Racism on the Levels

Aired on 9/19/24 on KOOP Community Radio, 91.7 FM in Austin, Texas

This episode revolves around the intersections of poetry, creative expression, identity, and racial justice. 2024 Texas State Poet Laureate and Founder and Executive Director of Torch Literary Arts Amanda Johnston highlights the importance of supporting Black women writers and amplifying their voices. The discussion also covers the significance of poetry in reaching and awakening individuals, particularly in the context of social justice and racial inequality. Amanda emphasizes the importance of language, rhythm, and traditional poetic devices in creating powerful connections between the reader and the poem.Listener Invitations:• Attend Torch Literary Arts retreat attendees’ public reading on July 25th at The Carver Museum.• Support Torch Literary Arts and Amanda Johnston's work by donating, attending events, sharing their information on social media.• Torch Literary Arts is searching for a permanent home/office space in Austin.https://www.amandajohnston.com/https://www.torchliteraryarts.org/

In this conversation, Stacie Freasier and Fatima Mann discuss topics of healing, liberation, and the intersection of activism and wellness. They explore the importance of self-care and taking care of one's own well-being in order to effectively engage in social justice work. They also touch on the power of ancestral knowledge and the need to create policies and systems that prioritize love, healing, and collective well-being. The conversation emphasizes the importance of listening to and centering the voices and needs of marginalized communities. In this conversation, they touch on the connection between the Black liberation and Palestinian liberation movements, emphasize the importance of self-care and not burning out in the fight for liberation, and highlight the significance of consent, mindfulness, and breathwork in creating a more compassionate and connected world.

Stacie Freasier and Maggie Luna, Executive Director of the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, discuss the systemic failures and challenges faced by individuals affected by addiction, incarceration, and the criminal justice system. Maggie shares her personal experiences of being failed by various systems, including the education system, law enforcement, housing, and healthcare. She highlights the disparities and injustices she encountered, particularly as a person of color. The conversation emphasizes the importance of giving voice to marginalized communities and working towards justice and equity. The conversation touched on the importance of keeping families together and supporting them to create safer communities; the co-opting of movements by white people and the need for cross-racial solidarity and awareness of privilege; and various organizations and initiatives working towards housing advocacy, harm reduction, and supporting system-impacted families.

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