
In this week's episode, Relando shares an introductory talk he provided on Critical Race Theory as part of a Social Justice Speaker's Series in April of 2021. Much has happened since then from increased pushback against Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and her work in creating the 1619 Project, to efforts in states to effectively ban the teaching of critical race theory. These manifestations of white backlash prove the points made in Critical Race Theory, and reinforce the message that "white privilege is the ability to pass laws that prevent everyone from learning history that makes white people feel uncomfortable." The work continues. In the talk, Relando touches on dominant narratives, the power of story and counter-narratives, and basic tenets of Critical Race Theory.
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Jun 28, 2021
54 min

Contrary to what many of us have been told, there is a place for Black anger and rage in racial justice work. In this week's episode, Relando affirms that there are things that we just should never get used to, and that Black people have every right to be angry about their oppression.
Blog Post referenced in this episode:
Yes, Anger Does Influence My Work for Racial Justice, and No, We Won't Calm Down: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/yes-anger-does-influence-my-work-for-racial-justice-and-no-we-wont-calm-down/
Pairs Well With
You Deserve Better. Solidarity Should Not Be Conditional in the Fight for Racial Justice: https://podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/you-deserve-better-solidarity-should-not-be-conditional-in-the-fight-for-racial-justice/
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Mar 30, 2021
18 min

Establishing community agreements goes a long way toward building psychological safety between people and groups in social justice work. In this week's episode Relando shares some examples of community agreements that he's found helpful in this process, with the message that establishing community agreements should be a liberatory activity. They are intended to open authentic, radically candid communication instead of limiting it. One key question to ask: "What elements need to be in place for me to show up authentically in the space?"
Blog Posts referenced in this episode:
In Dialogue, "Ground Rules" are Meant to be Liberatory: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/in-dialogue-ground-rules-are-meant-to-be-liberatory/
On Communication: Debate vs Dialogue: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/on-communication-debate-vs-dialogue/
Respecting Diversity in the Classroom & Beyond: Multicultural Guidelines: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/respecting-diversity-in-the-classroom-multicultural-guidelines/
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Mar 16, 2021
32 min

The pandemic has had a disproportionately negative impact on the lives of people with marginalized identities, and the workplace is no exception. In this week's episode, Relando shares a call for organizational leaders to center equity in their decision-making, and an affirmation for staff with marginalized identities in the event that their organizations are unwilling to do that.
Blog Post referenced in this episode:
Reflecting on Organizational Leadership in a Pandemic:https://www.relandothompkinsjones.com/reflecting-on-organizational-leadership-in-a-pandemic/
It's Okay to Shift: https://www.relandothompkinsjones.com/its-okay-to-shift/
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Mar 2, 2021
17 min

Acknowledging power dynamics is important in social justice work. When working in closed groups, none of us passes through some invisible barrier that removes our privilege or oppression. In this week's episode, Relando shares four socially just considerations for practitioners to keep at the top of their minds when engaging in group work.
Blog Post referenced in this episode:
4 Ways to Stay Mindful of Social Justice Issues in Group Work Practice: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/4-ways-to-stay-mindful-of-social-justice-issues-in-group-work-practice/
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Feb 16, 2021
16 min

We make Black History Everyday. We rise, we survive, we fly. Dedicated to Black people everywhere; in this week's episode Relando shares some important imagery that helps to remind him of how we are connected to a larger whole on the path to racial equity and justice.
Blog Post referenced in this episode:
We Make Black History Everyday. We Rise, We Survive, We Fly https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/we-make-black-history-everyday-we-rise-we-survive-we-fly/
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Feb 2, 2021
12 min

If you are passionate about social justice work in education and are currently in the interview phase for a position that works toward inclusion and equity at an institution, it is important to recognize that you are interviewing that institution as much as they are interviewing you. This is especially true if you hold multiple marginalized identities. In this week's episode, Relando shares examples of questions to ask to provide some additional clarity in deciding if the environment you are considering entering into is the right one for you.
Blog Post referenced in this episode:
Crowdsourced Interview Questions for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Positions in Education: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/crowdsourced-interview-questions-for-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-positions-in-education/
Original document--"Crowdsource Interview Document for DE&I positions": https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CUDuHkznSS88GEmoAlbezBAqRNrznw4rCFrT921dqP0/mobilebasic
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Jan 19, 2021
24 min

Think of a time where you have let others down in your social justice journey. What happened? How did you feel? What did you do? This week, Relando discusses the importance of embracing both-and-thinking, and taking ownership of the moments when we don't follow through with practicing solidarity in social justice work.
Blog Post referenced in this episode:
Sometimes, We Really Let Each Other Down in Social Justice Work: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/sometimes-we-really-let-each-other-down-in-social-justice-work/
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Dec 29, 2020
12 min

Some people want everyone to strictly address one another with a "Merry Christmas", while others instead prefer to use "Happy Holidays" as a greeting this time of year. This week, Relando explores the underlying issues of this familiar debate and explains why choosing the inclusive route is the most affirming way to care for others this season.
Blog Post referenced in this episode:
What's with the Conflict? Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/whats-with-the-conflict-merry-christmas-happy-holidays/
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Dec 22, 2020
15 min

The time for false advertisement is over. Anti-racism is about actions not just words. In this week's episode, Relando shares six reasons colleges and universities need to face race and not ignore it.
Blog Post referenced in this episode:
6 Reasons Colleges and Universities Need to Face Race and Not Ignore It: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/6-reasons-colleges-and-universities-need-to-face-race-and-not-ignore-it/
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Podcast Website: podcast.notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Dec 15, 2020
15 min
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