Join Kaitlin as she dives deep into the profound difference between kindness and niceness in the realm of social justice and personal growth with her guest, Portia Burch. Portia is a Black queer activist and Omaha native, with a specific focus on anti-racism work and abolition.

They explore the concept that kindness goes beyond surface-level pleasantries, discussing how it plays a pivotal role in dismantling systems of oppression and fostering genuine change in society. With insightful anecdotes and passionate discussions, Kaitlin and Portia provide valuable insights into the significance of recognizing lived experiences and the importance of active listening. They share their perspectives on how kindness can be an instrument for dismantling harmful systems and encouraging real transformation.

Tune in as they shed light on the role of white women in allyship, the impact of discomfort in the journey towards awareness, and the responsibility of creating a more inclusive, compassionate world. If you're seeking a deeper understanding of kindness and its pivotal role in driving social change, this episode is a must-listen.

Full Transcript

QUOTES
"Binary is actually b******. There's no good and bad. There's no right and wrong."


"We’re responsible for what we think we're responsible for how we act and that starts with knowing who we are, it starts with kind of loving yourself and understanding yourself."

"Being a parent affords you this grand opportunity to shift your child's mindset and thinking so that it doesn't have to be quite so binary."

"If we want the future to be different, then we have to do something different now with the people that are absorbing now."

"Kindness goes so far"

"The root of anti-racism work and the root of decolonizing comes with kindness because you have to humanize people."

"We don’t have to use people as the examples, that's what books are for"

"Kindness has been weaponized because people are conflating kindness with niceness."

"Kindness comes from a place of recognizing that, while something might be completely different than yourself, that does not negate the value and the validity, for somebody else"

"Kindness has just been misconstrued that it means that everybody has to have their feelings cuddled and that everybody has to feel good all the time. And the fact of the matter is, sometimes you're gonna feel like s***."

"It's nice to hold the door open for someone, but it's kind to disrupt systems that won't allow for that door to be open for all people"

"The phrase, 'white woman' is okay."

"Being able to walk away from that discomfort is a level of privilege"

"There's just no way that you can have all the answers because you have not experienced what we're telling you about"

"(Anti-racism work) is an investment in changing your lifestyle, and it's no different than investing in insurance for your car. No different than investing in a class that you might take online. It's no different than investing and getting your teeth clean."

"Kindness is a lot more listening and a lot more curiosity. Ask questions. Remove assumptions. Kindness is really not about you personally, it’s what you give to somebody else. It’s being curious, caring, and open."

"When BIPOC women, particularly, are open to sharing their experiences with you. Their lived experiences with you. And white women walk away, we are doing nothing other than perpetuating racism."

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