Colorblind: Race Across Generations

In this episode we’re taking a look at a Florida effort to get out the vote and make sure those eligible are allowed to vote this election year. The focus is on two pivotal historical incidents and what they mean for 2020. We’re joined by two leaders in the effort: Jennifer Tomlinson and Dr. Heather Bryson

How will the issue of race impact the political races of 2020, particularly the race for President? We delve into that with our panel of guests. Joining us, Dr. Fon Gordon, History and Africana Studies Professor at The University of Central Florida; Dr. Don Davison, Political Science Professor at Rollins College; and Journalist/Author/Blogger Maria Padilla

Sounds like a weird title for one of our Podcast episodes, huh? But that's the title of a book from educator and author Dr. LaVon Wright Bracy. She tells the story of being the 1st Black student to graduate from Gainesville High School in Gainesville, FL. And it's a children's book! Her real life story behind the book is compelling.

In our 1st episode of 2020, we take a look at a massive voting rights report from 9 leading racial justice organizations in the U.S. Judith Dianis, Executive Director of the multi-racial civil rights organization, Advancement Project National Office, joins us to talk about laws, practices and proposals around the country that try to erode the Voting Rights Act and make it harder for people of color to cast their ballots. And we talk about what citizens can do to protect their Constitutional right to vote.

In this episode, we are talking to the younger generation. We sit down with a diverse group of young people from teenagers to 20-somethings for a candid conversation about how race plays a part in their lives.

The statistic is sobering. Black women are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth or shortly thereafter than women of other races. We talk with internationally renowned midwife and maternal care expert Jennie Joseph about that disparity.

Investigative Reporter and Author Mark Pinsky joins us for a fascinating discussion about racial apologies. He's written extensively about newspapers, particularly those in the Deep South.

Two states have passed a law called The Crown Act, which makes it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their hair. Yes in 2019, hair discrimination is real. This is a follow up to our episode last year, "I Am Not My Hair". We talk to ABC News Anchor Janai Norman who started her own natural hair movement when she appeared on the anchor desk wearing what she says is: "The hair that grows out of my head."

We've mentioned the Peace and Justice Institute in Orlando, FL in several episodes. Now hear what they do and hear the Institute's Director Rachel Allen, reveal how she has dealt with her own racism. Yes, someone whose life work is about social justice talking about her own racism.

A church in Winter Garden, FL has embarked on an ambitious project to have a year long community conversation about race. What are they talking about? What have they accomplished and how will they measure success? Pastors William and Shiloh Karshima and Rudy Darden from the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College join us to tell us why this is an important conversation for everyone to have.

We tackle the issue of hiring diversity in this episode. We're talking with John Crossman, CEO of Crossman & Company, one of the largest real estate firms in the Southeast. He has a unique perspective about how the real estate industry plays a major role in the future of civil rights and HBCUs.

In this episode we're talking about what it means to be a racial ally, what that looks like, how important is it for people fighting for social justice. Joining our conversation: Minister Valarie Parson, Senior Minister Unity of Melbourne and Professor Jennifer Tomlinson of Valencia College West Campus in Orlando, FL. And we have something new to end our episode.

The term was coined in 2008 in a study of African American men on predominantly white college campuses. And now it's being used to study the effects of race and racism on a wide section of people of color. Dr. Edwanna Andrews, Director of Social Justice and Advocacy at The University of Central Florida and Rasha Mubarak, a community, social justice and political activist join us for an important discussion about Racial Battle Fatigue in 2019. Is it real, how does it affect people of color and how to cope with it.

In a special edition of the Podcast, we profile the story of lynching victim July Perry, as a marker for him is unveiled in Orange County, Florida. He was lynched in the hours after the election of 1920. We're joined by three members of the Truth and Justice Project, which was instrumental in the fight for the marker and Mr. Perry's great grandson.

It started with Facebook's COO Sheryl Sandberg's 2013 best seller about how women can make their voices heard and be bold in the workplace. But now there's another side to the story. Former First Lady Michelle Obama says leaning in doesn't always work. Author Minda Harts says it hasn't worked for women of color. And Tai Harden Moore, CEO of Moore Consultants says leaning in may very well get you kicked out if you are a woman of color. She joins our panel, along with UCF's Dr. Jennifer Sandoval, an expert on diversity and inclusion and Rhetta Hussein with The Black Press.

When you watch television news cover stories of crime, is there a disproportionate number of suspects of color? How does what you see compare to the actual numbers? How does that affect your perception of the minority communities where you live? We're taking a deep dive into these issues with Kena Lewis, author of a study about how African American journalists view how African Americans are portrayed in local newscasts; and Jorge Estevez, anchor and reporter at WFTV in Orlando, FL.

What happens when your friends say things you find racist, racially offensive, racially insensitive? Do you call them out right then and there? Do you risk damaging the friendship? We're unpacking this topic in this episode with a guest from our first episode, Rick Brunson, Journalism Instructor at The University of Central Florida; Karla Ray, TV News Anchor and Investigative Reporter at WFTV Channel 9; Rudy Darden, Peace and Justice Institute Facilitator at Valencia College and Katie Coronado, Journalist and Journalism Instructor at The University of Central Florida.

We're taking a deep dive into the issue of discrimination based on both race and gender, especially how it plays out in higher education, and how it affects black male students particularly. Our guest is Dr. Kimberly Harden, Professor of Communication Studies at Seattle University, who's done extensive research on the subject.

Guess who's turning 1? The Colorblind Podcast. Yes, April marks our first birthday/anniversary. So to mark the occasion, host Vanessa Echols is joined by guest producer Ashley Long and Technical Producer Keith to reflect on some of our most memorable show topics and guests. See you later this month as we kick off Season TWO!

We've celebrated another Black History Month and we're taking stock of what was or wasn't accomplished. Is Black History Month still relevant and has its purpose changed? We have a full panel taking on this topic. Social media influencer Ted Bogert of the Ted Show on Facebook Live; Hank Van Putten, Facilitator at the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College; Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Director of the Wells' Built Museum of African American History and Culture; Dr. Fon Gordon, Professor of Africana Studies at The University of Central Florida and Amy Selikoff, Writer and Performer of Somebody's History, a part spoken word, part comedy of African American History.