E22: Black, White and In Between

A dialogue of reconciling patterns of oppression, shame and silencing. What is it to acknowledge our experience of color and go beyond the trauma and the triggers to a conversation of the human soul, and to carry together the legacy of hurt, oppression, shame and silencing? To step past political correctness to the fullness of story and the healing that comes from being seen and deeply heard.  In this listening circle we focus on the color of skin, and its interaction with our stories, our listening and the way we relate to each other in the world. This episode's guest storytellers are: Firman Brown is an avid researcher, modern philosopher, and Founder/CEO of Le Talke Shoppe Online & Centre for Art & Talk. The author of “How To Love People...Regardless of Race Creed or Color”, his mission is to add a truly social dimension to our culture- for us and our next generations. Monil Shah, Marketing Technologist and a part-time actor based in the Boston area, was born and brought up in Bombay, India and moved to the United States when he was 17. More than success, he thinks we need more kindness in our lives. Eileen Cooper Reed is a change maker and advocate dedicated to the improvement of the human condition-particularly for children and families of color. Before becoming a lawyer, she was trained in community development and worked in both rural & urban settings. Tom Keefe is focused on pedagogy & leadership, genocide education, and identity construction. His recent publications include “Race, Identity, and Choice: Black Voices on Liberia and the American Colonization Society” and “Using Art to Trigger Memory, Inter-generational Learning, & Community”. Byron McMillan is a decorated, combat-veteran evolving into a non violent, contemplative peacemaker. He longs to use the entirety of his being to help bring about elder-led communities of radical belonging, by lovingly utilizing the two great implements of compassion, and the wisdom of the interconnectedness of everything. Ingrid Slater is a coach, facilitator and consultant contributing to organizational, community and individual transformation. Hailing from South Africa, she is passionate about social justice, diversity and inclusion, and reconciliation. This episode's hosts are Miriam and Irasha, who share a passion for leading circles that assist in healing patterns of oppression and divide. Together for the last six years, online and in person, they have been creating spaces where all truths and people are welcome. Irasha Talifero has sat in thousands of listening circles and was part of the founding group of The Ojai Foundation where the listening circle was developed as a form of peacemaking for over 40 years. Her most powerful experiences are with “at-risk youth” and “newly released prisoners.” Miriam Joy Jones, co-founder of We are Open Circle, is focused on transformational education, cultural change, and leadership. She was influenced by indigenous nature-based cultures & societies: circle listening & governance, rites of passage, and nature-based rituals. Humans have been practicing meaning-making through telling stories in a circle since the beginning of time.  We are Open Circle is a social impact organization that supports change-makers, organizations and community groups working with complexity, collective adaptation and the wisdom of diversity. www.weareopencircle.com