The Unpacked Project

Identity Development

Code switching, masking, and the psychological affects of racism all have one thing in common - they’re the response to what we’ve been told about how we should be. There’s often a focus on building resilience in communities of color but the emphasis should stress teaching people in dominant groups (white, heterosexual, cisgender, male, etc) to be anti-racist, more gender expansive, address their biases, become more self aware and so on. Join us as we recap our most recent series of episodes on identity development, share key takeaways, explore code switching one more time, and how our own identity development has played a part in how we engage in anti-racism/anti-bias work.

The Inside Story of Transracial Adoption

Today we're joined by Isaac Etter - an activist, social entrepreneur and a transracial adoptee from the age of two. He is the founder of Identity, a startup focused on providing accessible, diverse, and ethical adoption and foster care education. And he formerly worked in adoption through his consulting firm Etter Consulting where he lead trainings for families and adoption agencies on transracial adoption.  In this episode, we discuss the personal adoption perspectives of Isaac and our own co-host Miranda, the affects adoption plays on racial identity development, and the need for parent preparation when adopting a child of a differing race - Because adoption is traumatic in and of itself, but the intersectional experience of a transracial adoption add an entire new layer. This is why Isaac has used his story of being adopted and growing up in a white world to curate deep conversations about race in America.  With his unique insight on racial tensions between white and black communities, he’s been able to curate impactful conversations for families where everyone learns to value each other and their experience, while learning about systemic racism, privilege and their role in it. Stay to learn what is most important for parents to consider when raising children who look different from them and how transracial adoptees can begin to explore and redevelop their identity as a transracial adoptee.

The “Acting White Accusation”: Racial Code Switching and Cultural Invalidation

Today we examine the dynamics of cultural invalidation, racial discrimination, and racial code-switching with Dr. Myles Durkee - Assistant Professor with the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan.   His work has looked at the above to determine how these experiences influence important psychosocial outcomes like mental health, identity development, & academic achievement.  Broadly, his research examines how people of color navigate racial contexts, change their racial behavior to fit in certain contexts, and internalize messages about their cultural authenticity from people both inside and outside of their racial group. You don't want to miss it!

Racial and Ethnic Identity Development Part II

Join us as we discuss the Black American woman's racial identity development.  From intersectionality and the experience of double consciousness to the impacts of racial stress on psychological well-being, these all inform who Black women THINK they should be.  Dr. Amina Simmons shares her research and advocates for interventions such as therapy and sister circles that recognize and address trauma and resilience.  Because Black women are tired of being superheroes; its time for unlearning internalized racism and oppression.

Racial and Ethnic Identity Development Part I

David Wellman defines racism as a "system of advantage based on race" and Judith Katz states that prejudice is a "preconceived judgment or opinion, often based on limited information" Here in the US, the system of advantage continues to operate to benefit whites as a group. Essentially it's why racism was created in the first place - to benefit white people. It's more than challenging to grow up as a POC in a world of whiteness. One begins to wonder - do I belong here? Why am I different?  Today we discuss the 5 stages of racial identity development, subordinate and dominant groups, and the importance of dismantling our own internalized racism and oppression, but especially POC.