In this episode of the Confronting Whiteness podcast, Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell speaks with Rev. Dr. Dick Hester, a retired professor and therapist with a rich history of activism and opposition to racial oppression. Hester shares his journey of racial awakening from his segregated upbringing in Fort Worth, Texas, to his confrontations with white supremacy and racial injustice throughout his career. Highlighting his experiences as a pastor in racially turbulent times, Hester discusses his involvement in civil rights advocacy and his eventual realization of his own deep-seated racial biases. This transformative journey was further amplified by his participation in the ‘Confronting Whiteness’ course. The episode offers profound insights into understanding whiteness, fostering racial justice, and the continuous work of unlearning ingrained racial prejudices.
00:00 The Hidden History of Racial Oppression
00:46 Introduction to Confronting Whiteness
01:41 Meet Dick Hester: A Journey Through Academia and Ministry
03:01 Early Life and Racial Formation
10:53 Facing Racial Realities in Gainesville
12:49 Challenges and Changes in the Church
16:23 The Impact of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Assassination
17:33 Confronting Racial Discrimination at Sunland Training Center
22:36 Interracial Pulpit Exchange Controversy
25:32 Reflections on Whiteness and Missed Opportunities
30:54 Introduction to the ‘What Does It Mean to Be White?’ Program
31:37 Immersion in Black Authors and Films
33:15 Rewriting the Book: A Confessional Journey
35:47 Reflecting on Personal and Societal Whiteness
38:01 A Childhood Memory and Its Impact
42:06 The Inner Textbook Concept
47:00 Resistance Against Trump and White Supremacy
51:53 Historical Deficiency in Education
56:33 Final Reflections and Words of Hope
58:28 Conclusion and Call to Action
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https://confrontingwhiteness.substack...
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https://confrontingwhiteness.com
Music: “Liquid Spirit” by Gregory Porter, recorded by the Carolina Social Music Club
https://samply.app/p/A33KleusgtaOTTCv...
