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Why Black Lives Matter with Darryl Edwards #117

Jun 16, 2020 1h 49m 46 insights
CAUTION ADVISED: this podcast contains themes of an adult nature. Darryl Edwards – aka The Fitness Explorer – was one of the very first guests to appear on this podcast, all the way back on episode 7. He is someone who is passionate about promoting movement that is fun and playful. But that’s not why I invited Darryl back to talk to me on this episode. If there’s a thread that runs through all my podcasts, it’s that empathy and compassion are essential to feeling better and living more – and that’s more important now than ever. This episode was recorded 10 days after George Floyd lost his life in Minneapolis, US, and the #BlackLivesMatter movement rose up in response.  I talk to Darryl about his experiences growing up in the UK with black skin. He was born in the UK but his grandparents came here from Jamaica in the early 1950’s. Whilst Darryl is a leading light in the wellness industry, he’s also one of the few black faces. And perhaps, until now, we haven’t thought enough about why.  Darryl has an in-depth knowledge of black history and in today’s conversation, he takes us back to the very origins of the transatlantic slave trade, the ‘social construct of race’, and dehumanisation of African people in the late 14th century. He describes how, far from being a US-only problem, transatlantic slavery was introduced by Europeans throughout the world and capitalised upon by the British. He explains how racism didn’t end with the abolition of the slave trade but continued through systemic laws of suppression, oppression, colonisation and segregation. I’m really grateful to Darryl for distilling what he knows into a form that we can all understand and act on.  He shares shocking examples of racism he’s experienced, from playground bullying through overt workplace discrimination to the fact that, as a black man, the police have pulled him over while driving at least 100 times, including at gunpoint. Whether this is an experience you share or one you can only contemplate with horror, the question we are all asking now is how should we respond. Darryl and I discuss how all of us, not just the black community, have a responsibility to internalise racism and think ‘that could have been me’. Empathy and compassion surely have to be part of the solution. Can something positive come from the tragic death of George Floyd? Perhaps, if those of us now listening, engaging and learning go out into the world and demand change. ‘Our window of discussion has extended,’ says Darryl. ‘Please listen to us.’ This conversation is a very good place to start. Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/117 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Actionable Insights

1. Cultivate Empathy and Compassion

Prioritize developing empathy and compassion as these are essential for improving one’s well-being and overall life experience.

2. Internalize Racism as Personal

Take personal responsibility to internalize experiences of racism, imagining ’that could have been me,’ to foster a deeper understanding and response.

3. Recognize Racism as Humanitarian Issue

Understand and acknowledge that racism is a fundamental humanitarian problem that involves and affects everyone, not just specific communities.

4. Demand Societal Change

After listening, engaging, and learning about issues like racism, actively go out into the world and demand change.

5. Speak Out, Demand Diversity

Actively call out examples of racism, demand more diversity in the workplace, and challenge vile comments on social media by responding that it’s unacceptable.

6. Advocate for Inclusive Language

Actively work to change language by eroding out racially charged terms like ‘blackmail’ or ‘blacklist’ and advocating for alternative, inclusive words to promote equality and dignity.

7. Embrace Reconciliation & Education

Adopt a strategy of reconciliation, learning lessons, acknowledging the past, and educating all sides to heal societal divisions, rather than focusing on blame or retaliation.

8. Ask & Listen to Victims

Sincerely ask questions and actively listen to the experiences of victims of racism, understanding that genuine inquiry is welcomed and crucial for understanding.

9. Actively Listen to Experiences

Take advantage of extended opportunities for discussion to actively listen to the experiences of those affected by issues like racism.

10. Listen to Repeated Racism Experiences

Actively listen to individuals who share their experiences of racism, recognizing that for many, these are not new issues but rather a ‘Groundhog Day’ of repeated struggles.

11. Don’t Fear Learning About Racism

Overcome the fear of talking or asking for help when educating oneself about racism, recognizing that awareness is a necessary ingredient for change.

12. Understand Race as Social Construct

Educate oneself on the historical genesis of race as a social construct, not a biological one, to better understand its systemic and structural impact on current experiences.

13. Understand Slavery’s Lasting Legacy

Recognize that the abolition of slavery did not end its legacy, but rather led to systemic laws and practices designed to maintain suppression and oppression.

14. Recognize Pervasive Systemic Racism

Acknowledge that a legacy of systemic racism, based on a hierarchy of privilege and supremacy, continues to affect everyone, with darker skin complexions often experiencing more severe treatment.

15. Identify Personal Blind Spots

Reflect on and identify personal blind spots regarding the pervasive issue of racism, acknowledging potential unawareness of its significant problems globally and locally.

16. Acknowledge Varied Racism Experiences

Spend time reflecting on and acknowledging that different communities experience racism in profoundly different ways, particularly distinguishing the Black community’s experience.

17. Actively Observe Systemic Bias

Actively look for and acknowledge systemic bias and lack of diversity in various fields, recognizing that talent alone does not always guarantee success due to these underlying issues.

18. Seek Diverse Historical Narratives

Actively seek out and learn about diverse historical narratives, including contributions from non-Eurocentric civilizations and people of color, to counteract biased historical teachings.

19. Critically Evaluate History

Approach historical narratives with critical thinking, recognizing that history is often written by victors to justify past actions and may involve rewritten accounts or altered language.

20. Connect Social Issues to Health

Understand that social issues, such as racism, are integral components of overall health and wellbeing, and should be discussed within that context.

21. Proactively Address Diversity Gaps

Instead of waiting to be asked, proactively question and address the lack of representation and diversity in various groups and platforms.

22. Promote Diverse Representation

Actively seek out and support products or media that purposefully represent diverse individuals and heritages, or create such content oneself, to foster a sense of belonging and visibility.

23. Support Anti-Racism Allies

Express gratitude and support to individuals who speak out against racism or post messages of solidarity, acknowledging their efforts despite potential backlash.

24. Recognize Inherent Privilege

Be aware that privilege exists based on factors like country of birth or heritage, and recognize how this interconnectedly affects everyone.

25. Recognize Human Genetic Similarity

Understand and internalize the scientific fact of human genetic similarity (99.9% identical DNA) to foster a sense of shared humanity and interconnectedness.

26. Learn, Educate, Listen, Empathize

Actively engage in learning, educating oneself and others, listening to diverse experiences, and showing empathy, as these are fundamental human capacities for positive change.

27. Maintain Racism Awareness

Live with a constant awareness of systemic racism, understanding that it can manifest at any time and has always been a part of one’s existence.

28. Strive for Excellence

Internalize the need to be exceptionally good and perform far better than others as a strategy to overcome systemic discrimination and bias.

29. Over-Prepare to Outperform Bias

Go above and beyond in preparation and performance, such as memorizing extensive material, to ensure one stands out and is hired despite potential biases.

30. Pursue Career You Love

Choose a career path based on genuine passion and interest, rather than solely on initial plans or external expectations.

31. Learn Ancestral History

Understand and acknowledge one’s ancestral history, particularly if it includes experiences like slavery, to grasp its lasting impact.

32. Engage with Important Conversations

Actively seek out and engage with important, authentic, and insightful conversations to encourage reflection on how one might approach things differently.

33. Make Lifestyle Changes

Take ownership of your health and actively make lifestyle changes, as this is always worthwhile and leads to feeling better and living more fully.

34. Be Architect of Own Health

Empower yourself to take active control and become the architect of your own health, recognizing nutrition as a crucial pillar.

35. Prioritize Whole Foods, Supplement Wisely

Aim to get all nutrition from real, whole foods, but use high-quality, whole food supplements like Athletic Greens as an insurance policy if consistent whole food intake is a struggle.

36. Use Athletic Greens as Insurance

Consume Athletic Greens each morning as an ‘insurance policy’ to ensure daily nutritional needs are met.

37. Take Athletic Greens Regularly

Consider taking Athletic Greens regularly as a nutrient-dense, whole food supplement to support overall health and nutrition, especially if struggling to get all nutrients from whole foods.

38. Use Animal Moves Decks

Utilize Animal Moves decks, which are fitness cards, to engage in unstructured, fun, and playful movement games, either alone or with others, including different versions for various age groups.

39. Wear Vivo Barefoot Shoes

Wear Vivo Barefoot minimalist shoes for activities like walking, working, running, or playing, as they have been life-transforming for the speaker.

40. Try Vivo Barefoot Risk-Free

Try Vivo Barefoot shoes with their 100-day risk-free trial for new customers, allowing for a full refund if not satisfied.

41. Get Vivo Barefoot Discount

Visit vivobarefoot.com/livemore to receive a one-time 20% discount code for podcast listeners in the UK, USA, and Australia.

42. Access Athletic Greens Offer

Visit athleticgreens.com/livemore to access a special offer for a free travel pack box of Athletic Greens with a first order.

43. Watch “13th” Documentary

Watch the 90-minute documentary ‘13th’ to gain an informative and engaging understanding of the history of racism and the criminal justice system in America.

44. Watch “When They See Us”

Watch the documentary ‘When They See Us’ to understand the impact of racism, but be prepared for a very emotional and potentially tear-inducing experience.

45. Explore Black British History

Seek out and engage with resources, such as those highlighted by the BBC, to learn about the extensive 2,000-year legacy of Africans within the UK, beyond just the Windrush generation.

46. Share Podcast, Leave Review

Share the podcast with friends, family, and anyone who might benefit, and take 30 seconds to leave a review on listening platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.