Podcast: Play in new window
Many of us, in one way or another, have fallen asleep to the reality of the culture we live in. It’s almost unavoidable. After all, the beliefs and assumptions of our culture (whatever culture that may be) are like the air we breathe—we take them for granted, and may not even realize we have them. Especially as Christians, who should actively seek to question culture and change it for the better, we must be alert and pay attention. We must stay awake to realities around us.
One of the most important (and perennial) realities we need to recognize is how we as a society view racial identity? In my conversation with Ekemini Uwan, public theologian and co-host of the Truth’s Table Podcast, we discuss current racial issues of our time, (such as racism and white privilege) and how these issues affect the Church and our faith.
Ekemini Uwan explains how staying awake culturally enables us to better love one another and shoulder each other’s burdens. Believe me, I know: there are so many issues that it is easy to get overwhelmed and want to bow out of the conversation. But as I often remind myself, it is so important that we not neglect our call to justice-making. In this podcast, Ekemini offers us some ways that we can begin this work in our day to day lives.
Highlight from Today’s Episode:
- The powerful effects of being culturally awake
- The negative consequences of being culturally asleep
- Defining “woke,” white supremacy, and white privilege
- The importance of the journey in cultural learning
Resources From Today’s Show
- Find Ekemini on her website, Twitter, and Instagram
- Truth’s Table
- NPR’s Code Switch
- This American Life
- Scene on Radio
- African American Intellectual Historical Society
- Be The Bridge
- NAACP
==> Click to Tweet
- If we want to see righteousness reign, we must be committed to holiness, obedience and love for our neighbor. – Ekemini Uwan
- Apathy in the face of injustice is sin. – Ekemini Uwan
- I know the impact of not having representation. My mission is to reverse that where I can. – Ekemini Uwan
- It is okay to grow and awaken. Let [cultural issues] allow you to grow. -Chrystal Evans Hurst
==> General Links
- If you haven’t already grabbed your free download, you can do so by clicking here!
- Did you miss my last podcast with Morgan Harper Nichols? Make sure you listen!
- Want to subscribe to the blog and grab a freebie? CLICK HERE
- Grab my latest book, She’s Still There!
- Kingdom Woman by Chrystal Evans Hurst and Tony Evans
Let’s Talk!
After you’ve listened to the podcast, I’d love to continue the conversation. Be sure and leave a comment!
- Starting where you are and taking your own passions and personality into consideration, how can you begin to become culturally awake?
- Have you disengaged with the issue of racism today? Could it be your own privilege that has caused you to disengage?
- How can you depersonalize your narrative so that you can better see the “bigger picture” of systemic racism?
- Have you ever thought about how white supremacy affects people’s place in eternity? How does that motivate you to become more engaged?
Connect with me…
How to Listen to The Podcast
If you’re new to podcasts, think of them like little radio shows that you can listen to at your convenience. They are perfect to listen to and learn from as you workout, fold laundry, wash dishes or conquer the world.
1. Listen right here on the blog. Click the little play button at the beginning of this post.
2. Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play! – Be sure and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also, if you would be so kind as to leave a rating on iTunes and/or write a 2-3 sentence review there or on Stitcher? Your commentary or rating helps make the podcast more “findable” by others who might not know it exists!
3. Share today’s show – Email the link to a friend or share on social media. Just click on the sharing buttons at the bottom of this post!
You have been so great to join me on the journey here on the blog, I hope you jump right in and do the same on the podcast!
…(standing ovation)… Thank you two for having this conversation out in the open where it needs to be. May the listener hear well…
I am a woman of color and I always say I am an American. What regime is she talking about? You say this is not about pointing a finger but it sounds like it is. I don’t understand. I was raised believing I am who I believe I am. And to never let others put me in a box or category. Black or white?
I think she was referring to the “Trump regime.”
I am enjoying this.
Yes, what is this regime she is speaking of? I am trying to listen with an open mind but it’s difficult. I have stopped and started several times. I daresay that both Crystal and her guest both have “privileges” even if they aren’t white. I am not sure if this conversation helps or hurts racism, but I haven’t finished listening to the whole podcast yet.
Please finish listening Tammy because then you’ll get the entire picture. Everyone living in America will enjoy some kind of “privilege” as a result of living in this country. The white privilege that they are referring to are hidden and overt privileges that are only experienced by white America as a result of systematic racism. Some if these things are so embed into our American culture that we do not recognize them for what they truly are. I am an educator and I watched the concern in some parents eyes when they see that their child will have a teacher of color. They behave in a way that shows me that they doubt my capabilities.
While many of my white colleagues have a completely different experience. Many people in our American society will trust a white person faster than a person of color; that is a white privilege. I end up having to work harder to prove to the parent that not only am I qualified to teach but I will teach their child in a loving way. Chrystal does a great job including multiple perspectives on the issue of racism.
?
I really appreciate you for using your platform to speak truth about part of your identity that many of your followers might expect you to ignore because they think it’s “divisive” or doesn’t have anything to do with the Gospel.
What a brave and bold way to shed some light on the different world that we as people of color live in. Some may not want to hear this podcast episode because either they cannot bear it or willingly choose not to.
Thank you for having this conversation. A while back I listened to your conversation with Ashley Irons of “We Talk Different”podcast. In the show notes you’d included other resources to help educate and open up conversations just like this. So, thank you for continuing to have these podcasts.
Homeschooling question—will you share some of the books you’ve had your kids read to help them have an accurate view of history? Thanks!
This was a great and critically important podcast. My favorite quote of Ekemini’s was “When one remains silent, it sides with the oppressor.” People don’t realize this truth. Once again Chrystal drilled down to the nitty-gritty by asking hard questions and insisting on defining terms.Thank you, Ekemini, for sharing resources to learn from so we can participate more. Thank you both for acknowledging the reality of being overwhelmed by those black AND white regarding all that is involved in combating racism. I also appreciated your point, Chrystal, about the importance of being aware so you can personalize the realities others face. As a white believer who has had a burden to fight racism since childhood, I hope and pray this episode helps many fellow white Christians understand and act on what they can do.
So glad this episode was helpful!
1. To watch the news; to engage in local groups (my office, my church) to address the issues
2. I have previously been disengaged. I would become enraged with the situation but made no move to help change it … until George Ffloyd
3. Working on that one. I’m already afraid for the children I don’t have yet.
4. Well it doesn’t exist in eternity, maybe that’s why they’re fighting so hard for it here? I’m motivated to become engaged because some people don’t realize that while they don’t oprress based on race, they also don’t do anything to stand up against it, which is why it still exists.
Twas so good. Still trying not to overwhelmed with all the information circulating and the groups forming and all the agendas being put forward.