Intersectional Insights

BLACK HISTORY WEEK DAY 1: HIGHLIGHTING AMANDA GORMAN

Lakeria talks about Amanda Gorman, the youngest poet to recite poetry at an inauguration. She is the Youth Poet Laureate of 2017.

Youtube Reference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9pyMqnBzk&ab_channel=CNBCTelevision

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod, and our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

 

Music credits:

Thanks to purple-planet.com for the intro music.

Background music: "Bass Walker" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Closing: "Leopard Print Elevator" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Book Dissection Part1: Our Views On Racism, Sexism, and “This Will Be My Undoing”

The I-Squared crew shift toward including discussions about race and gender by dissecting the book: “This Will Be My Undoing: Living At the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist In White America.” The discussion gets juicy with strong views, disagreements, and personal experiences with racial and gender stereotypes.

Discussion Summary

00:22: We’re SHARING OUR THOUGHTS ON Morgan Jerkins essay collection, picking each essay apart, focusing on the issues that jumped out at us.

02:18: How this book was a bothersome read at times.

04:06: Essay 1: “Monkeys Like You,” focused on when she realized what it meant to be black, and started noticing the differences between white girls and black girls. The crew’s experiences with becoming aware of these differences.

17:58: Essay 2: “How To Be Docile,” on teaching girls to be submissive to be accepted. The stereotypical black woman, being expressive, not having a right to your emotions, and having to be with a man to validate your womanhood.

31:17: The movement to channel your divine feminine, and change yourself to make a man feel better about himself. Why women pursue their independence.

41:47: Essay 3: “The Stranger At the Carnival,” on standards of beauty, objectifying black people, and black hair. There’s a difference between objectifying and exploring differences out of curiosity.

50:05: What Appropriation is, and what’s wrong with it.

52:14: Essay 4: “A Hunger For Men’s Eyes,” on wanting attention from guys, sexualizing women of color, and outspoken women having a more difficult time finding partners.

1:03:16: Black women always having to be hyperaware of what others think of their behavior because society is more judgmental of them.

1:09:42: Essay 5: “A Lotus to Michelle,” on the ways in which people criminalized Michelle Obama simply for being a black woman, intellectualized Rachel Dolezal for identifying as black and transracial as a white person, and white women protecting white male privilege.

1-24:26: Outro.

 

References:

HarperAcademic Calling interview of Morgan Jerkins

“This Will Be My Undoing” on Goodreads

Summary of the Study demonstrating sexualization of black girls as young as 5

 

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod, and our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Music credits:

Opening: Goestories - Noir Et Blanc Vie

Closing: First Class - DJ Williams

Being An Afterthought: Why Are Folks With Disabilities Excluded from Discussions About Diversity?

Heads up: This episode is lengthier than normal, and split into two segments. In the first segment, the I-squared crew discuss why people with disabilities aren’t included in discussions about diversity, how this contributes to exclusion and discrimination in society, and ways folks with disabilities can be included. In the second segment, Raven brings Rochelle back to discuss courses Rochelle took regarding diversity and inclusion, and to pick her brain about course content, how people with disabilities are included or excluded, ways course content could improve, and how organizations serving disabled individuals can help ensure disability is a part of diversity discussions.

Discussion Summary:

00:55: Conversations about diversity exclude people with disabilities.

01:46: The aversion to people with disabilities, and not being allowed to demonstrate our merit. People don’t see themselves in us. Anybody can become disabled at any time, and they avoid us because they see their biggest fear in us.

04:20: Stories of disabled people focusing on them overcoming tragedy, rather than celebrating their successes, the way nondisabled people’s accomplishments are acknowledged.

07:47: Folks with disabilities not acknowledging when they’re disabled, or downplaying disability. Being in denial about your disability because of the way you’ve seen people react to disabled people.

12:59: Some ways in which disabled people are an afterthought regarding buildings, websites, education, and with workplace materials.

18:23: It seems people don’t think of diversity beyond race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. People don’t consider disabled people as a part of society, and so they don’t include them when creating materials or technology.

20;45: Olivia shares some stories from her education at the school for the blind that demonstrates how low the bar is set for folks who are blind.

28:23: The drawbacks to always having a separate place for disabled people, and how that negatively affects inclusivity.

32:00: Making things accessible can benefit disabled and nondisabled people, and is also helpful when people are temporarily disabled.

37:38: Raven intros Rochelle, who’s pursuing a degree in clinical mental health counselling.

38:28: Courses Rochelle took that focus on culture and diversity, what minorities were discussed, and to what extent disabilities are discussed in course material.

40:39: The ways in which disability was discussed in course content.

42:02: Rochelle’s thoughts about why disabilities aren’t included as much as other minorities in course content, and general discussions about diversity.

44:19: What organizations serving people with disabilities can do to raise greater awareness, and give disability a greater presence in diversity discussions.

49:58: Individuals with disabilities having greater representation in a positive light.

51:30: How Rochelle’s course textbooks eclipsed the experience of people with disabilities with comparisons to other minorities.

56:38: The disabled community being portrayed in a way that shows how well they can rise to others’ expectations, rather than teaching people to accept folks with disabilities no matter who they are.

57:48: Rochelle’s experience with trying to bring up people with disabilities in a diversity discussion at her college, and establishments changing to be inclusive of all minorities upfront, not just one group at a time.

1:1:43: How a particular course focused on the black community, and not very much on other minorities. But the professor encouraged Rochelle to share her experiences with, and represent the disability community to her classmates.

1:4:11: Raven talks about awareness exhaustion, referring to people who are sick of having to adapt and be tolerant to yet another group.

1:6:12: It’s unfair not to talk about the subcategories within the disability community when discussing disability.

1:8:27: How disability can be covered more comprehensively in course materials, to teach people to be more inclusive and accepting.

1:12:56: The impacts Rochelle would like courses to have if they discussed disability more openly and extensively.

1:13:51: A time a professor asked Rochelle’s opinion on showing a video of a talk given by an individual who’s disabled, and confronting discomfort in the classroom.

1:19:06: Bringing the individual’s perspective into discussions about disability, and more about the professor who wanted Rochelle to educate her classmates about disability, rather than using educational materials produced by other folks with disabilities.

1:24:50: Thank you to Rochelle!

1:25:00: Outro.

 

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod, and our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Music credits:

Opening: Goestories - Noir Et Blanc Vie

Transition: "Leopard Print Elevator" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Closing: First Class - DJ Williams

Insight On The Side: Understanding and Recognizing Privilege

Olivia and Raven talk about what privilege is, different types of privilege, how they are privileged themselves, and stress that there’s not a problem with it.

Note: There’s intermittent noise after 23 minutes, but we hope you’re able to enjoy the conversation.

Discussion Summary:

00:21: We’re gonna be talkin’ about all different types of privilege.

00:58: Olivia provides the definition.

01:23: What’s problematic with the word privilege? And why white people are triggered by the phrase “white privilege.”

02:23: A form of white privilege, in which people get to be an individual, rather than be held to the standard of the latest screw-up who looks like them.

03:17: Why not use the word “fortune” instead?

04:12: There’s nothing wrong with being privileged, and why it’s important to recognize your privilege.

04:53: What privilege actually is in daily life.

06:02: Raven and Olivia acknowledge different ways they have been privileged regarding education, employment, and the pandemic.

14:39: Being privileged through the ability to tune out of other people’s trauma and tragedies.

19:57: How the ability to disconnect relates to white privilege, and Raven briefly relays personal experiences with racism.

24:02: When people don’t want to acknowledge the problems others’ face, or they downplay them.

25:47: Privilege doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen to you, but that you’re afforded more opportunities to not deal with certain life circumstances.

27:53: Struggling and facing discrimination as people with disabilities, the circus of dealing with paratransit services, and how people who drive are privileged.

35:00: Folks assuming their community is representative of the rest of the world.

38:52: Having privilege is not a problem, it’s how you use it to understand and help others.

40:12: Outro.

 

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod, and our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Music Credit: No Starlight Dey Beat - Nana Kwabena

 

Our Goals and Hopes For This Year

Olivia’s back! And the I-squared crew share their hopes for the intersectional community, goals for the podcast, and personal goals.

Discussion Summary:

00:19: Happy New Year from the crew.

00:45: The hope sparked by the mention of people with disabilities in the President elect’s victory speech, diversity within his cabinet, and concerns with Representing people with disabilities in government.

04:44: How recovering from the pandemic may impact the unemployment rate among folks with disabilities, doing things virtually has benefited many disabled and nondisabled people, and things may change again because many people prefer interacting in-person.

11:07: Goals for the podcast to start covering other minorities.

13:17: Personal goals for this year.

18:25: Outro.

 

References:

One of many NPR articles on discrimination against disabled people in health care

 

Music credits:

Opening: Goestories - Noir Et Blanc Vie

Closing: First Class - DJ Williams

 

For more discussion, follow us on Twitter @I_SquaredPod, and join our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

 

Insight On The Side: Waving Goodbye To The Handshake

Rather than reviewing 2020, Raven keeps it lighthearted and silly with her criticisms of the handshake, calling it the human equivalent to dogs sniffing each other’s butts, talking about how disgusting people are with their hands, and shares some uncomfortable handshake experiences as they relate to blindness.

Discussion Summary:

0:58: Expressing relief that the handshake is a thing of the past.

01:32: What makes shaking hands so disgusting.

05:21: Uncomfortable handshake experiences.

10:55: opposing the support of the handshake.

13:05: Follow us on Twitter! Outro.

For more discussion, follow us on Twitter @I_squaredpod, and join our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Music credits:

Thanks to purple-planet.com for the intro music.

Outro: "Northern Glade" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Hands Off! A Discussion On Inappropriate Touching In The Blindness Community

Lakeria and Raven contribute their views and personal experiences to the recent conversations about sexual assault and inappropriate touching within the blindness community.

Discussion Summary:

00:04: Trigger warning: this discussion mentions and makes references to sexual assault and inappropriate touching. And disclaimer: we are not survivors of sexual assault or sexual abuse.

00:42: Lakeria intros the first Insight On the Side news moment, which will focus on significant conversations within the disability community.

01:26: A brief backstory on assaults at blindness-related training centers, camps, and conventions.

02:30: Addressing the blind guys getting handsy at training centers, camps, etc.

04:08: Expressing disappointment with the statistics, the fact that blind people are violating other individuals who are blind, and people in leadership positions being dismissive of these issues.

07:22: Raven discusses people with disabilities being sheltered regarding appropriate touching and consent.

08:55: When personal boundaries matter, and what’s harmful about touch without consent.

11:14: basics of Consent and explaining enthusiastic consent.

13:58: Unintentional vs intentional touching.

16:31: Sharing experiences with being intentionally touched inappropriately at camps with other blind people.

19:19: Statistics on rates of victimization of people with disabilities.

21:25: The contributing factors to being victimized as a disabled person, and what roles they play in the training center or convention settings.

23:41: Accounts of being invalidated and dismissed when trying to report or prosecute someone as a person with a disability.

28:23: Institutions and organizations being more concerned with their reputation, why people take their personal stories to social media, and how organizations need to focus on where they can minimize harm, not just where they’ve done good.

31:27; Lakeria shares disability-friendly resources people can turn to.

32:35: Expressing support for survivors and people sharing their stories.

33:03: Outro.

References:

What Consent Looks Like

Crime Against Persons With Disabilities, 2009-2015 - Statistical Tables

Violence Against People with Disabilities Occurs at Alarming Rates

National Sexual Violence Resource Center Tool kit

Use #MarchingTogether to share or participate in the discussion about sexual abuse within the NFB and other organizations in the blindness community.

For more discussion, follow us on Twitter @I_squaredpod, and join our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Music credit: "Northern Glade" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Good Gifts and Gift Gaffes

Lakeria and Raven recall gifts they loved, gifts they disliked, and go on a tangent about cards.

Discussion summary:

00:26: Disclosing upfront that they hate and don’t celebrate Christmas.

1:14: Good gifts.

9:14: Gift gaffes.

17:54: Bitch session about cards.

20:51: Another gift gaffe.

22:17: Put more thought into gifts, rather than giving inaccessible gifts.

24:23: More gift grumbling.

25-54: Treating ourselves, and more good gifts.

27:07: Why Christmas and holidays aren’t a big deal.

29:18: Outro.

Support us! Shop with our I-squared Amazon link.

Music credits:

Opening: Goestories - Noir Et Blanc Vie

Closing: First Class - DJ Williams

For more discussion, follow us on Twitter @I_SquaredPod, and join our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Aira: The Pros, Cons, and Where There’s Room For Improvement Part 2

Raven and Rochelle chat more about app features: how Aira can add or expand upon them, and curiosities they have regarding some features they haven’t used. They also discuss customer service experiences, more common complaints, and yes, they talk about the app Be My Eyes.

Discussion Summary:

00:31: Sharing plans and minutes, and discussion about the smart glasses, now discontinued.

05:54: Joking about two Aira explorers going on a blind date, and using Aira to find each other.

07:49: Aira no longer being free for demonstration purposes.

09:15: Being choosy about usages for free 5-minute calls, and dealing with a variety of agents with differing proficiencies.

10:50: The rideshare option in Aira.

13:34: Agents helping take pictures.

15:34: Refunds, Rochelle’s personal experience with attempting to cancel her previous subscription and be refunded, and customers requesting refunds upon discontinuation of Aira's smart glasses.

18:22: Experiences with customer service, the personability of agents, and concerns about overuse or folks using it rather than developing their own skills.

21:18: Differences between Be My Eyes and Aira, and experiences with Be My Eyes.

26:28: Being able to favorite or dislike certain Aira agents for a more optimal experience, and agents being able to select the calls they take.

28:40: Exploring the app feature allowing customers to message agents prior to calling, and brainstorming about how it could be expanded to accommodate customers who are deaf-blind.

33:46: Curiosity about what agents can see according to how the phone is being held, and how their failure to notice detail might depend on camera angle.

36:35: Circling back to rollover minutes, and talking about practical ways to implement that feature.

39:06: How agents can access apps on your device.

40:42: Thank you, Rochelle.

40:50: Outro.

For more discussion, follow us on Twitter @I_squaredpod, and join our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Music credit:

Thanks to purple-planet.com for the intro and outro music.

Aira: The Pros, Cons, and Where There’s Room For Improvement Part 1

Raven and guest, Rochelle, explain what the Aira app is, get into the details of their experiences with the service, and share their perspective on the advantages, criticisms, and opportunities for growth.

Discussion Summary:

00:29: Introduction to guest, Rochelle.

01:19: What is Aira?

01:48: The sorts of tasks Aira can help with, and general usages for the service.

02:57: What makes Aira so convenient.

06:31: How they’ve used Aira personally, and benefits of different app features.

15:59: Some of their negative experiences with Aira agents.

19:30: The features that set Aira apart from other apps.

20:54: Imperfections with service and agents.

26:51: Discussion of common complaints and issues regarding agents, and people relying on Aira to their detriment.

30:37: The importance of providing feedback.

31:40: Problems with Aira’s marketing and tagline.

34:21: People complaining about Aira calls being recorded, agents taking notes on calls, and concerns with confidentiality.

39:23: Criticisms of Aira calling their customers “explorers.”

40:42: The cost of Aira service, when it’s free, and problems with free 5-minute calls and no rollover minutes.

48:48: Discounted pricing options, Aira Access, and offers for free service.

51:42: outro.

Insight on the Side is posted every other Thursday, during weeks between episodes of Intersectional Insights.

For more discussion, follow us on Twitter @I_squaredpod, and join our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Music credit:

Thanks to purple-planet.com for the intro and outro music.