. A grateful heart shifts our own mood and positively impacts those around us. May we give thanks every day by cultivating a gratitude theory with the 4 A's. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the podcast!
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Episode 381 Honoring Jude
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I honor Jude Vasquez, a beloved soul who shockingly died at the age of 34 from a heart condition. My son, Wil considered Jude not only one of his closest friends, but his bonus sister. Wil took this stunning photo of Jude, his Silver Queen. I describe the unexpected blessings I received when I attended a Celebration of Life gathering for Jude at the Bushwick Flea Market. As Rumi says: “Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don’t claim them. Feel the artistry moving through, and be silent.” Listen to the podcast to hear of all the small wonders I observed....
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Episode 380 Hope Ignited
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, there were two things that ignited hope for me this past week. One was the championing of ordinary people by the new mayor of NYC, Zohran Mamdani. Witnessing a leader with compassion, courage and integrity stirred in me some much needed hope.The other was how powerfully the black voters came through, once again, to ensure most of the blue wins across the country. As Kieth Boykin points out “Black voters show up for policies that help every body: affordable housing, lower utility bills, jobs, justice and democracy itself!” Hope is ignited in me when we speak...
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Episode 379 Thinner Veil
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, as we are in the heart of the Autumn season, I describe what it means that the veil is thinner. The boundary between the physical world and the spiritual world is more permeable, therefore the veil is thinner. This thinner veil allows for greater, more direct communication with our spirit guides, our deceased loved ones and ancestors. So in this period of the veil being thinner between the physical and spiritual realms, may we acknowledge and honor the dead. May we remember them, tell stories of them, carry on their interests, values and light. May we let go and...
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Episode 378 Tell It Like It Is
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I highlight Leigh McGowan, also known as Politics Girl, who tells it like it is. Her honest, courageous posts inspire me to speak my truth, particularly these days when speaking truth is ignored or punished by this administration. @iampoliticsgirl helped me process the profound, invigorating and joyful experience of the NO Kings protest we attended in NYC on October 18th. And despite 8.2 million people showing up in every state in this country, along with incredible global support from over a dozen countries around the world, Trump and JD Vance attempted to vilify...
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Episode 377 No Kings 2
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I highlight the No Kings 2.0 protest that happened this past weekend and the importance of this event. In addition to it being one of the largest protests in American history, and the solidarity and invigorating energy it filled me with, the protest is one of many necessary actions we need to take to stand up to Trump’s unconstitutional violations. I share a clip from Keith Boykin, who describes the coup that is in progress from this administration. Our democracy is at stake and we must join together to stop the political corruption, military force and...
info_outline I want to acknowledge and address the traumatic, heartbreaking reality of our country’s anti-black socialization, systemic racism and the internalized racist worldview that is ingrained in being white. I am reaching out, retreating, asking others, asking myself, learning, unlearning, doing, undoing, reflecting, listening, making mistakes, and striving for growth. I truly want to be as present to the discomfort, awkwardness and pain as I can be, of the racial inequality of our shared American history. I’ve been so moved by the younger generation, particularly my adult children, nieces and nephews as they continue to challenge, stimulate and expand my understanding of racial injustice and what it means to be white.
My guests today are 2 of my nieces, Siri Carr and Kirsti Carr. Siri is a teacher of 8th grade writing in a Boston charter school. She cares deeply about making the world a better place, trusting that with love, we are capable of so much more. Kirsti is an environmental biologist, who has studied raptors in California and Nevada and is currently working on a red-headed woodpecker project in Minnesota. She is uplifted by the collective action that is happening across the country and around the world, hundreds of thousands of people standing together, demanding equal justice.
Both Siri and Kirsti invited our extended family into a family Zoom meeting to discuss white privilege. So even though the family Zoom hasn’t yet occurred, I wanted to highlight the initiative they took. As I hear so many white people ask what can I do, I hope Siri and Kirsti’s efforts might be a tangible thing you could try with your own families.
Siri and Kirsti help challenge me to think about how we can openly practice anti-racism in our lives. I know there is a lot of individual and collective work before us and I hope we can inspire each other on the journey. Check out the show notes for links to resources we discuss. Enjoy the podcast!
Programming Note:
Next Monday, June 22, my guest will be author, director & activist Kimberly Jones. You may have seen her viral video that Joel Cross, Trevor Noah, and others have shared. I'm eager to shine light on Kimberly and the truth she speaks.
Links:
Teens In Print
Storyteller Carolyn Finney
"Black Faces in White Places" by Randal Pinkett
"America, This is Your Chance" by Michelle Alexander, NY Times