145. How Strong Boundaries Create Safe Spaces with Dr. Yanique Redwood and Kate Schatz
In this special TOOST episode we had the opportunity to sit down for a conversation with Dr. Yanique Redwood, author, speaker, and facilitator, and Kate Schatz, now a three-time TOOST podcast guest, following an experimental event they held in Fall 2023 in Oakland, CA, with the goal of centering black female voices and experiences as well as a book talk on Dr. Redwood’s book, White Women Cry and Call Me Angry, moderated by Kate. We delve deeper into that experience, what takeaways came out of this event, and the further work that needs to be done to create safe spaces particularly for black women and women of color sharing their experiences.
Dr. Yanique Redwood’s website
Kate Schatz’s website
Quotes:
“I am also someone who really aches in a very deep way for all people impacted negatively by hierarchies like racism, particularly black people. I thrive in bringing black people and other people of color together to do our own healing work. I'm on many journeys.” - Dr. Yanique Redwood
“There's often a really dangerous assumption of trust, the idea that you as a white woman would just kind of assume that a black woman would trust you and think that you're safe, because you know or you perceive yourself to be a good safe person, you believe that you're good and trustworthy. The understanding is, it’s actually often quite the opposite.” - Kate Schatz
“It was really important that black women stories get centered, even in spaces that are multiracial.” - Dr. Yanique Redwood
TALK BIG QUESTIONS
Use these prompts to have the opposite of small talk in real life.
Would you attend an experimental event like the one described by Dr. Redwood and Kate?
Do you find yourself listening more to people who share experiences different than your own? Or do you find it hard to listen without interjecting your own experience?
What are some ways you try to create a safe space for others? After this episode, are you more committed to safe spaces?
