Ep 92 - Online Mocking: The Hidden Racial Bullying

In today's episode, Leslieann shares about her recent experience in a writing community she’s part of where she offered a program for writers to help them avoid emotional hangover. Then the (white) gatekeepers came for her, demanding she show her credentials, which was really a guise for “who do you think you are?”. This incident is an example of how systemic racism puts high expectations on folks of color, where we have to prove time and again that we are capable and competent human beings. It also highlights the VERY unaware people who reinforce this oppressive system. In the instance of people of color, how many qualifications do we need before it’s enough? Statistically, we usually need way more than our white counterparts. They have one bachelor’s degree? We need two bachelor’s degrees, a few masters degrees and at least one PhD.

And who gets to decide all of this?

So, how do you respond to these kinds of aggressions? Well, it’s all about building nervous system resilience and leaning into self-trust.

Listen in on Leslieann as she shares her own experiences of dealing with these kinds of not-so-obvious racist attacks online and how she dealt with this condescension.

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Follow me on Instagram for Maverick Mondays, Free Verse Fridays, and some real talk about healing, poetry, AND play: @leslieannhobayan or email me at leslieann@suryagian.com

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• “A Root in Each Act and Creature” by Hafiz
• The Body Keeps the Score - a book by Bessel Van Der Kolk
• “Easter Sunday” by Shin Yu Pai

Courses/Exclusive Content Mentioned:

• Joyful Meditation : https://suryagian.com/joyful-meditation

The Story of Joy: https://suryagian.com/subscribe