Shine
27. Beyond Ally: Encouraging Conversations to Heal Race-Based Trauma with Dr. Maysa Akbar
I interview Dr. Maysa Akbar on her view of how to be an anti-racist, how we can begin to fight racial injustice, and walk through a detailed roadmap for those of us feeling the call to show up and create and build a more just and equitable world. In her book, Beyond Ally, Dr. Akbar showcases racial justice work through the creation of the Ally Identity Model, which details the stages of allyship in dismantling systemic oppression. She is a groundbreaking psychologist, best-selling author, and healer. Dr. Akbar is a thought leader and expert in racial trauma, allyship, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is also an assistant professor at Yale University in the School of Medicine.
Key Takeaways:
[:01] Carley Hauck shares the October focus on well-being and practices of self-care that will enable us to flourish in difficult times.
[3:59] Introducing guest Dr. Maysa Akbar, who shares her upbringing and the life experiences that led her to work as an expert in racial trauma, allyship, diversity and inclusion.
[12:02] How leaning into her past has led Maysa to cultivate resilience, agility and flexibility.
[15:15] Becoming an effective ally starts with developing a partnership with an opposed or marginalized community to seek racial justice.
[19:33] Maysa shares the response to her new book Beyond Ally and focuses on the efforts of those that are fighting to create partnership in an equitable world.
[23:00] The importance of knowing the next step to take when moving beyond allyship and when reconciling with the past.
[26:42] Carley shares her steps toward activation as an ally and the understanding she has developed along the way.
[29:37] The stages of the Ally Identity Model and how anyone can begin the journey toward allyship from where they currently are.
[37:19] Where do most people currently fall on the Ally Identity Model? Maysa shares a snapshot of America today compared to where it used to be and where it has the potential to go.
[42:18] Strategies for effectively hospicing out old systems that are keeping our country divided starts with taking ownership of our history, spending time together and showing compassion.
[46:13] Maysa shares the way to continue the conversation and to embrace your ability to affect change at this time.
Resources:
Four Sigmatic — discount code SHINE
“Trump bans ‘anti-American’ diversity training” BBC News article
Beyond Ally: The Pursuit of Racial Justice, by Dr. Maysa Akbar
”How are we getting along?” Carley’s recent solo episode on the Shine podcast
