Ep. 201: White Women and The Work Ahead

in

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. 112: On Proximity To Power w/ Author Tiffany Bluhm

in , ,

EQ: What is the role of women in religious communities to call out the patriarchy and fight against injustice in 2021?  

Guest: Tiffany Bluhm, author of Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up. She is a sought after speaker, writer, and podcast co-host of the popular podcast Why Tho, a show answering the existential and nonsensical questions we ask ourselves, with author and speaker, Ashley Abercrombie. More information can be found at her website.

In this episode we discuss the role of conservatism  that dominates conversations about gender equality, especially in religious spaces. The role of women (specifically in Christian contexts) in enabling the patriarchy because of things like “niceness at the expense of being honest” but also the power they have to dismantle misogyny. We cannot wait around for someone to “give women permission.” Instead we need to examine our proximity to power and do something with it.

🥂 All those teachers that are back in the classroom, showing up and teaching their students, all through a global pandemic

👎🏻Texas for passing their law essentially banning abortions and denying women access to their Health Care

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Hope: Get a copy of Prey Tell even if you aren’t religious or check out her podcast Why Tho?

  • Tiffany: Consider our own proximity to power