Karen is not new. White women have been bringing out their inner Karen for a LOT longer than you might think. So where exactly did Karen come from? In this episode, we’re joined by our guest Crystal Lynese, a DEI advocate whose work emphasizes Karens’ particular brand of oppression, to share with us the historical origins of Karen, what being a Karen REALLY means, and the importance of changing Karen behaviors so that Black and Brown people can live in peace.
We’re exploring:
- How Crystal was impacted by racial trauma in her hometown (and why this sparked her DEI activism)
- The original Karen and her impact on the civil rights movement as we know it
- What it means for Black women to be at the intersection of race and gender
- The fence Karen straddles
- Crystal’s TOP TIPS for recognizing your own Karen behaviors and how to put them in check
- The ONE belief that has to stop in order to truly dismantle white supremacy, racism and the patriarchy
- Why white men don’t need to Karen
- How and why Black bodies have historically been used a currency and commodity, and how this has protected white women
- Why white supremacy hurts EVERYBODY—not just POC
- Crystal’s traumatic first experience as a young woman being profiled by the police
- What still needs to happen for Black people to be TRULY free
- And so much more!
Connect with Crystal Lynese:
Website – Crystal Clear Consulting: https://acrystalclearplan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalclearconsultant/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalclearconsultant
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystallynese/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/crystal_lynese?s=20
Resources mentioned in this episode:
“The Willie Lynch Letter and the Making of a Slave” by Willie Lynch: https://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9789562916554
“They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South”: https://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9780300218664
“Birth of a Nation”: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0004972/
James Marion Sims: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Marion_Sims
“Moment of Truth”: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13734570/
Let’s talk about it! Connect with us and continue the conversation:
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Email: info@thehumanizepodcast.com