Unity Archives - DerateTheHate.com

Mohamed Ahmed joins Wilk on episode 150 of the Derate The Hate podcast to discuss his book: Average Mohamed Freedom Fighter

Average Mohamed Freedom Fighter… DTH Episode 150 with Mohamed Ahmed

March 1, 2023 wilkwilkinson 0 Comments

𝑨𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒐𝒎 𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓 (𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌)
Those who have listened to the DTH podcast for awhile are probably familiar with my friend Mohamed Ahmed, a.k.a. Average Mohamed. I first had Mohamed on the podcast way back in episode 49 and that is when I first learned of his work battling extremism with an alternative narrative. Mohamed joined me again in episode 71 to discuss the 20 year anniversary of the attack on 9/11/2001. Mohamed Ahmed, my friend, works tirelessly in the battle against extremism of all kinds, and now he’s written a book to better tell his story and how it all began. The book is Average Mohamed: Freedom Fighter.

𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑨𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒐𝒎 𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓
Ideas make the world go round. So, imagine a world in which we championed ideas of freedom and equality for all? For author Mohamed Ahmed, promoting peace and human rights has become a mission. In Average Mohamed Freedom Fighter, Ahmed chronicles his journey from immigrant to activist. Constructing a safe space for difficult conversations on identity, race, religion, and sexuality, Ahmed recounts his experiences while traveling the globe to speak to thousands of young people with the goal of countering biases with tolerance and inclusion. Challenging our assumptions, Ahmed’s inspiring life story will empower future generations of freedom fighters. From freedom comes peace.

Wilk and Dr. Sheena Mason discuss the Theory of Racelessness on DTH Episode 127

What is the Theory of Racelessness? DTH Episode 127 with Dr. Sheena Mason

September 21, 2022 wilkwilkinson 1 Comment

What is the Theory of Racelessness?

Have you ever heard of the term racelessness? What if there were no such thing as race, if race as a “thing” did not exist? Would we then be able to conquer racism? It’s not a hard theory to grab a hold of if you try. This week’s guest has developed the Theory of Racelessness

Nothing Good Comes of Hate… DTH Episode 125

September 7, 2022 wilkwilkinson 0 Comments

Nothing Good Comes of Hate

I’ve made the statement so many times on this podcast, but I’m reminded daily that nothing good comes of hate. There is no greater reminder in my mind than the speech given this past week, and other things said recently by the current President of the United States. For clarification, THE DTH PODCAST IS NOT POLITICAL. I want to make sure that is clear, but Hate is Hate and I’ll point it out when I see it.

People often make the statement, “words matter”. When labels are placed on large groups of people, and then those people are classified as a threat, bad things are bound to happen. Hate, no matter the context, is not healthy. The fact that our current President knows nothing about so many of what he calls “right-wingers” and “ultra-MAGA extremists”, yet boldly spews his hatred for them, made me think of a conversation I recently had with my friend Daryl Davis.

Wilk discusses the book "Stamped" in Episode 114 with Tony Kinnett of the Chalkboard Review, Yael Levin of No Left Turn in Education and Moshe Levy

Episode 114: Is Hate Being Taught To Our Children? Group discussion on the book “STAMPED” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds

June 22, 2022 wilkwilkinson 0 Comments

Is hate being taught to our children in the public, and some private schools? A couple months ago my cousin brought to my attention a book that his 8th grade daughter had been assigned for a book review in her NW Iowa school. I was familiar with some of the toxicity that Ibram X. Kendi had been spreading, but I was not aware that his material was being used in our public school system, much less that it was being taught to 8th graders, and even younger.

“Stamped” Racism, Antiracism and You
This was not a book I had read, and I admittedly did not want to spend the money on it, but I didn’t feel it would be right if I discussed it on my show without doing so. In the beginning, authors Ibram X Kendi and Jason Reynolds define in their terms, segregationists, assimilationists, and antiracists. For the remainder of the book, they use their version of revisionist history to attribute every perceived disparity and/or racial inequity since the beginning of time to “white privilege”, segregationist whites, weak black assimilationists, or just the evils of white racism.

Wilk and Michael Ashford have a conversation in episode 105 of the Derate the Hate podcast

Episode 105: Building Unity by Asking The Follow-Up Questions… with Michael Ashford

April 20, 2022 wilkwilkinson 0 Comments

One of the best ways we can have better, more meaningful and productive conversations is by asking better questions. My guest this week has made an art form out of communicating effectively and asking incredibly insightful and meaningful questions.

Michael Ashford is a former award-winning newspaper reporter, and editor of the Emporia Gazette in Emporia, Ks. His years of journalism experience sharpened his interviewing skills and taught him how important listening and asking follow-up questions is to get the full and real story.

He has transferred that skill set into the podcasting space, now focusing on the power of storytelling. He is still a self-described independent journalist, digging below the surface of cliches and clickbaity headlines to uncover nuance and detail that lives within the most important issues we face these days.

Dan Garscia of FAIR Twin Cities joins Wilk on the Derate the Hate podcast

Episode 102: From Left to Libertarian, A Pro-Human Perspective in the Twin Cities… with Dan Garscia

March 30, 2022 wilkwilkinson 0 Comments

As many of the regular listeners know, I love organizations that are all about bringing people together, promoting unity and community while also recognizing that we are all individuals with our own thoughts and ideas. This is why I truly adore and respect organizations like FAIR (Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism), Braver Angels and so many others that I have highlighted on the podcast. My friend Rick of Braver Angels recently introduced me Dan Garscia who is a spokesperson for the local Twin Cities chapter of FAIR.

The conversation in this episode was not originally meant to be one for broadcast, but just an introductory conversation between Dan and myself to find out more about FAIR Twin Cities. During the conversation, things were clicking with incredible synergy, so Dan and I decided this would be something of value to the DTH listeners. I have once again found a great collaborator for the Derate the Hate podcast in my new friend Dan Garscia of FAIR Twin Cities. Share this episode with your network, and more importantly, seek out and get involved with local chapters of great organizations like FAIR, Braver Angels and so many others doing great work to bring people together…

Tag: Unity