Ep. 201: White Women and The Work Ahead

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EQ: How can white women move beyond a history of dependence on systems of power—both politically and socially—to take real accountability, build solidarity, and take meaningful action in a time of institutional failure and democratic backsliding?

The original inspiration for this episode came from Bluesky “White women are so used to being rescued by white men that now that you need to be rescued FROM white men, you are looking for a new hero. There are about 100 million white women in the US, and only about 22 million black women. Everyone needs you to grow up and be your own heroes.”

In this episode, we’re breaking down the ways white women have historically positioned themselves in social movements, from taking up leadership roles to center their own voices to walking away once their specific needs are met. We discuss “two types of white women”-- the well meaning liberals and the right leaning trad wife types, specifically where these venn diagrams overlap (aka, fighting the patriarchy). We’re also digging into the uncomfortable reality of performative activism, weaponized tears, and the idea that being “found out” is worse than not doing enough in the first place. We also explore the contradictions of the social contract in today’s political climate and why we tend to process politics through a personal lens rather than a systemic one. This conversation is about power, privilege, and what it actually takes to stay in the work—even when it’s messy, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when the curated perception of being a “good ally” isn’t enough.

Related Resources:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Ep. 195: Māori Sovereignty, the Treaty Principles Bill, and Global Solidarity w/ Naketa Ikihele

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EQ: How are recent legislative policies rewriting or challenging Māori rights, and what does this mean for the future of education and social equity in New Zealand?

In this episode of Interchangeable White Ladies, Hope reconnects with former guest, Naketa Ikihele, educator, activist and leadership coach. Naketa previously appeared on the podcast in Ep 61: Fighting to Equity in NZ Public Schools. Today, we meet up to discuss the evolving dynamics of Māori sovereignty and the contentious Treaty Principles Bill in Aotearoa New Zealand. Naketa sheds light on the nature of indigenous governance, how Māori rights are recognized (or not) within the country and unpack the bill’s implications, including the closure of the Māori Health Authority, the prioritization of English over Te Reo Māori, and the principles redefining governance and equality under the law. We highlight the viral haka protest by MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke and the ongoing public outcry, with submissions on the bill still being accepted. For our global listeners, we delve into how to support Māori rights and the broader implications of such policies on education and cultural recognition. Join us to deepen your understanding of leadership, governance, and solidarity across cultures.

Check out Nateka’s organization “Cultivating Cultures”

Related Resources:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Hope: Read a book! Maybe something from this list

  • Naketa: Get actively involved. Write a submission by Jan 7!

Ep. 166: You Get an Opinion and You Get an Opinion!

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EQ: How do we navigate the tension between the dichotomies “silence is complicity” and “the loudest are the most ignorant” from a position of learning and allyship?

In this episode we talk all things opinions! From how we build them, to the validity of certain opinions and the tension between silence, complicity, and advocacy. We explore the practical side of things with  topics such as Black Lives Matters, transrights and other recent events.

Related Resources:

Grab a copy, start reading and tag us in your posts!

Ep. 40: Lady Justice: an Interview with Lawyer Jacqueline Justice

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EQ:  Why are issues of justice are important for the average person to understand in 2019?

Guest: Jacqueline Justice

Highlights of this episode include:

  • What it’s like to work inside the Social Security Administration as a decision writer and how the system can be improved for people with disabilities (cultural competency training, better vocational training, and a functional healthcare system).

  • How Washington’s social safety nets are better (and worse) than other states and what we do well (Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, or DVR is one example).

  • The basics of Dependency Court, including racial disparities and disproportionalities - African American children are twice as likely to enter the system and most people who work in it are white women.

  • The ins and outs of the adult advocacy roles, including attorney, CASAs, and GALs (guardians ad litem).

  • What it’s like being a woman of color in a field (law) that is dominated by older white males, including the intersectionality of race and gender in the court.

  • The compounding effect of the homelessness crisis (and housing instability in general) on kids in crisis.

  • How the state lacks the ability to sustain comprehensive programs - we tend to focus on fixing individual pieces but not the whole situation or the whole family.

  • The benefit of local programs, like the Tacoma Housing Authority.

  • Jacqueline's Magic Wand Wishes: universal health care and good vocational training.

  • Maintaining a trauma-informed approach to the work of law in order to lead the profession in a compassionate way.

Guilty Favesies:

  • Annie: Game apps like Candy Crush Blossom Blast

  • Jackie: “How to Get Away with Murder” and other crime shows

  • Hope: the show “You”

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Jackie: the CASA program, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

  • Hope: White Rage by Carol Anderson

  • Annie: Donate locally to support youth in crisis and the programs that help them such as Fostering Together

Ep. 32: #DangerousMom’s Perspective on Childbirth, Motherhood, and Advocacy

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EQ:  Why is being a stay-at-home-parent a fulltime, bad-ass job that we need in 2018?

Guest: Tobi Tommaney, Tacoma-raised, birth doula, wife, and mother.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why Tacoma is the best place to raise a family

  • How you can be a block mom, a #dangerousmom, and a general bad-ass

  • How women’s bodies are strong and powerful---we just have to listen to ourselves.

  • The difference between pain and suffering

  • Midwifery, being a doulah, and why you should use the lotus method for your placenta

  • An insider’s perspective on the Tacoma Teacher Strike

  • Most importantly, why you are enough and just showing up to speak your truth is ENOUGH! We need to make sure our legislators and school board know they are there to serve the community!

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Show up at a school board meeting, email your legislator and speak up!