Episode 09: “Understanding the Power of Inequality” with Dr. Manuel Pastor, Director of the USC Equity Research Institute

Producer’s Note* The following episode was recorded the week of April 14, and just earlier this week, we received the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial. Race Forward has released a statement on our website titled “Derek Chauvin Found Guilty; But Our Work Is Not Done: Race Forward Calls For Urgency In Reimagining Public Safety That Values Black and Brown Lives”. The intro of this episode speaks to trauma informed healing which is relevant today, just as it was last week, and as the practice will continue to be.

On this episode of Momentum, Chevon and Dennis interview distinguished professor, activist, and author, Dr. Manuel Pastor, Director of the USC Equity Research Institute about his experiences working in community building, academica, and racial justice work.

Throughout the episode Dr. Pastor shares his personal motivations in working to address structural racism and inequality in the United States, the lessons that have been learned in working to ensure that California’s COVID recovery plans prioritize economic and racial equity, and his insights into lessons for modern day anti-racist practitioners, as well as what fuels his passion for public speaking. He also talks about his most recent book “State of Resistance: What California's Dizzying Descent And Remarkable Resurgence Mean For America's Future”.

In the midst of an extremely difficult time with multiple incidences of police violence over the past few days/ weeks, Dennis and Chevon share resources that speak to trauma informed healing, and what they are each doing to take care of themselves during this time.

We’ll be back soon with the season finale of Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast –– until then, take care of yourselves, and each other.

Resources (by order of mention)

Race Forward Statement: Derek Chauvin Found Guilty; But Our Work Is Not Done: Race Forward Calls For Urgency In Reimagining Public Safety That Values Black and Brown Lives
https://bit.ly/3guVN6f

‘Trauma decontextualized in a people can look like culture’ – Resmaa Menakem on how racism affects the body (via gal-dem)
https://bit.ly/2PiRaBg

Trauma Stewardship, by Laura van Dernoot (Book)

https://traumastewardship.com/inside-the-book/

USC Equity Research Institute

https://dornsife.usc.edu/eri

Report: No Going Back: Together for an Equitable and Inclusive Los Angeles (via Equity Research Institute)

https://dornsife.usc.edu/eri/no-going-back

State of Resistance, by Dr. Manuel Pastor (Book)
https://stateofresistancebook.com/

The Sum Of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee (Book)

https://bit.ly/3xlMwnk

Manuel Pastor on Climate Equity (via Climate One)

https://bit.ly/3gBrTNM

Manuel Pastor (Twitter)

www.twitter.com/prof_mpastor

About Race Forward:

Race Forward catalyzes movement building for racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, we build strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Race Forward imagines a just, multiracial, democratic society, free from oppression and exploitation, in which people of color thrive with power and purpose.

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Executive Producers:

Hendel Leiva, Cheryl Cato Blakemore

Associate Producer/ Editor:

Kendy Solis