What I Hear When You Say

Culture Series / 1 Season

What I Hear When You Say is a video series that explores how words can both unite and divide us depending on our own perspective, experience, and interpretation. Each episode covers a different phrase or term that challenges what we think we know about race, class, gender, and identity.

Watch Latest: S1 E10

7m 15s

When Did You Become Gay?

S1 E10 / 7m 15s

Take a closer look at the words used to describe LGBTQA communities through storytelling, analysis, and humor. This episode explores sexuality, gender fluidity, and the language used to describe LGBTQA communities from 3 unique perspectives: an activist (Kristin Russo), a professor (Moya Bailey), and a media personality (Tyler Ford).

Gentrification

S1 E9 / 7m 11s

Explore the challenges, the benefits and consequences of Gentrification from 3 unique points of view. Filmmaker Shukree Tilghman explores how better access to services may mean losing the historic character of a city like Harlem. Author Desiree Cooper explains Detroit's in-progress gentrification, seeing the potential for good but trying to prepare for what often comes next. Professor Kelly Anders

Code Words

S1 E8 / 6m 38s

Examine the current function and long history of American’s use of “code words.” Artist Bayeté Ross Smith looks at how media shapes our perceptions. Comedian Hari Kondabolu thinks the media knows exactly what they are doing. Professor Pedro Noguera studies the history of coded language and its effects on all of us to this day.

What Are You?

S1 E7 / 6m 39s

Journalist Soledad O’Brien, comedian Kate Rigg and professor Ann Morning have all been asked “What are you?” This episode examines their reactions and what the question really means to them. Examine the history and context of how we perceive and count who belongs to which race. The U.S. may be 2% mixed race, or well over 40%; it all depends on how we choose to count.

I'm Not A Feminist

S1 E6 / 5m 56s

What does it mean to be a “feminist?” Explore different interpretations of feminism, and why the topic is still considered controversial. Comic and author Phoebe Robinson, “Slutist” founder Kristen (Sollee) Korvette and filmmaker Jasmine Rivera break down the issues.

Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation

S1 E5 / 6m 38s

What does it mean to appreciate vs. appropriate culture? Explore this question from three unique points of view: Comic Franchesca Ramsey, Kill Screen founder Jamin Warren and the “Godfather of Streetwear” designer Alyasha Owerka-Moore.

Welfare

S1 E4 / 6m 20s

Explore the assumptions and misgivings of pejorative phrases like “Welfare queen” from three unique points of view. Comic Jordan Temple sees the irony of pairing words like “welfare” and “queen.” Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw breaks down the history of welfare by race and income. Author Tracie McMillan discusses how the cycle of poverty keeps nutrition off the table.

White Pride

S1 E3 / 7m 6s

What do you hear when someone says... “white pride?” What about “Black Pride” or “Gay Pride?” Is there a difference? Three unique perspectives discuss: Filmmaker Whitney Dow, Comedian Jess Tom and Musician Daryl Davis.

Model Minority

S1 E2 / 7m 7s

Explore the use of this term “Model Minority” to describe Asian American communities from three unique points of view: Comedian Helen Hong, Filmmaker/activist Pearl J. Park, and Advocate Christopher Punongbayan.

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