Today we are extremely lucky to be joined by Black mother, grandmother, lover, professor, and activist, Dr. Zoe Spencer! Zoe is a published author who currently teaches at Virginia State University, where she is dedicated to educating and opening the minds of her students, in order to build a better and more equitable future. She has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of oppressed people and in this episode, we get to talk about what her vision for the future looks like.
Our guest explains how oppression has been held in place by the belief that it is necessary for certain groups to be down so that others can be up. We also get into some very useful information on critical race theory, the development of the sociological framework, and how it can be impactful in today's context.
Throughout this inspiring conversation, Zoe shares her personal experiences with honesty and purpose, talking about her evolving opinion of working with police and white men, groups she previously avoided at all costs. We also get to hear from her about what keeps her inspired and fighting the good fight in spite of its challenges. For all this and more, be sure to listen in to this great episode.
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Key Points From This Episode:
Zoe's personal and professional background and her path to her current academic and community work.
An introduction to critical race theory and situating its recent rise in popularity.
Confronting the privilege and power of US history and how it is taught.
The necessary steps in creating a future that has more compassion and liberty.
Rethinking ownership in the social economy and a more equitable model for society.
An explanation of the ancient laws of Ma'at and how they could be applied today.
Mobilization from the grassroots level and the important network of connected goals.
How Zoe's belief about working with police departments and white men has evolved.
Zoe's main sources of inspiration throughout her life; God, books, and intellectuals.
The wish that Zoe has for an elevation of consciousness towards more connection.
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Tweetables:
“Being in a family where things weren't handed to us, you are forced to view life, even at a young age, in a different way.” — @dr_zoespencer
“My students absolutely give me life because I view them as being extensions of myself.” — @dr_zoespencer
“Critical race theory looks at how these ideologies are embedded in our systems, and how as they are embedded in those systems, it manifests itself in our social interactions with our institutions and each other.” — @dr_zoespencer
“The struggle is not about people, and sometimes people want to kidnap the struggle and snatch the mics away from the people, and that weakens the movement.” — @dr_zoespencer
“In this work, I am not watching or listening for anybody other than my creator's guidance, because that is important. I am fallible, and humans are fallible.” — @dr_zoespencer
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Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Dr. Zoe Spencer: https://www.drzoespencer.com/
Virginia State University: https://www.vsu.edu/
Derrick Bell: https://law.marquette.edu/facultyblog/2011/10/r-i-p-derrick-bell-pioneer-of-critical-race-theory/
Kimberlely Crenshaw: https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/kimberle-w-crenshaw
Richard Delgado: https://www.law.ua.edu/directory/People/view/Richard_Delgado
Jean Stefancic: https://www.law.ua.edu/directory/People/view/Jean_Stefancic
Dr. Jennifer Harvey: https://jenniferharvey.org/
Raising White Kids: https://www.powells.com/book/raising-white-kids-bringing-up-children-in-a-racially-unjust-america-9781501878077
Erykah Badu: https://pitchfork.com/artists/537-erykah-badu/
How Europe Underdeveloped Africa: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781788731188
Cointelpro: https://www.abebooks.com/9780937091043/Cointelpro-FBIs-Secret-Political-Freedom-0937091049/plp
Ida B. Wells: https://www.biography.com/activist/ida-b-wells
Bell Hooks: https://www.britannica.com/biography/bell-hooks
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Show Notes + Other Links
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