The Greg McKeown Podcast 282. What's Essential: Deep Listening with Dean Helen Williamson (Replay)
Mar 19, 2024
Dean Helen Williams, the first African-American woman to serve as a dean at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology, joins the discussion on vital societal issues. She emphasizes the significance of deep listening in navigating racial conversations and fostering compassion. Personal anecdotes reveal the challenges of identity in predominantly white spaces. Williams highlights the responsibility of individuals in promoting equity and understanding, while encouraging authentic dialogues across racial divides. Hope and the power of storytelling emerge as tools for healing and change.
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The Burden of Racial Code-Switching
- Black individuals often feel pressure to hide a part of themselves in predominantly white environments.
- This can lead to a sense of fragmentation and exhaustion, as they constantly code-switch between different cultural expectations.
Subtle Condescension in Interracial Interactions
- Greg McKeown observed subtle condescension in seemingly polite interactions between white and Black individuals.
- This highlighted the often-invisible power dynamics and assumptions embedded in everyday exchanges.
Compassionate Deconstruction
- When discussing race, acknowledge the potential discomfort and disruption it may cause for white individuals.
- Approach these conversations with compassion and a willingness to help them rebuild their understanding of race.