I've been reflecting a lot on language and the power it has to completely change how we interpret not just individuals, but moments in history.

Words have the ability to shape perceptions. Strung together, they can start movements. From the words we use to mobilize masses toward a common cause to the words we use to describe individuals, bias is baked into how we navigate language. Attitudes rooted in systems of oppression take shape through language in the form of microaggressions or softening language depending where one stands in relation to power and whiteness.

De-biasing language is important because it allows for accountability. Many of the commentators reporting on last Wednesday’s white supremacy insurrection hesitated to use words such as “terrorism” or “terrorist,” instead using softer words like “armed protestors.”

Softening language for more inclusive communication is powerful, but when rooted in internalized racism it is harmful. It gives validity to stereotypes and allows inequities to persist.

Tune in to the first bonus episode of Art of Citizenry Podcast. In an effort to share more bite size food for thought, I am introducing these short listens for you to ponder. From Trump’s America to Modi’s India, I reflect on how democracies around the world are being shaped by autocratic leaders thriving on the consolidation of power, the oppression of dissent, and nationalism.

We are seeing the realities of polarization -- with hate running through the veins of nation states and dripping off the tongues of their leaders. So where do we go from here?

1. Understand that uprisings are not the problem, in fact they are a necessity in any healthy system because they challenge the consolidation of power. However, motivations when rooted in hate must be addressed by unpacking the systemic structures breathing life into hate.

2. De-bias language. Address why we use “softer words” to describe white people who terrorize the nation’s capitol by simply calling them armed protestors instead of what they really are: terrorists. Language has power and using the right term leads to more accountability.

3. Recognize how we benefit from and at many times reinforce systems of oppression. By reflecting on where we stand in relation to power and challenging the systems we operate in, we are not accepting the status quo at face value and naming our privilege. For example, if it wasn’t for the Civil Rights movement led by Black Americans, my family would have not been able to move to the United States under the Immigration Act of 1924, which was overturned in 1965 after the Civil Rights movement challenged white-America’s racist systems.

Not long ago, when I told a friend I was working on a new book, he asked, "What is it about?" "Fascism," I said. He looked puzzled. "Fashion?" he queried. My friend was less mistaken than it might have seemed, because Fascism has indeed become fashionable, insinuating its way into social and political conversation like a renegade vine. Disagree with someone? Call him a Fascist and thereby relieve yourself of the need to support your argument with facts. In 2016, "Fascism" was searched on the Merriam Webster dictionary website more often than any other word in English except "surreal," which experienced a sudden spike after the November presidential election.

Tune in to this very raw and unfiltered conversation with my dear friend, Katie Pruett, about nationalism, what patriotism means to us, survival, and the realities of systemic oppression. These are challenging conversations to have. With hate baked into the systems we operate within, what exactly is the “return to normal” that so many are yearning for? 

"This was an incredible watch. Thank you for engaging in such a raw and courageous conversation! I'm walking away with so much insight and motivation to self-educate further." 

In the article "What Role Do Souvenirs Play In Cultural Appropriation?" Megan Spurrell examines the complexities of purchasing souvenirs without first understanding their cultural significance.

“The question then is, for what purpose [is the exchange happening]? Are souvenirs being purchased, or gifts being sought, as memory keepers? Is the purchase intended to support the local arts community? Or, is it more about finding something to fill a vague need—an anything-trinket for someone who expects a gift upon your return; or, something ‘vaguely tropical’ just because it might look great in the new guest bathroom. To what extent are you trying to tap into that desire to travel, but the actual cultural reference points are gobbledygook?” - Noelle Kahanu

Don't miss last week's episode where we deconstruct India's new farming bills and examine the historical context we cannot ignore. Join me, Arvinder Singh, Phavanjit Kaur, Amrit Singh, and Prabhjot Singh as we explore the intersection of economic development, social impact, environmental impact, and religio-political constructs as they relate to the protests happening right now.