White Supremacy Culture with Tema Okun

We are incredibly fortunate to welcome Tema Okun to the Denizen podcast for this important conversation. Tema is the author of the influential 1999 paper "White Supremacy Culture" and has been a leader in the racial justice movement for over 35 years. In this insightful episode, Jenny and Tema explore the pervasive influence of white supremacy culture in society. They discuss the concept's historical context, its impact on both personal and systemic levels, and the importance of recognizing internalized racist conditioning. 

Tema shares the journey of her original paper, detailing its attributes and their societal implications. She also outlines into the interconnectedness of colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy.  Tema and Jenny reflect on the necessity of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a culture of appreciation as antidotes to these ingrained systems. The dialogue also highlights the significance of love, belonging, and making conscious choices in combating fear-based energies, ultimately advocating for a collective effort towards systemic change and personal transformation. 

Outline for the episode:

• 00:00 Introduction to Racist Conditioning
• 00:35 Meet Tema Okun: Activist and Educator
• 00:47 White Supremacy Culture and Denizen Community
• 01:54 Personal Reflections on White Supremacy
• 03:09 Understanding White Supremacy Culture
• 05:46 The Role of Fear in White Supremacy
• 09:26 Intersectionality and Systemic Context
• 12:27 The Origins of the 1999 Paper
• 24:55 Perfectionism and White Supremacy
• 29:04 Transforming Defensiveness into Curiosity
• 30:19 Qualified Paternalism and the Hero Complex
• 34:41 The Flaws of Capitalism and the Growth Imperative
• 36:35 The Importance of Process and Connection
• 38:32 Urgency and the Right to Comfort
• 45:33 Cultural Antidotes and Emotional Intelligence
• 53:14 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

 

Resources:

• White Supremacy Culture website
• "White Supremacy Culture" original 1999 paper
• "White Supremacy Culture - Still Here" 2021 update
• Racial Equity Principles
• Tema's website: https://www.fiercelove.info/
• 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
• The New Rules of Marriage, Terrance Real

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