My Racist Friend

Don and Amy reflect on their growth since the first episode of Season One, revisiting the role of a non-violent approach and the importance of staying connected to hold space for change. The January 19th sermon by Dr. Maureen Walker and Jada Bee's talk on dismantling white supremacy can be found in the Universalist Unitarian live stream archives . Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants o...

In the first episode of 2020, Amy and Don are joined by Dr. Maureen Walker for a conversation recorded live at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bloomington, Indiana. Together, they explore segments from Dr. Walker's new book on dealing with racism through relationships and respond to some questions and comments from the audience. The full stream is available online . You can purchase Dr. Walke...

Amy shares with Don her frustrations about the news of the day, including a pushup challenge, a Speaker rejecting hate, and a pre-tween tragedy. Together, all of these events illustrate Amy's desire to move away from a culture of Winning. See also: Joe Biden Challenges Iowa Man to a Push-Up Contest During Heated Exchange  (Time on Dec 5, 2019) ‘Don’t mess with me’ — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rips...

This is the second part of a conversation between Amy, Don, and local activist Jada Bee for a conversation about the many places in society outside of the farmer's market where racism thrives and the importance of believing marginalized voices. This conversation took place on November 23, 2019 and spans two episodes. For more information about Black Lives Matter in Bloomington, Indiana, visit  BLM...

Don and Amy invite local activist Jada Bee for a conversation about protest and fighting white supremacy that tries to look normal. This conversation took place on November 23, 2019 and spans two episodes. For more information about Black Lives Matter in Bloomington, Indiana, visit  BLM.btown-in.org or email  BlackLivesMatterBTown@gmail.com . Video from October’s A Seat At the Table  event can be...

As sometimes happens, the intended topic of discussion for Amy an Don was displaced by a conversation about local protest, the day-to-day concerns of marginalized members of our community, and how to hold and reserve space for others. Plus, another food analogy. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don asks Amy about what it's like to live in these times as a woman. Amy shares her experience of hopelessness during a 2016 Presidential debate and the solidarity that came with many voices contributing to #MeToo.  TW: this episode describes sexual violence and has more than the normal amount of cursing.  We encourage you to revisit and support Tarana Burke's efforts to sustain the #MeToo movemen...

Amy and Don discuss the ethical dilemma of purchasing Kit Kats, contributing to landfills, and pushing the needle towards anti-racism without solving it. The friends also talk a bit about the importance of recognizing different marginalized experiences. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

After a couple weeks off, Don and Amy return with a discussion of a controversial moment between former President George W. Bush and Ellen DeGeneres at a Dallas Cowboys football game. They explore the expectations and obligations to be authentic in that situation ... and somehow, Kanye West. For more on Dr. Maureen Walker's idea of disruptive empathy, read " Transforming Community Through Disrupti...

Don and Amy are joined by Drs. LaShawn Williams and Dolores Finger Wright in a live podcast recorded at Griffin Realty at the end of the second annual Relational Summit in Bloomington, Indiana. They discuss some of the key relational-cultural concepts that surfaced over the previous weekend, including the Five Good Things, One True Thing, and food metaphors to describe conversations about race. Dr...

Amy shares some exciting news with Don that the upcoming Relational Summit will include Drs. Judith Jordan, Amy Banks, Connie Gunderson, and Harriet Schwartz. The conversation this week also includes what it takes to be authentic and be safe, and how the central relational paradox keeps us from revealing our full selves. Join Amy, Don, and the Bloomington Center for Connection on September 19-22 f...

This week, Amy and Don talk about the importance of defining racism as a systemic problem, and how people of color may perceive a racist situation differently than more privileged allies. They also discuss the ongoing trauma arising from the death of Indiana University graduate student Won-Joon Yoon 20 years ago at the hands of a white supremacist. For more information on the murder of Won-Joon Yo...

Don and Amy are joined this week by Rev. Mary Ann Macklin , senior minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana. They discuss being faced with a decision to stay in the fight or walk away, and explore different ways to engage injustice. Join Amy, Don, and the Bloomington Center for Connection on September 19-22 for the second annual Relational Summit—"Learning Together"—ho...

Responding to a listener question, Don and Amy talk more about fear and trauma. The friends also discuss the validity of different ways to confront white supremacy and the importance of allowing space for growth when someone disagrees. Join Amy, Don, and the Bloomington Center for Connection on September 19-22 for the second annual Relational Summit—"Learning Together"—hosted here in Bloomington,...

With the local farmers market slated to re-open this weekend, Don and Amy talk about attending, safety, and the experience of living and succeeding as a Black man in southern Indiana, acknowledging that emotional labor. Buy "Your Racist Friends" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy revisit a comment from the previous episode about qualifying someone's racist language by saying they have a "good heart." In the process, the two friends explore differences in reactions to police and listen to Princeton University professor Eddie Glaude's recent appearance on an MSNBC panel following a weekend of racist rhetoric and mass shootings. For the full MSNBC clip: https://on...

In their debut as podcasters, Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW talk about the presence of white supremacists in the local farmers market and the decision to close the market for two weeks. As longtime friends with different experiences growing up in southern Indiana, Don and Amy lean into their mutual connection to have difficult conversations about racism. Buy "Your Racist Friends" by They M...