Rod and Karen are joined by Professor Lisa Woolfork of the Stitch Please podcast to discuss Black women stitching, activism, Charlottesville, the anti-history movement in the US, Game of Thrones, racism in fantasy, House of the Dragon and Black Capitalists!
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I moved out when I was 17 and my mother always like to bring up that she moved out when she was 16 and went to work as a seamstress — which is how she met my pops by renting a room from my paternal grandmother. All that to say yes, my independent ass mom did her best to make me an independent ass too — which means she taught me how to use a sewing machine by the time I was nine or ten. I primarily use my ‘skills’ to sew on any required uniform patches and repair favorite socks. Neither of these things has happened for at least eight years.
Btw in our family my father is the Pro in sewing. 40 years ago my parents bought a sewing machine and my mother first set on the wrong side. My father said : move over I try it first. And he ended up enjoying it a lot. My mother in the other hand used her incompetence here like a real man.
Again, Rod and Karen , you have the best guests! Lisa was a joy to listen to and has the most gorgeous skin! And how did you know that I am mending a pair of my favorite pants. I do sew, mostly to mend holes and keep my real comfty clothes long past their expiration date. Thank you again Rod and Karen!
Hey Rod , Karen and Professor Lisa,
This was such a great conversation y’all had with Professor Lisa! It never ceases to amaze me- no matter what the setting there will always be some fuckshit we (black people) have to deal with. Lisa is over here just trying to enjoy sewing with her badass color coded sewing threads in the background and they won’t even let her live!!!! Lol
Kudos to Professor Lisa for handling the situation like a g . But respect to her for taking it in stride. Professor Lisa I would love to take your GoT course , it sounds super fun. Thanks for a funny ,thought provoking,and sincere conversation !
Thanks yall
Trey_swindu744
I know about the BMI being used against people of color especially but I also I remember being a teenager in the 90- ties. The body that was the ideal was the one of Kate Moss, very thin and almost androgynous. Almost everyone of my ( everyone of them white, there was as I stated only white friends available! ) felt they weren’t thin enough, even if everyone was a size 6 to 8. Same with myself.
Many of them had eating disorders. There was no body acceptance movement yet.
I can sew ok, I was raised in a working class family where we relied in remaining clothing or changing it because we didn’t have much money. Now this falls under ecological responsible behavior. I repair the clothing of my kids or change small things on my stuff by myself.
I am not gonna send a “wikipedia” entry today, just wanted to say I was glad to not see your podcast as y’all deserve more breaks than you take. Stay healthy!
Also, great to hear from a fellow denizen of an ivory tower. You have some of the best guests and thanks for bringing them!
Yo Roddenkaren! Professor Woolfork was a great guest, and much of what she said about being THE Black person in these White spaces reminded me of my whole upbringing.
I grew up in Southern California and I always had a mixed ethnic demographic of friends from school, my neighborhood, in sports and more. It’s a weird feeling to have it suddenly register that I’m the “Black friend” when it came to White kids. I realized that we’re being taught two completely different sets of “principles” behind closed doors.
We didn’t share racist jokes in my home. We were Christian and weren’t even allowed to say “nigga.” But sometimes these White kids have family members telling them racist ass “jokes,” and they were excited to share them with their Black friends at school. They expect us to be just as amused as they are, but the fragility kicks in if you don’t laugh. That’s when the “I’m not racist! It’s just a joke” pleas come flooding in.
Now many of us have to deal with their adult versions at work and other spaces. You have to decide if you’re going to check somebody AT work or keep getting a check FROM work. As far as we’ve come, we ain’t there yet I guess.
I hope you invite the good Professor back!
Woowee! I sent this episode to my mom because she lives in Charlottesville and she Loves to support black owned businesses -between sending laughing emojis she’s sending me audio messages cussing out the sewing circle that kicked out the guest! Everyone to my mom is “those mother fuckers!” She said she’s gonna send this to everyone she knows. So you might have an influx of black guy who tips fans in Charlottesville, Virginia.
I am listening to the show at work this morning and Five Stars. I love all the Black Joy and Dem Dragons insight and information. Where two or three are gathered it’s always a good time. Also, Shout out to Professor Woolfork for giving praise to Rod and Karen about how they set the standard/boundaries for how they review Dem Thrones and Dem Dragons.