THE BLOG
Mass Incarceration: A Humanitarian Crisis (Part 3)
Photo by Hédi Benyounes This is the final post in a 3-part series in which I’m declaring Mass Incarceration to be a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions in America. If you haven’t read Part 1 on how the problem got...
Read MoreMass Incarceration: A Humanitarian Crisis (Part 2)
Photo by Hédi Benyounes This is part 2 of a 3-part series on Mass Incarceration, and it picks up right where I left off in part 1. If you haven’t read that post yet and aren’t aware of why I...
Read MoreMass Incarceration: A Humanitarian Crisis (Part 1)
Photo by Hédi Benyounes The topic of Mass Incarceration has been on my mind for awhile now. Maybe it’s the content I’ve been reflecting on while in school. Maybe it’s the stories that have been reported over the past year...
Read MoreThe Power of Words
Sadia of Language Matters If you follow Choose Awareness on Instagram (which I hope you do!) you might have seen that the theme for this month is all about unlearning. Unlearning distorted versions of history or false ideas we’ve all...
Read MoreWhat Is Choose Awareness Really All About?
It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since I started Choose Awareness. And wow, what a year it has been. I’ve learned a lot. I’m still learning a lot! And I can honestly say that my own thinking...
Read MoreGood Stuff
It’s been a little while since I’ve been able to put out a new podcast episode, and that’s probably because I’ve been so busy with school. For those who have been following for a little while you might know I’m...
Read MoreThe More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same
Left: “March on Washington” on August 23, 1963 by Unseen HistoriesRight: Juneteenth gathering in Atlanta, GA on June 19, 2020 I’m starting to hear more and more people make a peculiar claim. “If we would just stop talking about race,...
Read MoreAN HONEST CONVERSATION WITH GENERATION Z (PART 2)
From left to right: Clay, Kevin, Kristina, Lauren This is part 2 of a longer conversation I had with some friends awhile back, so if you haven’t listened to part 1 of my conversation with Generation Z, you’ll probably want...
Read MoreAn Honest Conversation with Generation Z (Part 1)
From left to right: Clay, Kevin, Kristina, Lauren Awhile back I came across this article that talked about the biggest obstacles being faced by future generations, and, after reading it, I found myself wanting to have an actual conversation with...
Read MorePoverty isn’t a Project, It’s a Person
Can you believe it? We finally made it to 2021! Honestly, I’m still decompressing from the events that transpired yesterday, but I’m hopeful that this year will still be better than 2020. I’m hopeful that it will be a year...
Read MoreGender Barriers in 2020
Image by John Torcasio Can you believe it? In just two more weeks, 2020 will finally be a thing of the past. And I do mean finally. Personally, I can’t wait for it to end, and I’m looking forward to...
Read MoreHave you ever thought your vote doesn’t matter?
Meet Brent Whiting and Chinua Hawk! If you’re someone who has ever thought your vote doesn’t matter, they would disagree. I had the chance to chat with them recently, and they shared with me about Tomorrow We Vote and how...
Read MoreA Conversation with My Dad
This episode is a special one. It’s a conversation I recently had with my dad, Chaouki Tabet. There are some interesting stories that I’ve heard bits and pieces of over the years but I’ve never actually sat down to have...
Read MoreWhat comes to mind when you hear the word “immigration”?
Photo by Mat Reding Have you heard the big news?! No, it’s not the election results. It appears we’ll have to wait just a little longer for those. The big news is… I’m going back to school! I’ll be attending...
Read MoreFighting the Urge to Remain Comfortable
Picture of John Hambrick courtesy of his Facebook page! I’m so excited for this podcast episode! It’s of a conversation I recently had with my friend John Hambrick! John works at a local church in the Atlanta area where his...
Read MoreEzra Washington’s Perspective (Part 2)
11/22/2021 – Updated with new title This is part 2 of a recent conversation I had with Ezra Washington. If you haven’t heard the first one already, you’ll probably want to listen to it first, and you can find it...
Read MoreEzra Washington’s Perspective (Part 1)
11/22/2021 – Updated with new title Recently, I “met” Ezra Washington online in the comments section of an Instagram post that involved Christians, Conservatives, and social justice. Yes, that’s right! We met on Instagram while discussing differing ideas. And after...
Read MoreWhere did all the intolerance come from?
Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor When did we become so intolerant as a society? I’ve thought about that question for awhile now. And whenever I start to think the word is too harsh, I see something that reminds me it’s...
Read MoreTwo Black Male Perspectives
Recently, I had the chance to record a conversation with my friends Chinua Hawk and Mark Henderson. They were open and honest and shared their thoughts on things like what racism means to them, their biggest struggle as black men,...
Read MoreRemembering John Lewis & C.T. Vivian
John Lewis and Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian both died on July 17th, 2020. How much do you know about them? About what they accomplished? About their persecution? I must admit, I wasn’t very aware. I do remember John Lewis standing...
Read MoreRedefining What it Means to be Racist
Photo by Brett Jordan For this episode, I decided to do something a little bit different. There’s no guest for this one, it’s just me! I wanted to record myself sharing my own thoughts and describing my own personal journey...
Read MoreFree Fair Wayne Bryant
Photo by Bill Oxford Updated 10/16/20: Bryant was granted parole! Have you heard of Fair Wayne Bryant? I first heard of him a few days ago and, ever since, he hasn’t left my head. Bryant has spent the last 23...
Read MoreThe Importance of a Diverse Circle
Not too long ago I chatted with my friend Khadir Richie, who is probably the best example I can think of as far as how diverse his life and circle of friends are. We chatted about a number of things,...
Read MoreIf You Don’t See Race, How Will You See Racism?
Photo by Nick Fewings Awhile back I had a conversation with a coworker where I was trying to offer ideas on how people of color might feel about a recent event. When I mentioned color, the person laughed. I didn’t...
Read MoreHave You Considered Your Implicit Bias?
Photo by Robina Weermeijer I read something recently that I’m still not even sure how to describe. It seemed sadly familiar. Or discouragingly common. Maybe those are the same thing? This was my response to a story told by a woman...
Read MoreTwo White Female Perspectives on Racism
Updated 7/25/20: Added more resources recommended by Jessica and Kathy Recently, I had the chance to record a podcast with two friends of mine, Jessica Arnette and Kathy Richardson. I consider them both to be passionate antiracist advocates, and I...
Read MoreThe Glorification of the Confederacy
Good for Mississippi for finally addressing their state flag. Although, the debate isn’t new to them. A vote back in 2001 saw 65% of voters opt to keep the existing flag. The decision even made one former state commander of...
Read MoreWhat Hurdles Are You Facing?
Photo by Alyssa Ledesma Not too long ago I shared some of my own personal definitions for some key terms when it comes to conversations about race based on some exchanges I had with some friends. If you didn’t read it,...
Read MoreDefining Key Terms
Photo by Pixaby Multiple friends have told me lately that they would like to be a part of more conversations about race but something is holding them back. Definitions. And I get it. I mean, it’s incredibly difficult for people...
Read MoreOne Former Police Officer’s Perspective
I’m so excited for this post because it’s my very first podcast! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time now and for the first episode I had the privilege of interviewing my friend Kurt Law, a white...
Read MoreWill you take a next step?
Photo by Nathan McBride I want this time to be different. I really do. I desperately want to believe that things can change in our country for the better, and I know many others want that, as well. Will the...
Read MoreDo you know why people are protesting?
Picture of Los Angeles protest by Joseph Ngabo If you haven’t already seen Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms address protesters in the city of Atlanta, stop what you’re doing and spend the next 5 minutes of your life watching the video....
Read MoreOtherness and Racial Identity
“What are you?” asked a classmate. “I’m a 5th grader.” I responded. “No… where are you from?” “Oh! I was born right here in Marietta. Lived here all my life.” “No! Like, where are you really from? What are you?”...
Read MoreAre you antiracist or are you not racist?
Do you know the difference between antiracist and not racist? The former vocally disputes racist behaviors and ideas. It is outspoken against assigning value to people based on skin color. And, most importantly, it requires active participation. The latter only...
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