What We Mean by White Supremacy | Perspectives from Joy Donnell and Maleena Lawrence - Braver Angels

What We Mean by White Supremacy | Perspectives from Joy Donnell and Maleena Lawrence

In different ways, Joy Donnell and Maleena Lawrence are on the front lines of the cultural and political struggle against “White Supremacy.” The idea of white supremacy holding sway over the dominant institutions and culture of American life strikes many Americans as outrageous whereas for many other Americans this truth is almost self-evident. But what do people actually mean by white supremacy?

Joy Donnell, founder of the Center for Intersectional Media and Entertainment, and Maleena Lawrence, founder of Deeprooted Entertainment, take us deep into their own perspectives and experiences with white supremacy in this special Braver Angels sit-down. With Monica Guzman and John Wood, Jr.

More to explore

‘It absolutely changed my life’: How a conflict-ridden ‘dirtball’ became a legendary bridge builder

Growing up in the eighties, his family moved all around the Midwest as his parents chased down steady, blue-collar work: factory jobs, construction, truck driving, whatever could pay the bills. “We were always poor,” Wilk said. And whether they were in Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado, or Minnesota, he often found himself on the outs. “It didn’t matter which side of the tracks we were on,” he said. “It was always the wrong side of the tracks.”

Read More »

‘Braver Angels really helped me to see the humanity in people from the other side’: One high schooler’s journey to better political conversations

A native of Boulder, Colorado, Mia didn’t know many Trump supporters—and she was nervous to engage with them. “I was like, ‘Don’t they hate women? Don’t they hate black people?’” she said. “That was my initial belief because that’s what I had heard about people who voted for Trump.” But she quickly realized she was wrong. During the first Braver Lens session, Mia was able to connect with conservatives in the group and recognize their points of commonality. “When we met, they showed their pictures, and explained their life stories, and I was able to see where our values overlap,” she said. 

Read More »

2 thoughts on “What We Mean by White Supremacy | Perspectives from Joy Donnell and Maleena Lawrence”

  1. Marianne Ward

    What has happened to Braver Angels? After the killing George Floyd I sought out black voices and listened to 1000s of podcasts hours and have learned.
    I’m not hearing much of anything that is of value from these women. Healing America?

  2. Marianne Ward

    John, you say that your family is literally changing colors. I don’t understand what you meant.
    I just want to say that with Biden’s Supreme Court choice – Ketanji Brown Jackson, I was most pleased that she is married to a white man and has mixed children. More than anything else, I am hopeful those kinds of families are going to be healing to this country than those three women that are speaking today.
    It isn’t surprising at all that Maleena said she got into heated words with the person in line when she was getting coffee. That’s what self-righteous people do. I am a white woman as if you couldn’t tell. Honestly, I have encountered too many uppity nasty black women. Label it what they will – it is rude and furthers the lack of civility in this country.

Leave a Comment

Braver Angels Support