Why We Need to See Color with Reyna Pulliam | Relationships
As you know, we’re here to have the conversations that are difficult, uncomfortable, and hard. We don’t want to let the fire burn out on the Black Lives Matter movement — especially as things begin to settle more and more on social media and our feeds are returning back to “normal.” It’s so important — especially now — to continue these important conversations and keep them front of mind.
Joining us today, to continue the conversation is Reyna Pulliam, a biracial Filipino/black, first-generation college student, who grew up in an interracial family.
Oftentimes, we speak about the extremes of racial inequality and biases, but reality — like, almost anything else in life — is subtle. It’s easy to point out the extreme cases but it’s just as important to also focus on the day-to-day, constant, underlying, subtle biases and racial inequalities that are so prevalent in our society today.
In this episode, Reyna addresses exactly this. She speaks about dating interracially, being the “other,” implicit biases, offhand remarks from friends, times where her race altered an interaction, how being biracial has sometimes made her feel “not black enough,” “white-passing,” why saying you “don’t see color,” is a part of a much bigger issue, the dangers of performative allies, and so, so much more.
Reyna has so many important insights, thoughts, and experiences to share in this episode. They’re powerful, enlightening, thought-provoking, and important. We can’t wait for you to all join us once again to learn more about this movement and what we can do to continue pushing the needle forward.
IGNTD Specials:
IGNTD Live Online Groups (Free for 14 Days)
IGNTD Subscription ($43 per month & 30 days of Live Groups included)
Topics Discussed:
[:35] Why we’ve been feeling like we’re caught in a groundhog day loop lately!
[1:51] Our review of the week!
[3:16] What we’re doing on our part to not the fire burn out on the BLM movement.
[4:02] About today’s episode and special guest, Reyna Pulliam.
[4:43] Sophie shares her quote of the day.
[9:32] The conversation portion of the podcast with Reyna Pulliam.
[10:13] When interactions go sideways; Reyna’s experiences with not knowing if someone is racist or has a racial bias.
[12:21] Reyna highlights the dangers in implicit racial bias.
[13:58] Discussing white privilege and our blind spots.
[15:17] Implicit bias and systemic racism: how it impacts and affects everyone.
[19:13] Reyna shares one of the first times in her life where she became aware of her race and how that could affect how people treated her.
[22:11] The important role allies play in helping the movement.
[24:02] Reyna addresses criminal justice system biases around race.
[28:48] The opportunity we have to change the conversation around racial bias and inequality.
[32:41] The personal experience I had with the criminal justice system and the bias I experienced as ‘white-passing.’
[35:05] Discussing the implicit bias of cops, how the voting system disenfranchises the black community, and the current political environment and protests.
[38:10] How the government is continually moving the goalpost on the black community.
[39:47] Reyna’s shares her feelings and experience with racial biases from a biracial perspective.
[42:30] Reyna shares an example of how someone’s behavior changed toward her when they found out she was black.
[44:33] Discussing the racism label, the importance of having conversations around it, and the impact that growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood can have.
[49:01] Why “my kids don’t see color” is not a valid excuse to not teach your children about racial inequalities, and is in fact, part of the problem.
[50:35] “White passing” and Reyna’s take on “getting away with being white.”
[52:11] Where the rubber meets the road: why we need to see color to get to a place where we don’t see color.
[53:57] The racism scale: from terrorism to justification and denial.
[54:33] The danger of performative allies.
[56:53] It’s your job to speak out — especially when there is not a black person in the room.
[59:59] The importance of having these difficult, uncomfortable conversations to continue pushing the needle forward.
[1:00:50] Discussing cultural appropriation and how small “trip-ups” feed into our overall racial bias.
[1:05:30] Discussing the cultural appropriation we see from organizations.
[1:07:15] Talking about cancel culture, generational racism, NASCAR banning the confederate flag, and why it’s never too late to “jump on the bandwagon.”
[1:13:45] What is the best advice Reyna has ever received?
[1:14:40] What has been Reyna’s proudest moment to-date?
[1:15:48] What has been one of Reyna’s most challenging moments to-date?
[1:17:18] What does Reyna do for self-care?
[1:18:28] What ignites Reyna?
[1:19:09] Thanking Reyna for joining the podcast and sharing her insights, thoughts, and experiences.
Mentioned in this Episode:
BlackLivesMatter.com/Resources
@QuotesbyChristie on Instagram
BLUblox — Use code: ‘IGNTD’ for free shipping + 15% off!
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander
A Ballerina’s Tale (2015 Film)
IGNTD Ep: “How We Can All Become Better Allies to Fight Inequality with Sam Akins | Relationships”
Find out more about IGNTD:
Subscribe to the Podcast
iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify
Follow us on Social Media!
Facebook: IGNTD
Instagram: @IGNTD.me
Sophie’s Instagram: @Sophie.Jaffe
Adi’s Instagram: @DrAdiJaffe
If you enjoyed this podcast…
Please let us know what you want to hear about!
Tell us in the comments or send us an email at info@igntd.com.
About Our Sponsors:
BLUblox are our favorite blue light blocking glasses! Their advanced BluLite lenses make their eyewear the best computer glasses available on the market. They filter down the blue light and completely eliminate glare which not only reduces digital eye strain, headaches, and stress levels but leaves your eyes and mind feeling refreshed. We cannot recommend these enough. And if you use the code: IGNTD you’ll not only get free shipping on your first pair but also 15% off!
The Philosophie offers cleanses and other nutritional products that are unlike any of the other supplements and detoxification programs on the market. Why? Because they actually nourish the body with whole, live, nutrient-rich foods. Each of the Philosophie superfoods and protein blends is vegan, raw, gluten-free, and has absolutely no filler ingredients.