The White People Whisperer: On Authenticity with Maya Rupert

About this episode

Dr. David J. Johns and Maya Rupert discuss the costs of authenticity in America and the implications of racism on personal identity.

What does it really cost to be yourself in America—and who gets to decide if you're "real" enough? In this class session, Dr. David J. Johns sits down with political strategist, presidential campaign trailblazer, and debut author Maya Rupert to dig into The Real Ones: How to Disrupt the Hidden Ways Racism Makes Us Less Authentic—a book written not just for people who've lived the cost of inauthenticity, but for the people unconsciously sending the bill. From Lisa Turtle to Kamala Harris, Candace Owens to Jasmine Crockett, Maya and Dr. Johns examine the authenticity trap, the machinery of whiteness, and why political authenticity is really just gatekeeping in a blazer—and why it's time to storm the gates. SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES Guest: Maya Rupert — Political Strategist | Author | Host, When We Win Podcast (NAACP Image Award Nominee), @MayaRupert. The Book: The Real Ones: How to Disrupt the Hidden Ways Racism Makes Us Less Authentic by Maya Rupert Available wherever books are sold Order online at bookshop.org (the independent-bookstore-supporting alternative) Shoutout to Loyalty Bookstores — Black, Asian, and queer-owned — on 9th Street NW in Petworth, Washington, D.C…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. David J. Johns

Guest: Maya Rupert

Topics covered

• authenticity
• racism
• politics
• identity
• gatekeeping
• social justice

Keywords

• authenticity
• racism
• political strategy
• identity politics
• social justice
• Maya Rupert
• Dr. David J. Johns

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Loyalty Bookstores

Books & works: The Real Ones: How to Disrupt the Hidden Ways Racism Makes Us Less Authentic

Places: Washington, D.C.

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