Podcast
Our Dirty Laundry
Hosted by Mandy Griffin & Katy Swalwell · EN
Stores about white women making a mess of things and how to clean up our act.
12episodes
Episodes
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Be a Joan: Discussion with Loki Mulholland
Apr 1200:51:35Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailInterview with Emmy-winning filmmaker, author, and activist Loki Mulholland, son of civil rights activist Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, discussing his films (including The Uncomfortable Truth) and books She Stood for Freedom and Get Back to the Counter. Loki explains his unusual name and how his mother named her sons after people who overcame adversity, then describes how he learned key details of his mother’s activism largely through photos, textbooks, and later anniversaries rather than family storytelling. He reflects on his mother’s fraught relationship with her segregationist mother and argues people must engage family and communities to end racism, using empathy and “intellectual nonviolence” to challenge beliefs. Loki describes how Joan carried activism into daily life and education without centering herself.Links:Get Back to the CounterShe Stood for FreedomThe Joan Trumpauer Mulholland FoundationThe Uncomfortable TruthDonate
Transcribe →Get Back to the Counter: Joan Trumpauer Mulholland's Legacy
Jan 2701:05:54Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThis episode dives into the life of Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, a significant figure in the Civil Rights Movement. The discussion covers her early life and influences, including the stark contrasts between her parents' views on race and social justice. Her transition from Duke University to becoming a full-time activist is highlighted, emphasizing her involvement in significant events like the Freedom Rides, the Woolworths sit-in, and Freedom Summer 1964. We also touch on the dangers she faced, lessons learned, and her lasting impact. Furthermore, her later life, her commitment to raising her children, and her continuous efforts through the Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation are explored, offering insights into actionable ways to support social justice causes.The Joan Trumpauer Mulholland FoundationWays to support Minneapolis:Stand With Minnesota MPLS Mutual AidMN NOICEImmigrant Law Center of MinnesotaCommunity Aid Network MNInternational Institute of MinnesotaParents for Good - Anoka-HennepinInterfaith Coalition on ImmigrationMonarcaMetta Coffee
Transcribe →Catherine Beecher and the Complex Legacy of Education
Nov 2900:41:28Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of 'Our Dirty Laundry,' our discussion centers around Catherine Beecher, an influential figure in American education history. We explore her advocacy for women's education, her writings on domestic economy, and contrasting stances on suffrage and slavery. The episode reveals Beecher's complicated legacy and her contributions to the education system, while critiquing her views on gradual emancipation and the appropriate methods of addressing moral evils like slavery. We connect these historical perspectives to contemporary issues in education and women's roles in professional fields. Join the conversation as we examine the enduring impact of Beecher's ideology on current societal structures.
Transcribe →Saviors or System Supporters: White Women Educators
Nov 1100:41:33Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailUnpacking the Historical Roots of White Women in EducationMandy Griffin and Katy Swalwell delve into the complex history of white women in American education, exploring their roles from the 18th century to the present and how these roles have been shaped by societal norms and systemic issues. The discussion includes the evolution of public schools, the feminization of the teaching profession, and the exclusion of educators of color, focusing on the impact of figures like Horace Mann and Catherine Beecher. The episode also critiques current educational practices and emphasizes the importance of critical reflection, curriculum inclusivity, and understanding the socioeconomic contexts of education.
Transcribe →Rethinking Schools
Oct 500:56:28Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailEmbracing Arts and Social Justice in Education: A Conversation with Dr. Cierra Kaler-JonesIn this episode of 'Dirty Laundry,' Mandy Griffin and Katy Swalwell interview Dr. Cierra Kaler-Jones, a social justice educator, writer, and the first executive director of Rethinking Schools. Dr. Jones discusses her background, the importance of creating educational spaces rooted in joy and love, and how the arts intersect with justice work. They explore the origins of Rethinking Schools, its mission to combat whitewashed curricula, and the transformative work educators are doing to promote social justice in classrooms. The conversation extends to the challenges and successes of incorporating arts and critical pedagogy in education and offers insights into how parents and community members can support these efforts. This enlightening discussion concludes with practical advice on enhancing community involvement in the education system.Rethinking SchoolsZinn Education ProjectRed, Wine & Blue
Transcribe →Mothers of Massive Resistance: Author Interview with Elizabeth Gillespie McRae
Sep 1900:57:56Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailAuthor interview with Elizabeth Gillespie McRae, author of 'Mothers of Massive Resistance,' a book examining how white women have systematically supported and engineered white supremacy. The discussion covers McRae's academic background, research insights, and specific women profiled in the book. It also touches on contemporary parallels, the importance of education in dismantling racial hierarchies, and how political discourses clouding political realities can sustain oppressive systems. The hosts emphasize the relevance of McRae's work in understanding current socio-political dynamics and the role of grassroots efforts in effecting change.
Transcribe →Mothers of Massive Resistance: Conclusion
Sep 1200:37:38Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailMandy Griffin and Katy Swalwell discuss the concluding chapter of Elizabeth Gillespie McRae's book, 'Mothers of Massive Resistance.' They explore the roles that white women in Northern and Southern United States played in maintaining segregationist policies and resisting racial integration from the 1920s to the 1970s. The chapter ties historical segregation efforts to contemporary issues and how these women evolved their strategies to appear race-neutral while upholding systemic racism. The discussion includes historical instances of organized resistance, connections between Northern and Southern segregationist women, and the critique of historians' portrayal of these efforts. The episode also highlights the importance of understanding systemic racism and addressing the actual root causes rather than superficial symptoms.
Transcribe →Mothers of Massive Resistance: Chapter 8
Sep 501:20:25Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this podcast episode, Mandy Griffin and Katy Swalwell discuss Chapter 8 of Elizabeth Gillespie McRae's book 'Mothers of Massive Resistance.' They reflect on the ruthless persistence of white supremacist tactics used by women in the mid-20th century to counter desegregation and civil rights movements. The chapter covers a range of topics, including the Little Rock Nine integration crisis, the role of media in these events, the spread of private and charter schools, essay contests promoting racist ideologies, and the alarming interconnection between grassroots conservatism and white supremacy. Mandy and Katy also delve into the strategic co-optation of religious and patriotic narratives and the ongoing implications of these historical currents in today's sociopolitical climate. They highlight the need for a clear, anti-racist vision to counter these persisting ideologies.
Transcribe →Mothers of Massive Resistance: Chapter 7
Aug 2900:55:28Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode Mandy Griffin and Katty Swalwell explore the complex and troubling history of white women's resistance to school integration following the Brown v. Board of Education decision. The hosts discuss various themes, including the hateful and nefarious tactics employed by white women to maintain racial segregation, the differing reactions to the Supreme Court ruling, and the relentless commitment to white supremacy. They also highlight the use of religion, pseudoscience, and victimhood to justify segregation, drawing parallels to modern-day issues. The episode underscores the role of white women in perpetuating systemic racism and the ongoing struggle for racial justice in the educational system.
Transcribe →Mothers of Massive Resistance: Chapter 6
Aug 2200:59:40Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, Mandy Griffin and Katy Swalwell discuss Chapter 6 of their reading, focusing on the role of white women in the historical and political landscape post-World War II. They explore how these women perpetuated white supremacy by opposing concepts like human rights and integration, particularly through their actions at key events like the 1948 Democratic National Convention and their support of the Bricker Amendment. The chapter reveals how white women strategically used issues like anti-communism and anti-globalism to mask their racist agendas, influencing policies and elections. Discussions include the 1952 election where Eisenhower was elected largely due to the support of white southern women, and the grassroots activism that saw these women rally against treaties and educational reforms. The script underscores the importance of understanding history to see how these deeply rooted ideological conflicts have shaped modern political movements like MAGA.
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