My Racist Friend

Amy and Don Griffin, Jr. talk about what comes next on the eve of the 2024 U.S. Election and the need to take care of each other by nurturing mutuality in community. Some resources mentioned in this episode: The Practice of Mutuality https://www.bloomingtoncenterforconnection.org/2024/11/the-practice-of-mutuality/  Plan B Cheat Sheet (PDF) https://livesinthebalance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PlanBCheat-10-26-22.pdf  The Explosive Child https://drrossgreene.com/the-explosive-child.htm  Depolarizing Public Discussion: Strategies for Disagreeing Better https://www.celpr.com/depolarizing-public-discussion-strategies-for-disagreeing-better/  Column: New jail presents Monroe County with chance to make vital change https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2024/10/03/former-mayor-wants-monroe-county-to-steer-away-from-mass-incarceration/75473502007/ Anderson Orchard http://www.andersonorchard.com/  Rosana Lyrics https://genius.com/Toto-rosanna-lyrics  My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Game developer Christian Telesmar, creator of 'Disparity Trap', joins Amy and Don Griffin, Jr. in a crossover episode with the "Cadre" podcast to discuss Christian's board game about the game of real life. Christian explains the origins of the game and joins Don in speculating about expansion rules. Christian Telesmar attended college at the University of Washington (UW) with the intent of pursuing medical school but fell in love with theatre and knew that’s where he was meant to be. After graduating from the University of Washington’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Acting program, he relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he resides today. His performance work includes appearances on FOX’s Bones, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and The Young and the Restless. While in Los Angeles, Christian earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Purdue University Global and holds a Qualified Administrator license for the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI) from IDI, LLC. He is excited to be fusing his many passions, combining his love of art, business, and education in the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion space with his board game, Disparity Trap. Christian will provide the keynote presentation on Friday, September 6 as part of the upcoming 2024 Relational Summit on Playful Connection. Don will be on a panel playing Disparity Trap during that session. Some resources mentioned in this episode: Disparity Trap board game https://disparitytrap.net/   "Disparity Trap Board Game" (Kickstarter video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOC8PB1aMS0   Lizzie Magie and the History of Monopoly https://blogs.bl.uk/business/2023/03/lizzie-magie-and-the-history-of-monopoly-1.html  Share the Flame consulting https://www.shareflame.com/ist-of-an-ism   What is the Neighborhood Revitalization and Land Banking Act? https://communityprogress.org/blog/what-is-the-neighborhood-revitalization-and-land-banking-act/  Myths about physical racial differences were used to justify slavery — and are still believed by doctors today. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/racial-differences-doctors.html  2024 Relational Summit https://www.bloomingtoncenterforconnection.org/2024-relational-summit/   My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

In this episode, hosts Don and Amy discuss the MOVE bombing in Philadelphia, a tragic and often overlooked part of American history. They delve into the background of the MOVE organization, the events leading up to the bombing, and the aftermath, including the impact on the surrounding neighborhood. The conversation also touches on broader themes of racism, police brutality, and the challenges of fostering meaningful dialogue about these critical issues. Resources and topics mentioned in this episode: • "The Africas VS. America: Remembering one of the deadliest instances of police violence in U.S. history" (podcast) https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/the-africas-vs-america-remembering-one-of-the-deadliest-instances-of-police-violence-in-u-s-history-1.6738879  • "MOVE: Philadelphia's forgotten bombing" by Charles Abraham (PDF) https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=jmurj  • "The Outsize Role of Immigrants in US Innovation" (article) https://www.nber.org/digest/20233/outsize-role-immigrants-us-innovation  My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy and Don discuss the loss of a dear friend and colleague, Dr. Dolores Finger Wright, by reflecting on their brief experiences with her and her impact in how she lived. This podcast includes excerpts from Dr. Wright's appearance on this podcast in 2019 (season 1, episode 8) and clips from her appearance in the 2017 documentary "Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities" which highlight her experiences organizing the 1960 Greensboro Sit-In. We dearly miss you, Dr. Wright. Resources mentioned in this episode: • Clip of "Tell Them We Are Rising" (Facebook video) https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=v7YzmG&v=1079030432306365  • "Suburbanization and the Color Line along Grandview Drive" (article) https://invisibleindianapolis.wordpress.com/2017/06/29/suburbanization-and-the-color-line-along-grandview-drive  • "Feb. 1, 1960: The Greensboro Sit-in Begins" (article) https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/greensboro-sit-in/  • Nice White Parents (podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice-white-parents/id1524080195  • "One Year After Pulse" (article) https://time.com/one-year-after-pulse/  • "The Charleston Church Massacre (2015)" (article) https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/charleston-church-massacre-2015/    My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy play with the RCT Toybox cards, focusing on a discussion around three concepts: relational movement, guilt, and calm.  Resources mentioned in this episode: • "Wired to Connect" (book) https://amybanksmd.com/#av-tab-section-1-2-link  • "The Jenks Presents Wired To Connect with Amy Banks, M D" (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBzQjieV7pY    My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy and Don dive into the intricacies of popular music and the persistent racism evident in how we react to it. They react to Beyoncé's new hit "Texas Hold'em" and her venture into the country genre, looking at the resistance from certain factions of society and questioning the inherent racial prejudice within it. Resources mentioned in this episode: • "Beyoncé - TEXAS HOLD 'EM (Music Video)" posted by rauhlren https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycwtqqhV6UE  • "Beyoncé Fan’s Radio Request Reignites Country Music Debate" (NY Times, February 14, 2024, by Emily Schmall) https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/14/arts/music/beyonce-oklahoma-radio-station.html  • "Dolly Parton congratulates Beyoncé for hitting No. 1 on Billboard Hot Country Chart" (CNN, February 23, 2024, by Marianne Garvey) https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/entertainment/dolly-parton-beyonce/index.html  • Black Opry playlists (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/user/w57z8r3lywbmreubufwxm6vgf?si=OI0KTI1QR8aW3xqLIeA56A&nd=1&dlsi=862ee4561f6c4aad  • "Beyoncé Makes History as First Black Woman Atop Hot Country Songs Chart" (Billboard, February 20, 2024, by Jim Asker, Gary Trust) https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beyonce-texas-hold-em-number-1-hot-country-songs-chart-1235610582/  • "The Black Origins of Country Music" (JME) https://www.wjct.org/jme/2022/06/the-black-origins-of-country-music/  • "Yup, Lionel Richie Totally Wrote the Second Verse of Kenny Rogers’ ‘Lady’ In the Men’s Room" (Billboard, March 31, 2023, by Gil Kaufman) https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/lionel-richie-wrote-second-verse-kenny-rogers-lady-bathroom-1235296133/  • "What If Brock Purdy Were Black?" (First and Pen, October 30, 2023, by Yussuf Khan) https://firstandpen.com/what-if-brock-purdy-were-black/  • "New evidence shows how badly NFL teams discriminate against Black QBs in the draft" (SF Gate, September 11, 2023, by Marc Delucchi) https://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/nfl-draft-analysis-racial-bias-quarterbacks-18355172.php  • "NFL Network graphic insinuating Brock Purdy is smarter than Dak Prescott is a bad look" (Deadpan, January 19 2023, by Stephen Knox) https://deadspin.com/dak-prescott-brock-purdy-nfl-total-access-playoffs-1850008853  • "Serena Williams became the greatest tennis player of all-time even as she endured racist and sexist attacks in the media" (Business Insiders, August 13, 2022, by Scott Davis, Trisha Gopal) https://www.businessinsider.com/serena-williams-endured-racism-sexism-media-throughout-career-2022-8  • "The Evolution of Taylor Swift From Country Star to Pop Icon" (Country Living, October 28, 2021, by Charlotte Chilton) https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/g36298587/evolution-taylor-swift/  • "‘DUKES OF HAZZARD’ ACTOR JOHN SCHNEIDER UNDER FIRE FOR ‘RACIST’ REMARKS ABOUT BEYONCÉ SINGING COUNTRY MUSIC: ‘EVERY DOG MUST MARK EVERY TREE, RIGHT?’" (Black Enterprise) https://www.blackenterprise.com/dukes-hazzard-actor-beyonce-dog/  • "Blaming President Donald Trump Is Too Easy: This Is Us. | Deadline | MSNBC" (YouTube, August 5, 2019, by MSNBC) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKiB0APdxTo  • "Chris Stapleton & Justin Timberlake 's Epic Performance | Tennessee Whiskey & Drink You Away" (YouTube, August 18, 2023, by Dennis Mellon) https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/14/arts/music/beyonce-oklahoma-radio-station.html  • "Billboard removes rapper Lil Nas X from country chart" (AP, March 28, 2019, by Kristin M. Hall) https://apnews.com/article/6045fec139204644b616afb63622c2d9  • "Watch LUKE COMBS & TRACY CHAPMAN Perform "FAST CAR" at the 2024 GRAMMYs" (YouTube, February 15, 2024, by Recording Academy / GRAMMYs) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEqb6xbeuCo  • "https://www.tiktok.com/@mygayfabulousfarm/video/7335886049572310318" (TikTok, February 17, 2024, by mygayfabulousfarm) https://www.tiktok.com/@mygayfabulousfarm/video/7335886049572310318  • "Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" (YouTube, by Concord Records) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgWmP-F0RTPOl1OjguwDkKwjFFiMmQZs5  My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy contemplate Paul Simon lyrics to prompt a discussion of shared suffering and challenges of staying engaged to work toward better things. Other topics along the way include finding a purpose for persisting, news of the death of Nex Benedict, being authentic about your own pain, and love's powerful role in driving life. Resources mentioned in this episode: • "The Cool, Cool River" lyrics by Paul Simon https://www.paulsimon.com/track/the-cool-cool-river-6/ • "A Federal Investigation Has Been Launched Into Nex Benedict's School District" (Them, March 4, 2024, by James Factor) The Department of Education will investigate whether Owasso Public Schools failed to respond appropriately to bullying and harassment. https://www.them.us/story/a-federal-investigation-has-been-launched-into-nex-benedicts-school-district My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

In this episode, Don and Amy are discuss two RCT concepts: Model Me and Relational Images, those unconscious expectations that shape our interactions. Along the way, the pair talk about self-perceived flaws, binge-watching habits, societal pressures, and negativity fueling success. My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. In this relationship, Amy is the inherently racist friend, who is working to change and better understand how racism impacts her relationship with people she loves. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native, former Deputy Mayor for Bloomington, and a real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her professional journey is rooted in her passion for Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), and her commitment to RCT extends into community building initiatives to promote the power of connection. Amy helps to bring the Relational Summits to Bloomington, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper.  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy are joined by Jay Filer, a therapist-in-training at the Bloomington Center for Connection, to take a tour of Black Joy (specifically, their Black joy) found on social media. The conversation covers struggles with and benefits of use of social media, as well as some examples of what makes Jay laugh. After this conversation, TikTok removed sound from many videos due to a copyright dispute with Universal. It is unclear when or if the soundtracks of some of Jay's video links will be restored, but if there is no sound, that is likely why.   Resources mentioned in this episode include: "Katt Williams Scorches the Earth and Every Comedian on It" (Vulture, 2024) https://www.vulture.com/article/katt-williams-club-shay-shay-interview.html  "The Original Renegade" (The New York Times, 2020) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/13/style/the-original-renegade.html  "On its 40th anniversary, a look at how 'The Wiz' forever changed Black culture" (Los Angeles Times, 2028) https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-the-wiz-40-anniversary-20181024-story.html "Millions of videos have been muted on TikTok in 2024 – here’s why" (Push, 2024) https://blog.push.fm/13564/millions-videos-muted-tiktok-2024/  Peach Cobbler (OldCountryCooking5) https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V8jcoD/  Doing my hair to favorite yt people songs (being.lexiekay) https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8VRv6tT/  #2006 what year next? (vibin.wit.tay) https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V8d9mx/  Stick figures violently eating mangoes (1_._panda_._1) https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8VR7nXS/  Additional links from Jay: • Drummers: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8VRnhF7/  • Relationship Hotline: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V8jfmg/  • Makeup Looks: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V8ePrj/  • Music: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V81VCP/  • Friendships: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8V8FBHd/  • More about Friendships: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8VRTUso/  My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native and real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a parent educator and licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Amy offers individual therapy and parent support for people in the Bloomington area, workshops for parents and caregivers, and training on Relational Cultural theory.   Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

In this episode, hosts Amy Makice and Don Griffin Jr. delve into a thought-provoking conversation about the media's role in shaping perspectives and in turn, dividing society. The discussion ventures into the RCT concepts of "Model Me" and "Not Me" by Dr. Maureen Walker, exploring how extreme identification and fear can obstruct empathy, leading to conflicts. Resources mentioned in this episode include: "Admit Something" (Hafiz) https://www.centerforcompassionateleadership.org/admit-something-by-hafiz "A Few Notes on Love" (The Irreverent Psychologist, 2011) https://irreverentpsychologist.blogspot.com/2011/02/few-notes-on-love.html My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native and real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a parent educator and licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Amy offers individual therapy and parent support for people in the Bloomington area, workshops for parents and caregivers, and training on Relational Cultural theory.   Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy resume their conversation together with a discussion about needing to feel smart, the ignorance of believing you know everything, and being around people who are willing to work through mistakes.   Resources mentioned in this episode include: Tyriq Memorial Fund (GoFundMe) https://www.gofundme.com/f/tyriq-memorial-fund  Neighbor of house party where 23-year-old fatally shot: ‘We were very lucky’ (WISH-TV) https://www.wishtv.com/news/i-team-8/neighbors-narrowly-miss-gunfire-at-fatal-house-party-shooting/  My Racist Friend is a podcast about the messy parts of relationships that help us grow together. Long-time friends Don Griffin, Jr. and Amy Makice, LCSW, enter into a transparent and ongoing conversation about complicated and difficult topics such as racism, gender, and social justice. Through the authentic lens of their strong mutual relationship, their goal is to model difficult conversations that can promote understanding and connection in a world that needs both. Donald Griffin Jr. is a Bloomington native and real estate broker, proudly serving his community for the past three decades. Since opening Griffin Realty in 2003, Don's dedication to excellence has helped to guide his company to be among the top producers in Indiana with nearly a half billion in individual lifetime sales. Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a parent educator and licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Amy offers individual therapy and parent support for people in the Bloomington area, workshops for parents and caregivers, and training on Relational Cultural theory.   Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Amy and Don return from a long hiatus to continue their conversations about relationships and the messy parts that make connection difficult. This week, the friends discuss Essentialism, which is found in many social movements and intertwines with racism, transphobia, and the roots of feminism. Amy provides a definition of essentialism and why it is so difficult for her to move through that blocker in relationships. Additional resources: Gender essentialism and benevolent sexism in anti-trans rhetoric by S. Atwood, Thekla Morgenroth, Kristina R. Olson (2023) https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sipr.12099?af=R  Challenging Race-Based Medicine Through Historical Education About the Social Construction of Race by Allison L. Skinner-Dorkenoo, Kasheena G. Rogbeer, Apoorva Sarmal, Cynthia Ware, and Jennifer Zhu (2023) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10698761/  Psychologist Carol Gilligan revises revolutionary 'different voice' work to include 'human voice' https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2023/10/04/carol-gilligan-human-voice  My Best Writings of 2023 by Julia Serano https://juliaserano.substack.com/p/my-best-writings-of-2023?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

This week, Amy and Don welcome Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew into their conversation. Dr. Booker-Drew is the Vice President of Community Affairs & Strategic Alliances for the State Fair of Texas and shares some of her experiences and insights working with the non-profit community. Additional resources: "Froswa' Booker-Drew: A Champion for South Dallas Nonprofits" (Dallas Doing Good, by Roselle Tenorio) https://www.dallasdoinggood.com/doing-good/froswa-booker-drew-a-champion-for-south-dallas-nonprofits Marybeth Gasman (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marybeth_Gasman "United Way Scandal Puts New Focus on Nonprofit Pay Levels" (Los Angeles Times, by Matt Marshall, Mary 14, 1992) https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-14-mn-3008-story.html "The Real Salary Scandal" (Stanford Social Innovation Review, by Peter Manzo, Winter 2004) https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_real_salary_scandal "The 20 Best State Fairs in America" (BLT) https://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/TheBLT/The20BestStateFairsinAmerica.html  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this season. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Prompted by announcements of a price increase for water services and a home-buying incentive to attract new police officers, Amy and Don discuss the complexities of government funding and the mission of policing, sharing some stories of encounters where police were called. Additional resources: "Bloomington City Council Approves 18% Water Rate Increase Starting In 2022" (Indiana Public Media, by Ethan Burks, March 18, 2021) https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/city-council-approves-cbu-water-rate-increase-starting-in-2022.php "Bloomington Outlines Incentives To Attract New Police Officers" (Indiana Public Media, by Adam Pinsker, March 12, 2021) https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/bloomington-outlines-incentivestoattract-new-police-officers.php "Bloomington City Council approves $166 million city budget for 2021" (Indiana Daily Student, by Mel Fronczek, October 15, 2020) https://www.idsnews.com/article/2020/10/bloomington-city-council-approves-166-million-city-budget-for-2021-covid-19-recovery "Alternatives to the Police" (McGill Daily, by Evan Dent, Molly Korab, and Farid Rener, March 2018) https://www.mcgilldaily.com/PoliceIssue/Restorative-Justice.html Mandate In-Service Training (IN.gov, ILEA) https://www.in.gov/ilea/2525.htm  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this season. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy welcome back Dr. Amy Banks, who brings her co-author, Isaac Knapper, to discuss their upcoming book, "Fighting Time"—a story of their 36-year journey from murder to meeting. Dr. Banks' father, Ronald, was shot and killed on April 29, 1979, as he left the Hyatt Regency hotel in New Orleans. Isaac, who along with Amy was 16 at the time, was wrongfully convicted of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in the Louisiana State Penitentiary. She and her younger sister, Nancy, traveled to meet and ultimately befriend Isaac in 2015. Additional resources: "Fighting Time" (Regal House Publishing, by Amy Banks and Isaac Knapper, 2021) https://www.regalhousepublishing.com/product/fighting-time/  "How Can White Folks Join the Fight to End Systemic Racism?" (Pact Press, by Amy Banks, September 16, 2020) http://pactpress.com/2020/09/how-can-white-folks-join-the-fight-to-end-systemic-racism/  "The Social Impact of Wrongful Conviction" (YouTube, Wellesley Centers for Women, April 7, 2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10kzlovflQ8  "Wrongly Incarcerated Singer Archie Williams Delivers Unforgettable Song - America's Got Talent 2020" (YouTube, by America's Got Talent, May 22, 2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShgOH1u78XA  "What AGT didn't tell you about Archie Williams | America's Got Talent 2020" (YouTube, by Epic Top Trending, May 30, 2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-lRVS9DNK0  "The last time New Orleans Mardi Gras parades were canceled, here's what happened" (NOLA, by Matt Sledge, February 7, 2021) https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/mardi_gras/article_3ab27242-6804-11eb-b241-176657eea9a2.html  Banks v. Hyatt Corp. (April 11, 1984) https://www.ravellaw.com/opinions/e61e4dbb2ff1dfc5691f607065c49c0c  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this season. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don confirms his good news about a role change that will have him playing a large role in bridging and resolving issues within the Bloomington community. Amy shares her joy for Don as he takes on a new challenge, as well as apprehensions about increased criticism. Also included are some brief discussion of "Coming to America" and poet Amanda Gorman being followed home. Additional resources: "Deputy Mayor Mick Renneisen Plans Retirement in April" (City of Bloomington, February 17, 2021) https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2021/02/17/4767 "Mayor Hamilton Announces Don Griffin, Jr. to be Next Deputy Mayor" (City of Bloomington, March 4, 2021) https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2021/03/04/4785 People's Cooperative Market https://www.peoplesmarketbtown.org/ "Bloomington police respond to records request, release footage of Seminary Park welfare check on man found dead hours later on Christmas Eve" (B Square Beacon, by Dave Askins, March 2, 2021) https://bsquarebeacon.com/2021/03/02/bloomington-police-respond-to-records-request-release-footage-of-seminary-park-welfare-check-on-man-found-dead-hours-later-on-christmas-eve/ "Eddie Murphy And Arsenio Hall Say That 'Coming To America' Was Forced To Include A White Person" (Shadow and Act, by Niko Rose, March 4, 2021) https://shadowandact.com/eddie-murphy-and-arsenio-hall-say-that-coming-to-america-was-forced-to-include-a-white-person "Amanda Gorman Says A Security Guard Followed Her Home Because She 'Looked Suspicious'" (Blavity, by Leslie D. Rose, March 6, 2021) https://blavity.com/amanda-gorman-says-a-security-guard-followed-her-home-because-she-looked-suspicious  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this episode. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy start this week's discussion with a job listing by the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields that sought a director to “attract a broader and diverse audience while still maintaining the Museum’s traditional, core, white art audience.” The conversation also includes antique shops selling symbols of white supremacy in Oregon, students calling out teachers and organizations for racism, and a possibly inevitable revisiting of John Hughes films. Additional resources: "Newfields job posting sparks community controversy" (The Butler Collegian, Emma Quasny, February 17, 2021) https://thebutlercollegian.com/2021/02/newfields-job-posting-sparks-community-controversy/ "Letter from our Board of Trustees and Board of Governors" (Newfields, February 27, 2021) https://discovernewfields.org/statement "Curator calls Newfields culture toxic, discriminatory in resignation letter" (Indianapolis Star, by Domenica Bongiovanni, July 28, 2020) https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/arts/2020/07/18/newfields-curator-says-discriminatory-workplace-toxic/5459574002/?fbclid=IwAR2DlqMFjJR-_w4HhZtr8ZwODyjVXnVbmhhvj0vLNGoCeg9MkDgD1RpekwA "The Indiana Murals" (Indiana University Bloomington) https://murals.sitehost.iu.edu/history/index.html "Symbols Of White Supremacy Confront Oregon Shoppers At Antiques Mall" (NPR, by Emily Cureton, February 14, 2021) https://www.npr.org/2021/02/14/961532763/symbols-of-white-supremacy-confront-oregon-shoppers-at-antique-mall Oregon black exclusion laws (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_black_exclusion_laws "When Portland banned blacks: Oregon's shameful history of an 'all-white' state" (The Washington Post, by DeNeen L. Brown, June 7, 2017) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/06/07/when-portland-banned-blacks-oregons-shameful-history-as-an-all-white-state/ "Black Voices: IU Panhellenic Association member says group's post promoted white saviorism" (Indiana Daily Student, by Agness Lungu, February 11, 2021) https://www.idsnews.com/article/2021/02/iu-panhellenic-sororities-white-saviorism-circle-of-sisterhood-instagram "Teacher redefines n-word to Black student in AP history class" (NBC, by Dave Elias, February 16, 2021) https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2021/02/15/teacher-redefines-n-word-to-black-student-in-ap-history-class/ "What About 'The Breakfast Club'?" (New Yorker, by Molly Ringwald, April 6, 2018) https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/what-about-the-breakfast-club-molly-ringwald-metoo-john-hughes-pretty-in-pink  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this episode. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

After talking about racism evident in a couple national news stories, Amy brings a recent example of her own racism to discuss with Don. Together, they dive deep into taking responsibility for making anti-oppression training easier, the need to let other people in relationships voice their own experience with harm, and the limited role listening and empathy plays in growth. Additional resources: "Country star Morgan Wallen sees album sales spike despite industry backlash over N-word video" (NBC News, by Wilson Wong, February 8, 2021) https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/country-star-sees-sales-spike-despite-industry-backlash-over-n-n1257065 "Mind and Body: Outcomes of a lifesaving procedure reveal systemic racism" (Inverse, by Sarah Sloat, February 3, 2021) https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/heart-transplant-systemic-racism-study  Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this episode. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

Don and Amy discuss the Strategies of Disconnection, a key concept in Relational-Cultural Theory about the practice of hiding parts of yourself in order to maintain relationships. Amy also talks with Don about some recent news items that land on the Racism Radar—including a Southern Baptist pastor and Bloomington's new Racial Equity Task Force—and makes a pitch to listen to the New York Times serial podcast about schools, Nice White Parents, hosted by Chana Joffe-Walt. Additional resources: "Bedford Man Arrested After Hiding Missing Juvenile" (WBIW, February 2, 2021) http://www.wbiw.com/2021/02/02/bedford-man-arrested-after-hiding-missing-juvenile/ "City of Bloomington seeks applications for resident-led Racial Equity Task Force" (Indiana Daily Student, by Christina Avery, January 27, 2021) https://www.idsnews.com/article/2021/01/bloomington-racial-equity-task-force "Racial Equity Task Force Application to Serve" (City of Bloomington) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddYYYYVu8DAhIY2g9oXcb7O1hJq9NGt7ww47Tl53mrEybJHQ/viewform Nice White Parents podcast (Serial Productions) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice-white-parents/id1524080195 "IU environmental project to begin at former shooting ranges" (IU News Room, June 12, 2003) https://newsinfo.iu.edu/news-archive/1005.html "How I-65/70 shattered Black neighborhoods" (Indianapolis Recorder, December 27, 2018) https://indianapolisrecorder.com/c57d7e9c-09e4-11e9-b276-83369364ae4e/ Catalog of Terms (International Center for Growth and Connection) https://www.growthinconnection.org/catalog-of-terms-index "Justin Bieber & benny blanco - Lonely (Official Music Video)" (YouTube, by Justin Bieber, October 16, 2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQOO2xGQ1Pc "Arlington pastor Dwight McKissic receives racist letter after leaving Southern Baptists of Texas Convention" (The Dallas Morning News, by Brandi Addison, February 3, 2021) https://www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/2021/02/03/arlington-pastor-dwight-mckissic-receives-racist-letter-after-leaving-southern-baptists-of-texas-convention/ Special thanks to BCC interns, Rylie Cook and Constance Johnson, for helping with research for this episode. Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes

After overcoming some technical problems, Don joins Amy for a wide-ranging conversation about national politics and the possibility of the GameStop short squeeze becoming common ground for both ends of the political spectrum. The friends touch on a few items in the news, including the local challenges of providing shelter for unhoused people who have been trying to survive in tents pitched in public parks. Special thanks to Six Umbrellas, whose song "Asset House" provides the beats for Don's debut (presumably) in electronic music. Additional resources: "Trump opens 'Office of the Former President' in Florida" (CBS News, by Melissa Quinn, January 27, 2021) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/office-of-the-former-president-trump-florida/ "Tens of thousands of voters drop Republican affiliation after Capitol riot" (The Hill, by Reid Wilson, January 27, 2021) https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/536113-tens-of-thousands-of-voters-drop-republican-affiliation-after-capitol?rl=1 "Republican Party faces rage from both pro- and anti-Trump voters" (Reuters, by Peter Eisler, Chris Kahn, Tim Reid, Simon Lewis, and Jarrett Renshaw, January 13, 2021) https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-supporters-insight/republican-party-faces-rage-from-both-pro-and-anti-trump-voters-idUSKBN29J08S "Trump political team disavows "Patriot Party" groups" (Axios, by Lachlan Markay, January 25, 2021) https://www.axios.com/trump-political-team-disavows-patriot-party-groups-f97c1a07-2541-4ba9-baee-6e31ced88bfa.html Patriot Party (1960s-1980s) (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Party_(1960s%E2%80%931980s) "GameStop And The Short Squeeze" (NPR, by Paddy Hirsch and Stacey Vanek Smith, January 27, 2021) https://www.npr.org/2021/01/27/961291455/gamestop-and-the-short-squeeze "Saagar Enjeti: Wall Street Elites DESTROYED, Beaten By Redditors At Their Own RIGGED Game" (YouTube, The Hill, January 27, 2021) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ToOGrUQ7ME "Should Betting Against Companies Be Illegal?" (Dave Manuel) https://www.davemanuel.com/2019/05/28/should-short-selling-be-illegal/ "THIS. IS. THE. TYPE. OF. ENERGY. I. NEED. IN. MY. LIFE. DO. NOT. SELL." (Twitter, @GenelJumalon, January 28, 2021) https://twitter.com/geneljumalon/status/1354806165968834568?s=21 "Defund the Mounties? Native peoples call for changes to Canada’s policing" (Christian Science Monitor,  By Moira Donovan and Sara Miller Llana, January 25, 2021) https://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2021/20210125 "Froswa' Booker-Drew: A Champion for South Dallas Nonprofits" (Dallas Doing Good, by Roselle Tenorio) https://www.dallasdoinggood.com/doing-good/froswa-booker-drew-a-champion-for-south-dallas-nonprofits "Where To Find Free Wi-Fi Hotspots In Monroe County" (Indiana Public Media, by Payton Knobeloch, March 25, 2020) https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/where-to-find-free-wi-fi-hotspots-in-monroe-county.php "'Everybody has a right to live': Protesters criticize mayor, BPD after Seminary Square Park eviction" (Indiana Daily Student, by Cate Charron, December 12, 2020) https://www.idsnews.com/article/2020/12/everybody-has-a-right-to-live-protesters-criticize-mayor-bpd-after-seminary-square-park-eviction "Bloomington City Council members drafting ordinance to better protect homeless camps" (Indiana Daily Student, by Madison Smalstig, January 31, 2021) https://www.idsnews.com/article/2021/01/bloomington-homeless-camps-ordinance  Buy "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants on iTunes