Anyone who knows me even a little knows that I love podcasts. I’ve definitely reached D.A.B.L.E. (Download Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy) status in terms of how many podcasts I’m subscribed to. I find that I really want to share out a few, especially lately. So, welcome to the Recommendation Room (Rec. Room for short)! This post, I’m excited to talk about three podcasts that amplify the voices and stories of the BIPOC community. Obviously this is a very limited sample and I highly encourage you to explore the wide and beautiful world of these story tellers who are using the airwaves to bring life and color that’s so desperately needed to our planet.
First up we have the Minority Korner! I have only just started listening to this, and while I’m kind of sad it took me this long to “discover” it for my own airwaves, the good news is I have lots and lots and lots (like over 200 episodes, no joke) to enjoy! This podcast is hosted by James who describes himself as “ a queer, political, comedian, self proclaimed, sexy blerd (that’s Black Nerd)” and he discusses a whole host of topics that are immediately and historically pertinent to society. I feel so humbled and grateful that I have stumbled on such a substantial, hilarious, brutal, and brave podcast. I can’t wait to keep listening and I highly encourage you to do so as well.
Next up we have we have the Red Nation Podcast. It’s a podcast that amplifies the voices of a well established community that kicks serious ass. I stumbled on this one purely by accident. I’d just watched the MetHD stream of Dr Atomic and I was curious what indigenous communities had to say about the portrayal of Native Americans in that opera. Searching for articles, I found an excellent piece on the Red Nation Website that confirmed my own discomfort and dissatisfaction with the way indigenous peoples were represented in the opera (full disclosure: the article, which you can read here, was about a performance of the opera at a venue in New Mexico, not the Met performance I watched. However, the points made definitely transfer). I was beyond delighted to discover they also had a podcast. The episodes are meaty and I like to listen with full attention and no distraction. I have learned so much, had my world rocked and broken, and I can’t wait to keep having that happen as I continue to listen.
Let me start by disclosing that this podcast is hosted by two white women. However, the stories and topics covered on this podcast (which you can listen to here) span so much history that illuminates the BIPOC community with respect, dignity, and power. At least for my small perception, this is one of the podcasts that really began to expand my mind and worldview on just how little I knew about the history and the world beyond my narrow white-middle class-Euro-centric viewshort. There are literally hundreds of episodes to choose from, some of my own favorites being about: Robert Smalls, John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry, Harriet Tubman, Jamaica’s Maroon Wars, Freedom Riders, Ethiopia’s Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela, Tulsa Riots and Black Wall Street, The Occupation of Alcatraz, Sojourner Truth, Hernandez v. Texas, Shirley Chisholm, Phillis Wheatley, Fort Shaw Indian School Basketball champions, Molly Spotted Elk, Great Zimbabwe, Bayard Rustin….I mean, that’s not even a fraction of the episodes available. This one has been a staple in my diet for years and I could not recommend it more highly.
My view is still far too small. I still have so much to learn and so many actions to take. My Lord calls me to a Love and Life that doesn’t have any room for complacency when it comes to facing down Hate in whatever insidious forms it takes. I am still striving, and these podcasts help keep me awake and alert. May I never fall asleep when He asks me to watch the hour with Him. May I keep listening, may keep doing.