Thank you for tuning in to the newest episode of InflexionPoint Podcast.

We are dedicated to the art of listening in authentic conversation. We challenge our audience to listen actively and intentionally for the purpose of critical self-reflection, in-depth perspective-taking, personal transformation, and ultimately social impact. The 2024 theme explores the Art of Community Conversations in today's climate of systemic and institutional racism, antiracism activation, Equity Diversity & Inclusion, and book banning.

Societal Racism: Resilience, Resistance, and Accountability

In this episode Anita, Mavis, and Gail explore the topics of resilience, resistance and accountability in relation to Societal Racism. Societal racism is a type of racism based on a set of structural, institutional, historical, cultural, and interpersonal practices within a society that places one or more social or ethnic groups in a better position to succeed and disadvantages other groups so that disparities develop between the groups.

Back in February, as a part of his bid to become an independent nominee for president, RFK Jr. made statements on the topic of resilience and racism. His audience was a room full of Black people. He describes the resilience he wants to give Black American youth: You can make kids resilient against racism with good education and Black business role models. Then the racism will “bounce off” Black children like they are “the Avengers” because “they will be immune to it.” He goes on to say that the way you do that is by giving them a great education so that they know that they have potential. The other thing is to give them business models, role models and opportunities within their own neighborhood.” A counter article from NewsOne see his remarks this way: “A 70-year-old [white male] whitesplaining to Black people that education is the key to making Black people 'immune' from racism.”

The podcast discussion explores (a) how resliience is misunderstood when talking about racism; and (b) recognizing the value that resistance contribues to social justice, overcoming adversity, racism, and bias. The Institutional Antiracism and Accountability (IARA) Project evaluates efforts to move from words to action to accountability with its 6 key takeaways.

Episode giveaways:

• RFK Jr. Whitesplains How ‘Education’ Will Make Us Immune To Racism ‘Like The Avengers’ https://newsone.com/5042496/rfk-jr-education-racism-video/
• Revisiting ‘resilience’ in light of racism, ‘othering’ and resistance https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/03063968221093882
• How 'Resilience' Is Misunderstood When Talking About Racism https://www.npr.org/2015/12/06/458662021/how-resilience-is-misunderstood-when-talking-about-racism
• Racial Socialization: Building Resilience in Black Youth https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/black-and-empowered/202410/racial-socialization-building-resilience-in-black-youth
• Six Takeaways from the 2024 Truth and Transformation Conference: Confronting the anti-DEI movement https://ash.harvard.edu/articles/six-takeaways-from-the-2024-truth-and-transformation-conference/ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G8Dd939LgaJgrwIhayP_SPnahkXGnff
• Black Joy: Resistance, Resilience and Reclamation https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/black-joy-resistance-resilience-and-reclamation
• Building the myth of Black inferiority | Oct 30, 2024 https://www.britannica.com/topic/race-human/Building-the-myth-of-Black-inferiority