Ep015: Leesa Renee Hall On Exploring Identity & Writing Expressively
Leesa Renee Hall is my sister-writer and sister-storyteller. Her Patreon page is one of my favourite accounts - I devour every piece she publishes. After writing half a million words over 365 consecutive days, Leesa discovered that words can help one find their true purpose. Leesa helps spiritual and business leaders use curious inquiry to question their views on diversity so they can become effective leaders and create truly inclusive communities, companies, and corporations. She teaches that the only way you can have hard conversations around systemic oppression is to first breakthrough your inner oppression using the combination of curious inquiry and expressive writing.
Like me, Leesa has had the unique experience of having her work go viral in recent months, when she published a blog post called '#ExpressiveWriting Prompts to Use If You’ve Been Accused of #WhiteFragility #SpiritualBypass or #WhitePrivilege'. I've heard story after story of people using these writing prompts in their personal practice, in their teams, with their families and in their communities to help unpack their white fragility and become braver in conversations about race.
In this episode, Leesa and I really grappled with what it means for us to be black women who write about identity and race - while trying to defy and decenter the white gaze. It's a must listen.
in this episode, Leesa & i explore:Exploring our personal paradoxes of identity How Leesa wrote over half a million work across 365 consecutive daysUsing writing as a tool for self-inquiry work to help us get to the truth of who we areWhat are the stories that we want to be told about ourselves when we have passed on?Leesa’s exploration of her own whitenessLeesa’s viral post: #ExpressiveWriting Prompts to Use If You’ve Been Accused of #WhiteFragility #SpiritualBypass or #WhitePrivilegeWhat it means to be a black woman writer who writes about race, under the white gazeHow Leesa’s ancestors guide her activist writingThe seduction and dangers of writing for whitenessWhy Black women need and deserve restHow you can help Leesa fund and create her documentary through supporting her on PatreonI hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. Click the play button below to listen in now.
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other resources shared during our conversation:Leesa's viral blog article, '#ExpressiveWriting Prompts to Use If You’ve Been Accused of #WhiteFragility #SpiritualBypass or #WhitePrivilege'Leesa's PatreonDear Sister (not just cister) cardsThe White Fragility Script: The Five Act ExperienceAbout Leesa Renee HallLeesa Renee Hall is a writer, storyteller, and diversity advocate.
After writing half a million words over 365 consecutive days, Leesa discovered that words can help one find their true purpose. Leesa helps spiritual and business leaders use curious inquiry to question their views on diversity so they can become effective leaders and create truly inclusive communities, companies, and corporations.
Connect with Leesa at:
Website - LeesaReneeHall.comFacebook - facebook.com/leesareneehall (Please note: Leesa has a 'Follow, Don't Friend' policy)Did you enjoy this episode?Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
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