In writing the script for this episode, I found myself being confronted by lots of odd feelings. I worried whether I was playing the victim and begging listeners for sympathy. I felt vulnerable and exposed. I felt angry and embarrassed about admitting some of things I admit in this episode. But ultimately, the episode feels right.
I don’t think I articulated myself as best as I could, perhaps I should have given myself more time explain the different points.
However, I do think that this episode is a good start for a much longer and much needed conversation. Although I know at times it seems as if I’m just saying “Oh look at this terrible life I have lived,” the intention of the episode is not to gain sympathy. I use my own experiences as examples to connect to the research I’ve done. I use my own experiences as points of future reflection for myself and hopeful for you too as you listen to this.
Overall, within the episode, I hope to ask myself and you, dear listener, to reevaluate how you perceive people, how you perceive women. Could your views potentially be harmful, whether directly or indirectly?
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This episode is an example of shorter solo episodes which are sandwiched between full length episodes. These are a mixture of storytimes, expanding on blog posts, etc and will keep you satisfied till the next full length episode comes out.
Research & Resources Mentioned:
All About Love - bell hooks
Ain't I A Woman: Black Women and Feminism - bell hooks
"How the good girl complex ruined my relationships" - Funmi Lijadu (Cosmopolitan)
"The Good Girl Trope - Why Women Can't Win" - The Take (YouTube)
"We Will Never Be "Good" Enough: The Miseducation of The "Good Black"" - Sarah Githugu (Black Ballad)
"I'm a kind person, I'm not a nice person" - Kelechi Okafor (Twitter)