Hey White Women Episode 5 | Kamala Harris and The Glass Cliff
In this conversation, Daniella and Rebecca discuss the representation of women and people of color in politics, particularly focusing on Kamala Harris. They explore the excitement and hope that Harris's candidacy brings, while also acknowledging the challenges and limitations that come with being a Black woman in a position of power. They emphasize the importance of not expecting one person to represent an entire demographic and the need to address anti-Blackness and white feminism. The conversation also touches on the concept of the glass cliff and the ongoing process of deconstructing white supremacy. In this part of the conversation, Rebecca and Daniella discuss the challenges faced by women and minorities in positions of power. They highlight the need for multiple individuals from a given minority demographic to have a voice and not be pitted against each other. They also discuss the importance of being an accomplice rather than just an ally in the fight against racism. They touch on the power dynamics between white women and black women, the role of white women in dismantling white supremacy, and the need for white men to educate themselves and call out their friends. They also discuss the concept of white women tears and the importance of believing and listening to black women's experiences. They emphasize the need to question and challenge the sense of urgency imposed by white supremacy and coercive control. In this final part of the conversation, Rebecca and Daniella discuss the importance of privacy and the ways in which lack of privacy can be used as a means of breaking people down. They also explore the concept of self-sealing systems and how society has given over its agency to the system itself. They discuss the potential impact of having a Black woman in a position of power, such as Kamala Harris as Vice President, and the need for white women to take responsibility for their own actions and challenge white supremacy. They emphasize the importance of believing people's experiences and not trying to relate or invalidate their perspectives. They also discuss the power of silence and active listening in conversations about race and gender.
Links:
Connect with Rebecca at:
Connect with Daniella at:
Uncultured by Daniella Mestyanek Young
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UnAMERICAN Videobook
Takeaways
- The representation of women and people of color in politics is important and brings excitement and hope.
- It is crucial to recognize the challenges and limitations that come with being a Black woman in a position of power.
- Expecting one person to represent an entire demographic is unfair and unrealistic. Addressing anti-Blackness and white feminism is essential in promoting true inclusivity and equality.
- The concept of the glass cliff highlights the tendency to put women and minorities in leadership roles during difficult times.
- Deconstructing white supremacy is an ongoing process that requires self-reflection and education. Women and minorities in positions of power often face challenges and are pitted against each other.
- Being an accomplice, rather than just an ally, is important in the fight against racism. White women have a role in dismantling white supremacy and should educate themselves and call out their friends.
- Believing and listening to black women's experiences is crucial.
- Questioning and challenging the sense of urgency imposed by white supremacy is necessary. Lack of privacy can be used as a means of breaking people down and is often a demand in systems that seek to control and enforce power.
- Society has given over its agency to the system itself, resulting in a self-sealing system that perpetuates harmful ideologies and structures.
- Having a Black woman in a position of power, such as Kamala Harris as Vice President, can bring a different perspective and potentially lead to important conversations and changes.
- White women need to take responsibility for their own actions and challenge white supremacy, rather than relying on Black women to educate and inform them.
- Believing people's experiences, particularly when it comes to race and gender, is crucial for fostering understanding and empathy.
- Silence and active listening can create space for deeper connection and learning in conversations about race and gender.
Sound Bites
"Everybody feels like they're being represented now in this election." "The excitement that it has brought has been incredible." "We also know how we get treated and how we are spoken to." "They are not against each other, they are pitted against each other." "I'm so scared for her, right? Like she is going to, just in the election season alone, she is going to have so much misogynoir thrown at her that it is gonna be painful." "Stop saying you're an ally. It's not about being an ally. It's about being an accomplice." "No! That is the widest thing I have ever - Ugh! A creepy hunk to check your underwear!" "It's so creepy, it's so creepy. That's also how purity culture goes into, you know, pedophilia and sexual harassment." "Demanding immediate answers, constantly surveilling people, or having purity requirements are means of breaking people down and do not have legitimate reasons."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Representation in the 2020 Election 03:52 The Glass Cliff: Challenges Faced by Women and Minorities in Leadership 08:51 Centering Anti-Blackness and the Role of White Women 13:43 The Significance of Having a Woman in the White House 20:56 From Allies to Accomplices: Dismantling White Supremacy 34:01 Understanding White Supremacy and Allyship 38:58 Challenging Societal Norms and Holding Yourself Accountable 46:40 The Impact of Surveillance and Purity Requirements 01:00:20 The Power of Transformational Leadership and Diverse Perspectives 01:07:12 The Potential Impact of a Woman in the White House 01:14:46 The Intersectionality of Gender and Race 01:19:03 The Importance of Listening and Slowing Down 01:26:40 Fair Compensation for Podcast Production 01:27:20 The Importance of Representation in Various Industries