Counter Stories

The crew talks Hollywood and what movies are on their must-see list, some dating as far back as the 1920s. Movies that make a statement, are inclusive of our communities, resonates with us, and open conversations between communities. Some of our communities have seen Hollywood success, while others are just now being made. 

Is it possible to be your full, unapologetic, authentic self while being a creditable person in your community? The crew talks about what it looks like when people within (and outside) your community look at you as a leader or changemaker while you are simultaneously discovering yourself and how you fit into society. 

We’re happy to present our first Unplugged show – a show we didn’t plan, it’s really just the four of us talking about what’s on our minds. We talk about the families struggling at the border, the scarcity mindset in this country, and this season of “giving.” But who to give to? When there are so many charities, fundraisers, nonprofits and people in need, how can we select who to give our money and time to? Can real change be made when our tax system charges the poor? The crew look forward to 2023 in our final show of the year. 

2022 was the year many strong, talented Asian women finally got flowers. With Michele Yeoh killing it on the national stage, locally, Hmong photographer Pao Houa Her has gained recognition for her photography work and was named Star Tribune’s Artist of the Year. 

People celebrate a variety of things during this time of year. For us, the time off many people get during this time, allows for more gatherings within our communities, keeping culture at the center of it. The excitement of seeing family, eating some good food and hearing historic family stories is sometimes still being overshadowed by COVID. 

Guest co-host Sindy Morales Garcia leads the crew through a conversation about hustling, or as some of us know it, surviving. From youth, many of us have experienced working to help make ends meet for our families, be it working under the table or being a part of mass production from home as children. As adults, we continue to hustle during the gig economy often at the cost of our mental health and coveted family time. 

What does reparations mean? People often believe it’s payment for past displacements, but there’s so more to it. In a system that was built against BIPOC folks, the City of St. Paul’s Reparations Legislative Advisory Committee, worked to address reparations. A draft ordinance for permeant repartitions in the city was presented to the city council with public hearings scheduled before the end of the year. 

Lots of things coming up for us this week, things in the news and community and all the issues below the line. How diverse is too diverse in higher education? From a U of M regent questioning the diversity of Morris’ campus and how that relates to another attempt to overturn affirmative action. Additionally, with the first Dia de los Muertos alter displayed in the state capitol, the crew discusses cultural celebrations honoring our ancestors.  

As election day nears, several things weigh heavy on the minds of voters. There is real fear about the safety of getting their ballots counted, voter intimidation, political parties attempting to staff polling locations, and more. 

With the midterm election just weeks away, the crew talks about why voting is important and what may be causing young people to not vote. We also discuss the barriers making it harder to vote, lack of information, and redistricting. Guest: Victor Yang

On our final episode of our Education Series episode, the crew talks higher education. What does diversity and inclusion look like? We talk with Kha Yang, the inaugural Associate Vice President of Inclusive Excellence, at the University of St. Thomas about her experience and vision for the largest private university in Minnesota. 

Minnesota’s, and possibly the country’s, first female Somali principal joins the crew to talk about her journey to becoming the principal of Gideon Pond school in Burnsville. Her aptness of spreading love and joy is at the core of how she wants to leads her school. 

Many people see environmental work as conservation, protecting the natural spaces throughout this world. But that is only part of the larger environmental justice picture. Our guests Roxxanne O’Brien and Justice Jones have been working in North Minneapolis to educate, empower and encourage urban residents to take a look at how things like air quality, water quality and green spaces effect their daily lives. 

The crew is joined by St. Paul Central’s new principal Cherise Ayers, who plans on making Central work for everyone, where everyone thrives. As an alumnae herself, Ayers has returned with a vision cultivate a Central where everyone thrives. The theme this year: We’re in this together. She takes her responsibly to the school, the community, parents and especially our children very seriously.

Our latest Grab Bag covers a variety of topics, but all with the theme of the lack of empathy and inhumane treating of people, including how a pastor in Alabama was arrested for watering his neighbor’s flowers, the removal of encampments for the un-housed, and those who benefit for student loan forgiveness.

As people are getting prepped to go back to school, a new lawsuit has been filed against Minneapolis Public School’s initiative to support and retain teachers of color. In addition to the halting of The WOKE Act in Florida, the crew discusses how not learning the true history of this country only leaves room to repeat history, or, prevents one from understanding how something like putting cotton on a Black child’s head is inappropriate. 

In the first of a series focusing on the education system, the crew talks about back-to-school jitters. As parents (and auntie) of BIPOC children, we have additional concerns about what our children do and did experience in school. We question whether they’re learning the full history of this country and how we can empower them to stand up to the system. 

On our latest Grab Bag show, we talk about yet another racist review of a movie that doesn’t focus on white people, the latest set back on holding someone accountable for the murder of Emmitt Till, and racist happenings at “family-friendly” theme parks. 

Where do we come from and why is that important? The crew talks about the want and need to, but also the barriers to, finding their roots. Once discovered (what we can), how can we preserve the story of our roots for future generations - not just so they know their history, but so they can embrace it?

This week we tackle the continuous work of debunking Stereotypes inside and outside of our communities. There are many ways to debunk stereotypes, but one thing we know for sure is that authentic relationships outweigh them all.