25 - Allyson Byrd UNSUGARCOATED: White Privilege and Social Media
Allyson Byrd shares what the Black community is fighting for and how to become an authentic ally.
“Say ‘enough is enough’ not with a meme, borrowed artwork, or a cute hashtag, but with ACTION.”
– Allyson Byrd
White listeners: It’s time to check your privilege. Learn how to use your influence to become an authentic ally to the Black community in today’s episode of Payday With Rayray with Allyson Byrd.
In this episode, Allyson Byrd will break down what Black people are fighting for and why – with no sugarcoating. You’ll learn how to see and deal with your systemic racism, check your privilege, and shift away from defensiveness – and you’ll get a glimpse into what the Black experience is like in America. Allyson will also share the steps you can take to become an authentic ally to the Black community by using your influence to take and inspire aligned ACTION.
Here’s a glance at what you’ll learn from Allyson in this episode:
What Black people are fighting for – in case you missed it.
Why silence is a violent attack.
How social media practices SEGREGATION.
What INFLUENCERS and coaches can do to authentically ally with Black leaders.
Some FACTS you can’t unhear about the Black experience in America.
How to deal with your systemic racism, check your privilege, and deal with it.
The steps to take RIGHT NOW and the journey to embark on FOREVER.
Show Notes
00:45 – Introducing today’s episode with Allyson Byrd.
02:45 – Allyson shares what black people are (still) fighting for today.
04:50 – Why Allyson sees silence as a violent attack on inclusion and diversity.
05:55 – How Allyson feels about sharing her thoughts publicly and how she grew up.
07:45 – Why we must remove the powerful lines of segregation that exist on social media.
09:10 – Black people have always been categorized first by their color which gives permission to continued segregation.
11:00 – Being Black in America has been bad for the health of Black people for far too long.
12:05 – Social influencers must speak up, speak out, mobilize, and take strategic action.
13:30 – I speak out about defensiveness, how to deal with feeling attacked, and how to shift to listening from your heart.
15:00 – There’s a lack of representation and diversity in the social media space, and it’s not hard to see.
17:00 – How to identify what’s going on in social media and what white coaches and influencers can do to move things forward.
18:00 – Allyson shares how to think about inclusivity as a leader and influencer.
21:00 – Why Allyson encourages bringing in Black collaborators and partners.
22:45 – Create full-spectrum opportunities for everyone on your platforms.
24:30 – Why segregation on social media matters.
25:20 – Black leaders have to go through many more hoops to be heard online.
27:50 – White leaders have to think about different things.
28:45 – There’s a different perspective that you have been blind to. Here it is.
29:30 – Money and opportunity is distributed unequally in the U.S.
31:15 – White voices need to rise up as allies to the Black community.
31:30 – What you can do to support Black people and educate yourself during this time.
35:15 – Allyson shares some stories of the Black experience and why she lives every day with the words, “Don’t you stop.”
39:00 – Inclusion and diversity aren’t big enough words to describe what is happening.
40:10 – Deal with your systemic racism; start by saying his name and feeling his last 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
42:25 – Allyson’s prayer.
43:30 – Some questions to ask yourself in order to check your privilege.
45:15 – My challenge to you: Deal with it.
46:30 – Look up the disparities against Black people and give yourself permission to feel, understand, then choose your action.
48:10 – Love is the answer, but love has paired with ignorance.
49:45 – Feel, be in grace, be in love, generously listen, then find your platform of service.
51:35 – Be intentional about your actions, listen, learn and assess what needs to shift; it’s a daily, ongoing, forever practice.
Exercise
Check your privilege. Feel fully. Generously listen. Choose to act. Then find your platform of service.
Connect with Allyson on her Instagram: @iamallysonbyrd
I don’t have a light hand right now. I don’t have high tolerance. I give zero fucks about anyone’s fragility. I’m not surrendering or taking a knee to anyone’s supremacy in any way. I’m not a reflection of all Black voices. I’m a reflection of my Black voice.”
– Allyson Byrd
