My guest this week is Anita Friday, creator of an organization called Open Hearts: A Path for Racial Healing. Anita and I talked about her experiences as a Black woman and mother, and the things that those of us who are White can take for granted.

We also explored the distinction between racism and related concepts like discrimination, how to make a difference right where we live, and the love and faith that motivate Anita’s work. Please know that  you’ll hear the N-word in this episode. It’s a sober discussion, and also a very hopeful one. Topics Anita and discussed included:

• The experiences Anita had throughout her life as a Black woman that led her to start her organization
• The genesis of Anita’s courageous conversations
• The rewards that Anita has seen through her work
• The things we can take for granted as White parents
• The work required of Black parents so being undervalued doesn’t eat at their kids’ souls
• The imperative of empathy, and being able to imagine walking in someone else’s shoes
• The mythology of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps”
• The ongoing unequal treatment of Blacks and Whites in America
• The distinction between racism and related concepts like prejudice or bias
• The difference between “equality” and “equity”
• The concerted action necessary to address systemic racism
• Things that have improved with systemic racism in the past few generations
• The essential role that White people play in eradicating racism
• How to make a difference in addressing racism, starting exactly where we are
• The love and faith that motivate Anita’s work

Photo courtesy of openheartsapathforracialhealing.com/

Anita Y. Friday is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University Law School.

She has served as a Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Stamford, CT, created a minority parent’s association for Stamford Public Schools, and provided pro bono legal advice to at-risk teen parents regarding emancipation, continuing education, and parenting.

Since moving to Pennsylvania, she has served as a member of the Anti-Racism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.

Anita also created a multicultural curriculum for elementary students at a local preparatory school regarding Native American Indians.

Learn more about Anita and her work at her website.