Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian

Before he was assassinated on April 4th, 1968, Dr. King was hated by many of the people and institutions who now claim to honor him today.  In reflecting on his life and legacy, here are 10 quotes from Dr. King that deserve more of our attention. Blog Post referenced in this episode: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/beyond-the-dream-10-quotes-from-dr-king-that-deserve-more-attention/ Su...

In this week's episode Relando Thompkins-Jones shares an insightful and heartfelt open letter to the parents, families, and loved ones of college students. Drawing on his extensive experience in higher education and student support, Relando outlines six essential ways families can support their students as they navigate their college journey. He emphasizes the importance of unconditional love, und...

In this episode, Relando discusses the importance of checking in on the "strong" friends in our lives who always support everyone else. He shares practical tips on offering real help, including listening without judgment. He also talks directly to the "strong" friends, affirming that they deserve the same level of care and attention that they so often provide to others. He reminds them to practice...

In this week's episode, Relando shares an introductory talk he provided on Critical Race Theory as part of a Social Justice Speaker's Series in April of 2021. Much has happened since then from increased pushback against Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and her work in creating the 1619 Project, to efforts in states to effectively ban the teaching of critical race theory. These...

Contrary to what many of us have been told, there is a place for Black anger and rage in racial justice work. In this week's episode, Relando affirms that there are things that we just should never get used to, and that Black people have every right to be angry about their oppression. Blog Post referenced in this episode: Yes, Anger Does Influence My Work for Racial Justice, and No, We Won't Calm...

Establishing community agreements goes a long way toward building psychological safety between people and groups in social justice work. In this week's episode Relando shares some examples of community agreements that he's found helpful in this process, with the message that establishing community agreements should be a liberatory activity. They are intended to open authentic, radically candid com...

The pandemic has had a disproportionately negative impact on the lives of people with marginalized identities, and the workplace is no exception. In this week's episode, Relando shares a call for organizational leaders to center equity in their decision-making, and an affirmation for staff with marginalized identities in the event that their organizations are unwilling to do that. Blog Post refere...

Acknowledging power dynamics is important in social justice work. When working in closed groups, none of us passes through some invisible barrier that removes our privilege or oppression. In this week's episode, Relando shares four socially just considerations for practitioners to keep at the top of their minds when engaging in group work. Blog Post referenced in this episode: 4 Ways to Stay Mindf...

We make Black History Everyday. We rise, we survive, we fly. Dedicated to Black people everywhere; in this week's episode Relando shares some important imagery that helps to remind him of how we are connected to a larger whole on the path to racial equity and justice. Blog Post referenced in this episode: We Make Black History Everyday. We Rise, We Survive, We Fly https://notesfromanaspiringhumani...

If you are passionate about social justice work in education and are currently in the interview phase for a position that works toward inclusion and equity at an institution, it is important to recognize that you are interviewing that institution as much as they are interviewing you. This is especially true if you hold multiple marginalized identities. In this week's episode, Relando shares exampl...

Think of a time where you have let others down in your social justice journey. What happened? How did you feel? What did you do? This week, Relando discusses the importance of embracing both-and-thinking, and taking ownership of the moments when we don't follow through with practicing solidarity in social justice work. Blog Post referenced in this episode: Sometimes, We Really Let Each Other Down...

Some people want everyone to strictly address one another with a "Merry Christmas", while others instead prefer to use "Happy Holidays" as a greeting this time of year. This week, Relando explores the underlying issues of this familiar debate and explains why choosing the inclusive route is the most affirming way to care for others this season. Blog Post referenced in this episode: What's with the...

The time for false advertisement is over. Anti-racism is about actions not just words. In this week's episode, Relando shares six reasons colleges and universities need to face race and not ignore it. Blog Post referenced in this episode: 6 Reasons Colleges and Universities Need to Face Race and Not Ignore It: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/6-reasons-colleges-and-universities-need-to-...

Are you a person who is older? Can you remember times in your youth when you were dismissed due to your age? Are you a person who is younger? Have you heard others make jokes or stereotypes against people who are older? In this week's episode, Relando shares how pausing to reflect on aging as a shared experience can create opportunities for empathy and connection. Blog Post referenced in this epis...

In this week's episode, Relando shares an experience helping his white therapist understand power and privilege instead of processing his feelings as a client highlighted the need for more Black therapists and Social Workers. Blog Post referenced in this episode: Representation Matters in Social Work: We Need More Black Therapists Support the podcast by becoming a patron : patreon.com/NAHBlog Othe...

Who has created a positive rippling effect in your life? In this week's episode, Relando shares one example of a person who influenced his social justice journey and invites you to consider the ways you can do the same for others. Blog Post referenced in this episode: Ripples Support the podcast by becoming a patron : patreon.com/NAHBlog Other Important Links: Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian...

There's room for you to lead for equity even if you struggle with public speaking. In this week's episode, Relando shares what keeps him energized about speaking publicly for social justice as an introvert, as draining as it might be. Blog Post referenced in this episode: Speaking Support the podcast by becoming a patron : patreon.com/NAHBlog Other Important Links: Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanit...

Black people. If your friendships with the white people in your life require your silence, if the glue that holds those relationships together is predicated on the assumption that you will never hold them accountable for the ways they are complicit with white supremacy, then those “friendships” are no friendships at all, as those relationships do not allow you to be seen as your full self. You des...

Supporting Black male students on campus means supporting students that institutions are the worst at retaining. For historically white institutions especially, it is imperative that leaders remain critical of the ways white supremacy culture negatively impacts Black male students’ experiences, persistence, and retention. In this week's episode, Relando offers advice to those who wish to take on t...

To be Black and raise Black children comes with a lifetime commitment to safeguarding their physical and emotional safety as much as possible as they navigate systems that are hostile to them. The education system is but one of many. In this week's episode, Relando shares an experience that highlights how some things that are taken as "normal" or "routine" pieces of curriculum can be harmful to Bl...

Far too often, the burden of responsibility to change and adapt to inequitable systems is unjustly placed on the shoulders of students with marginalized identities. But who is it that really needs to change? Who is it that really needs to adapt to the world as it is now, and be prepared to respond to where it's going? In this week's episode, Relando shifts the burden of responsibility to where it...

One of Relando's challenges with faux positivity thinking is that there’s a really thin line between it and gaslighting. There’s a point when the law of attraction stuff crosses a line into victim blaming territory that offers simplistic explanations for complex, systemic problems. In this week's podcast, Relando reflects on toxic positivity, and the need for people in our lives who can hold space...

Have you ever been warned against using social media to speak out for topics related to diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice out of fear of being perceived as "disruptive" by current or prospective employers? In this week's podcast, Relando uses an equity perspective to explain his three rules for using media for social justice, as an example of why it's time to redefine "professionals...

One of the ways that oppression is maintained is through the expectation that large numbers of people will accept explanations of inequity as "natural" and inevitable. One way to resist is to increase our ability to recognize the design in oppressive systems, and understand that another way is possible. This week, Relando describes four major strategies that are used to manipulate people into rati...

This week, Relando describes two major assumptions that if left unchecked, limit our ability to lead for equity. Blog Post referenced in this episode: Getting in Our Own Way: 2 Barriers We Contribute to That Limit Social Change Support the podcast by becoming a patron : patreon.com/NAHBlog Other Important Links: Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiring...