Not About You

“Often times an assumption of most people is that I am white.” Taj Ruler talks about being bi-racial but mostly being perceived as white. She talks about the differences between time in her mother's house where Sri Lankan culture was prominent and in her father's house SpaghettiOs where more common and explains the feeling of not quite fitting in either space. Taj talks about her own, ongoing quest to understand her identity. And she explains the challenges of being a person of color who doesn't fit into the black/white dichotomy that often dominates conversations of race. Taj Ruler is an actor, improviser, voice over artist, comedy writer and teacher in the Twin Cities. She has performed at Pillsbury House Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, The Playwrights’ Center, HUGE and the Brave New Workshop. Taj studied improvisation at the Groundlings in Los Angeles and Second City in Chicago. 

“I think that spending time with only people exactly like you is sad and boring.” On this episode, Carin Mrotz talks about growing up with social justice through the lens of teacher parents who engaged with the union. She talks about what American’s think of when we think of the American Jewish community and how that isn’t necessarily representative of the diversity of Jewish experiences and voices. Can unpacks how whiteness hurts literally everyone, talks about the relationship between Judaism and resistance, goes deep on Christian hegemony and tries to explain why Anti-Semitism never goes away and how it’s used to separate people. Carin Mrotz is the Executive Director of Jewish Community Action. She has worked on campaigns for immigrant and workers’ rights and played a central role in organizing the Jewish community in support for marriage equality in Minnesota in 2012. Carin has worked as a trainer, curriculum designer, fundraiser, college instructor and organizer. She’s one of co-hosts of the political po

Here are short clips from each of the 10 episodes that make up season one of Not About You. Subscribe on iTunes Ep 1 - Jun-Li Wang Ep 2 - Javier Morillo Ep 3 - Kathy Mouacheupao Ep 4 - Peggy Flanagan Ep 5 - Noel Nix Ep 6 - Heid Erdrich Ep 7 - Hannah Ep 8 - Regina Mustafa Ep 9 - Alfonso Wenker Ep 10 - Sarah White

“This world is going to get dull without the creatives and communities of color getting fed. And we can’t have to beg for it.” Songwriter, photographer, mother and culture creator Sarah White talks about all the ways the various aspects of her identity demand time and energy without always giving back what she needs to survive. She deals with basic daily burdens like folks trying to touch her just because and needing to get paid to do her work without wanting to always ask. Work, life, balance and burden are all present in this episode of the podcast. Check out Sarah's photos at http://www.fotosforbarcelona.com/ Check out Sarah's music at http://www.sarahwhitemusic.com/ Check out the podcast Sarah makes with Tricia Heurin at https://soundcloud.com/dontdie

“When have I assumed shared experience, and when have I discovered shared experience?” On this episode, Alfonso Wenker talks about using his own practice to be able to do the work of helping others and not making it about him. He explains the minimization mindset, re-centering experiences to preserve comfort and how folks can't get really clear about their own experiences. Check out the Colorlines blog Alfonso suggests. Here's where you can download the Reading List for White Folks - Alfonso Wenker is facilitator, trainer, and philanthropic strategist. He is a total nerd about all things movement-building and philanthropy. Alfonso fell in love with philanthropy as a nonprofit intern in 2006 and was hired by a LGBT community foundation in 2007 while still in college. He has been engaged in social change work since his early teens. His activism started in doing church-based service work followed by high school and college-campus organizing. Alfonso has a broad range of experience spanning training/facilitation,

“You have to be uncomfortable if you want to make change.” Regina Mustafa, founder of CIDI (Community Interfaith Dialogue on Islam), talks about her experiences as a Muslim-American. She speaks honestly about misconceptions about Islam, talks about the word terrorism and explains the financial and emotional incentives that work to perpetuate ideas that keep a divide between Muslims and non-Muslims. The premise of Not About You is simple. I wanted to ask marginalized folks to tell a white, straight, cis-gendered person (that's me) what question or questions they wish they never had to hear again. They did just that and I had them answer those question, hopefully for the last time. Also, I've been a comedy writer and performer my entire adult life, so this show is full of jokes. I’ve set up a voicemail line, 612-361-9261, where you can share comments, suggestions and personal stories of your own that may be used in future episodes of the podcast. If you tell me which episode you’re responding to, that will he

Hannah talks about being a non-gender conforming person, the huge stress relief that comes with knowing people will see you as you see yourself and why adjusting to non-gendered pronouns is so difficult. The premise of this show is simple. I wanted to ask marginalized folks to tell a white guy what question or questions they wish they never had to hear again. They did just that and I had them answer those question, hopefully for the last time. Also, I've been a comedy writer and performer my entire adult life, so this show is full of jokes. I’ve set up a voicemail line, 612-361-9261, where you can share comments, suggestions and personal stories of your own that may be used in future episodes of the podcast. If you tell me which episode you’re responding to, that will help me make follow up episodes with voicemail responses. Call 612-361-9261 with your questions, comments or stories. -Levi Weinhagen

“I definitely knew there was going to be a life time of switching this way and moving that way.” On this episode, Heid Erdrich talks about being a person of color in rooms when everyone assumes there are no people of color present. She talks about how cultural appropriation, how her native cultural traditions were illegal when she was a child and what “passing” means to her. Heid E. Erdrich’s writing has won awards and honors from the Loft Literary Center, Bush Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, The First Peoples Fund and other organizations.  She teaches writing and is a frequent speaker on Native American subjects. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, kids, and a feisty Jack Russell terrier.  Thanks for listening to Not About You. For more information about cultural appropriation go to http://nativeappropriations.com/ I’ve set up a voicemail line, 612-361-9261, where you can share comments, suggestions and personal stories of your own that may be used in future episodes of the podcast. If you tell

On this episode, Noel Nix talks about what it's like to regularly be told he's a credit to his race because he defies expectations.  Not About You is a podcast about identity and social justice. I’m the producer and host of the show and I wanted to make a show where a white, straight, cis-gendered man (that’s me) connected with folks with different lived experiences from my own about the ways parts of their identities bump up against injustices. We’ll be talking about race, gender, religion, representation, protests, politics, relationships and more.  My hope is that this series leads to more conversation and interaction. I want folks who are hesitant or new to standing in these struggles to feel more comfortable showing up for change and asking questions. I want underrepresented voices to have new ways to be amplified and supported.  I’ve set up a voicemail line, 612-361-9261, where you can share comments, suggestions and personal stories of your own that may be used in future episodes of the podcast. If you

On this episode, Peggy Flanagan talks about being a Native American in modern society. Not About You is a podcast about identity and social justice. I’m the producer and host of the show and I wanted to make a show where a white, straight, cis-gendered man (that’s me) connected with folks with different lived experiences from my own about the ways parts of their identities bump up against injustices. We’ll be talking about race, gender, religion, representation, protests, politics, relationships and more.  My hope is that this series leads to more conversation and interaction. I want folks who are hesitant or new to standing in these struggles to feel more comfortable showing up for change and asking questions. I want underrepresented voices to have new ways to be amplified and supported. I’ve set up a voicemail line, 612-361-9261, where you can share comments, suggestions and personal stories of your own that may be used in future episodes of the podcast. If you tell me which episode you’re responding to, th

On this episode, Kathy Mouacheupao talks about being told she's not Hmong enough by her elders and being told she's not American enough by much of the society she's a part of. Not About You is a podcast about identity and social justice. I’m the producer and host of the show and I wanted to make a show where a white, straight, cis-gendered man (that’s me) connected with folks with different lived experiences from my own about the ways parts of their identities bump up against injustices. We’ll be talking about race, gender, religion, representation, protests, politics, relationships and more.  My hope is that this series leads to more conversation and interaction. I want folks who are hesitant or new to standing in these struggles to feel more comfortable showing up for change and asking questions. I want underrepresented voices to have new ways to be amplified and supported. I’ve set up a voicemail line, 612-361-9261, where you can share comments, suggestions and personal stories of your own that may be used

On this episode, Javier Morillo talks about being Puerto Rican, leading a labor union and being a gay man and all the stereotypes each of those parts of his identity brings. Not About You is a podcast about identity and social justice. I’m the producer and host of the show and I wanted to make a show where a white, straight, cis-gendered man (that’s me) connected with folks with different lived experiences from my own about the ways parts of their identities bump up against injustices. We’ll be talking about race, gender, religion, representation, protests, politics, relationships and more. My hope is that this series leads to more conversation and interaction. I want folks who are hesitant or new to standing in these struggles to feel more comfortable showing up for change and asking questions. I want underrepresented voices to have new ways to be amplified and supported.  I’ve set up a voicemail line, 612-361-9261, where you can share comments, suggestions and personal stories of your own that may be used i

On this episode, Jun-Li Wang talks about what it's like to be a Chinese-American woman and deal with often well-meaning questions about who she is and where she's from. Not About You is a podcast about identity and social justice. I’m the producer and host of the show and I wanted to make a show where a white, straight, cis-gendered man (that’s me) connected with folks with different lived experiences from my own about the ways parts of their identities bump up against injustices. We’ll be talking about race, gender, religion, representation, protests, politics, relationships and more. My hope is that this series leads to more conversation and interaction. I want folks who are hesitant or new to standing in these struggles to feel more comfortable showing up for change and asking questions. I want underrepresented voices to have new ways to be amplified and supported. I’ve set up a voicemail line, 612-361-9261, where you can share comments, suggestions and personal stories of your own that may be used in futu